i've been playing about 2 years now and can play most things someone asks me to learn but i cant come up with anything decent, or if i do it takes me absolutely ages.

i really love music and i love playing bass but how to hell do i get around this obstacle?

Thanks.
Bass_Junkie.

I'm in almost your exact situation. I've been playing for almost 2 years w/ lessons, and I have a hard time writing any music.

One of the things that I'm trying is learning the melodies to songs as well as basslines. This just kind of gives a new perspective on the different parts of music.

Taking apart music of your influences and understanding things like the chord progressions they use, the transitions between phrases and things like that help. Even though I'm still struggling to write, I find that if I come up with a lyric or even just a phrase I can find a rhythm from that and go from there. I've been told the key is to take baby steps when writing.

i've been playing about 2 years now and can play most things someone asks me to learn but i cant come up with anything decent, or if i do it takes me absolutely ages.

i really love music and i love playing bass but how to hell do i get around this obstacle?

Thanks.
Bass_Junkie.

It takes about 10 years to become a good musician so you are still but a grasshopper. Study more theory to get ideas. Listen to more styles and players for ideas. Transcribe and analyze more music. Come up with ideas away from the bass, sing or play another instrument and come up with ideas and transpose them to bass. Read books on creativity like Free Play, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, or Victor Wooten's The Music Lesson.

Bottom line to get more ideas you need to listen and transcribe more. Use someone else's line as the seed to grow your own. It is said good player borrow from others, great player steal!

Bottom line to get more ideas you need to listen and transcribe more. Use someone else's line as the seed to grow your own. It is said good player borrow from others, great player steal!

+1000

The more music you listen to, the more ideas you get. All you need is one small bass riff or part of a melody from new song to ignite new ideas of your own.

Don't give up!

This is my 4th year of playing (since I started playing again after a 25 year break). I'm just really starting to significantly expand my capabilities. BTW: I absolutely regret that I stopped playing bass all those years ago. :scowl:
But, I'm glad I started back up again! :bassist: :hyper:

Lastly, find a way to get that enthusiasm back. Starting this thread is a good start! ;)

Time to let the world know of my single greatest inspiration, of which I've found I can steal many many ideas off of. :ninja:

Play off the trees. I kid you not.

How to go about doing this:

1) Find a place with a decent amount of trees.
2) Look at the trees.
3) Pretend that the top of the trees are like notes on a staff.
4) Proceed to sing using the tops of the trees as if they were nothing more then sheet music.

It's actually based off of how Native Americans would learn songs to play/sing. Very effective. Now for the criticism to blow in. :hiding:

FIND A GOOD TEACHER. Emphasis on "good." Someone who can teach you real theory and not just a bunch of licks. Someone who can listen to and analyze your playing on the fly to help you with your weak areas.

Yes, listening to lots of music, studying theory and books, etc. are all valuable, but under the right guidance, you can use those tools to improve more rapidly.

Personally, I find it difficult to write solely on bass because I often find myself trying to write guitar parts instead of bass I guess so whatever i write sounds more interestign and can stand on its own. I find it easier to write a chord progression on guitar first and then write a bass line to that (I am horrible at guitar but it helps none the less)

I've been playing for a little longer than you, and have hit plateau's.

DocBop hit the nail on the head with his advise.. Transcribe and know that you are going to progress in time... I know guys who have been playing for 15+ years and still admit they have much to learn. When I listen to them, I am in awe of their music ability and they are still striving to get better.

Learn another instrument. Since the bass line tends to fit between the other instruments, try coming up with something else first. For example, get a drum machine or something to get a drum line going. Then try to add a bass line around it.

You may not need to worry about chord changes at first. A lot of funk music doesn't change chords. It has one chord for the chorus and one chord for the rest of the song. Start out writing riffs that you can loop on and worry about chord changes later.

Don't worry about how long it takes you to write stuff. Very few people can just sit down and come up with something worth while. It's usually an iterative process that takes a while.

Learn to play guitar.

Bottom line to get more ideas you need to listen and transcribe more. Use someone else's line as the seed to grow your own. It is said good player borrow from others, great player steal!

Agreed! Listen to everything you can! Even genres you don't like. There is something to be gained from all types of music.

Realistically, anything on the airwaves now or on recordings now is some form of what someone else did 10, 20, 30, 100 years ago!

Start by really listening to your favorite music and hearing where they are going harmonically and melodically. Really study it. Then as quoted above, borrow or steal bits of what you like and add your own style to it.

Also, simplify. If you're in a rut, try starting at the basics. Start with simple, tried and true, cliche progressions, just to get yourself a point to branch out from.

PS - Don't quit! Just keep banging at it! At some point, you'll break through and the ideas will flow!

Learning piano never hurts, and is the most accessible way to learn theory. Learning about chord structures and resolutions will really help you break out of the ruts.

I would disagree with the above that it takes "about 10 years" to become a "good musician". It takes a lifetime for some, and minutes for others. There is no bar set for this. I've known people with zero facility/latent talent, but built strong reading skills and good playing stamina (essential for upright players) and as a result have made long and very successful careers. I've also known players that fell into their instrument like they should have been delivered with one in the womb.

Don't judge yourself by how long you've been playing, you have your whole life to play and learn about your instrument. Keep reaching for it and you CAN get there, even if you're not going to be a virtuouso.

Time to let the world know of my single greatest inspiration, of which I've found I can steal many many ideas off of. :ninja:

Play off the trees. I kid you not.

How to go about doing this:

1) Find a place with a decent amount of trees.
2) Look at the trees.
3) Pretend that the top of the trees are like notes on a staff.
4) Proceed to sing using the tops of the trees as if they were nothing more then sheet music.

It's actually based off of how Native Americans would learn songs to play/sing. Very effective. Now for the criticism to blow in. :hiding:

that very well may be...the most......interesting and inspiring thing related to music that i have ever heard. i have to try that as soon as possible.

Do NOT give up.

We all level off and gain again, it is a cycle.

I am going through a HUGE stale time right now, I can write, I can play anything anyone throws at me...sometimes I don't feel like picking it up. Go back and listen to some of the songs that made you wanna play in the first place and jam out. Theory and lessons can't break you out of a slump...YOU do.


You've got to want it.


Or go to a Rush concert...whoever doesn't wanna play bass after watching Ged work needs to be checked for a pulse lol

I've been on the verge of giving up for a little better than 25 years now. Don't let it get you down.

Time to let the world know of my single greatest inspiration, of which I've found I can steal many many ideas off of. :ninja:

Play off the trees. I kid you not.

How to go about doing this:

1) Find a place with a decent amount of trees.
2) Look at the trees.
3) Pretend that the top of the trees are like notes on a staff.
4) Proceed to sing using the tops of the trees as if they were nothing more then sheet music.

It's actually based off of how Native Americans would learn songs to play/sing. Very effective.

that's rad, i'm gonna do it!

Dont give up. It takes time. I have been playing for about 25 years. I did have a 4-5 year break. I sold it all and never touched a string instrument. I got a bass again and thought. wow, this is gonna be hard -I was so ham fisted. With in 1 month I was back up and running and in 6 months I was better than ever and just keep getting better.
I can be creative at the drop of a hat now.

Time to let the world know of my single greatest inspiration, of which I've found I can steal many many ideas off of. :ninja:

Play off the trees. I kid you not.

How to go about doing this:

1) Find a place with a decent amount of trees.
2) Look at the trees.
3) Pretend that the top of the trees are like notes on a staff.
4) Proceed to sing using the tops of the trees as if they were nothing more then sheet music.

It's actually based off of how Native Americans would learn songs to play/sing. Very effective. Now for the criticism to blow in. :hiding:

Norm Stockton has a great set of DVD's called "Groovin for Heaven" and if you want to really know theory get Vol 2. He is a Christian but he is adamant that the DVD's are for all folks and he does not try to proselytize you. Great guy, someone I am privileged to call a friend and a brother. Check out his website for details.


Now as far as the tree thing well, if it works great but without a solid foundation in music theory you are going to really struggle to make music IMO. Musicianship is work; get the basics under your belt, be patient, develop good practice habits and I guarantee you will make gains.
Above all, enjoy playing, whatever level you may be at. There is always somebody better.........

DO NOT GIVE UP. I know it's been said before but don't do it. I know exactly how you feel because I've been there dozens of times in my 7 years of playing. When I start to feel that way I tend to take a break for a little while. I'll leave the bass alone for as long as I can stand it and listen to as many different styles and musicians as possible during that time. When I finally pick it up again I come back with a fresh outlook and excitement to continue to learn. This works for me....For the past year and a half I've been playing occasionally with one of the best musicians I've ever heard and have been discouraged a lot of the time. Instead of giving up I just worked on the areas where I knew I was weak and as a result the past three or four times I've played with her she's been blown away! You'll get through this just don't give up.....All good things take time and practice. If all else fails practice....Jaco used to practice 12 hours a day. Keep working!

Now as far as the tree thing well, if it works great but without a solid foundation in music theory you are going to really struggle to make music IMO. Musicianship is work; get the basics under your belt, be patient, develop good practice habits and I guarantee you will make gains.
Above all, enjoy playing, whatever level you may be at. There is always somebody better.........

It can be debated regarding having music theory under your belt as a "necessary" tool to create music. I however, totally agree with whamonkey; music theory is like learning to spell a new language rather then just speaking it without knowing how you formed it. Music should be fun, not "work".

hearing a musician say he might give up really gets to me. i hate hearing that.

plus i was gonna be in a band next month and they've just told me they've found someone else so i'm not needed, great.

This is the 'paying your dues' stage of your development - and the payoffs are BIG (at least in enjoyment) for those who persevere. I agree about the Norm Stockton DVD series (I have all 4) - but you need to start with Vol 1 and progress through the series.

Like Steven Covey says in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People "BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND". You don't get to skip to the end.

Paying the dues, learning basic theory, practicing scales and modes aren't the payoff they are a payment. And you learn some fun things along the way. Hang in there and you will surprise yourself sooner than you expect!

Playing in a band with other musicians is what made me want to go further in music

And yeah, finding a good teacher, if you don't have one yet, might good as well :)

hearing a musician say he might give up really gets to me. i hate hearing that.

I agree.

My advice is to get most out of your bass lessons. Find new ways of playing the same exercises, break up the rythmns, the use of rests and dead notes. Record every practice session. You probably do come up with good stuff when you noodle around. You just need to record and capture it on tape. Transcribe the stuff you like then use it in a different environment. Learn the melodys to some jazz standards. Listen to some Charlie Parker.

plus i was gonna be in a band next month and they've just told me they've found someone else so i'm not needed, great.

so what? ive been through many bands. ive had bands ask me to join but then never speak to them again. its no big deal. i love music, i love playing bass. that wouldnt discourage me.

plus i was gonna be in a band next month and they've just told me they've found someone else so i'm not needed, great.

Hey hardest thing to learn is music is a business and like applying for jobs you don't get them all and it isn't all about your skills. Just go out and find some others or do some auditions there are lots of people to play with. Then when you don't get the gig use it to your advantage ask yourself why but don't beat yourself up. I didn't know the style well enough. I didn't pickup on the songs fast enough. I talked too much, too little. My sound wasn't right. Don't forget they didn't know what they were looking for. They wanted someone exactly like <fill in the blank> and that isn't me. You need to read them too... They appeared to already have make a decison, but let me audition anyway. They were all into a "Look" or style and I'm not that. If really concerned ask around see if someonen might of heard who got the gig you might find out they gave it to a friend so you had no chance unless you blew the doors off the jams. You have to have a feel for who your dealing with but sometimes you can ask why you didn't get it.

This is the music and you're going to be going after gigs all the time and get some and not get a lot, you can't take it personal. If you haven't figured it out by now muscians are a strange lot so reasons for getting and not getting gigs for most part never make a lot of sense. There are great musicians that are great friends but won't play with each other because for some reason musically they don't click. There are musicians, singers, managers who all have some "Vision" of what they need and you don't fit. Learn from each audition or jam what you can, do what you need to improve, and keep on playing.

The only other option is to just play for yourself or have music as a hobby. The bad side of that is many may not like playing with you for musical or other reasons. The great part who gives a dam. Some of the best Jazz players are ones that play for a hobby. They don't have to worry about paying the bills so not afraid to live on the cutting edge musically.