Please help!!!!!!!!

azfryguy · #1 07-15-2010, 04:54 PM

I have a massive problem! I started playing bass when i was 12 I am now 17, I have always loved playing but a couple months playing bass just lost it spark, its not nearly as fun as it used to be. I am in a band and we practice 2 times a week for about three hours a time. Other than that i play bass for like 3 more hours a week and thats it. I am very depressed because I still love bass and my passion for it is just gone. Even a year ago I would play a couple hours a day and go to band practice. So Im guessing because you are a vetren bassist you have had these set backs or whatever you wanna call them but how do you get out of them? Please help im having alot of trouble with this.

casio · #2 07-16-2010, 09:53 AM

If I can be bold enough to chime in, there can be many different remedies for this problem!
You can always try broadening the way you practice and listen to music. Maybe try to focus more on writing songs than on the bass those few hours that you do play it.
But mostly I would say it has nothing to do with touching the instrument, you just have to sit down and think of what makes you want to play music, and then where the bass comes in that equation.
I think every player on every level of profficiency has times when he steers away from the instrument or just doesnt listen to music or whatever, but they also keep coming back because its something you can't shake off.
There's always the sad option where you can try another band? Maybe even another instrument?
It's all about making music, if that's what you want!
may not be much help, but I hope it is!

azfryguy · #3 07-16-2010, 11:35 AM

thank you very much sir i went to this website http://www.musictheory.net/lessons it kinda helped cause i never really tried learning thoery but now that i know its not just me the spark is back thank you my friend!

JimmyM · #4 07-17-2010, 02:53 AM

ya, everyone goes through periods where they bum out. but i've heard you play and you've got real potential, so i'd say the thing for you to do is get your academics down, maybe study with a really advanced teacher schooled in jazz concepts, and maybe start writing songs as well. and maybe start taking up a couple other instruments as well. all bass players could do with some guitar, piano. or drum skills. or even singing skills. even if you don't get as good with them as you do bass, they're invaluable. guitar, keyboard, and bg vocal skills are half the reason justin got the nin gig.

jmjbassplayer · #5 07-17-2010, 09:04 AM

Just follow where your interest leads...it's possible that bass may not be your final destination. If you get bored, try some other stuff. Keep diverse. On the other hand (and this could be very likely), you need a new challenge as far as the bass goes. Perhaps you need something more strenuous to do on the instrument, musically speaking.

Best,
Justin

azfryguy · #6 07-19-2010, 11:24 AM

thanks guys i really appreciate the help you have all saved me from days of worrying im back in action!

casio · #7 07-19-2010, 04:45 PM

that's great to hear!
I've given similar advice to some people I know (as I can imagine a lot of people here have), and I'm glad to hear that making music isn't just a fad you got bored of!
A lot of people start, and then stop because they don't feel motivated enough, and that happens to a lot of people. But those people usualy end up stopping, which may be better for them because they may end up just wasting time and money while they could be doing something smarter for them.
On the other hand there's people like you who get stuck in a rut, and I'm glad to hear you're back on track to making music, because for a lot of us here, that's what counts, even if its not our day job!

azfryguy · #8 07-19-2010, 06:20 PM

thanks man your a very good speaker and do you lice in croatia do you know cro cop

casio · #9 07-20-2010, 06:19 AM

haha I actually got a chance to meet the guy, he was training near where I live!
I'm not a good speaker, to be honest, but writing I can manage, I'm lucky being born in Canada so my Croatian accent doesn't come across on the forum!

though I doubt JMJ is a UFC fan, so I shouldn't keep this up!

rtslinger · #10 07-20-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azfryguy

I have a massive problem! I started playing bass when i was 12 I am now 17, I have always loved playing but a couple months playing bass just lost it spark, its not nearly as fun as it used to be. I am in a band and we practice 2 times a week for about three hours a time. Other than that i play bass for like 3 more hours a week and thats it. I am very depressed because I still love bass and my passion for it is just gone. Even a year ago I would play a couple hours a day and go to band practice. So Im guessing because you are a vetren bassist you have had these set backs or whatever you wanna call them but how do you get out of them? Please help im having alot of trouble with this.

Buy a new bass or amp different from what you have. Maybe explore different sounds with effects pedals make what's becoming old new again and if you have to change music styles that you are currently playing or listening to all of this I believe will help works for me been playing since I was 9 and I am 51 yeah yeah I know a long time! RTS

Mike Saville · #11 07-20-2010, 12:32 PM

I come across this problem a lot in the teaching I do and online.

In my experience most players approach the issue from the wrong angle, what can I practice that will motivate me more. That's upside down for me.

My advice in most of these cases is to put the instrument down and to think about what it is you really want from your music. Make it big? Great chops? Write Songs? Large venues?

Once you know what it is you want to do, really do, then you can make your practice fit that. You'll be much more motivated on the back of it

azfryguy · #12 07-20-2010, 02:34 PM

you guys are really awesome thanks alot