Picking the Bass Back Up

loend36 · #1 08-15-2009, 12:11 AM

I have not played bass guitar for about two years. Up until two years ago, I practiced everyday for about three years, and had been playing for six years. When I started my college career, I was a jazz performance major.

That lasted one semester.

Now in my third year of college, I'm a journalism major, but tonight, I picked the P-bass up to see what I can do.

Of course, I lost my chops -- and a few callouses -- but that's expected. I have a handful of music books, standards, practice materials, etc. at my disposal. However, I'm not sure how to jump back into things.

I don't want to become the player I once was. I just want to have the chops, rhythm and ear back.

What do you recommend? Thanks everybody.

jkramer5 · #2 08-15-2009, 12:23 AM

Play.

arnebv · #3 08-15-2009, 05:43 PM

Thats not a bad advise.

I picked up the bass again a month or two ago after nearly eight (8!!) years off, due to some wrist pain issues in both hands (dunno what its called in English..)
Time was gone
Rythm was gone
Reading notes was gone (never been very strong at this anyway)
Some speed was still there (though rather uncontrolled)
Right hand muting technic still there
Basic overview and feel with the bass was still there

Now after a pretty short time, things are coming back. I have not bothered extensive "practising", rather just having fun and enjoyed playing with my self ('sic'), listening to old idols (jaco and me'shell in particular), and tried to remember some of the tunes i knew back in the days.

So my advice is...
Jeah, you guessed it.

Play

MalcolmAmos · #4 08-16-2009, 06:33 AM

Once we learn a skill no one can take it away from us, except us. If we don't use it we lose it. But, it does come back because the how to do it is stored somewhere deep within us we just have to drag it back into our awareness.

That and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee in East Texas.

pj-mike · #5 08-16-2009, 05:59 PM

About 7 years ago I picked up bass again after a 25 year break. The thing that will drive you crazy is that you'll have musical ideas that you can't play yet. Stick with it, it comes back fast.
Welcome back