Really struggling...

CTC564 · #1 10-15-2011, 07:25 PM

I'm just getting back into playing again after 12+ years off...

Realistically, I don't expect to pick up where I left off but it's REALLY tough to "start over" again...I have friends asking me to come and sit in regularly but they're not aware that I'm not even a shadow of what I was...it's kind of embarrassing

Any recommendations?

Any good books to get me back "in shape"?

Thanks TB'ers

soulman969 · #2 10-15-2011, 07:37 PM

I think there's so much stuff online these days that you seldom need a book. There are forums here that contain threads with suggestions and hints along with videos that allow you to see and hear as well. I think they're pretty helpful since I'm in somewhat the same boat. But that's what works for me.

fearceol · #3 10-16-2011, 04:23 AM

It might seem like stating the obvious, but just keep playing and be patient and in time I'm sure that your long lost talent and skill will return. Explain to your friends that you are a bit rusty after a long absence. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, as no one should expect a person to be the same as they were, after a twelve year absence. Playing with others is the best way to get up and running again. Maybe you could ask them for their play list in advance, then work on the songs at your leisure.

garak7 · #4 10-16-2011, 05:16 AM

I took a 10+ year hiatus after 25 years of playing full time. I just got back into it a year ago. What I did was to play along to songs I already knew well and to get my reading chops back in working order, used the Hal Leonard "Play along" series which includes a book and CD. You'll be surprised how fast you can get back to your old self again with a little perseverance and patience. Good luck to you.

CTC564 · #5 10-16-2011, 03:55 PM

I appreciate the info...I'll keep plugging along, thanks for the advice

lfmn16 · #6 10-17-2011, 04:33 AM

When I came back from a long absense, the two most important things I did was play with a metronome and record myself. It takes a while for the fingers to catch up with the brain and when I listened to the recordings I was pretty shocked.

Vincent P · #7 10-17-2011, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

When I came back from a long absense, the two most important things I did was play with a metronome and record myself. It takes a while for the fingers to catch up with the brain and when I listened to the recordings I was pretty shocked.

Did the same thing, and practice, practice, practice...

jgroh · #8 10-17-2011, 05:59 AM

For a book, look up the Bass Fitness book. It has a ton of exercises that will get your hands back into playing again quickly. I took a hiatus for roughly the same period of time you did back in my mid 20s (40 now) and it was hard to get back into it again once I decided to pick it back up. Like others said, its just a matter of time.

bassnj · #9 10-17-2011, 06:12 AM

Throw yourself into the fire and jam with your friends.

bassdog · #10 10-17-2011, 06:14 AM

Get back to basics. Take one hour for practice each day. Do some excercises. run some scales, modes, arpeggios. Review a few tunes. A couple of weeks of that and you'll be fine.

CTC564 · #11 10-17-2011, 04:26 PM

Really appreciate the input and encouraging words...thanks :-)

grendle · #12 10-17-2011, 04:46 PM

Back after 10 years off (i did play some guitar then though). You just have to play and work the kinks out. It takes a few months, but you can do it. Play along with songs your familiar with to get your chops up. Use the same ones that made you better back in the day. Build those callous's back and show em what's up! You did it before, you can do it again (will probably sound better this time too lol)

bherman · #13 10-17-2011, 05:03 PM

I was in that camp, except it was a 20-year hiatus. there are two things going on at once (IMO); what you used to know that you've since forgotten, both in your head and eye/hand coordination, and the physical part - building up your strength, getting your fingers, hands, and arms back in shape, etc. Make sure that you focus on both.

Like anything you get back to, take your time and dont overdo it at first.

**funkybass4ever** · #14 10-17-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bherman

I was in that camp, except it was a 20-year hiatus. there are two things going on at once (IMO); what you used to know that you've since forgotten, both in your head and eye/hand coordination, and the physical part - building up your strength, getting your fingers, hands, and arms back in shape, etc. Make sure that you focus on both.

Like anything you get back to, take your time and dont overdo it at first.

Yes! and the finger strength takes time to develop again, and to get those callouses on the fingers

jk47 · #15 10-17-2011, 06:32 PM

I just started up again after around a 10-15 year layoff. It sounds like you were probably a lot better than me but it didn't take me too long to get back into playing shape. Just put the time in and it will all come back.

seventhframe · #16 10-17-2011, 11:44 PM

One small COMFORTABLE step at a time and try not to get ahead of yourself or think how easy it was "back then".
I'm also back into music after many years of not playing (granted, before this I played drums) and in the beginning I was REALLY struggling with getting my chops, tone and overall feel back for music.
I recently started taking lessons from a bass teacher who plays bass, knows bass, studied bass and only does bass. He's given me a lot of structure and confidence. So maybe take a lesson or two just to get back into having a routine and saw at it little by little.

It's great that you're back to playing, embrace that feeling and go with it! Don't look back, look at now. Then, in a years time, look back and smile

You'll be at a much more comfortable place.

Now for gods sake, crank it up!!!!!!!!!

number six · #17 10-18-2011, 04:27 AM

28 years out and some years I only played along to a CD for half an hour so nowhere near keeping the fingers 'in'.
Confidence was my biggest problem. Or lack of.

It's been a year and while I haven't been gigging a lot I'd say I'm almost back to where I was. The backing vocals are coming back now too. It all comes back, just give it time.
And your recent life and musical experiences will probab;ly make you better than you were.

Ed Fuqua · #18 10-18-2011, 06:53 AM

Well, what are you working on to "get back in shape"? What are the problems/obstacles you are running into that make you a "shadow" of your former self?

Rockin Mike · #19 10-18-2011, 06:58 AM

Don't overdo it.
After 15 years off I jumped back in to the hardest stuff I used to do and wound up with a carpal-type injury.

Limit practice to an hour or two a day.

CTC564 · #20 10-18-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Well, what are you working on to "get back in shape"? What are the problems/obstacles you are running into that make you a "shadow" of your former self?

Coordination, and speed

I'm sure that most of my issues will be worked out in time...I've never been much of a structured student regarding practicing and learning to do that now, in order to instill better habits, is tough to maintain