Greetings, fellow bassists.
I've recently returned to playing bass daily after being asked to play gigs for two bands. Yeah, kind of weird, considering I haven't really played actively in about 20 years, but it's happened, and here we are.
I have in the past 20 years picked up the bass to play, mostly to sub at a gig or to help instruct a player in a band on how to play certain songs. I have a strange ability to pick up bass lines very quickly, and can nail the notes fairly quickly and then teach them. However, as we all know, practice makes perfect, and practice is something I haven't done daily in a very long time.
As for my true ability, I'd say that I'm average at best. I can play most top 40 songs, rock and lots of alternative stuff, but my ability to play YYZ has diminished greatly in the past 20 years! I can hold a beat well, and my fingers seem to have kept their callouses and they can still find notes, but I need to work on dexterity and strength.
I've been reading with great interest the posts here about practicing scales. This is what I was told when I first started playing bass almost 30 years ago, and I learned blues progressions and went from there. Now, I find myself wanting to become a better player, and have the gear to do so (two basses, two amps, lots of peripherals, etc).
I am open to any suggestions on what to do, and am even open to taking lessons. My only concern is the fact that after 30 years, my habits are pretty solid. I'm open to learning new tricks, but un-learning the old tricks can be a bear.
Is there anyone here that has been in my situation and have any words of wisdom? I'm all ears.
Back to playing after a LONG absence 
