Bass player giving up - help!

Enmesarra · #1 05-06-2011, 02:59 PM

(I guess this is the right place for this thread, but if not; feel free to move!)

Last night, I've decided that I've had enough. My main desire as a bass player is to play acid jazz/funk/70's disco/pop/you get the idea/ style. But I have only had the chance to play with metal bands, and I've even been without a band for almost 2 years. Everytime I pick up my bass, I find myself playing the same stuff over and over again (some Jamiroquai, Incognito, Chic, Jaco and usually that's it), and then I drop the bass with despair. I can't improvise with a decent drummer to improve myself because there is just a few in my town and there is none that I know, that I can practice with. I know the scales, some tips for grooving, I have a decent "sense of muting" (if there is such a term), I don't exactly "suck" as a bassist (proud member of the mediocre bassist club, though

) but I feel like I'm exactly where I was 2 years ago. Or 3. Maybe even 4. That causes me to lose my love and passion towards bass playing. I'll be in Seville, Spain for 1 year due to my exchange program next year, so I hope I can get decent chances to jam with more suited people. In the meantime, I have to get rid of this feeling. What should I do? What should I focus on practising? I'm open to any suggestions. I know it was kind of a long and boring post but I just didn't know what to do and I figured if anyone could help me, it would be someone from here!!

tangentmusic · #2 05-06-2011, 03:17 PM

Try to look at the bright side. You're young. You're moving to another country.
Make some contacts when you get to Spain with musicians who's style you want to play.
Check out the local Jazz/Funk scene soon as possible. Look at it as a musical fresh start. Avoid the thoughts of giving up.

We all get into perceived ruts now and again. Don't despair, get determined.
Playing with like-minded musicians in a new country seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Make the most of it.

Rebop · #3 05-06-2011, 03:19 PM

Just stick with it. I completely stopped playing for almost 2 years and it was a very bad move. A change in scenery may certainly help you as different people from another area will without a doubt be into different things. Perhaps not focusing on playing in a band may be best for you right now. Practicing with recorded music, although not as fulfilling, will make you a better player in the long run. I still have days where I want to quit or dismiss my profession as a bassist but I don't think I will ever actually quit playing again; if you do, you may miss it, or you may not. Only you can decide if this is really the road for you. The main thing is, don't let a bit of discouraging situations get you down, especially before going to Western Europe. I'm sure you'll find a lot of cool people to play with or at least be on the same page musically. I've played in a lot of crappy bar bands that only played classic rock and top 40 but I learned a crap load about gigging and how to play in an ensemble. I HATE classic rock but I stuck with it, so far as to play in more than one classic rock cover band and actually have a good time doing it.
To quote Dell Paxton from the movie That Thing You Do:
"...Bands come and go. You got to keep on playin', no matter with who... And watch your money..."

I don't know what my point is; hopefully I made one.

BASSDROID · #4 05-06-2011, 03:23 PM

Sticking with it is the only way to get better. Sure, it will be difficult sometimes, but don't give in. Spending some time with an excellent private instructor can be very helpful and will give you new ideas about how to approach the instrument. I'm sure you will have no problem finding someone like that in Spain. Spending some time learning about how music works (not just bass) can be very interesting and inspiring.

Striver · #5 05-06-2011, 03:24 PM

You're not alone. Feeling the same as you, I intend to try my hand at recording myself and coming up with accompaniments using Apple's GarageBand on my Mac. Perhaps this type of thing could provide new frontiers for you as well.

Bryan

Octavian · #6 05-06-2011, 03:30 PM

There are three broad options (as I see it):

1) Quit altogether.

2) Pick up another instrument and leave the bass behind.

3) Put your nose to the grindstone and keep working.

I advocate a mixture of 2 & 3.

2 - Learn another instrument while still playing the bass, or even drop the bass for the summer and learn piano, guitar or drums. Trust me, the new skills you learn will carry over to the bass.

3 - There is a lifetime of learning and mastering just one instrument. Explore other styles of music. Take some formal lessons. Heck, Ant Wellington is one of many top bassists offering Skype lessons. I would imagine just one session with any of these individuals has great potential to turn your current view of the bass upside down.

theduke1 · #7 05-06-2011, 03:47 PM

I find that to work on my skills I put songs on a CD that I want to learn and then play along until I know the tune and then work on creating my style to fit the tune. it's not like a band, but it keeps me sharp and no conflicts!
Good luck!

Russell L · #8 05-06-2011, 03:51 PM

Then, now's the right moment to make something happen. Just when you get this low is the time. And hey, you gonna quit just because nothing seems to be working for you? You have to push through tough times, otherwise there's no progress. Giving up gets you nowhere, except to a bag full of regrets. Make the decision within yourself that failure is not an option. When you finally realize that, then, success is the only possible outcome. So, quit frowning and start smiling about it. With a positive attitude your whole world will turn around.

Enmesarra · #9 05-06-2011, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the support guys. Well, music has always been crucial for me, so I don't think I'll EVER completely quit, but these kind of things just discourage me you know? I'm pretty sure that most of us have experienced such a feeling, more or less. I started playing stuff seriously as a guitar player, 11 years ago. I still play that, and I started playing the darbuka (doumbek) to give me a better approach on rhythms. So yeah, I'm not quitting, I'm on "standby mode", so to speak

But I don't want to lose time, as an impatient guy. Any more advises on exactly what to focus on, what to work on, what to listen & inspect more?

And once again, thank you all for your support, you have been helpful as always. I love Talkbass!!!

Raccoon · #10 05-06-2011, 04:20 PM

Hi from the other side of the planet! If you're like me, you're looking for that great feeling of locking in to the groove and letting the music flow- that, and positive feedback is what keeps me going (I have some very good friends, some of whom are not musicians!). Things looked a lot simpler for me after I got Victor Wooten's Groove Workshop dvd, 'cos I started thinking about the bass differently and it gave me a bunch of new stuff to do. Perhaps you would get a kick out of it too.
Cheers!

**Staccato** · #11 05-06-2011, 04:31 PM

Great advice here, and Seville is a really cool place (and the people) if it's anything like when I visited there.

bassix67 · #12 05-07-2011, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enmesarra

Thanks for the support guys. Well, music has always been crucial for me, so I don't think I'll EVER completely quit, but these kind of things just discourage me you know? I'm pretty sure that most of us have experienced such a feeling, more or less. I started playing stuff seriously as a guitar player, 11 years ago. I still play that, and I started playing the darbuka (doumbek) to give me a better approach on rhythms. So yeah, I'm not quitting, I'm on "standby mode", so to speak

But I don't want to lose time, as an impatient guy. Any more advises on exactly what to focus on, what to work on, what to listen & inspect more?

And once again, thank you all for your support, you have been helpful as always. I love Talkbass!!!

Get a good teacher to take you out of your rut!!! Take the plunge, if your serious about being a bass player and want to take it to the next level. Learning the fundamentals of harmony and theory will enhance what you already know and make
Learning new things fun and a lot easier.

There are so many guys on skype to help you out these days. Look up Dave LaRue. He's really good at teaching and has a great teaching system. I studied with home for 2 years 15 yrs ago back in Jersey. Really opened my ears.
I think Gary Willis gives skype lessons and he lives in barcelona a bit of a drive but may be worth it.
Mr Wellington was already mentioned
And I can't leave out Adam Nitti and Musicdojo.com.

bThumper38 · #13 05-07-2011, 01:00 AM

I live out in the woods for a long time, and had no jam friends, so I got into Ableton, and pretty much just played with loop drums. You can do pretty slick arrangements on Ableton, and use it as a performance tool. just some food for thought. Plus it's great for "acid jazz/funk/70's disco/pop/you get the idea/ style".

**garmenteros** · #14 05-07-2011, 01:12 AM

I felt like you did 3 or 4 years ago and thought about quitting. Actually one of the reasons I didn't quit was because of GAS ironically. I had spent some hard earned money on a head and a cab, bought a standard fender p and upgraded it and even bought a line 6 bass pod xt. I figured after I had spent that much money no way I was quitting. So I stuck with it. Even if it would take me 10 years to be able to play things I thought were in no way reachable goals for myself I said to myself keep with it. I got out of my comfort zone and started listening to stuff I would never even consider that (according to what I've heard and read) are essential things any well rounded musician should have a feel fore in genres other than my favorites and playing along to those. Started with some james brown, jimmi hendrix, got into classic rock zeppelin sabbath the who rush, gave a listen to bob marley and matisyahu, made things a whole lot more fun. I used to listen to hardcore punk and modern metal/rock about 95% of the time so it was a welcome change. At first I didn't think I'd like any of the bands I mentioned but they all seemed to grow on me and sabbath is one of my favorite bands now. I appreciate stuff in a different way and can make connections...

skwee · #15 05-07-2011, 08:56 AM

Looping a drum part is very easy in garageband, or google drum loop .wav and put a bunch into audacity. Now, you have a drummer to improvise with. Go find a place where they are playing music you like to listen to/play, and introduce yourself after the set.

67precision · #16 05-07-2011, 09:15 AM

It's usually when you feel like hanging it up that a new door will open. I agree that learning another instrument will help get you through and open other opportunities for you.

I have been lucky in that I have always found folks to play with - Seville is a bustling metropolis and should have places to meet other musicians.

Music is a lifelong endeavor and while it is easy to get discouraged don't quit. The world definitely needs more bassists.

best of luck to you.

Skwee, are you with a band in Mpls.? I grew up there and was actively involved in the scene during the 90's. I moved away in 2002 but am now playing there regularly with my daughter's band. Message me and let me know when you're playing.

peace.

JimmyM · #17 05-07-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassix67

Get a good teacher to take you out of your rut!!!

completely 100% agree. you've run out of stuff to teach yourself. always happens with self taught folks. there is nothing like a good teacher to get yourself out of a rut.

countrybassist · #18 05-07-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

completely 100% agree. you've run out of stuff to teach yourself. always happens with self taught folks. there is nothing like a good teacher to get yourself out of a rut.

+1

jay tay · #19 07-01-2011, 02:29 AM

I had a very similar isue when I was younger, I was into the whole acid jazz/ neo soul thing, but I could only seem to find gigs in punk, and metal! Just by chance I went to a jazz club one night on the way home from college, and they was having a Funk/Jazz Jam night. I took my bass down, the next week, and before I knew it, I was getting offered work! Find some where that has a good scene, and just integrate your self, Jam nights are a great way to expose/promote yourself to a new genre.

jay tay · #20 07-01-2011, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

Hi from the other side of the planet! If you're like me, you're looking for that great feeling of locking in to the groove and letting the music flow- that, and positive feedback is what keeps me going (I have some very good friends, some of whom are not musicians!). Things looked a lot simpler for me after I got Victor Wooten's Groove Workshop dvd, 'cos I started thinking about the bass differently and it gave me a bunch of new stuff to do. Perhaps you would get a kick out of it too.
Cheers!

Just watched this DVD, without a doubt the best inspiring, and instructional DVD I have ever seen. Anthony Wellington's section on timing, is fantastic, and the chromatic scale thing is just genius!