Getting Back Into Bass but Can`t Get my Head "Right".

HosMan · #1 11-15-2009, 03:33 AM

After 10 years of not even touching a bass I`m now owner of a decent beginner rig.I am excited and want to re-learn bass;want the satisfaction and pride that comes from hearing and feeling your skills increase.

Seems that lately I make excuses and induldge in negative self-talk...which is causing me to either cut short or skip the practice altogether.

Hope this does`nt sound weird or wimpy but I honestly feel guilty and rather ashamed that I quit playing all those years ago.Remembering how I used to play,and all the different songs knew seems to haunt me as I(literally)fumble and stumble over the fretboard.Seems re-learning is going slower than when I first was learning.

Sorry,for the violins and sad eyes.Should be happy(and I am)that my guitar-player friend got me the bass for a b-day present.Really feel self-inferior when he "shows off"(not intented as such) by jamming effortlessly on my ax.Silly because I should`nt compare myself to someone with years of experience.Just kind of put some doubt in the old noodle.

Ok,guys! Talkbass and the TBers pretty much helped me learn to play way back when,so I`m asking for some words of advice and also some inspirational and motivational "peptalks"!
Seems like when I just pick up "Tuxie"(black & white) impromptu that I am way more relaxed and focused.Telling myself "you need to practice.you have to practice" triggers some psycho bs in my pea brain.

Thanks for reading long zzzz post.
HosMan
(TB`s own basket case)

JimmyM · #2 11-15-2009, 03:44 AM

Either do it or don't. If you do it, you'll learn how to play bass again. If not, you won't. It's that simple.

thepeopleperson · #3 11-15-2009, 03:49 AM

Is there something that motivates you about playing bass? I think you mentioned remembering how you were able to play stuff before.

Just think about that, or whatever it is, every time you think negatively and just... persevere!

HosMan · #4 11-15-2009, 04:32 AM

Much obliged,guys! Tough love,Jimmy!

You`re right though.Do or don`t and lose the whining!

Reading through the forums here is really having a positive effect on me.It`s all brand new again.Getting excited,even. `s a good thing!

HosMan

Bass Junkie · #5 11-15-2009, 04:48 AM

I find that just being older and having much more on my mind makes it difficult to focus on practicing. It was easier when I was young and stupid and only thought about music, girls, and partying(not always in that order). But now I have more responsibilities and concerns that occupy my brain.

I suggest starting out slow by first putting on a set of headphones in a relaxed setting and just listen to music for a while. Try to feel the emotion from the music you felt in the past. Then pick a song that you like that's not too difficult and sit down with you axe and play along with it. Not only learn the notes, but relearn the emotion and passion for the music you experienced in the past. Good luck!

HosMan · #6 11-15-2009, 05:56 AM

Thanks,Bass Junkie! Great advice there.I never took the age and life differences of the student(moi) into consideration but I am sure it is part of the problem.

For years after I quit playing I refused to listen to any of the songs that I used to play.Hearing the old tunes and knowing I used to "do" that...well,it always made me feel sad and bummed out.On the right path because I find myself really listening to any song`s bassline now;analysing it.Going to take things nice and slow.Don`t force it.

Thanks!

klokker · #7 11-15-2009, 06:06 AM

I could be wrong, but what's "wrong with your head" is that maybe you've made the destination more important than the journey.

You're on the comeback trail, man!

HosMan · #8 11-15-2009, 06:13 AM

I think you are right,Klokker.Dwelling on the past and trying to play "catch up" I guess. Taking the time to enjoy the journey is sound advice. Thanks!

unclejane · #9 11-15-2009, 06:40 AM

Er, why play if you don't want to play? Not sure I understand.....

I all but quit playing several times, the most recent time in the early 90's when I quit gigging (had enough of the boring music, drugs, scrapes with the law and battling managers and band members that seems to be an integral part of being a gigging musician). It was the best thing I ever did. I sold off all my gear, everything except this old Ibanez thing that I'd pulled the frets out of. I picked it up probably a couple times a month and often didn't touch it for months at a time. It was heaven.....

When I restarted about 10 years ago I did it only because I wanted to play interesting stuff and at least try to do my own music. I also really wanted to concentrate on learning the fretless. Permanent injuries in my left hand due to bad technique over the years have ended my gigging career, but since I refuse to gig anyway and like to play only when I want to play it works out just fine.

So yeah I'm with Jimmy on this. If you don't want to play don't! Play only if you want to play and play only what/when/where you want to play. Otherwise, to hell with it!

LS

HosMan · #10 11-15-2009, 07:14 AM

I appreciate your honesty,Unclejeane. I do want to play and even though I`ve been practicing less--I also seem to be enjoying it more.A hobby should be fun and something you look forward to doing(else it would be a chore,no?).

Thanks!

unclejane · #11 11-15-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HosMan

I appreciate your honesty,Unclejeane. I do want to play and even though I`ve been practicing less--I also seem to be enjoying it more.A hobby should be fun and something you look forward to doing(else it would be a chore,no?).

Thanks!

Well, the other thing too to remember is that practicing and playing are generally different things.
In my view, practicing is for learning something new, such as a new technique, perfecting your time, adjusting your tone, etc. That's the craft of what we do.

Playing is where you're simply using what you've got to make the music you want to make - that's the fun/artistic side of things.

So try to make sure you do enough playing to make it fun. Don't _practice_ all the time, that'll just grind you down....

LS

Stinsok · #12 11-15-2009, 07:25 AM

You gotta "do the due" to get it done!

HosMan · #13 11-15-2009, 07:29 AM

Gotcha!

I want to focus more on basics like scales and basic theory this time around.Before I mainly worked on technique and memorizing tabs/songs.The bookwork is never fun but you learn to really play as opposed to only memorising.

On the up side:my basic playing technique and hand positioning is fairly strong.Having small hands forced me to learn to play good form.

geebee_r1 · #14 11-15-2009, 07:49 AM

I think I understand where you are coming from...we all get there from time to time. Life has a way of creeping up on us and "keeping us from the things we want/love to do" am I right? Don't fear...if you really want to learn (re-learn) the bass then there is nothing really stopping you but yourself.

I'll probably get slammed on here for saying this, but you don't have to fit yourself into an ideal mold (meaning practicing for xx minutes a day, everyday, etc...) - sure, that certainly is the best way to go, but it might not be for you (right now). When watching TV (or something semi-dormant), pick up the bass and just play around...take 10 minutes and learn a part of a song you want to play and just practice that part over and over while watching the commercials. The next thing you know you'll be spending more time with the bass and really getting back into it rather than wasting brain cells watching something on television that has no real-life quality to it. As mentioned in the previous posts, it all goes hand-in-hand, you practice to play and play to practice.

Another thing (and I find this especially helpful) is to try to get rid of the defeatest attitude...the "BUT"...you know what I mean. This little bugger is probably the biggest "life blocker" in all of us, we really want to do something BUT never act on it because of some unforeseen consequence. Try changing that attitude a little bit and step out of your comfort zone once in a while, the rewards are certainly worth it!

I wish you all the luck in re-learning the bass (or any instrument for that matter). Your situation sounds very familiar to my own experience...

Cheers!
Bill

JimmyM · #15 11-15-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HosMan

Gotcha!

I want to focus more on basics like scales and basic theory this time around.Before I mainly worked on technique and memorizing tabs/songs.The bookwork is never fun but you learn to really play as opposed to only memorising.

Exactly right. I think you're back on the right track.

HosMan · #16 11-15-2009, 05:42 PM

Thanks a million,guys!

The mini-practices I sneek here and there are more productive and beneficial (at this time).For me,now,I can`t approach learning as I did 10 yrs ago.A productive and positive 10 mins practicing is more fulfilling that 30min or so of strained,forced basswork.

Camping out on talkbass this weekend has given me an epiphany.Wow! This is what I did for several monthes before deceiding to try learning bass.Finding out what I could about all things bass.As I learned more and more I became excited and less anxious at beginning on bass.Quite a bit of what I knew is coming back to me and that gives my confidence and interest a real jumpstart! Kind of cool becoming re-aquainted to something creative and moving.

Thanks so much,everybody for the advice and the encouragement.Not half as insecure as I was last week!

HosMan
(down with life-blockers!)

T-Funk · #17 11-15-2009, 06:55 PM

Two years ago I decided to pickup the trumpet again after a 20 year layoff. It was very humbling experience, to say the least, and I had no idea how to proceed with my development.

One factor in helping me to stay on track was finding a good method book, the Rubank Elementary Method for Trumpet & Cornet, that had an excellent structured plan for development, enjoyable pieces of music to play, and the proper amount of progression in difficulty.

After I found the said method book, I established weekly goals in order to progress through the entire book at a reasonable pace for me. I also took a few lessons to ensure I was developing proper technique.

After I completed the elementary level method book, I moved on to the next book in the Rubank method series. As of today, I am still working through the advanced method book, and I have also added some Jazz, R&B and Latin music into practice sessions.

In my situation, I needed a structure plan of action and set goals, or else I would just wonder about on the trumpet or not practice at all.

Maybe writing down, mentally or physically, what you wish to accomplish by returning to the bass and developing a plan to achieve that goal will help motivate you to practice regularly.

Stumbo · #18 11-16-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HosMan

Telling myself "you need to practice.you have to practice" triggers some psycho bs in my pea brain.

You gotta make it fun, not a chore.

Maybe play while watching TV. Play anything just to get your fingers going.

Then maybe learn or relearn a couple of your favorite songs.

Don't stress over it.

Watch some bass videos or music videos (of your favorite band) on Youtube.

See what happens.

DudeistMonk · #19 11-17-2009, 12:04 PM

I go through obsessive phases...You won't see me on TB for a month or two (when I'm not playing I'm not here) and then I'll be on for a year every day.

Usually what gets me into a rut of not playing is somehow feeling inadequate, thinking I knew something and that I was getting somewhere and then being knocked back down...

What gets me back up is a combination of love for music and jealousy. I'll see a band that blows my mind and want to go home and play, or I'll see some tool bag on stage getting girls, having fun and being a rock hero and say to myself "Damn it I should be up there, I could be/was better than this guy."

The other good way to stay motivated is to join a band...Unless you have a commitment and a project and other people to notice how hard you've been working its really difficult to stay in it for extended periods.

HosMan · #20 11-21-2009, 06:20 AM

Thanks,Sir Stumbo! I`ve been taking your advice and re-learning some simple songs I used to play before.It is fun!My hands and body are becoming more comfortable with the instrument and I`m also getting a "feel" for how the notes link together in patterns(scales and modes,no?).Youtube is great!I`ve found some excellent little video lessons on there.

DudeistMonk,I completely understand what you are saying.Being a (near-)perfectionist type myself;it`s hard for me to always aknowledge the positive work I do i.e. making steady progress.My hangup was/is how I judge myself against others and feel I don`t measure up.Like you,I was getting bummed out hard knowing how I used to play and how I don`t have that ability again...just yet. I used to play for my girlfriend and I did feel like some rockin` stud on earth! lol
No band here but I have the next best thing! My buddy is a guitarist so after I`ve progressed a bit,we will have regular jam sessions.

Back when I used to jam with a co-worker/buddy who played guitar.It made me understand the role of the bass guitar in a band/song,helped my timing and was just FUN!

Thanks for responding.
HosMan