I have no idea what genre I even want to play anymore...

[Fassa Albrecht]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but if it isn't, please move it mods.

Anyway, I started out on bass playing worship music, and indeed seeing my church band was the reason I started playing bass for myself and not just hearing it. I then took up playing rock, a little metal and some progressive rock/jazz stuff too.

My problem is this: ever since I quit worship music, I just seem to wander from genre to genre without any real enthusiasm to stick with it. Even with jazz (possibly my favorite genre) I couldn't see myself playing in a jazz band or anything like that.

I'm really unsure as to how to deal with this, other than simply picking a genre and forcing myself to play. When I was in the worship band, I was pretty much forced into focusing my attentions to the band set-lists and so I had focus.

Anyone got any idea how I can get out of this funk and start actually playing properly?

[bassbrad]

Honestly as a bass player you don't really have to choose a genre because the basics stay the same no matter the style. The more you learn the better a player you will be, versatility is strength when it comes to playing bass. .

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

Honestly as a bass player you don't really have to choose a genre because the basics stay the same no matter the style. The more you learn the better a player you will be, versatility is strength when it comes to playing bass. .

Major problem is that it feels like I've learnt nothing. I've got all these bits and pieces of technique and theory and yet they don't go together into anything coherent.

[Schlyder]

Don't worry about one single genre. You are better off studying a multitude of genres.
You will become more versatile in the long run. Just work on whatever genre is getting your mojo going at the time. That way you are always motivated.

[jefwho]

Then don't pick a genera. instead maybe focus on playing with the people you want to play with and just see what comes of it. that's how my current band got going.

[NoiseNinja]

Try to compose your own music, and see what kind of genre that leads to naturally. Then you'll have a glue. Or yeah, find some people you click with and take it from there.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by NoiseNinja

Try to compose your own music, and see what kind of genre that leads to naturally. Then you'll have a glue. Or yeah, find some people you click with and take it from there.

I wish I could find some people around here who aren't completely arrogant assholes or headbanging metalheads. Or both.

[jmattbassplaya]

I play whatever genre is paying that weekend.

I really don't care what genre I'm playing because music to me is fun so long as it sounds good.

[fdeck]

I don't feel a particular need to focus on a specific genre. On the bandstand, most of what I play is jazz. At home I practice a lot of classical.

One idea, while you're waiting for inspiration to arrive, is to focus on basics that are applicable to all genres, such as technique, scales, maybe even some classical etudes. I really find it relaxing and satisfying to work through some of my old cello books -- material that I will never perform.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I don't feel a particular need to focus on a specific genre. On the bandstand, most of what I play is jazz. At home I practice a lot of classical.

One idea, while you're waiting for inspiration to arrive, is to focus on basics that are applicable to all genres, such as technique, scales, maybe even some classical etudes. I really find it relaxing and satisfying to work through some of my old cello books -- material that I will never perform.

This is a good idea. I'm toying with the idea of digging out my Simandl book and working my way through some of the exercises in there (stuff like the exercises in broken chords or some of the Mozart pieces).

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

This is a good idea. I'm toying with the idea of digging out my Simandl book and working my way through some of the exercises in there (stuff like the exercises in broken chords or some of the Mozart pieces).

That sounds like fun. At the same time, I suggest lurking on the DB side, because there have been discussions of alternatives to Simandl. I've been using some of my old cello material, such as a book of 113 studies by Dotzauer, that I find to be more musically enjoyable than Simandl.

Another rainy day activity is to learn the melodies in the jazz fake book of your choice.

And of course it goes without saying that there's nothing like playing the cello.

[brianrost]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

When I was in the worship band, I was pretty much forced into focusing my attentions to the band set-lists and so I had focus.

So get into another band?

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by fdeck

That sounds like fun. At the same time, I suggest lurking on the DB side, because there have been discussions of alternatives to Simandl. I've been using some of my old cello material, such as a book of 113 studies by Dotzauer, that I find to be more musically enjoyable than Simandl.

Yeah, I've got a few cello and viola da gamba books lying around which might make for some alternate reading and some interesting variations on the usual fare.

Another rainy day activity is to learn the melodies in the jazz fake book of your choice.

As long as it's not Stella by Starlight, this is also a good idea. Hey, I made a thread asking how I should learn the Real Book, so I've now got little excuse.

And of course it goes without saying that there's nothing like playing the cello.

Shame I'm currently 50ish miles away from my cello...and won't be getting back to it for a couple of weeks

Originally Posted by brianrost

So get into another band?

For reasons I'm not allowed by TB rules to discuss, I'm unlikely to return to playing church or worship music for some time, and I've tried getting into various local bands without success. Around here it seems to be mostly teenage metal bands or stuff which is WAY out of my league.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Shame I'm currently 50ish miles away from my cello...and won't be getting back to it for a couple of weeks

That's plenty of time to order your Tenor Clef Real Book.

[Billnc]

Coolest thing about bass is it's function in most genres is fairly easy. I love genre hopping on it!

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by fdeck

That's plenty of time to order your Tenor Clef Real Book.

Haha!

Originally Posted by Billnc

Coolest thing about bass is it's function in most genres is fairly easy. I love genre hopping on it!

Well this is the beauty of bass. It's the reason I still love the bass over all the other instruments I play.

[Doctor Dirt]

Forced to play? Maybe a little time out might help you find your way to the style you enjoy most. If you don't enjoy your instrument then maybe the bass isn't for you. I've had some burn out time all through the years and a short time out always helps to recharge the batteries. Good luck. Doc

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Doctor Dirt

Forced to play? Maybe a little time out might help you find your way to the style you enjoy most. If you don't enjoy your instrument then maybe the bass isn't for you. I've had some burn out time all through the years and a short time out always helps to recharge the batteries. Good luck. Doc

I know I want to play the bass. I just don't know what I want to play.

[5StringBlues]

YYZ





(snicker)

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

YYZ

(snicker)

I already know that, practically note-perfect. I probably know that song better than Alex Lifeson AND Geddy Lee.