I need help. Feel like I'm going nowhere.

WickedPissah · #1 01-14-2009, 09:14 PM

Ok y'all, I'm caught in a damn rut with my bass playing. It sucks. Nowadays when I play, I feel depressed and like I'm going nowhere. I just reallized that there are very few songs that I can play well from memory. I thought playing bass was supposed to make me feel good...I mean it used to. Recently it's just been getting me down.

I went from this

To this

in a matter of days, and I don't know why.

What should I do? What do you guys do in a situation like this? I'm at my wits end!

PS- I'm sure this topic has been covered before. I don't want to hear "do a seach, ass!" I just need a little help from my friends.

oldrookie · #2 01-14-2009, 09:53 PM

I think you need to examine your definition of what makes a good bass player. Is playing from memory what is required for you to feel good about playing?

Not being able to sight read quickly enough was getting me down, so I did something else for awhile. Went back to working on my sight reading after about three weeks and seem to have gotten off the plateau.

Hang tough, but find something you enjoy working on that feeds your satisfaction level and "endeavor to persevere."

NJL · #3 01-14-2009, 09:56 PM

maybe this will help in some way?

Anyone here fall out of love with music in general?

as always: Keep you head up, but your chin down!

WickedPissah · #4 01-14-2009, 10:03 PM

Thanks guys. I just go through these bouts of depression-like symptoms sometimes, maybe this is just a result, but if anyone else still has things to add, this is by no means a closed topic.

K2000 · #5 01-14-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

Ok y'all, I'm caught in a damn rut with my bass playing. It sucks. Nowadays when I play, I feel depressed and like I'm going nowhere.

Change your practice routine. Play music that you wouldn't play ordinarily, and work on techniques and exercises that you don't usually work on.

Stop judging your progress, just play a lot and try to make that playing time effective (not just "farting around").

WickedPissah · #6 01-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2000

Change your practice routine. Play music that you wouldn't play ordinarily, and work on techniques and exercises that you don't usually work on.

Stop judging your progress, just play a lot and try to make that playing time effective (not just "farting around").

So like if I usually play rock and blues type stuff, I should look into some disco maybe?

NJL · #7 01-14-2009, 10:28 PM

have you tried old school r and b?? like the old stuff!!

motown! james jamerson!

NJL · #8 01-14-2009, 10:28 PM

stax records, too

NJL · #9 01-14-2009, 10:29 PM

don't forget the old atlantic stuff with urethra franklin, too!!

WickedPissah · #10 01-14-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

stax records, too

Good call on Duck Dunn. I'll have to check some out!

NJL · #11 01-14-2009, 10:32 PM

i'm sorry, i'm an r and b nut, don't forget donny hathaway with Willie Weeks!!

20db pad · #12 01-14-2009, 10:33 PM

Looks like you need a dose of inspiration and a real-life example of what's possible on the bass. You CAN find things like this on Youtube, but it's much more impactful to see and hear it right in front of you in real time.I'd find a good teacher, or at least track down an older and/or more experienced player to maybe consult with and run some stuff by.

It's usually fascinating to explore the music and musicians that influenced and inspired the musicians you're into. Oftentimes, this will point you in the direction of the many fine player mentioned above, such as Jamerson, Duck, Larry Graham, and others.

Sometimes a few days away from the bass can help with getting frustrated or bored with it. You'll find that you're itching to play and hearing things fresh if you step off for a brief period of time.

Bluesbreaker5 · #13 01-14-2009, 10:39 PM

My suggestion.....put your bass down for a few days. Forget about it. Then think of some tunes you really like and just listen to them. Don't play. Just enjoy listening. At some point you will want to learn/play the basslines to these tunes. Then you will be ready to move forward. But don't rush it. I've put my bass down for 3 weeks at a time....then when I go to play it's really fun.

DudeistMonk · #14 01-15-2009, 11:17 AM

I feel demotivated from time to time and I wont practice/practicing feels hopeless (usually this is triggered by trying to do something that I used to do well but no longer can, or something that I have no idea how approach)...then I'll be in the elevator or something and a groove will hit me like a ton of bricks then I'll run to my bass and play for hours. Also whenever I see a show it makes me want to woodshed..."must be able to play runs like that guy!"