If you don't use it, you lose it

[JeffC]

I recently went on a week and a half long trip to Atlanta to visit some friends. I flew there from Toronto so I didn't bother with bringing my bass. I got back early in the morning, slept for all of 3 hours, went to work and drove home for a jam session with my band.

I've been playing for about 7 months now, usually every day for a few hours and I am quickly becoming a human metronome but after not playing for almost two weeks...I really wasn't fit to even hold my bass.

My drummer gave me this confused look and was like "What's up with you, you are usually right on time".

It could be a mixture of things including lack of sleep at that point. I didn't play at all last night but I have my bass with me at work and afterwards I am taking it up to the cottage to practice all weekend.


Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have some good exercises they do when feeling rusty they would like to share?

Thanks.

[xlows]

Run scales and play with a drummer/drum machine. Basic stuff helps out a lot; I had that loss of ability when I didn't play for a week in my first year. You'll get over it in hurry if you work hard to make up for lost time.

[JeffC]

I hope I get over it soon. I seriously play a lot and I enjoy every minute of it so I was really surprised when everything felt foreign to me. Like I said before though, I was running on a couple hours sleep plus had a headache and just wasn't in a good headspace. I imagine when I pick up my bass tonight and just tinker for a while I will find an improvement over two nights ago.

On a positive note I noticed that this bad habbit I've been developing where I put unneeded pressure on the back of the neck with my thumb wasn't there. It's been tiring my fretting hand out and I have been trying to fix it but when I really get into a song it comes back. Now that I may have lost some of my muscle memory I may be able to axe that habit for good with some proper practice.

[SmittyG]

I've been playing for nearly 30 years and I don't know how well I would have kept time under those circumstances. Don't beat yourself up too much; you were tired and out of practice. Catch up on the sleep and get the hands warmed back up (slowly) and I bet it all falls into place in no time.

[lemur821]

Just be glad you're not a brass player. Then you'd really be in trouble after a two-week break.

[steve66]

Get some sleep and some eat some protein

[optikhog]

Don't sweat it, everything will come back to you quickly. If you freak out, it'll take longer to come back up to speed.

[sir juice]

Originally Posted by lemur821

Just be glad you're not a brass player. Then you'd really be in trouble after a two-week break.

I play trumpet and I've taken 7 week breaks before

I've been at the same level for about 3 years now. I really enjoy playing it, but i hate practicing with it, I don't plan to do it at all in life so I'm happy

[JeffC]

Thanks everyone, I am all rested up now and feel ready to get back to it. I played unplugged over the weekend and I feel much more back to normal. My drummer is coming over to jam tonight so I hope everything goes well.

Thanks again for the support!

Jeff