I've lost my inspiration to play....

NicJimBass · #1 11-16-2007, 09:33 PM

I think I may have lost my inspiration to play bass. Not sure where it went.

Ever since my guitar player jumped on board, I've slowly come to the horrible realization that my skills are very much lacking. This guys basically spent all of high school playing guitar, knows alot of theory, and can play circles areound pretty much anybody. He's the best guitarist I've ever played with, with little doubt in my mind.

I'll admit it: I'm lazy. My gear is way too good for the level I'm at. I really feel like I'm a lead weight around his neck. I want to get better, but the more I think about getting better as quickly as possible, the less I feel inspired to do anything. It's almost like it's such an overwhelming task that I'm not sure what to do. I should be encouraged by his talent, but instead, I'm contemplating quitting being a bass player. I really don't know what to do. I may be alone in feeling this... but if there is anyone else who can give me some advice, please do!

I'm not feeling sorry for myself (no matter how much my post sounds like it), but I am a little depressed by the whole situation. I'm just feeling really discouraged right now.

BadB · #2 11-16-2007, 09:38 PM

Quit thinking and do it. A little hard work will be good for you.

Trevorus · #3 11-16-2007, 09:39 PM

I am in almost exactly the same boat. It really sucks to be stuck like this.

NicJimBass · #4 11-16-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

I am in almost exactly the same boat. It really sucks to be stuck like this.

It's reassuring that I'm not the only one!

figuredbass · #5 11-16-2007, 09:50 PM

Remember why you started playing bass and bought all that great gear in the first place - because you love it! Don't fall into the trap of continually measuring yourself against your guitar player. If your guitarist knows all that stuff, well, great, he's an asset to your band that way. Just focus on how you can be an asset to your band in your way. Definitely do a little work, but take baby steps when improving your skills - learn a little at a time, and don't expect to have it all immediately. And in the end remember that it's all about having fun!

Trevorus · #6 11-16-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

It's reassuring that I'm not the only one!

Definitely not the only one. Most of my feelings here are on guitar, which I also like playing a lot! But one thing that has inspired me a bit is I put a fretless neck and flats on my P-Bass.

papajune · #7 11-16-2007, 10:03 PM

screw hard work, Ive gone through music school and i have every book and video there is. truth is your never gonna be complacent with your ability, your always gonna sound better to others than you will to yourself, and your never gonna wanna practice. Thats being a musician friend.

heres what you do, its worked for me...

put yourself in situations where your forced to pick up new things, or at least figure out how to bs them. I learn more on gigs that i am in no way prepared for, qualified for, or ready for...it has actually become my best skill now.

I got nervous onstage when I was 17, so i took a gig touring the country with a rock group for which i had to learn 200 songs in 1 week. I recently wanted to work on sight reading and jazz so i joined the schools big band, the day before our first show the other bassist got the boot so I had to take 4 songs and 2 solos i hadnt even ran before...i am much more comfortble and confident in my reading now and it has only been a month or so without any real practice. i wanted to play more like the gosspel players i so admire so i took a gig playing in a HUGE church, nationally broadcasting and with over 6000 in attendance.

The most valuable thing I ever did for myself was just going out there and playing as best i could, bullsh^%ing a little, and trusting my ear and my passion for what i do.

My point is dont give up, get out there, make some money playing, and open yourself up to taking in whatever comes your way. It is cool and normal to be discouraged, this stuff is tricky especially now a days when there are 13 yo kids who can run circles around you, but it is my experience that when your bored, discouraged, and or ready to give up your at the doorstep of a breakthrough. Learning is a sequence of ruts and level ups, push through the ruts and never allow yourself to be satisfied or cocky with the level ups and you'll be just fine...and maybe even a damn good bass player!

We've all been there

blmeier7 · #8 11-16-2007, 10:05 PM

I think most musicians feel this way at some point(s) during their development; i know I do. I can't say that I have thought about giving up playing bass as there is rarely a day that goes by where I don't play. But quite often I see and hear other bassists that are much better than I am and I have been playing for almost 20 years. It gets discouraging but then I have to sit back and remember why I started playing bass. I realize I won't be the "best" bassist there ever was, but the reason I do play is to express myself and it is a way for me to relax and take my mind to another place. I am one of those people that knows very little about theory also, while it may help it is by no means a requirement to be a good bassist. I can truely say that I love the bass as an instrument and the tones and sounds that I can produce and for me that is enough to keep playing.

My advice is: if you enjoy playing bass then keep playing.

::::BASSIST:::: · #9 11-16-2007, 10:31 PM

I'm a hack, but I love the whole band experience. Getting paid to play... what could be better!

What I found is that I need to play often to make sure I dont lose my edge. If I dont play for four days I immediately notice I am not as fluid.

The other thing is just keep it simple. Bass can be intricate and complicated but it doesnt have to be. Some of the most successful bands have bassists who play very simply. U2, AC-DC, Van Halen. Especially if your guitarist is a wizard you can just lay down a simple groove and enjoy. The more you play the better you will get. Just dont put too much pressure on yourself. One thing I do is play the 40+ songs on our setlist continually. Am I branching out? No, but I am finding ways to tweak the basslines here and there and its getting better and better.

Johnny Crab · #10 11-16-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Definitely not the only one.

+1
The guitarist I'm with graduated from GIT, can play anything he hears, behind and over his head, and can play slide guitar with a full beer bottle at a live show better than 99.9% of others can with a regular slide on their best gig or in the studio with a zillion takes. PLUS he doesn't have an ego problem.

You can ALWAYS learn from playing with those better than yourself. They can and should inspire you to learn from them and push yourself. Playing with those way below your skill level is NOT fun at all.

Figure out what YOU like and love about playing bass and then use that as motivation. A year from now you'll be amazed at how much you've grown in ability.

Joe Nerve · #11 11-16-2007, 10:47 PM

Maybe you're not supposed to be playing bass??

If the idea of working towards getting better depresses you and you feel you can't go on, perhaps there's something else in life that's calling you - and you should listen. Why waste your time with something that isn't making you happy?

That's about as godd as I get with the tough love thing.

MysticMichael · #12 11-16-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papajune

heres what you do, its worked for me...

put yourself in situations where your forced to pick up new things, or at least figure out how to bs them. I learn more on gigs that i am in no way prepared for, qualified for, or ready for...it has actually become my best skill now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by papajune

The most valuable thing I ever did for myself was just going out there and playing as best i could, bullsh^%ing a little, and trusting my ear and my passion for what i do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by papajune

Learning is a sequence of ruts and level ups, push through the ruts and never allow yourself to be satisfied or cocky with the level ups and you'll be just fine...and maybe even a damn good bass player!

Wise advice indeed...

MM

Hollow · #13 11-17-2007, 03:01 AM

You sound a lot like me a while back. I am in a band with people who have been playing for over 3 years compared to my 8 months. I was the dead weight to them, so once i saw that i wanted to become better (obviously).

How i started was going on youtube and looking for bass videos, listen more closey and pick out the bass in the music you like. That usually gets me pumped to play bass. I then grab my bass and practice.

Do note however that when i would watch a geddy lee vid or something then go to my room to play i would be awfully disappointed when i realize i didnt have the skills. But then tommorrows a new day, rewatch the videos get pumped again then go practice for major disapointment.

But as the days go on you will get better and each time you practice you will be less and less disapointed when you bust out some better and better things.

Also if you wanna go hardcore learn super fast you can do what i did (but you must first make sure that you really do want to play bass). I sold everything that kept me entertained (i.e. videogames) and i bought new bass gear with all my cash i made. You will be left utterly bored andhave nothing to do but play bass. And when i did go one the comp i only went to bass sites (heck even my wallpaper is a picture of a bass).

Also learn a bunch of hard bass songs, you'll never get better if your only playing those songs like blink 182.

to some it all up, live bass and constantly challenge yourself untill youve mastered it.

Yngwie 4String · #14 11-17-2007, 04:16 AM

You have 4 options the way I see it:

1. Get better.

2.Hang around on root notes.

3.Find diferent band to play in.

4.Quit playing.

morf · #15 11-17-2007, 06:31 AM

Do you play everyday? If you do, stop for a week. If a week of 0 music later, you dont get the greatest kick out of your bass ever, maybe its time to sell it. Personally everytime such a thing happens to me, I put the bass down, and work on my listening skills for a few days. The urge to play bass comes back after a couple of days and I totally smoke since I really really wanna play.

KrisH · #16 11-17-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I'm a hack, but I love the whole band experience.

There's something to be said for hacks. In my circle of artistic friend, we have a philosophy -- "No prima donnas here -- hack it out!" Hacks are the stonework of the art -- stars are the gargoyles perched atop the cornice.

fenderhutz · #17 11-17-2007, 07:07 AM

Learn from your guitarist. I found even if I am in situation where I am the least seasoned player I learn.

NicJimBass · #18 11-17-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Maybe you're not supposed to be playing bass??

If the idea of working towards getting better depresses you and you feel you can't go on, perhaps there's something else in life that's calling you - and you should listen. Why waste your time with something that isn't making you happy?

That's about as godd as I get with the tough love thing.

Being a Christian, I try my hardest to hear what God is telling me, and I try to make sure I'm not hanging on to something He wants me to move away from. I still feel he wants me to continue, but believe me Joe, I've considered this alot.

Thanks so far to everyone who has responded! I was nervous that I was gonna get flamed for being sucha crybaby, but it's really good to see others who have struggled with the same things. Knowing that is encouraging, and is slowly helping me realize that bass is where I need to be. Someone mentioned baby steps.... thank you. That's what I need to do. Hopefully, in a year or so, I'll have progressed quite a bit. Thank you!

metallutca · #19 11-17-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Do you play everyday? If you do, stop for a week. If a week of 0 music later, you dont get the greatest kick out of your bass ever, maybe its time to sell it. Personally everytime such a thing happens to me, I put the bass down, and work on my listening skills for a few days. The urge to play bass comes back after a couple of days and I totally smoke since I really really wanna play.

works for me

Chebass88 · #20 11-17-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadB

Quit thinking and do it. A little hard work will be good for you.

+1. Hard work will ALWAYS pay off. I have spent years doing scales and fingering exercises, and now, there are no problems playing (ok, I'm not the best, but I'm trying!)

If you want to be good at anything, you have to work hard. Whether you are an engineer, a fireman, a soldier, a baker, a truck driver, a teacher, a musician, or a pan-handler: you HAVE to practice and put effort into it.

Read the biographies from musicians (Jaco, Charles Mingus are two great bassists to start with) - they spent many of their beginning years working hard, playing everything they could. From Jaco's book (Bill Milkowski), while on tour, while the other guys are high or drunk, he was practicing on a bus.

Your guitar player is where he is by practicing also. Remember, there are better guitarists than him, so do you best and do not rest until you are satisfied with your efforts! Good luck!

imp