Lost my mojo!

[Goober1206]

Hello talkbass,

I find lately I've been having a lack of creativity. Meaning I haven't been making many basslines and I can't think of jack when just improvising/doodling on my own. I feel like my biggest issue is creativity while improvising a tune. Fills and such I'm fine with it's just I feel because of it I'm getting worse all together and I want to expand my creativity. Let's try not to suggest drinking or using drugs -_- is there a mojo doctor in the house??

[JimmyM]

take lessons from a teacher versed in jazz concepts, learn how to read music, learn some theory, learn all your different chords and inversions, etc. there's plenty to keep you busy out there. but you have to know it to be able to use it. you've just run out of stuff you know.

[chicago_mike]

JimmyM is 100% dead on.

[Goober1206]

What exactly is theory lol I feel dumb asking

[shadow_FIX]

Originally Posted by Goober1206

What exactly is theory lol I feel dumb asking

Music theory is the study of how music works, essentially. All of the different types of scales (major, minor, etc.), chord qualities, voice leading, and analysis are a few of the things associated with music theory. Like Jimmy said, get with a teacher that can work with you on these things if you can. Some things you might want to start looking at:

-Major scale forms
-Minor scale forms
-Chord structure:
major, minor, diminished, augmented chords
7th chords (Maj7, min7, half diminished7, diminished7, dominant 7)

Knowing these things in all 12 keys will give you a good foundation to keep building upon. Trust me...it pays off, because once you feel comfortable with these concepts and can find your way around the bass more easily, your improvisation will inherently improve as well.

[jumbodbassman]

listen to different forms of music and known players in that vein. play along....always inspirational for me....

[CrashClint]

Here's your Mojo baby, yeah.

[chicago_mike]

Looks like m&m's in vitamin water...

[Spolodaface]

smoke a load of weed.
It might not sound good to anybody else but you'll think of something :P

[chicago_mike]

Just do that in Cali.

[capnsandwich]

I get like that sometimes. JimmyM is right on, however, there are other tools too. As far as simply getting new ideas, listen to EVERY KIND OF MUSIC out there, whether it be blues, reggae, salsa, metal, polka, etc., if it has a bass line then listen to it. You may not like it but as you tune your ear to the bass line in each tune, you'll find that you can stand a lot more than you think. Internet radio is a great tool to finding any kind of music you could ever want. This is what has helped me in these situations and they're getting fewer and further between as well.

[Goober1206]

Can anyone suggest some good bass in I suppose random genres lol I like funk and rock and all that but gotta admit I don't listen to a ton of bands no matter what the genre. I know the petatonic minor scale I use to play guitar so I know a ton of chords and all that too.

[Righteous Thunderer]

Originally Posted by Goober1206

Can anyone suggest some good bass in I suppose random genres lol I like funk and rock and all that but gotta admit I don't listen to a ton of bands no matter what the genre. I know the petatonic minor scale I use to play guitar so I know a ton of chords and all that too.

Check out some of the old motown stuff that's out there, some great lines from back in the day. Also, if you like funk and rock, obviously the Chili Peppers, Sublime, and 311 come to mind, but I'd also suggest looking into Mudvayne; Ryan Martinie is a great bassist. Also, I'm a big fan of the basslines from Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine.

Knowing how to make a chord on a guitar is one thing, knowing the actual structure of the chord is another entirely; learning what makes up a chord can be a huge help. When you start to learn music theory, you'll learn that chords are formed from scales and how to actually "make" a chord, and when you start experimenting with people actually playing chords and such while using this knowledge you'll find some interesting ways to form your lines.

One other thing that I suggest is listening to some of the jazz out there. I myself really can't stand a lot of it, but there is some that makes my brain's creative portions start firing up, mostly the melodic stuff that Victor Wooten has done. I think that I like to do, speaking of Victor Wooten, is listen to whatever it is I'm playing along with for a few measure then just play what comes naturally; find the groove before finding the notes. If you figure there are 12 keys and 7 notes per key, that gives you a more than 50% chance of being right when you play a note. If it sounds wrong, just slide up or down a fret : ) This concept was introduced to me in Wooten's book "The Music Lesson", which I'm currently in the process of reading and highly suggest.

Best of luck to you in your search for mojo!

[desertsolace]

Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots is great album to show some simple stuff that inspires some great songs. When I'm stuck I find that simple stuff inspires me/ When I'm rolling I find complex stuff inspires me. Listen to some of your favorite songs and follow some of the other instruments (i.e. the melody or piano or guitar)... Agree with Jimmy's theory too

[Slappingpopping]

Mr. Bungle - Stubbadubb

[MattyBass]

Just what the doctor Ordered...
Watch a couple of these vids and call me in the morning..
Lol..

Maybe try and learn some new techniques or embrace new styles of music.. these cats all have completely different styles.. It may not be your thing, but maybe just borrow some of the ideas you do like... You should Listen to them all the way thru, if you can ... You might get some inspiration...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omFFeLEXFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHf7DvVpeiU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXt6htVi3C4

Peace