Musical Purgatory...

spyinks · #1 11-02-2006, 07:03 PM

I don't know if this thread has been done before or if its a silly idea but i feel like i'm stuck in musical purgatory with my bass playing

i've been playing for about a year or two, know the fretboard, basic theory, 'trying' to develop a musical ear and can play most of the pop tunes i'm told to

i'm neither really bad or feel i can say i'm good, i've got nothing to say i'm proud of, in short

So would anyone like to suggest i learn something or got something to inspire me (a player, song or video find), or just discuss improving

cheers.

5stringDNA · #2 11-02-2006, 07:10 PM

ahhh you are indeed in the classic transitional musical purgatory! Don't worry.. it is really normal. You hit this particular spot in your playing after a couple years where you feel liek you are pretty decent, but that being Victor Wooten or Flea or something seems tottally impossible and stuff becomes "ho-hum".

Solutions:
-Find some cool cats to jam with. You need to play with other musicians to develop properly and learn your place in the music, so to speak
-Listen to and learn to play new adn different kinds of music. Stuff you may nto even be that into, but is significantly different that you are used to.. such as, non-pop material!
-work on getting the stuff you knwo down really well so you can play it perfect virtually every time- being crisp and articulate is importa

BassChuck · #3 11-03-2006, 04:46 AM

+1 to DNA

And remember that 'musical purgatory' is a place you'll visit time and time again. Its a part of skill progression. Who knows why this happens. I like to think that the old brain has to have a bit of vacation every now and then to absorb and get used to the new information you're cramming into it.

Be as patient with yourself as you would be with a loved one. Get into the sound of your instrument and be glad you have it to play.

Blunt · #4 11-03-2006, 05:46 AM

Howard Robarts the great jazz guitar educator and philosopher called these moments plateaus. A natural occurrance.
The challenge is to move beyond this seemingly difficult stage. Break throughs occur of course. But you muist be patient.

Blunt · #5 11-03-2006, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyinks

I don't know if this thread has been done before or if its a silly idea but i feel like i'm stuck in musical purgatory with my bass playing

i've been playing for about a year or two, know the fretboard, basic theory, 'trying' to develop a musical ear and can play most of the pop tunes i'm told to

i'm neither really bad or feel i can say i'm good, i've got nothing to say i'm proud of, in short

So would anyone like to suggest i learn something or got something to inspire me (a player, song or video find), or just discuss improving

cheers.

You say you have been playing for a year or two.
Be patient but learn to read music. If you think you are not interested well you will forever be outside some cool stuff.

Its pretty simple man.....

steveb98 · #6 11-03-2006, 10:58 AM

Everyone goes through this and it won't be the only time it happens. The resolution can vary each time. Listen to some new music, new style of music, new player, and maybe not even a bass player will light the fire. Playing with different people in another style or playing with people whose ability is above yours, will do it. Study some more theory and try to apply it, or some new Improv idea. Take some written music you been playing and turn it upside down and play it.

Some of the "Wacky" things are.... Get an book of art by some artist you like and trying playing your impression of a painting. Put some artifical limits on your instrument and play your regular stuff. For example take your old bass lines and play them only on one string or two. Don't know your fretboard as well as you thought? Also points out the timbre changes when using mutiple strings. Some things sound better going up or down the neck versus across. Turn out the lights and play in the dark. You come up with different ideas when the visual aspect of the instrument is gone. Last just sit and play your bass, don't worry about being a song or anything just start playing going different directions, shapes, rhythms. You'll stumble across a line or motif you like and can develop later. These wacky things help teach being creative and help find new sounds and break out of playing familiar patterns and fingering. Why do you think a lot of songwriter write using an instrument other than their main instrument. To keep them from playing in there comfortable patterns.

spyinks · #7 11-06-2006, 02:37 PM

Cheers for the replies everybody (some legendary ideas steveb98

)
i guess it's a matter of motivation now, ah well rock on

ras1983 · #8 11-06-2006, 05:51 PM

are you comfortable taking a solo? by solo i mean an extended melodious solo, not a short lead break.

are you comfortable playing melodies?

markjazzbassist · #9 11-06-2006, 09:32 PM

find a drummer to jam with a lot to learn more about the pocket, groove, and working with a drummer. get in a couple of bands or projects and start gigging and getting experience. start taking solo's and learning how to form melodies. pick up a jaco pastorius album and try and learn it all.

SuperDuck · #10 11-06-2006, 09:35 PM

I'm going to be "that guy" and suggest signing up for lessons with a teacher. They can analyze how you're playing and really give you material that will challenge you. Nothing helps you grow musically like that! Even if it's only for a few lessons, a teacher can really help your progress.