Relearning bass after hiatus, need some advice

[Chipsonfire]

Hey all. After about a year away from the bass, I've started playing again and am having to relearn a lot of things I used to know. Unfortunately, I don't have nearly the patience I did two years ago when I first started and find myself loosing interest quickly when I practice.

One thing that may be note-worthy about my style is when I started playing I was intent on learning to play bass, and not how to be a jukebox, and as such I worked mostly on technique and theory, with only a little bit of song learning for the ear training. Now my ear is one of the few things that stayed with me when I stopped playing, so I can pick up songs a lot faster than when I was a true newb, but I don't really remember much of any songs and playing scales is fairly dry. When I play stuff, I tend to play things that are totally original. I just play whatever comes to mind. Unfortunately, it's usually the same old riffs in different keys.

So what I want from you guys is some advice for practicing. Should I start learning more songs to keep it interesting? I feel this might also help with creating my own original tunes, as it will show me other things I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Also, what are techniques that you guys use to practice while keeping it interesting? Because of funds and location, taking lessons isn't an option for me right now. Any suggestions?

P.S I apologize if this seems a bit scatterbrained. I'm a bit tired at the moment and my thoughts aren't quite flowing as they should.

[cassanova]

You should start by reading Jazzbo's sticky thread tilted "Practice, Practice, Practice." Then when you're done reading it you should do a search.

Best of luck.

[jgroh]

I took a 15 year hiatus and got back into it a couple of years ago. After the initial excitement of doing it again wore off, practice was becoming boring for me too. I dont know your situation but the thing that kicked me in the butt was finding a band to play with. I play a ton now and my technique has gone beyond what it was when I was younger.

[Rudreax]

Find some people to play with. Also, find a teacher if you can.

[Gobnoof]

Originally Posted by jgroh

I took a 15 year hiatus and got back into it a couple of years ago. After the initial excitement of doing it again wore off, practice was becoming boring for me too. I dont know your situation but the thing that kicked me in the butt was finding a band to play with. I play a ton now and my technique has gone beyond what it was when I was younger.

Finding other people to play with will definitely help.
Also, to combat the boredom your feeling I would recommend learning more songs than theory, scales etc. At least for now. Learn some songs that you really like, but that will challenge you as well, and just basically enjoy playing bass again.

[Stumbo]

Check out the links in my sig. for some good TB info that may help you out along the way.

+1 on getting in a band. or jamming.

[62Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by Chipsonfire

Should I start learning more songs to keep it interesting?

Uh, yeah...that's a start.

I have my IPOD on shuffle and have it fire tunes at me all the time, whatever comes up I play. I also built playlists of different things, rock, blues, funk, motown.....and work that way too.

And as others have said, get with a band or other players. You will learn tons.

Sorry, but right now it just sounds like an intellectual excersise for you, which has it's place. But, music is about passion, feel, interaction.....FUN.

You ain't gonna get that playing scales and modes at home.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by 62Jazzbass

Sorry, but right now it just sounds like an intellectual excersise for you, which has it's place. But, music is about passion, feel, interaction.....FUN.

You ain't gonna get that playing scales and modes at home.

Eh...that's a cop out. It's not that hard to find a way to make practicing scales and stuff fun. You just have to find a decent method that works for you so you can make practicing them fun and musical. This is what I do, and I've learn a lot because of it.

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by Chipsonfire

Hey all. After about a year away from the bass, I've started playing again and am having to relearn a lot of things I used to know. Unfortunately, I don't have nearly the patience I did two years ago when I first started and find myself loosing interest quickly when I practice.

One thing that may be note-worthy about my style is when I started playing I was intent on learning to play bass, and not how to be a jukebox, and as such I worked mostly on technique and theory, with only a little bit of song learning for the ear training. Now my ear is one of the few things that stayed with me when I stopped playing, so I can pick up songs a lot faster than when I was a true newb, but I don't really remember much of any songs and playing scales is fairly dry. When I play stuff, I tend to play things that are totally original. I just play whatever comes to mind. Unfortunately, it's usually the same old riffs in different keys.

So what I want from you guys is some advice for practicing. Should I start learning more songs to keep it interesting? I feel this might also help with creating my own original tunes, as it will show me other things I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Also, what are techniques that you guys use to practice while keeping it interesting? Because of funds and location, taking lessons isn't an option for me right now. Any suggestions?

P.S I apologize if this seems a bit scatterbrained. I'm a bit tired at the moment and my thoughts aren't quite flowing as they should.

A BIG +1 for originality!

As other posters have suggested, finding a band is a good idea--a band which does nothing but original tunes.

Improvising is always interesting...

So is exploring one's talents as a *composer and an arranger via an easy-to-use music program (to avoid becoming bogged down in binary BS) like Apple's GarageBand.

*Your goal-oriented approach to music, and the restless nature of your articulate post are give-aways...

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by 62Jazzbass

Sorry, but right now it just sounds like an intellectual excersise for you, which has it's place. But, music is about passion, feel, interaction.....FUN.

You ain't gonna get that playing scales and modes at home.

Sure you will.

There's more to practicing scales than just plucking the notes. You're supposed to put passion into playing scales to make them come to life and sound musical when you play them, which in turn makes them more fun to play.

[Chipsonfire]

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

A BIG +1 for originality!

As other posters have suggested, finding a band is a good idea--a band which does nothing but original tunes.

Improvising is always interesting...

So is exploring one's talents as a *composer and an arranger via an easy-to-use music program (to avoid becoming bogged down in binary BS) like Apple's GarageBand.

*Your goal-oriented approach to music, and the restless nature of your articulate post are give-aways...

Thank you for the kind words, but music is more of a hobby for me lol. I'm actually an Engineer by training, just recently graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, looking to go to grad school in Engineering Management. I do, however, love music and have a passion for it. Even so, it's just a side project for me, for when I have spare time (and I have a lot right now).

[MIJ-VI]

Anything creative makes a fine hobby.