Am I crazy?

OnlyJerry · #1 10-02-2011, 11:31 AM

Sometimes I wonder if I should have picked up another instrument. There's something about always being dependent on the amplifier and electricity.

This doubt usually hits me about every third month. After the feeling passes I usually have a big surge in play time.

Anyone feel the same?

Please tell me I'm not crazy.

johndough247 · #2 10-02-2011, 11:35 AM

Buy an Acoustic bass guitar. Problem solved. Next!

OnlyJerry · #3 10-02-2011, 11:38 AM

I have an ABG, but the sound is so weak unamplified :P

Righteous Thunderer · #4 10-02-2011, 11:45 AM

I go through the exact same thing, which is why I play a good bit of acoustic guitar as well. I just transfer the things I love about bass, namely groove, over to it. I also tried picking up the violin, but my work hours kept me from progressing so I had to put it down. I might pick it back up again at some point.

OnlyJerry · #5 10-02-2011, 11:52 AM

Good to know I'm not the only one. Might pick up and learn something on the harmonica, just so I'm not blind-sided if there ever is a power outage ^^

Coeball · #6 10-02-2011, 11:53 AM

Learn double bass.

Righteous Thunderer · #7 10-02-2011, 11:55 AM

Have you ever read "The Music Lesson" by Victor Wooten? It goes into the philosophy of being a musician and expressing music through various instruments. Give it a shot sometime, just grab something, figure out how to make sounds with it, and groove

boombloom · #8 10-02-2011, 11:55 AM

The upright is very satisfying.

OnlyJerry · #9 10-02-2011, 12:00 PM

Yeah, I'd love the upright, but there aren't any dealers locally, and I don't know of any luthiers either. From what I've heard the double bass needs quite the set-up, and should be done(atleast for me to learn from) by someone experienced.

If I ever had the opportunity to buy a cheap, used upright I'd do it momentarily. As of now I'm not sure if I want to shell out the money equally a new AM STD Jazz bass for a mid/low-range upright.

OnlyJerry · #10 10-02-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchecterLover

Have you ever read "The Music Lesson" by Victor Wooten? It goes into the philosophy of being a musician and expressing music through various instruments. Give it a shot sometime, just grab something, figure out how to make sounds with it, and groove

Nope, never read it. Philosophy sounds rational, though

Righteous Thunderer · #11 10-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Upright is quite expensive. I also considered going that route, but man, I just can't see spending that kind of cash on an instrument that I may or may not stick to. I know myself well enough to know that just because I'm 100% into something today doesn't mean I will be a week from now haha

OnlyJerry · #12 10-02-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchecterLover

Upright is quite expensive. I also considered going that route, but man, I just can't see spending that kind of cash on an instrument that I may or may not stick to. I know myself well enough to know that just because I'm 100% into something today doesn't mean I will be a week from now haha

Truer words are seldom spoken. On earlier incidents I've concluded that upright is the right way to go, eventually that passed and my love for the bass guitar grew even stronger.

snyderz · #13 10-02-2011, 12:25 PM

1. Yes, you are crazy
2. Learn to whistle

Ayce · #14 10-02-2011, 12:52 PM

Battery powered headphone amp.

superbassman2000 · #15 10-02-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

I have an ABG, but the sound is so weak unamplified :P

get a better one?

jabsys · #16 10-02-2011, 03:16 PM

I've never felt dependent on amps & electricity, I'll often just pick up the bass and noodle without bothering to plug in it.

Lady Kayri · #17 10-02-2011, 03:51 PM

I'm also one of those who plays my bass guitar acoustically a lot when practicing. Also have a headphone amp, and now that I have an iPad, picked up an iRig so I use the iPad as a headphone amp. Not quite as good as going thru a real amp and head or my combo practice amp, but for practice it works great...

warnergt · #18 10-02-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

There's something about always being dependent on the amplifier and electricity.

True, but how incredible is it when you can feel the bass music
oozing through your body? There is no substitute for a groovin'
bass with some power behind it.

Remember when you were young and one of your highest
priorities in life was having a great stereo system? It's pretty
much the same thing.

OnlyJerry · #19 10-03-2011, 08:59 AM

I definitely know what your are talking about, warner. Bass is great, and I wouldn't pick any other instrument in favor of it.

This doubting/insecure feeling is most certainly just a part of a phase that comes once in a while.

Matthijs · #20 10-03-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

Truer words are seldom spoken. On earlier incidents I've concluded that upright is the right way to go, eventually that passed and my love for the bass guitar grew even stronger.

Most things that matter don't come easy. Double bass is one of those.