I am stagnant on the bass

[powderfinger]

Been playing bass for about 15 years now. I remember those early days of playing in the 90s. Listening to all sorts of new and cool music and picking apart of the basslines. I remember the joy of learning new songs, techniques, scales, etc. I played in several successful bands as well. I think Im an ok player.

However, in recent years, my skill level has become stagnant. For the first 10 years I played, I got better and better each year. My progress was moving along nicely. Now, however, Ive hit a plateau. Ive tried to shake this but I cant..

Since Ive hit my period of stagnation, Ive played with new guys, learned different styles (got into the blues and some jazz, even). But honestly, my skill level doesnt improve. Even with mucho practice and woodshedding. Is there just a point you reach where you are "as good as you're going to be". I hope not.

I tried lessons a couple years ago, but this guy honestly wasnt able to teach me anything I didnt already know. I mean, he was WAY more advanced than me, but everything he taught, I felt like I already knew and had been doing for years.

Thank goodness, Im a writer/singer.... I DO get better at those things still!

[Spino]

Go to the best teacher in your area ,play your stuff for him and ask what he thinks he could do for you .Sometimes we are blind to our own inadequacies.

[MalcolmAmos]

Is good good enough? My rhythm guitar has been on auto pilot for years. Course I've been playing the same set of songs with the same band for over 10 years now.

I understand what you are saying, sure I could improve my rhythm guitar skills, but, for what I do - and the type of band I enjoy playing in - I'm doing what is needed and the next level is not really needed. What I'm trying to say - by the next level we do not need another lead guitar, the bass is doing a great job and I'm not looking to leave the guys, for another band. None of us do this for a living. It's a fun thing and we enjoy each other's company. We've carved out a niche and stay as busy as we want to be. I bet you still learn new things all the time, they are just not the big WOW's they were when you first started. We're on auto pilot, that does not mean we are stagnant.

During the last five years I have taken up the keyboard, clarinet and electric bass. Just for something new and exciting to do. I suck at clarinet and my keyboard playing is best done at home, but, the bass has proven to be fun and it is getting better as we go along. I do play bass in another band now.

Perhaps another instrument may liven up your World.

[P-oddz]

Since you say you are a writer/singer, maybe I would suggest picking up different instruments.

I find that every time I feel a little stagnant on ideas (which could possibly also translate to how you are feeling about bass), I pick up my guitar, or play some keys, or futz with my drum machine. I record ideas, and I find that if I am slow on ideas, approaching music from a different angle (by starting with a different approach) allows me to think about music differently, and then ultimately challenges my approach to bass.

[P-oddz]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

I call it auto pilot. My rhythm guitar has been on auto pilot for years. Course I've been playing the same set of songs with the same band for 10 years now.

I understand what you are saying, sure I could improve my rhythm guitar skills, but, for what I do - and the type of band I enjoy playing in their good enough.

During the last five years I've taken up the keyboard, clarinet and electric bass. Just for something to keep me interested.

The bass has proven to be fun and I now play bass in another band as well.

Perhaps another instrument may help.....

Beat me to it!

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by P-oddz

Beat me to it!

Sorry, but I compose most of my songs on the piano. Ive been playing piano since I was 8. Im 35 now.

I also play guitar

[JayB]

As a long time player who now does weekly lessons after years of not doing any, I have some thoughts.

Its important to find both a good teacher who understands where you are at, what your goals are, and can teach you good practice techniques. I've had bad teachers that were indeed a waste of time and money, who didn't have a plan and didn't do prep work for our lessons. They wanted me to just play tunes, read their minds, and couldn't clearly articulate ideas. An effective music teacher can't just be a good player. He or she needs to be committed to education and is not just teaching for income and because pros are "supposed to." You can be picky.

From a students perspective (and PLEASE do not think I'm speaking about you in particular, OP), its important to go in with a sense of humility, patience, focus, and faith in your educator. That can mean reading music / theory even if you are a rocker who just needs tab and chords to "get her done." This could mean playing with a click even if you hate to. This can mean Bach cello suites that seem to lead nowhere so far as your own music. This can mean spending weeks on scales and exercises you might have assumed you surpassed years ago. This can be a big mental barrier for someone with a bunch of performance experience, and can make you feel vulnerable as an artist, but don't fret. A good educator with a cohesive plan is taking you down a road. Walk it with him or her and see where it leads.

Give a good teacher a try, and stick with it for at least 6 months. The payoff was HUGE for me.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by JayB

As a long time player who now does weekly lessons after years of not doing any, I have some thoughts.

Its important to find both a good teacher who understands where you are at, what your goals are, and can teach you good practice techniques. I've had bad teachers that were indeed a waste of time and money, who didn't have a plan and didn't do prep work for our lessons. They wanted me to just play tunes, read their minds, and couldn't clearly articulate ideas. An effective music teacher can't just be a good player. He or she needs to be committed to education and is not just teaching for income and because pros are "supposed to." You can be picky.

From a students perspective (and PLEASE do not think I'm speaking about you in particular, OP), its important to go in with a sense of humility, patience, focus, and faith in your educator. That can mean reading music / theory even if you are a rocker who just needs tab and chords to "get her done." This could mean playing with a click even if you hate to. This can mean Bach cello suites that seem to lead nowhere so far as your own music. This can mean spending weeks on scales and exercises you might have assumed you surpassed years ago. This can be a big mental barrier for someone with a bunch of performance experience, and can make you feel vulnerable as an artist, but don't fret. A good educator with a cohesive plan is taking you down a road. Walk it with him or her and see where it leads.

Give a good teacher a try, and stick with it for at least 6 months. The payoff was HUGE for me.

Sounds good JB. I have been my only teacher. Basically everything I ever learned about bass was from tabs, online lessons, listening to cds, etc. I guess there is a limit to what you can teach yourself. And I am there.

I will indeed consider a good teacher (when finances allow, of course..). When I went to take lessons a couple years ago from the guy who couldnt teach me anything, I was paying for 30 minute sessions in the back of a music store. I felt like I was getting the Wal Mart version of bass lessons. Ive had many others tell me they feel the same way. I wanted longer sessions, and more individualized structure. I told this guy I had played for 10 plus years at the time, and he started by showing me what an octave was.......

[60's Bluesman]

im in the same spot man, folks on TB have told me a teacher would be the best since ive only been playing for two years just to get the basics down. I think a teacher would be good for you but also maybe jamming with some other musicians from different styles might expand your mind a bit and kick start you bass playing again.