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02-03-2007, 08:13 PM
| | Enjoy The Ride | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bedminster, New Jersey | | | I Really Suck
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I've been practicing for over a year...made some headway...practice nearly every single night for at least an hour, usually one and a half or two hours. I knew that I stank but something about practicing tonight just made me want to toss in the towel and barf. Ugh. I started out playing some new stuff, felt pretty good, then moved on to the next lesson in my method book...it was horrible so I went to the next...worse...next...worse...and so on and so on.
That's when I realized that I really suck, not just suck, really really suck. Is this 'normal' or what? Is it possible to get into a sucky rut? If ya do, do ya eventually come out of it? |
02-03-2007, 08:15 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kingston, NY/Middletown, CT | | | don't give up. Theres moments i feel like I have every lick down and can cook em all night. Then theres other moments where I feel like a sack of potatoes - heavy and hard to lift up. you'll get out of it.
I think its a normal part of playing |
02-03-2007, 08:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA | | | Just don't give up. |
02-03-2007, 08:21 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Duncan, Okla. | | | Maybe if you record yourself at some intervals, you can go back and listen to the progress you have made. I'll bet your a lot better now than a year ago.
We all have bad days.
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Warwick,Ampeg.
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02-03-2007, 08:25 PM
|  | The Lowdown Diggler | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA | | Oh... you mean you have to be good on the bass to have fun?  |
02-03-2007, 08:27 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY | | Quote:
Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar  Oh... you mean you have to be good on the bass to have fun? | It does help. Just like anything, seeing good progress is what makes it fun. You just need to keep practicing. |
02-03-2007, 09:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maine | | | If you play along with "party shuffle" on your ipod every night for an hour for a month, you will suck a hell of a lot less. Hang in there. Try new stuff.
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things are not always as they seem. |
02-03-2007, 09:43 PM
|  | - that dog won't hunt, Monsignor. Moderator | | | | | Is a teacher an option? Could be just the thing to get you moving.
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aka Blisshead.
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02-03-2007, 09:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Celina, OH | | | From your description I don't think you suck. You just hit a bump. You'll get through it. |
02-03-2007, 10:05 PM
|  | I took the one less traveled by | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Reims, Champagne, France | | | Are you in a band ?
If not that would be a good idea. |
02-03-2007, 10:07 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bay Area, California | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BadMonk I've been practicing for over a year...made some headway...practice nearly every single night for at least an hour, usually one and a half or two hours. I knew that I stank but something about practicing tonight just made me want to toss in the towel and barf. Ugh. I started out playing some new stuff, felt pretty good, then moved on to the next lesson in my method book...it was horrible so I went to the next...worse...next...worse...and so on and so on.
That's when I realized that I really suck, not just suck, really really suck. Is this 'normal' or what? Is it possible to get into a sucky rut? If ya do, do ya eventually come out of it? | About 5 years ago I went through something similar. I hadn't played with a band in a long time and I tried to get back into it but I just couldn't get in the groove. I gave up trying for a while too. I got through it and now I'm fine. I could have just as easily given up completely though.
Just keep it up. You'll get through it.
- Dave |
02-03-2007, 10:23 PM
| | Enjoy The Ride | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bedminster, New Jersey | | | Unfortunately, a teacher isn't an option at this point...time and money are on short supply.
A band would be cool...but don't you have to be good enough? Not being sarcastic or anything. I've thought about it and not sure when you jump into the band thing. Like how good (or bad) do u have to be? |
02-03-2007, 10:30 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Duncan, Okla. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BadMonk Unfortunately, a teacher isn't an option at this point...time and money are on short supply.
A band would be cool...but don't you have to be good enough? Not being sarcastic or anything. I've thought about it and not sure when you jump into the band thing. Like how good (or bad) do u have to be? | I don't know how old or good you are, but I was in my first band at 15, we didn't care how good we were, we just had fun till we were good enough to play keg parties. Gave us incentive to practice and we learned from each other. We may not have known much, but we knew different stuff and it snowballs.
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Warwick,Ampeg.
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02-03-2007, 10:35 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BadMonk I've been practicing for over a year...made some headway...practice nearly every single night for at least an hour, usually one and a half or two hours. I knew that I stank but something about practicing tonight just made me want to toss in the towel and barf. Ugh. I started out playing some new stuff, felt pretty good, then moved on to the next lesson in my method book...it was horrible so I went to the next...worse...next...worse...and so on and so on.
That's when I realized that I really suck, not just suck, really really suck. Is this 'normal' or what? Is it possible to get into a sucky rut? If ya do, do ya eventually come out of it? | That happens to me a lot, I have less than 1 year under my belt and a teacher is not an option for me ether, a lot of times for me I'll start out great and then its down hill all the way, other times I think i'm doing real well.
What I have done to keep my spirits up is to go back through my lesson book and give some of the earlyer songs a go all the while remembering how hard they were when I first tryed to tackel them, then realising how easy it is to play them now. It re afirms my progress.
Keep at it!
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I don't have a signature :o)
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02-04-2007, 06:39 AM
| | Enjoy The Ride | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bedminster, New Jersey | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Glider What I have done to keep my spirits up is to go back through my lesson book and give some of the earlyer songs a go all the while remembering how hard they were when I first tryed to tackel them, then realising how easy it is to play them now. It re afirms my progress.
Keep at it! | Hey, that's what I thought about doing after writing the original post! I'll try that too.
Have you thought about a band? I'm sure it would be fun but maybe intimidating too. I'd like to give it a try, maybe.  |
02-04-2007, 09:52 AM
| | | | Being in a band is possibly the most helpful thing you can do for yourself. IMO, even moreso that having a teacher.
The first day I got my bass, I immediately went to my guitarist friend's house and jammed with him. It's always great to interact with other musicians, especially ones more experienced than you.
When I started my first band, the other members had at least four years more experience than me. It really pushes you to improve your playing, and you'll see the difference.
Graeme |
02-04-2007, 10:41 AM
| | | | Do something to boost your confidence that makes you in a good mood then warm up your fingers and pick up the bass again. |
02-04-2007, 11:35 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix. Az. | | If I didn't play bass in a band, I wouldn't play bass at all.
The bass guitar was made to accompany a band, get out there and find one.
Don't worry about playing all flashy at first. (that will come with time) Just start out with simple parts played well, and teach yourself to listen to the whole bands sound, not just yourself.
If you cant find anything here, place your own ad.
(ps: just be honest about your playing background, and keep your descriptions of yourself in a frendly positive manner.)
YOU CAN DO IT..... 
Try here: http://cnj.craigslist.org/muc/ http://newjersey.craigslist.org/muc/ http://southjersey.craigslist.org/muc/ http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/muc/
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02-04-2007, 01:04 PM
|  | It's time for Dodger baseball! | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mentone Beach | | | Consider losing the method book and play along with music that you love? Due to job and family responsibilities, I only have a limited amount of time to play my bass. To me, method books are akin to homework, while playing along to music I enjoy equates to fun.
Also, don't sell yourself short on your abilities, you may be much more critical of your weaknesses than aware of your strengths! Just yesterday I hooked up with a drummer and guitarist through craigslist, and both had much more experience and chops than I. We ended up playing for five hours, and the guitarist, who has toured and done studio work, complemented me on my playing and singing. I consider myself a not-that-good player, as I've only played for 1 1/2 years, so that was a real ego boost for me.
When I used to play a lot of basketball, I always sought out the best players to join in, because I felt it elevated my game. I've found the same to be true in playing music. As anderbass posted above, look for other people to play with - it truly makes for a richer and more satisfying musical experience!
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"I don't know karate, but I know ka-razor" - James Brown, The Payback |
02-04-2007, 01:20 PM
| | Well, thats like your opinion. Man... | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fife, Scotland | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BadMonk I've been practicing for over a year...made some headway...practice nearly every single night for at least an hour, usually one and a half or two hours. I knew that I stank but something about practicing tonight just made me want to toss in the towel and barf. Ugh. I started out playing some new stuff, felt pretty good, then moved on to the next lesson in my method book...it was horrible so I went to the next...worse...next...worse...and so on and so on.
That's when I realized that I really suck, not just suck, really really suck. Is this 'normal' or what? Is it possible to get into a sucky rut? If ya do, do ya eventually come out of it? |
Were they new exercises in the book? I ask because it would make sense that the next one will be harder than the last and harder again on the next. If you are struggling with one then yeah the next one wont go too well.
Like everyone said, if you aint having fun then find a new angle that excites you again (band or tutor) then you will be back on top again.
Bass playing like any other instrument is supposed to be fun. Enjoy it mate and dont give up.
Good luck 
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