I think I've hit a wall. I hate to say this but....

[de la mocha]

I've become bored with playing the bass. Now before you guys flame me, let me explain......

In my area, everybody is into hip hop and stuff and there are hardly any musicians in my neck of the woods. The only musicinas I jam with are on sunday and wednesday nights at church. We just have a drummer who is an older guy but really good, and a keyboard player, an older lady.

We play old school gospel to the contemporary stuff. I love playing at church. Now at home, during the week or weekend, I like to create and record my own songs which are rock in roll, funk and experimental.

But lately, I'm bored with playing the bass. I have a desire to be in a band with a guitar player and drummer but I can't find any. Plus I don't like this modern day music scene anyway. It all seems too artificial, same old heavy riffs. Nobody just improvises or jams anymore or just let go.

I know I won't get famous or will ever be in a band and should just give up my dreams. I should just except the fact that this is the furthest I will go musically. Two nights a week at church and recording instrumental songs at home.

I'm just venting right now. Hopefully this phase will pass and I'll become inspired again.

[guy n. cognito]

Pick a song that you like that has a challenging bass line. Learn that bass line, note for note, and play it until you get it right. Then learn another. I find that learning my favorite songs knocks me out of ruts.

[Spoiled Grape]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

In my area, everybody is into hip hop and stuff and there are hardly any musicians in my neck of the woods. .

You say you like to play funk and experimental.

Is anyone else seeing an opportunity here, or am I missing something? You play bass, hook up with some hip-hop musicians. There is alot of live hip-hop/funk/r&b stuff that you could really have fun with, maybe some sort of In Living Color, Fishbone, Roots mix.

Open your mind.

[Trevorus]

Get some home recording gear and form a virtual band...

[dave_p]

take up another instrument, or if you play another instrument(s) put some time into one of the other ones for a while. you may find it inspiring you on the bass as well.

[buliwyfff]

I dont think you are looking hard enough, there has got to be bands in new jersey you could join

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/muc/236609076.html

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by buliwyfff

I dont think you are looking hard enough, there has got to be bands in new jersey you could join

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/muc/236609076.html

+1, bands are always looking for bass players, and not just pro players either.

[pointbass]

Check this link out, mostly younger cats .......

http://www.jerseymusic.com/

Or check this for a little bit more experienced stuff ...

http://www.gigfinder.com/

edit: One more for ya .....

http://www.themode.com/

[RWP]

I have several other instruments I hack around on, electric guitar and a keyboard but the bass is still what I consider my primary instrument. Having others to play keeps me interested in general. I picked up a Fostex digital recorder to give some home recording a go. Don't beat yourself up for wanting to try new things.

[ElBajista]

Get yourself a Looper. You'd be surprised how much creativity can spark from a little tool like this.

Talk to the older drummer guy and the keyboardist lady and see if they has any friends that are into music. I'm 17, my only gig is at Church with a 45 year old pianist and a 55 year old guitarist, and I love it. You don't need people your age to make great music.

When it comes to "how far you'll go musically," How old are you? Are you going to be living there for the rest of your life?

When it comes to "getting famous," that's a very, very improbable thing. Just play whatever you enjoy playing, and let what happens happen. This is just a phase, and it happens to the best of us.

[machine gewehr]

Sometimes a new bass can be inspiration itself.

[de la mocha]

I'll try several of thesesuggestions guys, thanks!

[Alexander]

A suggestion that worked for me recently. My last band broke up (flaky guitar player - can you imagine?) a year or so ago and I went for a long time without playing. I got the itch and went to a couple jam sessions, then decided I was going to try out for a couple bands. None were for me - either the music wasn't for me, there were weird band dynamics, ambitions were different than mine, etc. So I threw an ad out on Craigslist and over a couple of months pulled a pretty decent band together. It was a lot of work recruiting, pulling together the music, etc. etc., but well worth all the effort. The guys I play with are amazing musically (way better than me), get along extremely well - not a primadona in the bunch, have the same ambitions (2x practice and 1 gig\month) and very similar musical tastes (southern\classic rock, blues and rockin' country). We have rehearsal\recording space 10 minutes from my house, so it is very convenient. We played our first gig last night and had a blast!

I viewed putting the band together as a fun project and it has been. Now it's a matter of taking in the feedback we got last night, gearing up another setlist or two, getting our website up and running, etc. Lots of fun seeing it all come together.

Though there are lots of good suggestions you've received so far (and I would try all of them) - to me, nothing compares to playing in a band context with good musicians who have similar interests\ambitions and can get along...

[Joe Nerve]

If you really want a band, you can find one. Cross the bridge into SI and there are tons of bands that need bass players. www.craigslist.com

If you really feel bored though, and not motivated - I don't see any reason to push it. I wasted a lot of years playing guitar because for some reason I thought it was what I SHOULD be doing. If bass ain't doin it for, I say find what does. Could be guitar, could be nuclear physics, could be golf. I don't see any reason to force yourself to do something that doesn't do it for you.

Of course since ya posted in a bass forum yer gonna get a lot of "hang in there" - but if it ain't your thing, well...

If it IS your thing, than this post should inspire you to take one of the many other suggestions.

[Ale]

Sorry to hear that man ,
Try taking a break for maybe a month , until you feel like playing again. You will , trust me.
If its not fun practicing , then its stupid to do so.
Take a break , listen to alot of music.
Good luck

[tplyons]

You're still young man, Jersey seems desolate to musicians when they can't drive. There are plenty of musicians, you just have to go looking, like SERIOUSLY looking.

[studentaccount1]

try playing kazoo at the same time... or a kick drum. or both.