I'm coming up on my 5th year of playing bass...

Tommygunn · #1 01-16-2011, 10:05 AM

and I still suck.

I bought my first bass in 06 with $120, amp was included. I have no idea when I bought it.

But with about 4 years of lessons on and off, and 5 basses later, I just realized that I still suck. Sure I didn't really take playing bass seriously until 08 when I got my fretless bass, but still. No excuse really.

I just thought this had to be posted

Thanks for reading.

champbassist · #2 01-16-2011, 10:08 AM

So can we help you?

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 01-16-2011, 10:09 AM

5ish years here myself, and looking back over my career I can see that I got better and better until I started college. Since then, I've been getting worse and worse

Tommygunn · #4 01-16-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

So can we help you?

Thanks

But no. As a pretty active/infamous (if I do say so myself) TBer, I just thought I should let people know.

Ken R · #5 01-16-2011, 10:26 AM

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Screwston baby!

Where the hell is Screwston?

KR

**pacojas** · #6 01-16-2011, 10:27 AM

Tommy,.. you have plateau'd. the only way off is to plough through. extend your practice regime by adding to it. play longer, more often, and when you have a "Break-Out" it will be sweet. BUT!,... it will happen over & over again. don't stop... i'm 30yrs in and still learning and loving it. the only difference is the plateau's are easier to overcome. gl.

madmatt · #7 01-16-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

and I still suck.

I bought my first bass in 06 with $120, amp was included. I have no idea when I bought it.

But with about 4 years of lessons on and off, and 5 basses later, I just realized that I still suck. Sure I didn't really take playing bass seriously until 08 when I got my fretless bass, but still. No excuse really.

I just thought this had to be posted

Thanks for reading.

I do not know if you are playing in a group, but playing with others opens things up greatly.

TripleDouble · #8 01-16-2011, 10:35 AM

There is no finish line, Just do it, and assorted other motivational sports related quotes...just keep practicing and have fun man, don't beat yourself up. I've been playing for 23 years and am no Christain McBride, John Paul Jones or Jaco, but the best thing I ever did for myself a while back was to take it easy on myself and just have fun learning and playing. At the end of the day, the only person who cares how well you play is you, and you're driving that bus..

Tommygunn · #9 01-16-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken R

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Screwston baby!

Where the hell is Screwston?

KR

Hahahaha it's the rap nickname for Houston, Tx. LOL I heard it and thought it was pretty funny. Google it if you deem necessary.

TripleDouble · #10 01-16-2011, 10:38 AM

And pacojas's words are right on, but I'd like to add more well focused practicing. 20 minutes of giving something your full attention is worth more than 5 hours of noodling, though thats fun to do too.

Tommygunn · #11 01-16-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

Tommy,.. you have plateau'd. the only way off is to plough through. extend your practice regime by adding to it. play longer, more often, and when you have a "Break-Out" it will be sweet. BUT!,... it will happen over & over again. don't stop... i'm 30yrs in and still learning and loving it. the only difference is the plateau's are easier to overcome. gl.

I really do try to, but school doesn't really allow me the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

I do not know if you are playing in a group, but playing with others opens things up greatly.

I'm not, but I'm working on it. Everybody around here has issues with their parents allowing them (remember I'm only 14), or they're really flakey. It's a bit of a task trying to find a group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleDouble

There is no finish line, Just do it, and assorted other motivational sports related quotes...just keep practicing and have fun man, don't beat yourself up. I've been playing for 23 years and am no Christain McBride, John Paul Jones or Jaco, but the best thing I ever did for myself a while back was to take it easy on myself and just have fun learning and playing. At the end of the day, the only person who cares how well you play is you, and you're driving that bus..

For sure bass is for my own enjoyment. I'm 99% sure becoming a professional bassist (not even a 'famous' one) isn't in my future. I just dig messing around in the bedroom on the little 20w amp. I'd love to be in a group, or at least jam with some kids but as of now thats not happening.

And a reply to all of yall, it doesn't bother me too much. I just go on youtube and see these people, who have been playing for like 6months, kickin my arse in playing ability. It just gives me a bit of a chuckle that I've been at it for 5 years and I'm still not any good.

Tommygunn · #12 01-16-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleDouble

And pacojas's words are right on, but I'd like to add more well focused practicing. 20 minutes of giving something your full attention is worth more than 5 hours of noodling, though thats fun to do too.

And thats another point.

I don't read sheet music nor do I use tabs. I don't know ANY theory or scales. My playing time consists of me playing along to songs I do know, or trying to learn some more by ear, but 75% of my playing time is just me noodling around.

TripleDouble · #13 01-16-2011, 10:57 AM

Right on, if you're having a good time then you're all set. I can't even tell you how many hours I've spent in beating the crap out of myself stressing about how I sucked at bass, total waste. You should try jamming with folks though, its fun.

manbearpig97 · #14 01-16-2011, 11:05 AM

Tommy you're only 14? Dang, I thought you were 10 years older than me, and not just one.

Akuriff · #15 01-16-2011, 11:23 AM

You're only 14?! How could you even hold a bass at nine? Don't beat yourself up little brother; give yourself some time. You're just entering the phase of your body's life where you will be growing, both physically and mentally, at an exponential rate. Keep at it and it WILL get easier and you WILL get better. And remember: You're a bass player. You only have to play bass. You don't have to be the next Flea or Jaco to be a good bassist. Just hold down the fort soldier.

Tommygunn · #16 01-16-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akuriff

You're only 14?! How could you even hold a bass at nine? Don't beat yourself up little brother; give yourself some time. You're just entering the phase of your body's life where you will be growing, both physically and mentally, at an exponential rate. Keep at it and it WILL get easier and you WILL get better. And remember: You're a bass player. You only have to play bass. You don't have to be the next Flea or Jaco to be a good bassist. Just hold down the fort soldier.

Haha thanks man!

And that was actually a problem when I started, my first bass was in t40 range of weight. Almost all of my time I spent on bass for the first few years was sitting down.

Marginal Tom · #17 01-16-2011, 11:30 AM

I'd study theory as much as possible, but you also need to develop your ear. If you can find an open jam/open mic you can attend, you'll learn faster. Bass is not a lead instrument, so it's hard to learn at home.

Joe Gress · #18 01-16-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

But no. As a pretty active/infamous (if I do say so myself) TBer, I just thought I should let people know.

Tommygunn · #19 01-16-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

You and I both know it. These newer TBers never got to see rabid Tommy.

Joe Gress · #20 01-16-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

You and I both know it. These newer TBers never got to see rabid Tommy.

The shots and bark collar hopefully helped with that.

I still want to find that one kid who posted a picture of himself jumping off a deck right at the right moment that got seriously ****ed with by the photoshop hounds. I don't remember what happened to him or that thread.