Playing for "personal satisfaction"

[pklima]

What does it really mean to you? I mean, sure, playing makes you happy, but exactly why and how?

Is it improved self-esteem, a boost to your social life, more/better opportunities for sex, the respect of others (whether musicians, relatives, friends or whatever), relief from an otherwise boring life, or something else?

And yes, I do like to analyze everything too much.

[heroincredible]

I get satisfaction from playing music with others, and having it work. Today I jammed with a guitarist, and at one point he asked me to write a Tool like riff, so I did and we jammed. Everything just clicked and it was absolutely amazing. Worthy of a high-five.

[Vic Winters]

For me it's become an extension of who I am. I'm simply addicted to it. I've had 5 hour band practices up to 3x week, and I'll still be playing after everyone leaves. When I went to Italy for 2 weeks, I went searching for a local music store because I was getting frustrated not playing an instrument.

[Deacon_Blues]

I'll try to answer honestly here. I play because:

- I enjoy the social thing with playing with other people,
- I like to get compliments from the audience,
- I feel I can play quite well and I like to show it as well,
- I want to be recognized as a good bassist and singer to get more gigs,
- it's nice to be the center of the attention sometimes (especially if there's nice girls in the audience ). In private, that's rarely the case as I'm relatively shy and not very charismatic. I'm like another person when I'm on stage, and it kind of balances up my life. If i haven't played a gig in a long time, there's something missing in my life.
- it's important for me to feel I'm good at something that I really care about. I might be good at my work, but that will never be a passion for me like music is.

In short, I play music because it makes me happy.

[CrazyArcher]

Music is the way I express myself. It's not the only possible one, but I happen to like music more

[jomahu]

when i'm by myself, i just like the way it makes me feel...like i'm doing something fun and positive, and my mind and body are working. also, when i get into a groove and kinda get lost in it, everything gets sparkly...

when i play with the band - i like being that person no-one wants to see, might hear, but will definitely feel. it influences the way i play too - i want to play the least amount of notes with the most amount of groove.

[zac2944]

For me its more of a power tip sort of thing. Watching people dance and have a good time to the sounds coming from my finger tips is very empowering. Without the funky bass locked up tight with the drums, this just can't happen. There isn't much else in my life that gives me that same illusion of control. Now I'm a junky for that funky rush.

On a different level, I enjoy the connections that are made between musicians while playing. The kind of feelings you get when everyone in the band is locked in, and you just know they are thinking the same thing you are. No egos. It is a bit like having a conversation with many people at the same time, only no one ever has to interrupt or listen to one person babble endlessly. Everyone listens patiently and contributes at just the right moment because they hear the subtle cues.

[Christopher]

For me, the satisfaction comes largely from learning how to do something I couldn't before. The rest is extra.

[baba]

I enjoy playing bass with other people in a live band. I really get off on it. I really only practice alone when I have to woodshed a new song. If I'm solo I'll play guitar and sing.

[pklima]

To me "personal satisfaction" means very different things, depending on the band.

From playing chidren's music it's knowing I'm appreciated and doing something that my relatives or coworkers can understand and appreciate - I guess it helps me earn "social capital". Playing Bach or Vivaldi is an ego boost, plain and simple, especially when the conductor singles me out as the only person who's been paying any attention to the written dynamics.

[The Golden Boy]

These days it's playing with other people- and it's an excuse for drinking whiskey and eating steak.

[ras1983]

The thing I enjoy most is playing with other people. Its just a really cool thing.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Getting the sounds out of my head and onto tape. That's personal satisfaction.

Now, the feeling you get when someone digs your stuff, that's a totally different trip right there.

[Barkless Dog]

Life's too short to do anything else

[neurotictim]

Originally Posted by jomahu

<snip>when i get into a groove and kinda get lost in it, everything gets sparkly... <snip>

+1

As goofy or metaphysical as it sounds, playing my bass alone (along with music, or just by myself) makes me feel complete. When I'm not playing, things seem very...dull. Playing with others is definitely a great experience, and has it's own way of making things "sparkly," but spontaneous creativity is where it's at for me.

[Kwin Smith]

I crave attention!

[soong]

its a neverending pursuit of viruosity. i always want to get better. im fuelled by simply watching my musical idols perform.

also, cos of my want for attention. hey, its human nature