Retire Or Not

[Rockmusician]

I have been playing bass for 32 years. Yeah, I know, that makes me old. I have done music for television. appeared on national tv, done more than 4,000 gigs, recorded and pretty much did everything I ever wanted to do. I can play any song I ever wanted to play whether they are originals or covers. I have been told by graduates of several music colleges including Berklee that I am the best "in the pocket" bass player they have ever played with. Here's the problem. I'm BORED! In fact, I am so bored that I have done one gig in the last 4 years and only 10 in the last 9 years. I still play at home every weekend but I do not feel challenged anymore. I am thinking about doing something 180 degrees from what I am used to such as classical guitar or possibly switching to drums. Either that, or selling my gear and retiring. What are your thoughts? Do I press on with a different instrument or retire, sell my gear?

[4001]

Take a vacation.
You've earned it.

[kai_ski]

Don't sell your gear. Retire gracefully. Buy a piano.

[superdick2112]

+1 for taking up the drums - it has improved my bass playing, and re-energized my whole musical attitude. While I have not played nearly as many gigs as you have, I have been doing it for 30 years now, and I also was getting a bit bored with it all.

I started drumming a few years ago when I was recording demos. I figured it was better to learn how to play real drums, as opposed to sitting there programming a drum machine for hours on end - the very definition of "boring". Give it a try, theres nothing to lose, but be warned, drum GAS can be brutally expensive!

[hotrodjohn]

Definitely need to check out some "strange", like a new style of music, new gear, or totally new instrument. If that fails, feel free to pm me with your list of primo vintage gear you need to unload...

[jvb]

Switch to guitar. I switched to bass after nearly 40 years of playing guitar semi-pro. Best move I ever made. I'm busier than I ever was with bass gigs, and I've just gotten back into playing guitar again and loving it.

[E-At]

have you ever taught?

[Mike M.]

I think Plan A sounds the best: learn drums. Or piano. If I had more free time on my hands ( I work too many hours) I would LOVE to learn piano.

Don't sell your current gear at all. Keep it all and start expanding your horizons. Get in your car this weekend and start doing some shopping for something new.

Good luck and let us know what you bought!!

[incident]

Teach. You may find that sharing all of your experience with aspiring bass players will be very rewarding.

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by incident

Teach. You may find that sharing all of your experience with aspiring bass players will be very rewarding.

Or, you may find that dealing with students who have no natural talent for the instrument & just want to be a Bass God overnight will have you pulling your hair out! I taught for years, and the only I would ever do it again is if I only taught advanced students. The few advanced players I taught did make for a rewarding experience, but those beginners....

[hrodbert696]

I have a feeling that if you sell your gear and retire, six months from now you'll be itching to get out and play again, and driving anyone else who lives with you bonkers pacing around wanting to play. Take vacation from bass, take up another instrument, or an activity other than music, and carry on. If a year or two goes by and you don't miss playing bass, sell your gear then. To me. For cheap.

[pedroims]

What about to go to college and become a doctor? or a master in business, climb the Everest, if music does not satisfy you anymore look something else to do, many things in life that we missed while doing other things, music to me is a hobby so I am never tired of it but thats because I dont spend 8 hours everyday.

[sbassface]

Yeah space from the bass...I like the drums idea because it is as someone said energizing, but I would even say hand drums are another pure release. Definately try another instrument, try not to stray too far away, from what you have learned in your core about music and after many years. Be one with whatever instrument you play, as you have done with the bass. IMO, Fred

[Jim Nazium]

Yeah man, take a break from the bass for a while and learn another instrument. Piano, drums, maybe even a horn if you want a different challenge. Or do something totally different: learn to speak another language, or learn to play bridge or chess.

I'd definitely recommend taking some time away from the bass. You're burned out, and you need to recharge. You won't forget how to play. But I'd also highly recommend not selling your gear. In six months you might come back to the bass completely refreshed and motivated.

Good luck!

[mongo2]

1 gig in 4 years...10 in 9 years???

I think I see your problem.

When I'm not gigging, I'm bored.

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

Here's the problem. I'm BORED! In fact, I am so bored that I have done one gig in the last 4 years and only 10 in the last 9 years. I still play at home every weekend but I do not feel challenged anymore. I am thinking about doing something 180 degrees from what I am used to such as classical guitar or possibly switching to drums. Either that, or selling my gear and retiring. What are your thoughts? Do I press on with a different instrument or retire, sell my gear?

It sounds to me like you have been playing music that is within your comfort zone for too long. What is it that you play at home? Stuff you already know? I suggest you branch out a little bit, explore some different styles, maybe even learn some solo literature.

[theduke1]

Have you tried doing musical theater? I also have been playing since 1966 and although I have not done the big time stuff you have became board with the weekend bar, party stuff. So last year I stepped out of the box and played in the pit band for to musicials. The Wisconsin Story, and RENT. For me I do not read score, so I pushed myself to learn score and create chats I could follow. Using the CD's and thinhs I was able to do both shows nd recieved some good reviews. It works for me.

[theduke1]

one more thing, I retired 5 times selling my gear, the last time I came back, my wife said, I kwen you were a music man when I married you, and I knew you would play again! But this time when you tire of the band, if you sell your gear again? We are not going through this buying thing again! if you sell it your are DONE! LOL

[Edward G.]

Don't sell the gear. It always leads to regret. Explore new territory. IME, familiarity breeds contempt. I truly dislike playing the same thing/s all the time, beating the same tunes and repertoires to death. They are so many songs and styles out there that there's no reason at all to get bogged down that way. As the bass player, you know that wherever you go, others will follow. Godspeed. I feel your angst.

[Never_grew_up]

Take up the tuba. You could hook in w/a dixieland jazz band, or a jug band, or even do coffee house gigs with an acoustic guitar player. No amp to haul, and definitely a wow factor when you whip it out.