Thinkin' about bailing out...

[HolmeBass]

Awesome Chef Wong! I was going to chime in with, "Take a break, but don't sell any gear just yet." And you've already turned around. I agree that sometimes it is frustrating and seems pointless, then sometimes playing bass all by myself in the basement is exactly what the doctor ordered.

[baileyboy]

I was starting to get headaches from jamming sessions and abruptly sold off all my gear in '84. I did not so much as look at a bass until around 2000, when some locals needed a bass player and had heard I once played. I reluctantly joined them and never looked back.

What really helped me to stick with playing, though, was lessons from a bass pro for the last 4 years. Because of this, I got much better and it opened up lots of opportunities for me.

Maybe you just need some kind of change (type of music, new faces to jam with, lessons, etc.) to freshen things up a bit. Or maybe a hiatus. But like others stated, don't sell off on a whim... you may one day regret this.

[phillybass101]

Chef, hopefully this will give you a little perspective. I'm 56 and I've been playing since I was 15. I'm no Marcus, or Victor but I feel like I can play my ass off. I do it for the simple enjoymennt of playing bass. I'm not going to be a star, or get offered a major recording contract or tour. In the music industry it's still pretty much who you know and not what you know. You are quite younger thaan I am but to give you some inspiration, I just recently became an Endorsing Artist for Brubaker Guitars, at age 56. And I went to a bass workshp and clinic and the star clinician there heard me play and invited me to give a clinic for the Virginia Bass Forum. It's not over and compared to me you are a Grasshopper. Don't stop playing. Get off your lazy butt and start going out and networking and socializing with other musicians. There are still things out there for you. if things can happen for me at 56, imagine what you can still do. And yes, I have a day job.

[oniman7]

Originally Posted by chef wong

Eh.what was I thinkin' yesterday? I've been at it for over 21 years now. Giving up would be like losing an arm at this point.

I'll be looking for a good, used 300 watt combo amp very soon.

Just sounds like an episode. Happens to all of us

[Brad Johnson]

Whenever things get stale it sometimes help to step away, take a break. I really got fed up with the local musicians here (some were capable of amazingly stupid behaviour) and stopped gigging for around five years. Never stopped playing though, that's just not an option for me... I'll have to be forced to.

When I did filter back into the scene it was with the intent of moving into the circle with a lower jackhole to adult ratio and overall things are much, much better.

[Bassamatic]

It may be that playing the bass is not the best thing to satisfy your musical aptitudes, if you have them. Everyone cannot do everything. We are all born with a certain set of aptitudes. They determine what you are skilled at and what you are not, and what you NEED to do to feel happy and satisfied with your life. They cannot be changed or improved any more than you can change your eye color or hair color. I'm not saying you can't get better by practicing something, I'm saying there are countless things that you will never be a superstar at, and several things where you WILL be, if you do them.

It is not a big deal if playing some instrument is not fulfilling - there is SOMETHING that is. You just have to find it.

Most people follow their interests. "Oh that seems cool - I'll try it". the problem is that your interests and abilities have nothing to do with each other, and you can only be interested in something that you have experienced. There are so many different things to do, and sub variations within them that most people never find their ideal vocation - they just muddle along - good enough to keep their jobs but never really happy or satisfied with them.

However, there is one SURE way - there is a non-profit research foundation where you can have your aptitudes tested find out what you were built to do and what will make you happy. They have been doing this for nearly 100 years now. My smart Mom sent me and I did this many years ago, and they were right on. I have referred more than 100 people over the years, and everyone has thanked me.

For example, one of the things they showed me was that I have great music aptitudes, but I have poor finger dexterity, more so in my left hand. I would have been a great drummer, but I was 19 and knew everything, so I continued to play guitar (poorly) and migrated to bass which satisfied my need for rhythm, but I will never be a GREAT bass player. Yes, I can change, but I am a Senior now, so starting over is a heavy consideration. At least I got steered to use my aptitudes in my work as an audio engineer for the last 40+ years. Otherwise, I would have continued bouncing from one job to another.

The line I get from most closed-minded people is "Oh, I (or junior, etc.) know what I want to do". Sure you do - for NOW. How often has that changed over the years? Why? Because interests are passing fads. Aptitudes are not.

Here - Check it out. You can thank me later - www.jocrf.org

Here is a GREAT story about someone forced to change careers from music to . . . . . www.jocrf.org/news/OboeToNewsDesk.html

Sorry if I sound like a commercial, but this works. It is Gold. Every one should do this! Especially kids entering college. They can potentially waste the entire experience by going in the wrong direction, like my neighbor's kids did.

[Yvon]

I kind of feel like you right now. I'm 40.
never thought about selling my gear, but instead I bought a classical guitar.
I'm playing a lot of classical guitar lately. It sound good by itself. No need to play with a band.
And playing the guitar could make you a better bass player if you want to go back one day.

[NorCal Dog]

i'm constantly running into people at gigs & i always hear the same 'ol story,, i used to play such & such, back when i was younger,,,

i ride motorcycles, Harleys & dirtbikes,, & again i'm constantly running into people who " used to ride back in the day "

& usually in both scenarios, i'm thinking, it must suck being you ( as i hear the same 'ol sad story how life got in the way of peoples dreams & fun )

quitters quit just about every endeavor that they've committed themselves to, regardless of what it is, it's in their nature, & they make up these elaborate excuses in their mind to justify their decision to others

so i'f you truly are a quitter, that's cool, ( you know what i'm thinking ) sell all your gear & hurry up & get on to your next failed hobby

or, ya could just hang onto your gear & see if this just blows over

me, i hope i'm still riding Harleys & dirtbikes & making all the little booty's bounce out on the dance floor 'till i'm dead & gone

[PWRL]

Don't quit playing. The world needs creative players. Instead of quitting, ask yourself what you'd really like to get out of it, and do that.

[carlthegroover]

OP: Do what I intend to do. Store the bass for a while and try a new instrument (I want to pick up an ukulele and devote myself to learn how to play it, at least a few songs and a few chords).

Or just quit music... for a while, and try something else. Wanna try some new sport? How about other artsy thing, like sketching or life drawing? There are tons of hobbies to try out... maybe you'll realize, along the way, that you miss the music.

If music is for you, you will go back. That's what I believe, though.

[chef wong]

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

It may be that playing the bass is not the best thing to satisfy your musical aptitudes, if you have them. Everyone cannot do everything. We are all born with a certain set of aptitudes. They determine what you are skilled at and what you are not, and what you NEED to do to feel happy and satisfied with your life. They cannot be changed or improved any more than you can change your eye color or hair color. I'm not saying you can't get better by practicing something, I'm saying there are countless things that you will never be a superstar at, and several things where you WILL be, if you do them.

It is not a big deal if playing some instrument is not fulfilling - there is SOMETHING that is. You just have to find it.

Most people follow their interests. "Oh that seems cool - I'll try it". the problem is that your interests and abilities have nothing to do with each other, and you can only be interested in something that you have experienced. There are so many different things to do, and sub variations within them that most people never find their ideal vocation - they just muddle along - good enough to keep their jobs but never really happy or satisfied with them.

However, there is one SURE way - there is a non-profit research foundation where you can have your aptitudes tested find out what you were built to do and what will make you happy. They have been doing this for nearly 100 years now. My smart Mom sent me and I did this many years ago, and they were right on. I have referred more than 100 people over the years, and everyone has thanked me.

For example, one of the things they showed me was that I have great music aptitudes, but I have poor finger dexterity, more so in my left hand. I would have been a great drummer, but I was 19 and knew everything, so I continued to play guitar (poorly) and migrated to bass which satisfied my need for rhythm, but I will never be a GREAT bass player. Yes, I can change, but I am a Senior now, so starting over is a heavy consideration. At least I got steered to use my aptitudes in my work as an audio engineer for the last 40+ years. Otherwise, I would have continued bouncing from one job to another.

The line I get from most closed-minded people is "Oh, I (or junior, etc.) know what I want to do". Sure you do - for NOW. How often has that changed over the years? Why? Because interests are passing fads. Aptitudes are not.

Here - Check it out. You can thank me later - www.jocrf.org

Here is a GREAT story about someone forced to change careers from music to . . . . . www.jocrf.org/news/OboeToNewsDesk.html

Sorry if I sound like a commercial, but this works. It is Gold. Every one should do this! Especially kids entering college. They can potentially waste the entire experience by going in the wrong direction, like my neighbor's kids did.

Can I block this guy's posts from view?

[Mike M.]

Sounds like you need to do one of two things. Maybe you really do need a break for a while (but don't sell) or maybe it's time to take things in a differant direction.

I went thru two very long periods of not playing bass. The first was for 10 years because I wanted to give all to my new son. Glad I did it. The second time was because wanted to learn how to write my own songs so I started learning guitar. So while I was learning guitar I didn't touch my bass for about 8 years.

I've been back into bass for about 4 years now and have found that learning guitar and learning to write did me a world of good. Sure, you'll never hear me on the radio but I'm happy with the results.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Yvon

No need to play with a band.

Some of you probably know that I'm the opposite. I have to be in a band. It's all I know. I have no other interests.

To me rock n roll and all the different genres has always been about being in a band and gigging. It's not for everyone.

So if that's the case, I guess playing solo at home satisfies some guys. I guess it's the best and only alternative.

Blue

[monti2889]

I spend a good deal of time with this little music hobby of mine, for what? Big deal...I can play a little bass.

Play, for the music and because it's fun.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

I was starting to get headaches from jamming sessions and abruptly sold off all my gear in '84. I did not so much as look at a bass until around 2000, when some locals needed a bass player and had heard I once played. I reluctantly joined them and never looked back.

What really helped me to stick with playing, though, was lessons from a bass pro for the last 4 years. Because of this, I got much better and it opened up lots of opportunities for me.

Maybe you just need some kind of change (type of music, new faces to jam with, lessons, etc.) to freshen things up a bit. Or maybe a hiatus. But like others stated, don't sell off on a whim... you may one day regret this.

I think this is great advice.

From reading many posts on TB it became obvious thats a lot of guys get into playing bass at the wrong time in their life for the wrong reasons, or not very good reasons.

Guys also can end up in very frustrating and " going nowhere" situations and bad, low end bands. When that happens it's no wonder why some guys decide to bail on the whole idea.

For some of us it was just meant to be , like we were pre destined to be rock and roll bass guitar players.

blue

[mboogiemanusa]

Originally Posted by chef wong

At 38, I don't know why I play anymore. There isn't a whole lot of enthusiasm, and I feel the music these days is whack. I'm not interested much in the local music scene, either.

I spend a good deal of time with this little music hobby of mine, for what? Big deal...I can play a little bass.

Times up, I guess.

I'm kinda stuck with payments on my bass. I'll see if I can return the thing. It was a handshake deal. You'll be seein' a really nice Alembic on ebay soon, more than likely.

Take a break but hang on to your gear. I took about 15 years off to concentrate on a career and family. Then I got a second wind and having more fun now then I ever had back in the day. Playing with much better musicians now in numerous bands and gigging much more often. Same thing will happen to you....music is a lifelong passion just need to take a break and get a little perspective.

[rtslinger]

I never walked away from playing bass but I did stop playing live for 10 years to do the kids thing.Take some time off never sell your gear because when the itch comes back and it will you will be kicking yourself in the a@@ for selling your basses I have heard too many wish I still had my (fill in the blank)

[Rickett Customs]

The bottom line is if you're not enjoying it, perhaps you're just in a rut.
If you don't feel like you're in a rut, put it down for awhile, sometimes absence can make the heart grow fonder.............

[skidmarkbass]

Take a break

[gumbynotpokey]

Break? Yes.

Jam instead? Yes.

Keep Alembic to avoid seller's remorse? Triple Yes.