What can you do with bass?

[yazmeister]

hi, i've been playing bass on and off for a year and a half but practicing rarely because I've been trying to decide whether or not to continue.
I'm 16 and a junior in high school... I'm not good at bass, and don't plan on going to music school. What can I do with my (maybe-soon-acquired) bass skills if I don't become a pro or whatever? What do you guys do?
I've been thinking about this question and come to the conclusion "nothing" and it's caused me to take a very long hiatus from bass. I played some jazz pieces (for trumpet) on bass two days ago or so, and enjoyed it-ish, but this question still has me perplexed.It seemed kind of strange just to play bass by myself or be in a crappy cover band (or crappy "original" band)

so, sorry to sound depressed, just wondering what the point was and what I can do with bass.

[JimmyM]

you probably won't do anything with it. in order to do something with it, you have to enjoy it, and you sound miserable.

[Skitch it!]

Get up to the standard where you don't have to play in the crappy bands. The good covers bands, and the good originals bands?

[dvh]

If you're not inspired then maybe it's not for you.

[elgecko]

Become a weekend warrior. Instead of playing golf or going fishing on the weekend, play gigs instead.

[Plays_For_Dog]

Playing bass should be fun. I sucked when I was a junior in highschool too. I kept at it and kept it fun. When a pretty long time while in the military when I didn't play, but picked it up every chance I could. Been playing for a long time now and love it. You will get better with time. Trick is to not feel pressured into it and remember to keep it fun.

Even now I play bymyself. I moved almost a year ago, and haven't found any musicians in my new home with like minded interest. But I still play. I play along with MP3's and drum machines. Give yourself a chance.

[Phalex]

I never intended to join a band. I never wanted to do anything except use illicit substances and play along to albums in my parents basement. That was pretty much how I got my bass education. Put a buzz on, and play along to some John Lee Hooker. Maybe some Floyd, or Zombies, The Turtles........

I just kind of ended up getting sucked into my first band because I owned a bass and an amp. Turns out, I'm no bass genius, but I'm kinda good at what I do.

Playing along with your favorite songs is a pleasant way to spend your time. Turns out it's also a good way to learn your way around the bass.

I am not advocating illicit substances, and as usual, YMMV.

[T40Chump]

Originally Posted by dvh

If you're not inspired then maybe it's not for you.

+1

If you're not into it that's cool. Not everyone has to be. Find something you like to do and move on. You're still young and there are lots of options in this world for someone your age.

Don't wait. Keep moving.

[madmatt]

Originally Posted by yazmeister

hi, i've been playing bass on and off for a year and a half but practicing rarely because I've been trying to decide whether or not to continue.
I'm 16 and a junior in high school... I'm not good at bass, and don't plan on going to music school. What can I do with my (maybe-soon-acquired) bass skills if I don't become a pro or whatever? What do you guys do?
I've been thinking about this question and come to the conclusion "nothing" and it's caused me to take a very long hiatus from bass. I played some jazz pieces (for trumpet) on bass two days ago or so, and enjoyed it-ish, but this question still has me perplexed.It seemed kind of strange just to play bass by myself or be in a crappy cover band (or crappy "original" band)

so, sorry to sound depressed, just wondering what the point was and what I can do with bass.

Hopefully you are not really depressed.
But the thing about playing a bass for me is playing with others. It is really no fun, to me at least, to just play by myself. Playing with others will open up your skills a lot.

[Martin89]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I never intended to join a band. I never wanted to do anything except use illicit substances and play along to albums in my parents basement. That was pretty much how I got my bass education. Put a buzz on, and play along to some John Lee Hooker. Maybe some Floyd, or Zombies, The Turtles........

I just kind of ended up getting sucked into my first band because I owned a bass and an amp. Turns out, I'm no bass genius, but I'm kinda good at what I do.

Playing along with your favorite songs is a pleasant way to spend your time. Turns out it's also a good way to learn your way around the bass.

I am not advocating illicit substances, and as usual, YMMV.

I never did the illicit substances but this is a pretty big plus one. Playing a long is definitely something very fun and rewarding and you can make stuff up from there. You said you play trumpet(and I'll assume jazz from the OP) so it's just another outlet for improv/sound. As much as it's frowned upon learn how your blues scales are on the fretboard and do some solos. This stuff can carry into guitar and many other instruments to have fun on. Go back and forth. You'll get better, Flea was a trumpet player dedicated to jazz styles before he got introduced to bass and punk/rock so there's no need to be depressed

[yazmeister]

thanks for the replies everyone. I'm actually not depressed btw, just in a rut about music, mostly cause my band teacher (i play trumpet) is a huge prick and has turned me off music for a while.
anyway... in response to your replies...
I started out playing bass parts along to songs on an acoustic guitar and loved it. I bought a bass and decided that playing a song every other day wasn't going to help my skills, so I decided to get serious about practicing, and I think that made it boring for me... I made myself memorize the notes, learn scales (haven't quite done this yet) etc etc and it got like a chore. And then i started wondering why i'm doing this.

I'll pick it up again and try to enjoy it like I did before. (wow that sounds depressing sorry)
any tips for improving while enjoying playing? I always felt exercises were a chore but they always seemed to help with trumpet and such

[mcapote]

if you're wondering whether to continue, you already have your answer. 99% of us play because its what we love to do. Music is no place for anyone who has doubts you definitely put a lot more in than you get out. If you ever had a love of playing maybe taking time off will make you appreciate it more. it did in my case when i quit playing after getting married and having a kid. Im back to playing and in a band playing out on the weekends.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by yazmeister

thanks for the replies everyone. I'm actually not depressed btw, just in a rut about music, mostly cause my band teacher (i play trumpet) is a huge prick and has turned me off music for a while.
anyway... in response to your replies...
I started out playing bass parts along to songs on an acoustic guitar and loved it. I bought a bass and decided that playing a song every other day wasn't going to help my skills, so I decided to get serious about practicing, and I think that made it boring for me... I made myself memorize the notes, learn scales (haven't quite done this yet) etc etc and it got like a chore. And then i started wondering why i'm doing this.

I'll pick it up again and try to enjoy it like I did before. (wow that sounds depressing sorry)
any tips for improving while enjoying playing? I always felt exercises were a chore but they always seemed to help with trumpet and such

Having a spell of introspection about it is normal, you need an outlet for your practiced skills, get a little jam together with a few other fellas/friends on the same level and take it as a little play around with your ideas, and have fun with it. The social aspect is a big up, especially with other musicians, you know what they're like, my 2 pence.

[jmercer91]

learning to play tougher songs is fun and challenging. are there any bands or musicians you like that have some sweet bass grooves? what are you into musically?

[klejst]

Like anything, you have to really have a interest in something to really enjoy it. Same with bass, if you have no real interest or desire then perhaps it is not for you. But if you do have that interest and desire then keep playing it and improving yourself and like others have said go from crappy bands into good and great bands.

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by yazmeister

I always felt exercises were a chore but they always seemed to help with trumpet and such

Hey man - excercises are essential for any instrument, and to be honest, I'm pretty impressed that you had the required self-discipline to manage to practice all the fun out those four strings!

The key is to mix it up - run a couple of drills, and then noodle for a while, is what I usually do. Play some scales when your supply of random noodling ideas runs dry, and that will (usually) re-inspire you.

Also, have you considered maybe trying to write some simple duets, since you play brass? A trumpet and bass duet could be pretty rad, I would think.

And lastly, if you can, try to find some other people - or even just one - to occaisionally jam with, or even to learn alongside. I find that when I'm not in a band, I tend to ignore my instruments quite a bit - my most productive and enjoyable practicing is generally done when preparing for an audition or a show.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to put it away for a while! I'm currently juggling a full-time job, night school, a gigging band, and a recording project - so I've had to put away my saxophones for a bit, for lack of time and energy to practice them. But I'll get back to them in future, and there's no shame in that.

[Mayers]

Well I enjoyed a lot to woodshed at first. I could play mindless fingers pattern for 2 hours every day.

after that I played a lot with my favorites records.

I tried to play stuff of other instrument like some classical guitar and cello on bass. I learned other instrument.

We could sum it by saying that I enjoy becoming good at it even if I only play by myself with a record or trying to be a soloist.

[yazmeister]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

Hey man - excercises are essential for any instrument, and to be honest, I'm pretty impressed that you had the required self-discipline to manage to practice all the fun out those four strings!

The key is to mix it up - run a couple of drills, and then noodle for a while, is what I usually do. Play some scales when your supply of random noodling ideas runs dry, and that will (usually) re-inspire you.

Also, have you considered maybe trying to write some simple duets, since you play brass? A trumpet and bass duet could be pretty rad, I would think.

And lastly, if you can, try to find some other people - or even just one - to occaisionally jam with, or even to learn alongside. I find that when I'm not in a band, I tend to ignore my instruments quite a bit - my most productive and enjoyable practicing is generally done when preparing for an audition or a show.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to put it away for a while! I'm currently juggling a full-time job, night school, a gigging band, and a recording project - so I've had to put away my saxophones for a bit, for lack of time and energy to practice them. But I'll get back to them in future, and there's no shame in that.

thanks for the advice, sounds good. That trumpet/bass duet would be cool too if I was better at trumpet... ever since I've stopped practicing and taking lessons 2 years ago I've gotten progressively more sucky.

I guess my problem is I don't enjoy stuff if i suck at it, and when I suck at it I get too frustrated to get better, cause I think it's "too late" to get better... I've had this problem with all my other hobbies too, thanks for the advice.

Thanks again everyone, you've really helped

[JimmyM]

we all suck at the beginning, and then over time we start to suck not so bad, and some may actually get downright good. but for me, i loved loved loved learning about theory and chord mechanics and all that, so it was never work. some don't love it and that's cool, but it does require a certain level of commitment and the knowledge that making any serious money with it is pretty unlikely.

[NortyFiner]

You need to do what I did: embrace the fact that you suck at music, at least for a while. I mean that in a completely positive way. It's a phase that every musician has to get through. Too many young musicians expect to pick up a bass (after all, it's an easy instrument, right?) and some tablature and quickly be able to play like Steve Harris, or John Entwhistle, or this guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mesr2siegRg

News flash: unless you have a god-sent gift for music (ex: Tal Wilkenfeld, who went from beginner to pro in under two years) it ain't happening. Lots of young musicians learn that the hard way, and many of them give up. I didn't, and after over 20 years of mucking about with bass, I still think I suck, but I enjoy what I am doing and I don't let my lack of "whatever" bother me. Point is, getting through that boring, self-critical learning period, where you suck and you KNOW you suck, can be very difficult. All you can do is try to find what you like about playing music, and stick with that until you get comfortable with your own level of musical ability, whatever that may be.

Hope that helps.