Why do you play?

BurningQ · #1 02-20-2011, 08:36 PM

I guess that you could say that right now I'm having some sort of identity crisis or something like that, but right now when it comes to playing music I don't know why I play anymore. Don't get me wrong I still practice my bass all of the time, but I just don't know why I play anymore. So, just to help me out a little bit, why do you all still play music?

queevil · #2 02-20-2011, 08:39 PM

Because God made me a musician. I'll continue to create until I don't have the mental and or physical faculties to. I can't not play.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #3 02-20-2011, 08:41 PM

^^^^^Amen.

And besides that, I love the feeling of power I get when I saw away on some Rush tune with my Jazz bass cranked and full of treble and overdrive grit. It feels very satisfying to have that solid, powerful sound at your disposal.

I also love being up on stage with my buddies fooling around while playing.

And I also love the feeling of triumph when I write a new set of lyrics that I really like and my bandmates like as well (thus the songwriting process begins. )

pica · #4 02-20-2011, 08:42 PM

To silence the voices in my head.

gidbass · #5 02-20-2011, 08:43 PM

for fun

fdeck · #6 02-20-2011, 08:44 PM

Because I can.

Music is simply part of my life.

Righteous Thunderer · #7 02-20-2011, 08:44 PM

I believe that working hard to improve yourself as a person is very important, and an important part of that is learning multiple skill sets. I practice various forms of combat, puzzles, music, exercise, and various aboriginal skills.

UncleFluffy · #8 02-20-2011, 08:47 PM

... because it's fun
... because it's an enjoyable social activity
... because it's difficult
... because, every once in a while, there's that magical Zen-like state where you are not playing, you are being played

whisper14072 · #9 02-20-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queevil

Because God made me a musician. I'll continue to create until I don't have the mental and or physical faculties to. I can't not play.

This says it all for me... although I am not to the point of writing music yet. It is also a soothing , relaxing escape for me. It is calming for me to sit and just play.... no music no notes no ideas.. just play what God wants me to..

JoZac21 · #10 02-20-2011, 09:13 PM

Sometimes I think about quitting playing music, about all the extra free time and money I'd have... but I simply can't... this is how I was born I guess... it'd be like quitting drinking water. It's not really a choice... at least for me.

brianrost · #11 02-21-2011, 06:57 AM

If you've been playing for long enough, it can become a habit.

You can go through patches where you can't remember why you do it, then you have one fantastic experience that reminds you

Or maybe you will realize that whatever drove you to play in the first place is gone

MrLenny1 · #12 02-21-2011, 07:22 AM

Playong is still fun 25 years later. The business end of it sucks

Phalex · #13 02-21-2011, 07:30 AM

For fun and profit. Mostly for fun.

After a hard week of working for the man, and getting stressed out from my regular job, it's good to get out, have a few beers with my friends, and beat the ever lovin crap out of my bass.

It's quite therapeutic......

HeadyVan Halen · #14 02-21-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningQ

I guess that you could say that right now I'm having some sort of identity crisis or something like that, but right now when it comes to playing music I don't know why I play anymore. Don't get me wrong I still practice my bass all of the time, but I just don't know why I play anymore. So, just to help me out a little bit, why do you all still play music?

Because grown men look foolish playing video games...

Chef FourString · #15 02-21-2011, 08:00 AM

It's most important of very few things that make us, as humans, different from all the other animals.

joshwilkesbooth · #16 02-21-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningQ

why do you all still play music?

Because I have to.

HaMMerHeD · #17 02-21-2011, 08:18 AM

I enjoy it. I do not do it for money. I have turned a hobby into a career before, and I found it to be a mistake. I do not plan on turning music into a career, because I would like to continue to enjoy it.

madmatt · #18 02-21-2011, 08:20 AM

You know I have never thought about it...which is probably a good thing.

bassist4dalord · #19 02-21-2011, 08:25 AM

It's an expression of what goes on in my head all day. I can sit down for an hour, and play scales, or slap, or jam with recordings, or play in a band, and I can do it all in a way that NOBODY ELSE HAS done. Sure, it may be the same chord progression, or same songs, but it's original. It's unique in my own little way.

And my fiancée thinks it's sexy.

Ooh, a +1 to the video game thing. I'm 19, and I don't like to play video games. My roommates do, but I never got into. I would MUCH rather play my bass for an hour than flick buttons for an hour.

Mike M. · #20 02-21-2011, 01:14 PM

It's the only thing that keeps me sane anymore. I work a very long week and generally have no time to practice Monday thru Friday. When the weekend arrives and once I'm done doing what I have to it's such a joy to finally be able to slip into another world and to play. I'm also divorced, single and will probably remain so, so it really helps to fill in a gap.

But I mainly play because first and foremost I love music and the the workings of it. It's just the most facinating thing.

I too went thru a rough patch not that long ago and thought that maybe I should just give it all up, even for a while. I didn't touch my bass for about a month and I felt lonely without it. Good or bad, it's part of me and it's not going away.