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Adversities in learning bass

Roythepainter

Roythepainter

Guest
Sep 21, 2014
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#1
Hi. I'm new to bass and the forums and I'd like to share a struggle of mine. Being new to playing bass I often make mistakes and my audience (not to be named) often snickers at my mistakes. I shake it off and play harder.

I'm interested to know if any of you have personal stories you would like to share in regards to having to over come the hurdles of starting out in playing bass.
 
#2
For me, it's finding practice time. With a job and a young kid to take care of, I've taken to bringing my bass, a pocket amp, and headphones in to work so I can practice during my lunch break. Today I got a new lesson book, so I had to add a music stand to the mix- combine that with my laptop case, and I'm either making multiple trips for all the stuff, or throwing out my back (like I managed to do last Friday.)

Anyway, hunkering down in a cubicle, self-conscious of the string noises since some people are working through lunch and on phone calls, isn't really an ideal practice space, but I need all the practice time I can wedge in, and every little bit helps.
 
#3
Geekydad said:
For me, it's finding practice time. With a job and a young kid to take care of, I've taken to bringing my bass, a pocket amp, and headphones in to work so I can practice during my lunch break. Today I got a new lesson book, so I had to add a music stand to the mix- combine that with my laptop case, and I'm either making multiple trips for all the stuff, or throwing out my back (like I managed to do last Friday.)

Anyway, hunkering down in a cubicle, self-conscious of the string noises since some people are working through lunch and on phone calls, isn't really an ideal practice space, but I need all the practice time I can wedge in, and every little bit helps.
Click to expand...

What do you do for a living if I may ask?

And that sounds rough. Hearing that makes me grateful that I have time to play at home sitting on my couch.
 
#5
Hello. I actually started playing electric bass when I was 11 or 12. I've played in a lot of bands of the years. I'm just into my fourth decade.

Anyway, I recently started playing upright bass, which is nothing like playing electric bass, aside from the fact that the common tuning is in fourths for both: EADG. I have to say that it has been the most humbling experience for me to go from being very confident and competent on one instrument to not having that feeling on the newer one.

I take lessons, and I see my progress. I do practice as much as possible--even 30 minutes a day of quality practice (keep it simple!) is great. I don't have kids, but I have been in school full time (it is music school, but I have lots of reading and writing to do too), and I do work.

My advice to you is to continue what you are doing. Ignore the snickers. Anybody who snickers at a new player is maladjusted anyway! We ought to be encouraging each other to play music! It takes time to learn an instrument, but that time is part of the journey and it is rewarding. Record your
practices and listen to your progress over time.

Good luck and keep at it! It gets easier.
 
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#6
Well when I first started many people blew it off as a joke or a passing phase. Now they are jealous that I put in the work and can play reasonably well. But I really didn't have much adversity to overcome in all honesty. My suggestion is to find people in your local music seen to learn from and help encourage your desire to play (go to shows at bars and talk to the musicians after or between sets). I certainly enjoy helping others who don't know as much. I'm a pretty empathetic person so making fun of people who aren't as talented isn't something I dig. But if you place yourself around people who will help you thrive and learn, there won't be much to snicker at after a while. And if your kid (I saw your other thread) is that brutal, be a dad and teach him some manners (easier said than done). Good luck.
 
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#7
Roythepainter said:
Hi. I'm new to bass and the forums and I'd like to share a struggle of mine. Being new to playing bass I often make mistakes and my audience (not to be named) often snickers at my mistakes. I shake it off and play harder.

I'm interested to know if any of you have personal stories you would like to share in regards to having to over come the hurdles of starting out in playing bass.
Click to expand...

We all flub every once in a while, but I rarely come across anyone who laughs at this? I would be genuinely surprise that other than a bass player in the crowd would know you missed a note here or there? My only suggestion would be practice more often, concentrated on what you are doing while on stage don't be shy look at the neck if you need to no harm no foul. My only other suggestion would be, may be you are too up front in the mix and what mistakes you play are heard outside in the parking lot :) if that is the case, I would get a handle on that most mistakes are barely noticed when the mix is right. I have been at this since I was 9 (56 now) I have been with the same band for the passed 10 years and I have played a bass line for other members to let them know where I want to add something in a song we have been playing forever and they are all clueless to the song I was talking about and they are musicians.
 
#8
I did not start on bass until I was 40 years old and soon will be 53 (God willing) I wanted to be on a stage a real one after flailing on guitar thru high school. I only had a crappy bowling alley show and another in a back yard to show for it all those years ago. I was going to get it done.

I have a full time job and family which didn't not help with time but I made my mind I was going to get there. I started with a simple bass and amp and started with following and playing to music I liked and the bass lines there.
I studied scales and some chords but the from the most part I lived just basslines and bass for about 4-5 months.
When you do this you can ingrain the common bass practices in almost all music since you find it repeats allot. There are no new chords invented you know so allot of music just repeats for the most part.
I suck at slap and funk grooves so I stay away from them and do more roots, octave's and fifths playing. That alone can get you a gig. I'm a solid decent pocket player, no frills and I like that.

Anyway a few months in this journey I thought "lets find a band". Well I tried out for a classic rock band cold and got the job. I was stoked thru allot of practice and hard work I got better, even better than I thought I was. The one thing here was play with other people every chance you get and try to make sure they are better than you.

So now for the better part of 12 years I have been on a stage with bands. I've learned allot and am now trying it again after almost a year off from playing with anybody.

As far as people listening to you and mocking you? Get a door or do not do it in front of them. You have to develop some stones and get enough confidence to play in front of others mistakes or not.

As one bandleader told me its not the mistake's I care about its how you handle them and recover. Good luck and get to work.
 
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#9
bassbully said:
I did not start on bass until I was 40 years old and soon will be 53 (God willing) I wanted to be on a stage a real one after flailing on guitar thru high school. I only had a crappy bowling alley show and another in a back yard to show for it all those years ago. I was going to get it done.

I have a full time job and family which didn't not help with time but I made my mind I was going to get there. I started with a simple bass and amp and started with following and playing to music I liked and the bass lines there.
I studied scales and some chords but the from the most part I lived just basslines and bass for about 4-5 months.
When you do this you can ingrain the common bass practices in almost all music since you find it repeats allot. There are no new chords invented you know so allot of music just repeats for the most part.
I suck at slap and funk grooves so I stay away from them and do more roots, octave's and fifths playing. That alone can get you a gig. I'm a solid decent pocket player, no frills and I like that.

Anyway a few months in this journey I thought "lets find a band". Well I tried out for a classic rock band cold and got the job. I was stoked thru allot of practice and hard work I got better, even better than I thought I was. The one thing here was play with other people every chance you get and try to make sure they are better than you.

So now for the better part of 12 years I have been on a stage with bands. I've learned allot and am now trying it again after almost a year off from playing with anybody.

As far as people listening to you and mocking you? Get a door or do not do it in front of them. You have to develop some stones and get enough confidence to play in front of others mistakes or not.

As one bandleader told me its not the mistake's I care about its how you handle them and recover. Good luck and get to work.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That was what I was needing to hear.
 
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#11
Roy - welcome to bass and TB! I'm 41 and started playing about 3-4yrs ago. I too, have a full time job, wife, two kids, and countless activities associated with both! Hopefully it's the kids who are snickering, but honestly, either way shrug it off like you said. Keep practicing and playing as much as possible. I posted a while ago wondering how everyone finds time to practice, and the best advice I found - and I'll say it again - just keep playing. Even if it's 10-15 minutes, pick it up and play. Every day. I moved mine from the bedroom to the family room which actually helped a bunch; sort of eliminates the "out of sight, out of mind" issue. Once you gain more confidence things will get easier. I do not profess to be a great player by any means, but I go at it with everything I've got. I think you'll find many non-musical folks will think you're playing is good no matter what (in a band setting), just because you can play and they can't. I've found this to be very true. For as much as I hate the way I play sometimes, it does make you feel good and boosts the morale. Good luck, and keep going!
 
#12
Roythepainter said:
Thanks. That was what I was needing to hear.
Click to expand...


No problem anytime. I'm an open book with my faults as a musician but its all about what you are trying to achive. If you just want to learn the bass for fun to play along with old records that's fine.
If you want to do it for the drugs, chicks and money that's also great. if you are a honest set a direction and go for it I bet you will get there. You sound like me have a family so the drugs and chicks route wont be happening anytime soon I bet :smug:

Set a goal and learn a few songs with basslines you really like and learn them so you can play to the album and nail them. Are you looking to maybe join a band down the road? What band? What kind of music?
I highly doubt you would want Deathmetal or the like but a good classic rock or blues cover band might scratch you itch. If so start studying that music and woodshed to it. When you feel you might be ready to look for a group do it! You only live once and life if for the living and those who go after it.
 
#13
I find the biggest thing is to know what key you are playing in and make sure that whatever notes you are playing are in that key and in the right rhythm. You may not be playing the right note, say if you miss a chord change, but at least it will be in the right key and most people won't necessarily hear it. But if your rhythm is wrong EVERYONE will know, because we can all count to four!!
 
#14
As far as what I'm looking to get out of playing bass, I want to be involved in the music I listen to. I grew up cutting my teeth on queen, to this day I have Queen's greatest hits on cassette in my car. I never got to see them play in concert, so playing along connects me to the music a bit more than listening alone, its not quite the concert experience, but feeling the bass echo through my chest as I thump along is still a dam good feeling.

I have no aspirations to play for a living, for the time being I'm going to play for joy and focus on building my fundamentals, if that leads me to some other path, that's great. If not, I still have my cassette of Queen's greatest hits.
 
#15
Roythepainter said:
As far as what I'm looking to get out of playing bass, I want to be involved in the music I listen to. I grew up cutting my teeth on queen, to this day I have Queen's greatest hits on cassette in my car. I never got to see them play in concert, so playing along connects me to the music a bit more than listening alone, its not quite the concert experience, but feeling the bass echo through my chest as I thump along is still a dam good feeling.

I have no aspirations to play for a living, for the time being I'm going to play for joy and focus on building my fundamentals, if that leads me to some other path, that's great. If not, I still have my cassette of Queen's greatest hits.
Click to expand...

Then there is the plan to play like John Deacon..no easy feat mind you. Lots of Queen tab online to work from.
 
#17
Get a amp with a headphone jack. Play your MP3s through the headphones and no one will hear you except you. You'll hear your bass and the song, perfectly. And you don't have to listen to your critics.

Ignore the noise. Play and have fun!

:-)
 
#18
If it was easy, everybody would do it.

Attempt different styles of playing (finger, pick, thumb, etc.) to find a comfortable method or a combination of styles.

And, build up your calluses on your fingertips.
 

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