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Bored with bass?

kommando84

kommando84

Oct 10, 2007
106
6
www.myspace.com
#1
After about three solid years of working hard on my bass playing (I also play guitar), I finally got a solid recurring jam lined up with some great local guys. We play classic oldies, like you'd hear on any radio station: Rolling Stones, Everly Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival etc.

Funny thing is, as excited as I am to be jamming with the guys, I find I am bored by playing the bass. It is kind of a shock, as I never had this problem when playing along to CD tracks and whatnot.

Now I am questioning whether to continue working on bass or to go back to guitar more.

It could be that it's easier to play because I've been practicing so much, or it might just be that the particular songs we're playing are rather straightforward I-IV-V type songs, but right now I'm kind of lost about what to do.

Any thoughts?
 
#5
I cannot imagine being bored playing bass with a band.

I don't think bass is something you conciously decide you are going to enjoy. You're either a bass lover, or you're not.

It's just not an activity that carries a lot of reward outside of the sheer love of the sound the instrument makes and the place it has in the song and in an ensemble. If you're not in love with bass, you're probably not going to enjoy playing one.

I'm a Corvette owner (the car, not the bass). On the Corvette forum, they have a saying; some are Corvette guys, some are guys with a Corvette. I'm a Corvette guy. I've always loved them, I sought long and hard for mine, and probably will always own one from now on.

Some are bass guys, and some are guys with a bass.

My 2c
 
#6
I read the title of this thread and almost passed out, how can you be bored with bass?! With a bass in your hands you have the most versatile instrument in the world at your service! Guitar players can't just improvise a song like a bass can, with a bass you can play an entire song your own way as long as there are no signature riffs! With a bass there are endless possibilities of riffs and grooves just waiting for you to improvise! Want a challenge? Write a song! Create the best groove you've ever heard in your life! Do anything, but just don't fall out of love with a bass guitar.
 
#7
I find myself agreeing with ChrisB2. I've always been "that bass guy" and enjoyed the sound and feel of the bass. That's why it's such a shock to me to have these feelings. I've always been torn between the two worlds of guitar and bass, and though they are similar instruments, for me it's like two whole different aspects of my personality come out depending on which I play. That's why I think it's important to figure this dilemma out.

I'm going to try fourfinger's advice and get reconnected to the sounds and songs that made me love bass in the first place. I am working on my singing while playing bass, which is a step in the right direction.

I appreciate everyone's advice, as I thought this would be the best place to vent my frustrations.
 
#8
Icey101 said:
move on from the jam to a performing band, do some gigs, do some originals, help write, work on your vocals, work your acoustic into the set

theres lots to do
Click to expand...

+1 It's a jam band. Don't worry about. Have fun.

It's been said many times on TB: The money, the hang, or the music. Gotta have at least two to stick with a group. Since there's no money (as of yet), gotta go for the hang and the music.

If the music's not there, then you gotta change things up.

Or possibly, take a break from practicing and just go for the jam.

Maybe you're kinda burnt and need a break. Another thing to think about is to up your supplements (D3/B complex/Omega 3) to increase your energy and mental clarity. Worked for me. Working on getting more sleep helped out too.

Good luck.
 
#14
I don't know I have felt like the him and still do at times. I never get really bored with bass but I do get more motivated to play guitar and write songs with it than practice or play my basses. Bass is a tool for my band and for me to play in my band only and guitar is my personal instrument to write on and do my thing.

Its not that I dont love playing bass or being a bass player, I do. I am decent at that role and know it. I have been told by allot of people I am a good complete bassist who holds down the bottom with out stepping on others and plays tasteful lines. But i dont pay my basses much except for practice and gigs and guitar is allot of my time today. I will say my new interest in Shortscale bass has me a new found interest in bass and thats is refreshing for a change.
 
#16
You answered your own question. You're a guitar player.

Like a great stay at home defenseman in hockey...bass players are the smartest, most patient musicians in the band.

There are very few great bass players who ever had a guitar in their hands. It's a mindset.
 
#18
I think it means your not interested in playing bass, not bored with it.

I have been playing bass guitar for 45 years, I still take lessons, there is always something new to learn.

In all the 45 years I have never been bored.

blue
 
#19
bolophonic said:
Pick better songs.
Click to expand...

That’s my guess, as well. If the OP simply didn’t like bass, he’d have not enjoyed it playing to tracks.

I find many basslines somewhat repetitive, but being in a three-piece (instrumentally), I have the luxury of being able to spice them up, not noodling, but enhancing/expanding them while maintaining the integrity of the original.

Playing a five-string helps in that regard.
 

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