Can you quit bass?

[2cooltoolz]

I was (and am) a capable, competent guitarist. I can play keys adequately, but not to my standards for performance (have several keyboards, including a Yamaha Full Grand (my daughter's actually)). But bassist is how I identify (in the venacular of the moment). I have actually recently turned down offers from a couple bands I would have died to have played for a few years ago. But I don't feel I have the stamina, or maybe the enthusiasm, to do it anymore. Giving up every (or most) weekend(s); 9P-1A bar gigs, then an hour (or more) drive home... And these guys are doin' it!

I still play; I still learn new (ish?) material; I still do exercises to keep my chops up; I run through part of my repertoire a couple times a week.

But, unless I can find a "Right" (not perfect) fit, I don't see myself going out anymore. But I'm 70.

[EDIT]

... I’ve sold all but 2 basses, my Mike Lull M5V and my Elrick fretless 5. Buying/selling is getting more and more cost prohibitive a not nearly as fun as it used to be.
My question is, can someone actually quit bass? I have guitars that rarely get played so I don’t call myself a guitarist. I own a beautiful grand piano that gets noodled on occasionally, but I’m not a pianist. If my basses become like my guitars and my piano, will I eventually no longer be a bassist?

You (and I suffer from this as well) are describing your journey in terms of what you own, as opposed to your musicianship. The question is, "Do you still enjoy playing?"

For me the answer is "not as much as I used to", particularly performing, but I still enjoy learning and transcribing songs. Maybe I'll play them "out", maybe I won't. But they're in my "book".

Keep a bass.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

This year, I resigned my church gig. I’m down to one more club gig with my jam band in 2 weeks, and that’s it. I’ve sold all but 2 basses, my Mike Lull M5V and my Elrick fretless 5. Buying/selling is getting more and more cost prohibitive a not nearly as fun as it used to be. And I think I’ve owned all the bass brands that ever interested me. This summer I’ll get calls for sub gigs at the beach and I’ll decline them all. The studio scene here is minimal and I don’t do at home recording.

So it would appear I no longer play bass. Sure, I’ll thump around at home, but it seems I am done.

My question is, can someone actually quit bass? I have guitars that rarely get played so I don’t call myself a guitarist. I own a beautiful grand piano that gets noodled on occasionally, but I’m not a pianist. If my basses become like my guitars and my piano, will I eventually no longer be a bassist? I dunno, but it sure feels like this last upcoming gig is a bit of a send off.

At the end of the day, I don’t need to define it. But it sure feels like I’m hanging it up.

Well, I only play at home for a lot of reasons, mainly family and work related, but I play my basses and I like to record some stuff when I have time.
So, since I'm a home-based bass player .

PS

I agree with you, prices, unfortunately, sky-rocketed lately ...

 

[pfschim]

maybe you can, but not me. Being a musician and playing music .... as a bass player, is a fundamental part of who I am, and has been so for 60+ years. I've done many other things in life besides playing music/playing bass, but I never stopped, not once, and won't as long as I'm alive.

I have read your posts from time to time here on TB and my impression (however correct/incorrect) is that you may be more of a gear guy than a musician. In your OP, in addition to talking about gigs, you make a point to focus on gear ... buying and selling, finding the perfect bass etc. So maybe you're just tired of the acquisition side of things. Maybe focus more on what draws you to music and playing bass. Also, as others have said, it's ok to step away and take a break from performing/gigging etc.

In any event, good luck

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I did. But... selling off my collection is EXTREMELY difficult. Over 100 have left. I'm down to roughly 50. Since "Covid" appeared... I began building/assembling basses. THIS IS FUN!!! Once a bass is completed, I usually put it in a case, and forget about it after playing it for a few hours. Then... once in a while, I whip it out, and think... "this is neato, and I don't need all of this "clutter. This bass is FUN." So yeah... I get it. Been there, had that.

The TB classifieds may be clogged with some of my really cool (production) basses soon. Although... I have more "luck" on the Verb.

Guess we'll see...

 

[TeeSee]

Yes. I did totally for 25 years because of something called kids and family. Unfortunately if you do start up at a future point you won't be starting from scratch. Muscle memory. Oww.

 

[Rabidhamster]

You can quit just about anything if you put your mind to it. If you’re having trouble trying to quit something you really enjoy that isn’t hurting anyone, I’d recommend you try some crushing depression. Just make sure to sell all your basses before you cheer up or you might fall back into that awful old habit of the arts.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

If it doesn't bother you, there's no problem. Make good use of your time and the bass will come back... or no.

If it does bother you, take a break and come back for more in a couple of months!

 

[txhawaii]

This year, I resigned my church gig. I’m down to one more club gig with my jam band in 2 weeks, and that’s it. I’ve sold all but 2 basses, my Mike Lull M5V and my Elrick fretless 5. Buying/selling is getting more and more cost prohibitive a not nearly as fun as it used to be. And I think I’ve owned all the bass brands that ever interested me. This summer I’ll get calls for sub gigs at the beach and I’ll decline them all. The studio scene here is minimal and I don’t do at home recording.

So it would appear I no longer play bass. Sure, I’ll thump around at home, but it seems I am done.

My question is, can someone actually quit bass? I have guitars that rarely get played so I don’t call myself a guitarist. I own a beautiful grand piano that gets noodled on occasionally, but I’m not a pianist. If my basses become like my guitars and my piano, will I eventually no longer be a bassist? I dunno, but it sure feels like this last upcoming gig is a bit of a send off.

At the end of the day, I don’t need to define it. But it sure feels like I’m hanging it up.

I don't follow you but I do come across your posts loads and apparently you purchase a lot of high end equipment.

But this post makes me think you might not be real.

Who are you?

 

[LowRick]

Don't sell it all. You'll want it back. Store it up good and leave it for what it is. Don't forget to enjoy whatever you're going to do!

 

[el murdoque]

In my younger days, I took a hiatus that lasted for years and I could not really tell if I'd get back to it at all.
I had just moved to a city and had zero contacts to the local music scene. Even when I got to know some people, it was adding to my frustration rather than help. I came from a rural place and the music scene was much more open minded - frankly because you could not have several scenes for every sub-genre there is and everyone had to hang and play with everyone else. In the big city they had enough people for those - so they could live in their closed bubbles. That felt quite restraining.
My gear, such as remained, was in a bad shape.
One thing, however, never changed: When I listened to music, I did it with the ear of a musician - a bassist, to be precise. You know, when you started out and had problems hearing the bass in music at all, and with training, you get better at it? Well, this won't leave you alone when you quit playing.

At any time in that period, I felt like a bassist who's not playing.

Then I got a call from a friend. He was asked to play bass in an upcoming gig, but they also needed a drummer. He told them he'll play drums and bring a bassist. Me. He's a guy who is hard to resist when his mind is made up and eventually, he dragged me to rehearsal, giving me his bass gear. Two days later I retrieved my remaining bass from the basement and brought it back to gigging shape. After the gig I felt the itch again and a day later, someone posted an ad, looking to start a band that would do exactly what I had in mind. I got in contact and two weeks later, I was in a band again.

 

[LoTone]

Some of us never gig, but still, we consider ourselves to be bassists nonetheless. Your post seems to suggest that, if you don't play in a professional setting, it does not count. I beg to differ.

 

[Nek07]

I never really stopped being and feeling that I am a bass player, but I had a hiatus between 2014 and 2017, when a band gig turned sour (started to have a bit of succes and a contract to tour with a major french band, Superbus. An friend of my band's singer wanted his part of the pie and I was sacked over BS, the band survived just a few month as they spiraled down into drugs and grand projects that never comes).

It was a hard time psychologically for me as it was quite brutal and I quickly started to have a strong desire to get rid of all my gear because it reminded me of that time, all the efforts and sacrifices I made for nothing. I was the guy that take care of every little thing, change strings (that I paid for) and set and tune all of my band's stuff before reharsals, packed the band's rig to go to gig, set it up on stage, speak to the sound ingeneer...all the technical stuff. But they said that I was not involved in the band's management not realising that what I did give them time for that. Thankfully my wife made me put everything in long storage in my basement.

But even during those times, I always felt that I have a connection to bass, I listened a lot of well produced songs like those of Danger Mouse, and I learn again to love that instrument.

Now, I am back in the game.

So I will say that being a bass player is not judged in how many gigs you have, it is a way of life.

[Insert mandalorian quote here]

 

[lbbc]

Yes, anyone can quit...sell everything or hold onto it just in case you want to "noodle around" as a hobby.

I thought I was done last year. I was diagnosed with shoulder arthritis and had to get a knee replacement. The idea of gigging was not as appealing as it had been in the past. Fast forward....meds help keep arthritis in check, knee replacement went well. During recovery, I played bass every day. Found my love of playing.... different styles and genres. I am teaching my 13 year old granddaughter how to play bass (at her request) and am loving that!! After a 2-1/2 month recovery, I can't wait to gig this weekend! For me, I guess, I just needed a little time off and thank goodness I didn't "hang it up".

Maybe it'll work out for you. Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

 

[NickyBass]

I used to play every day, every second that I could...take any and every gig offered to me. These days, I play about an hour a day during the week, and then a bunch on the weekends. Life changes, more responsibilities, different perspectives, etc. What I did was decide to only do music that I love with people that I like. That has led me to explore all sorts of new music and I've probably improved just as much or even more. It started with a mulitmedia arts project with filmmakers, visual artists, etc. Then, I decided to start a salsa band from scratch. That went on for a few years and was one of the best projects I've been involved with. After that, I joined a community orchestra. It was great. We had some great guest artists, mostly classical musicians, but the year after I left, Branford Marsalis performed with them. I'm upset I missed that. Now, I'm playing at church and it has been very rewarding. There were a few other projects sprinkled in there, and some that didn't really get off the ground, like a small group, instrumental opera project. But, I'm happy with the way things are going now.

 

[Five or Six]

I'm rounding that corner myself. I get what OP is saying! Years and years of booking us, dealing with our promotional company, bitchy club owners, non appreciative managers, and trying to keep everything moving is just getting tiresome. The fun of playing hasn't left, it's what it's taking anymore to get there. Not to mention some of my band mates are losing motivation along with a lack of communication which has become an issue. Especially when needing an OK for booking perspective gigs. (Another story)

Lost a keyboard player to covid, just had to replace a guitar player that was diagnosed with cancer, (auditions suck). Not to mention someone stole my Bongo a couple of months ago that was never found. Don't get me wrong, I've had some great times playing with the best musicians. I toured part of the good ol U.S.A. for 3 years and loved it.

Opened for top notch bands and met and played for some famous musicians. I have no regrets but, over the past couple of years it seems to becoming a daily grind. The organizational fun I used to love has pretty much disappeared. We are booked for the summer. I won't say a word to the band but I'm burnt, and I will entertain my commitment. This will be my last year. So OP, I get it. It's been a damn good ride!

 

[Felix1776]

I started playing bass 9 years ago after playing guitar for a long time. In that time, I've twice tried to quit. The first time, after playing for about 3 years, I actually sold off everything and went without a bass for about a year. Partly it was financial but also because I wasn't gigging and didn't really plan on getting in another band. The itch to play was strong and as soon as I got some extra cash, I got back into it. Just about two months ago, I tried to quit again. I sold off a good amount of stuff, but thanks to used gear not selling, it gave me time to reflect and I once again decided not to quit. Playing bass is my musical home. I love it in a way that I never loved playing guitar. I may have learned my lesson this time.

 

[JazznFunk]

Burnout is real. Breaks are good. Take as much time as you need. We often have this fallacy in our heads that if we don't play every day or feel inspired to play that we aren't a 'real' bassist. We're humans who play bass. We go through phases. Don't sell your gear.... just take a step back and breathe.

 

[MtManiac]

I stopped for 7-8 years at age 29-30 when my ex was pregnant with my oldest, who’s now 24. Although, I’d barely been playing at all before that, just jamming here and there since age 20 when I left an active country band I was in, and before that very busy in music - two years studying jazz, in high school band and junior high orchestra, as well as taking private lessons and playing in a metal band throughout high school.

At my ex’s urging, I got much busier at age 37, and have stayed actively playing since, now 54.

I guess what I’m saying is that it will accommodate however much space you want to make for it, even if that space is zero from time to time. Maybe in 5 years someone will ask if you want to jam, and you’ll think “hell yeah, I wanna jam!” No need to be absolute or definitive.

Sometimes a person just feels burned out. How temporary it is depends on you. If you still identify in your own self image as a musician, then you are.

 

[JC BASS 91]

I don't know if I could totally quit playing.

I did walk away from it when my parents died within a month of each other in 2017. At the time, I was really only playing on the worship team at church. I walked away from a lot of things at that time and turned my focus onto my kids, especially my daughter who was struggling a LOT with the loss of my parents, as well as her best friend committing suicide just a little after my parents died. She was in a super dark place and it was taking everything I had to try and shine a light in for her to find her way out.

It took four years.

Finally, when my daughter graduated, I felt the itch. I told my wife that I was going to start looking for a band to play in since we had two out of high school, now and I would have the time. She was super excited...I still say more excited than I was at the idea. (She had never seen me play live outside of a church service, as the last band I had played in predated our relationship.)

Could I quit it? I really don't think so. Walk away for a while to get my head back in the right place, maybe.

 

[groooooove]

My question is, can someone actually quit bass?

this topic really hits home for me.

I'm a bass player. it's how my friends identify me - since i was a kid. it's how i've managed to make a living.

years ago, i had a wonderful ear training professor during my undergrad. i remember asking him what his primary instrument was and he thought for a second, and basically said "i don't really have one, i guess." he used to play trombone but as i recall pursued a PhD in theory and never really performed anymore, just analyzed/studied/occasionally played examples on the keyboard.

I remember thinking that was *madness.* I have a bass with me everywhere I go. it's what i do.

now, years later, i'm just so invested in classical/baroque music and completely uninterested in 99% (or more, honestly) of amplified music. for the last few years i've pretty rarely used a bass guitar. it almost feels like a chore when i do have to play it for a rehearsal or gig. I can't believe i think that - but i do.

in the meantime i'm pursuing double bass of course, and lately the viola da gamba. I think that instrument is my future. I just love it.

I have one gig coming up in a few weeks - and i sincerely think after that i'd classify myself as "retired" from playing electric bass.

i'd hesitate to say i 'quit,' because i am still of course a professional musician. I teach music for a living. but when I have a day off, or an hour to kill, the last thing i reach for is my bass guitar. I do use them, but effectively as an accompaniment instrument.

long, self-indulgent post, but this topic has been on my mind a lot lately. 6 string bass guitar was for many years my identity. but, looking back at it, it was just a tool i used to access music. and now i find the viola da gamba to be a more practical tool for my needs.

man, 15 year old me would never believe that 33 year old me just typed this.