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Disheartened at lack of progress
- Thread starter Felix 2021
- Start date
There are no bad students, only poor teachers. Any instructor worth their fee will find ways to make it engaging and fun and encourage you to play more.
First step- stop giving that "tutor " money. I'm 61 years old and don't appreciate that reference to an 11 year old. 11 year olds don't worry about their next doctor appointment, 11 year olds don't worry about their life savings being wiped out in a stock market crash, you get what I mean.
Everyone learns differently. There are a lot of great YouTube channels that you should explore. Understanding basic music theory will bust everything wide open. I suspect that your current tutor is giving you some pieces of notation to learn from lesson to lesson. Now, I'll definitely get flamed for this but for now don't waste your time trying to read notation, it's boring and really has nothing to do with playing the bass unless you plan on playing as a professional musician where you show up to a session, they throw the sheet music at you and you play it.
Get a copy of "Edly's Music Theory for practical people " it's not bass specific but that's a good thing. As you get to understand the relationship between scales and chords things will really start opening up for you. Also practice along with a rythm track, if you don't have some kind of drum machine, get one asap ! Good luck and don't give up.
Everyone learns differently. There are a lot of great YouTube channels that you should explore. Understanding basic music theory will bust everything wide open. I suspect that your current tutor is giving you some pieces of notation to learn from lesson to lesson. Now, I'll definitely get flamed for this but for now don't waste your time trying to read notation, it's boring and really has nothing to do with playing the bass unless you plan on playing as a professional musician where you show up to a session, they throw the sheet music at you and you play it.
Get a copy of "Edly's Music Theory for practical people " it's not bass specific but that's a good thing. As you get to understand the relationship between scales and chords things will really start opening up for you. Also practice along with a rythm track, if you don't have some kind of drum machine, get one asap ! Good luck and don't give up.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Get a new teacher -- your current one sucks.
Hang out on something like SBL or Talking Bass or somewhere.
We all plateau. Don't sweat it. I've been playing ... jeez 45 years, and I still feel the way you do sometimes.
Hang out on something like SBL or Talking Bass or somewhere.
We all plateau. Don't sweat it. I've been playing ... jeez 45 years, and I still feel the way you do sometimes.
Playing "well" can mean anything. Pastorius played well, of course, but so did Sid Vicious, for their respective audience. Personally, the more I play, learn and progress, the more I realize how mediocre (at best) my skills are.
Goimg to throw something out there i haven't seen mentioned on this thread. Familiarize yourself with how rocksmith songs scroll, load up YouTube, pick a rocksmith bass song, let it scroll, play along through your own bass and rig.
Quick way to play some songs and build up some muscle memory / tone development / skill development. I do this all the time and can learn songs quick that way.
Quick way to play some songs and build up some muscle memory / tone development / skill development. I do this all the time and can learn songs quick that way.
That's just not acceptable.
I took up the upright a year ago, and am amazed at my progress. Then again, my teacher is great, and isn't letting me sit back and just learn the easy way of doing things. It's overwhelming, but the result is that I've definitely gotten somewhere.
Maybe you need a teacher who will push.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I started playing bass in 1968, listening to records and playing the same songs over and over again as I played along.
When I spent time with folks more accomplished than I was, I watched them to see how what they did differed from what I was doing. Sometimes, a friend would offer a suggestion - "it might be easier if you tried this..."
If I were starting again today, I'd probably do similar things because it was the music that inspired me; I wanted to become a part of something musical, and I was drawn to low notes the way a moth a drawn to a flame: I immersed myself in the music first, and became interested in actually playing the bass later.
As I gradually became able to listen to music and clearly hear what a bassist was playing, I realized that, for me, the most important thing was being able to clearly hear the bass part and anticipate what a bassist would play next based upon what his or her bandmates were playing: hearing music as a bass player is way more important than technique.
There are lots of flashy bass players with impressive technique. But, especially for people my age, the kinds of working bassists I grew up listening to seldom played anything flashy - they focused on playing in service to the song, i.e., playing good changes with good time.
Be kind to yourself, and find others who are kind to you. Be patient with yourself, and find others who are patient with you.
Have fun!
When I spent time with folks more accomplished than I was, I watched them to see how what they did differed from what I was doing. Sometimes, a friend would offer a suggestion - "it might be easier if you tried this..."
If I were starting again today, I'd probably do similar things because it was the music that inspired me; I wanted to become a part of something musical, and I was drawn to low notes the way a moth a drawn to a flame: I immersed myself in the music first, and became interested in actually playing the bass later.
As I gradually became able to listen to music and clearly hear what a bassist was playing, I realized that, for me, the most important thing was being able to clearly hear the bass part and anticipate what a bassist would play next based upon what his or her bandmates were playing: hearing music as a bass player is way more important than technique.
There are lots of flashy bass players with impressive technique. But, especially for people my age, the kinds of working bassists I grew up listening to seldom played anything flashy - they focused on playing in service to the song, i.e., playing good changes with good time.
Be kind to yourself, and find others who are kind to you. Be patient with yourself, and find others who are patient with you.
Have fun!
If you own a personal computer or mac by any chance.. I'm going to recommend a program called "Guitar Pro". There are free alternatives, I haven't used them so I can't speak for them. But you can notate within the software using tab or if you notate it will write the tab for you. There are people who have put songs together with every instrument that you can download and you can solo the bass track. So you can have audio playback with the mix or just one particular instrument.
You can highlight sections of a score and loop that section.. and you can change the tempo with a couple clicks of a button and build your speed up with it.
Another useful tool is Amazing Slow Downer, that can slow down mp3 audio, and loop sections for music you don't have notation to but have a copy of the music or a cd laying around.
My ear is faster than my eyes by a mile so these tools are proving to be valuable for me.
You can highlight sections of a score and loop that section.. and you can change the tempo with a couple clicks of a button and build your speed up with it.
Another useful tool is Amazing Slow Downer, that can slow down mp3 audio, and loop sections for music you don't have notation to but have a copy of the music or a cd laying around.
My ear is faster than my eyes by a mile so these tools are proving to be valuable for me.
Good tips, thanks mate. I'm not gonna quit, so finding other ways of learning and practicing is the way forward.
You have to walk before you can run. I strongly suggest learning "easy" songs that you already have heard a zillion times.
I put easy in quotes because even they are not always as easy as they may seem. But you can work through them and start to hear the little things that make the great.
Play "Whole Lotta Love" a dozen times or so. Then play "Sweet Home Alabama". Or, "Do it Again" By Steely Dan. Just play the main notes and don't worry about the extra stuff at first.
Better yet, Tell us some songs you are trying and let us see what's tripping you up.
Also, Most songs have someone on Youtube showing how to play them. They even slow it all down for you.
What are your goals? Set some goals and make decisions on moving towards those goals. Also, get another teacher.
It's true kids with their brain plasticity pick things up with relative ease compared to us olds. But insensitive of your instructor to say that to a struggling older student.
I'm in a similar situation, trying music and the bass for the 1st time 3 yrs back at age 67, with wartime tinnitus and osteoarthritis. Self taught and no lessons either so I have a fool for a teacher.
I still don't know the board much, can't read music, am a total slave to TAB and finger box patterns and still can't remember the song's notes without glancing at the tableture. I need to usually stare at my fretting hand too. Got no band either except for my drummer (so versatile!) Roland Cube.
But none of my age and low talent related issues bothers me much. Because I'm making beautiful music (to me anyway). And I never before considered that I could.
Now, I keep my expectations pretty low and nobody is ever going to ask me to be the Sex Pistols' new bassist. But OTOH my great grandfather lived over 109 years so I could keep learning for decades since I turn a relatively young 70 in March- if covid and high BP don't kill me (got my 1st vaccine shot!).
Then too, instead of reading and learning and playing the next textbook chapter (I'm using Progressive Bass, Turner and White) I usually spend most of my playing time just improv neck noodling 1-4-5 blues riffs. This hardly advances my learning but man, I need it desperately for therapy locked down alone in my house for a year. Not that covid-19 changed things for me much, being separated and a bit hermetic already.
I read the textbook every day but then spend most of my time bluesing it up and down the neck in the groove with mighty Roland. Because joy.
So I'm similar to you in slow learning but different in that I'm trying to embrace my introversion, sloth and joyful musical aimlessness. I'm traveling slowly but enjoying the trip.
I'm in a similar situation, trying music and the bass for the 1st time 3 yrs back at age 67, with wartime tinnitus and osteoarthritis. Self taught and no lessons either so I have a fool for a teacher.
I still don't know the board much, can't read music, am a total slave to TAB and finger box patterns and still can't remember the song's notes without glancing at the tableture. I need to usually stare at my fretting hand too. Got no band either except for my drummer (so versatile!) Roland Cube.
But none of my age and low talent related issues bothers me much. Because I'm making beautiful music (to me anyway). And I never before considered that I could.
Now, I keep my expectations pretty low and nobody is ever going to ask me to be the Sex Pistols' new bassist. But OTOH my great grandfather lived over 109 years so I could keep learning for decades since I turn a relatively young 70 in March- if covid and high BP don't kill me (got my 1st vaccine shot!).
Then too, instead of reading and learning and playing the next textbook chapter (I'm using Progressive Bass, Turner and White) I usually spend most of my playing time just improv neck noodling 1-4-5 blues riffs. This hardly advances my learning but man, I need it desperately for therapy locked down alone in my house for a year. Not that covid-19 changed things for me much, being separated and a bit hermetic already.
I read the textbook every day but then spend most of my time bluesing it up and down the neck in the groove with mighty Roland. Because joy.
So I'm similar to you in slow learning but different in that I'm trying to embrace my introversion, sloth and joyful musical aimlessness. I'm traveling slowly but enjoying the trip.
Applying what you do know in a real world situation is what hones your skills. If I were only taking lessons right now I'd probably feel like I was treading water too. Drop the lessons and pursue some kind of project. If jamming with others isn't an option develop a song list to play along with or try recording something for yourself.
I think it's a good thing that you are very critical of yourself. IMO the electric bass is the easiest instrument for one to think they are good at when they actually need to work on many things. Had a coworker that had played about 40 years and touted about how good he was. Finally watched a performance of his cover band and notes that shouldn't have been staccato were and he pretty much only fretted with his index finger.
It can be rough but you cannot think of it as a job or home work. The best advice I can give even if you dont practice a song per say that you're working on just strum and mess around with some techniques you've learned.
Dont concern yourself with comparing yourself to others! it only leads to disappointment. the first hurdles when starting out are sometimes the hardest to get over,later it is the plateaus that discourage you.persistence is key. A good friend once said, as I was trying to get past a hurdle, every one has a strength, does something well,weather its dexterity,speed, or rhythm/timing. Focus on that, mine was timing. I focused on that then worked on my weakness' dexterity& speed. I found myself on that darned Plateau for years! I even put the bass down hoping I could forget some bad habits & relearn some good ones! Keep your Passion a goal, meaning the reason you picked it up. I wanted to be the best around, so naturally I was easily discouraged at every turn!
I remember my best friends Girl took it up & quickly progressed, she shot past me, that was sooo, humiliating, because she was younger & female! that was ages ago when that was still a factor/concern! to my defense, She had a great teacher. mine was more of a buddy that used our time as hang out time. He was a great player, just not a great teacher, I learned some things but he let me get away with being lazy & uninspired. I should have just changed teachers, But I blamed myself. I was lazy, & hated practicing! so of course others shot past me! I was more interested in short cuts & "tricks" to further my playing, but y'all know there are no short cuts!
After years on "hiatus" the bug bit me again, and I picked it up again, I was determined to buckle down & become the musician I intended to be! I made myself a strict regimen of 4-6 hours of practice a night & to learn things I shied away from, I bought books,searched on line, watched videos & even went over my old notes! I found it was that initial passion, My 1st reason for picking the bass up that drove me! Dont give up, hold on to that desire to be better.
We ALL go through growing pains or hurdles& plateaus, but keeping at it gets us through/over them! GL
When I was an instructor , I would have never said anything even similar. My thoughts on what to tell him are laced with simple profanities explaining my feeling towards him.
Personal growth in an instrument comes in spurts and little steps. I always love the spurts more than the little steps.
Don't quit, maybe do some jamming because you might need some fun.
Personal growth in an instrument comes in spurts and little steps. I always love the spurts more than the little steps.
Don't quit, maybe do some jamming because you might need some fun.
There are no bad students, only bad teachers. Dump that degrading moron and move on. Most of all...if you enjoy playing/learning, DO NOT QUIT. Mostly definitely not because of that jack wagon...
Yeah, and he's the best teacher? That guy needs a reality check-
Physically, the left hand part is probably the hardest, especially when someone starts later in life.
What are you working on with your teacher? My first guitar teacher was generally uninterested and because I wasn't at the point of being able to tell him exactly what I wanted to play and learn, he had to guess. I would start by comparing what you're working on with this teacher with what you want and if they don't match, tell him. I might start by nailing him for the comment about the 11 year old, though- that was uncalled for.
My first teacher was unable to determine what I wanted to play and none of my friends played, other than a couple who were older and they wouldn't want to play with someone who was nowhere near their level, so I put it away for about three years. With the right teacher, I think I could have been pretty good, but I had decided it wouldn't be a profession, anyway. Once I picked it up again, I found that my ear had improved greatly and I was able to play better than before, so I continued. I learned by ear and if I became bored because the music seemed to simple, I looked for more difficult music to play and around the same time, I started working at a music store, so I was exposed to a lot more info, better teachers, great music and that made a huge difference. The info and music are easy, now- I had to rely on radio stations that had the balls to play something better and fortunately, we had a couple. A couple of years later, I got farther into Jazz, started listening to Fusion (this was the mid-'70s) and other styles that were far beyond my ability, but as I learned, I improved because I was able to play part of it at first, then more as I went.
Plateaus happen- play something that's totally outside of your experience if you want to make changes. I have found that playing bass has made me a better guitar player, too. If one of the problems you're having involves knowing where the notes are, work on your ear and don't play while you're doing that. Learn to sing melodies and solos, too- once I started to do that, learning new music became much easier, even if it was ridiculously complex and difficult. Think in terms of someone who played basic Blues, Rock and a little Jazz trying to learn Return To Forever/Al DiMeola, Dixie Dregs, John McLaughlin, etc- that was me.
