Experiencing major burnout, seeking advice

[Reflective]

I've been playing for a while now, maybe 8 or 9 years, not necessarily as consistently as I could have, but I feel I am dedicated. I've never really had a formal teacher, but music has been a part of my life as long as i can remember, and self teaching is usually effective for me. My mother went to school for music and has been a professional vocalist, so I can always call her up whenever I have a theory question I can't find the answer to.

Lately I seriously feel like I've hit a wall. Every time i pick up the insturment is frustration, but I have a hard time putting it down because I feel like I need to solve it. I feel anxious that I don't have a precise rigid practice plan. I want some kind of formula I can follow me that will give me the fastest progress possible. I spend more time thinking about my deficiencies than anything else.

I see various people around that have a specific talent that is awe inspiring, whether it be athletic, artistic, technical, whatever. Of all the things I do, bass has been what I've put the most energy into and i don't feel like that's the reaction id get from an onlooker.

 

[BassyBill]

What's your goal?

 

[henry2513]

I've been playing for a while now, maybe 8 or 9 years, not necessarily as consistently as I could have, but I feel I am dedicated. I've never really had a formal teacher, but music has been a part of my life as long as i can remember, and self teaching is usually effective for me. My mother went to school for music and has been a professional vocalist, so I can always call her up whenever I have a theory question I can't find the answer to.

Lately I seriously feel like I've hit a wall. Every time i pick up the insturment is frustration, but I have a hard time putting it down because I feel like I need to solve it. I feel anxious that I don't have a precise rigid practice plan. I want some kind of formula I can follow me that will give me the fastest progress possible. I spend more time thinking about my deficiencies than anything else.

I see various people around that have a specific talent that is awe inspiring, whether it be athletic, artistic, technical, whatever. Of all the things I do, bass has been what I've put the most energy into and i don't feel like that's the reaction id get from an onlooker.

You answered your own question just now. You say you think about your deficiencies? Good, that's healthy - outline them and then put together a plan of attack and stick to it, simple as that.

Everyone progresses at a different rate so no one formula is going to guarantee you'll get from point A to point B in x amount of time.

Also if you're playing just to impress other people then you should rethink a few things about how you approach the instrument and music as whole.

 

[Reflective]

Id say my goal first and foremost is to be enjoying playing again. Also, Id really like to be at the point where I can join in on any song and be able to make a bass-line that sounds good, fits the song aesthetically and technically. I'd like to be comfortable with simplicty but also be able to find ways to make it more interesting and stand out. Also I do want to improve my physical dexterity and capability when it comes to playing difficult things.

 

[BassyBill]

Okay, now we can make some suggestions for you. These should help you get started, research some material to help you along and just get you moving again if you incorporate a bit of each of these into a sensible routine.

Id say my goal first and foremost is to be enjoying playing again... Relax, don't try to force it, it will happen naturally as you start making more progress.

Also, Id really like to be at the point where I can join in on any song and be able to make a bass-line that sounds good, fits the song aesthetically and technically... I'd suggest some ear training and interval recognition exercises, also just playing along with records and trying to fit in.

I'd like to be comfortable with simplicty but also be able to find ways to make it more interesting and stand out... Listen to as much music as you can (including stuff away from your normal range of material) and think about what the bass is doing as you listen, as well as the other instruments (especially drums). Study theory systematically and link that to the basslines you're hearing and the chord structures of the songs you're listening to. Learn to read if you can't - it opens doors for you in lots of ways. Transcribing other people's music teaches a lot and can be fun, too.

Also I do want to improve my physical dexterity and capability when it comes to playing difficult things... Do some dexterity exercises each day, and pick some challenging pieces of music that you enjoy, to learn and practise.

Knowing where you want to get to is the first step in getting there. Breaking it down into manageable chunks and coming up with some ideas for each is the second.

More info about what you like to play and listen to, which players you rate highly et cetera will probably get some more suggestions. Have fun, good luck!

 

[miltslackford]

I've been playing for a while now, maybe 8 or 9 years, not necessarily as consistently as I could have, but I feel I am dedicated. I've never really had a formal teacher, but music has been a part of my life as long as i can remember, and self teaching is usually effective for me. My mother went to school for music and has been a professional vocalist, so I can always call her up whenever I have a theory question I can't find the answer to.

Lately I seriously feel like I've hit a wall. Every time i pick up the insturment is frustration, but I have a hard time putting it down because I feel like I need to solve it. I feel anxious that I don't have a precise rigid practice plan. I want some kind of formula I can follow me that will give me the fastest progress possible. I spend more time thinking about my deficiencies than anything else.

I see various people around that have a specific talent that is awe inspiring, whether it be athletic, artistic, technical, whatever. Of all the things I do, bass has been what I've put the most energy into and i don't feel like that's the reaction id get from an onlooker.

If you clearly know the areas of your playing that are frustrating you, then what are they? If you know what they are then that's half the problem solved. Note it down and figure out who the best teacher you could find is to approach those problems and give you feedback on the reality of your progress.

Also, if you want a showy instrument or one that people take notice of, stop trying with bass it's a losing battle! MOST people can't hear the bass. Your ears need to be trained quite a bit (knowingly or unknowingly) before you can pick bass out on recordings, so if you want to get reactions or attention, play a mid or high range instrument. Bass is a support role mostly, not one for the limelight. Otherwise Ray Brown would be as famous as Oscar Peterson, but he isn't. Nobody should live for compliments, and especially not bass players. I'm not saying don't try to be a great player, I'm just saying don't expect to get much of a reaction compared to, say, if you'd done the same thing on violin, flute, guitar or even drums.

The other thing is, it doesn't matter how good you get, you will always feel this way if you allow yourself to. Learning to play is like learning a magic trick. When you see somebody else do the trick and you can't do it, it looks like magic. If you decide to learn it yourself, it becomes very ordinary. This will happen all the way through your playing. The thing that is enjoyable is the process. Or if it's not then something is wrong. Even Django Reinhardt would have come to his guitar some days and thought 'I can't think of anything I want to play and I'm bored with myself'. But nobody ever thought that about him.

I think this problem won't go away unless you think 'what processes of bass playing do I enjoy' and just focus on getting more time with those things. Because the status thing is a false idol. You won't feel any better because of it. But if you figure out which processes you enjoy IN THE MOMENT and do those more, I think you won't be asking yourself 'why am I not better?' or 'why do I not feel a certain way?'. And as a bi-product, you'll continue to improve and will end up getting where you want to be anyway.

 

[Freddels]

Take a break. Just put the instrument down and walk away. Go for a walk, read a book, go hiking, etc. Just do something else for a couple of weeks. You'll come back to it with renewed energy.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Take a break - from the bass. You like music, OK, learn another instrument. I'd suggest it be another stringed instrument so what you already know will flow into this new venture.

• Rhythm guitar would be an easy choice.
• Step up to the treble clef. Mandolin or Dobro would be fun.
• Heck, spring for the stand up double bass, that will keep you busy for a year or so.
• Thinking out of the box -- everyone needs some keyboard experience. Get an inexpensive keyboard and use it to dig deeper into your theory.

All kinds of ways to get the juices flowing.

Good luck on what ever you chose.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

I've been playing for a while now, maybe 8 or 9 years, not necessarily as consistently as I could have, but I feel I am dedicated. I've never really had a formal teacher, but music has been a part of my life as long as i can remember, and self teaching is usually effective for me. My mother went to school for music and has been a professional vocalist, so I can always call her up whenever I have a theory question I can't find the answer to.

Lately I seriously feel like I've hit a wall. Every time i pick up the insturment is frustration, but I have a hard time putting it down because I feel like I need to solve it. I feel anxious that I don't have a precise rigid practice plan. I want some kind of formula I can follow me that will give me the fastest progress possible. I spend more time thinking about my deficiencies than anything else.

I see various people around that have a specific talent that is awe inspiring, whether it be athletic, artistic, technical, whatever. Of all the things I do, bass has been what I've put the most energy into and i don't feel like that's the reaction id get from an onlooker.

What you have is a deep realisation that you are lacking in skills and believe there is a fast way to resolve it....according to your post. There is no plan, no short cut, but only the targeting of your weakness as a musician.

What has to happen is you have to move on and lean new ideas and music,this one thought if followed through by you will raise new questions of which you have to find the answers to, new techniques to learn and new skills to develop. A good teacher will help you to stay focused and not go back to doing what you know and feel safe playing. In any walk of life doing the same thing over and over is not developing, it is just in-graining a single skill or idea. Much like reading a book, you can only read it so many times before you grow tired of it, or watch a film, or even draw the same picture.

Get out your comfort zone and learn new ideas that lead to others.....the secret for you is you do not know where it will lead till you start it.....that's why there is no plan, the route will give different things to different players depending on their experience. Your frustration is your own deep belief in yourself not your playing

 

[Reflective]

Thank you everyone for your interest in helping. I feel like everything that has been said is true and is good advice. Some questions about this post though:

I'd suggest some ear training and interval recognition exercises, also just playing along with records and trying to fit in.

Study theory systematically and link that to the basslines you're hearing and the chord structures of the songs you're listening to.

Do some dexterity exercises each day, and pick some challenging pieces of music that you enjoy, to learn and practise....

These all sound like excellent ideas but do you have any suggestions for ear training/interval exercises, theory lessons or books, or dexterity exercises? I think I could probably figure out some physical practice. I have seen that 'exercises' sticky in the technique forum.

I've realized that I connect to much of my own personal identity with the bass. One of the reasons i originally picked up the bass is because I feel like it is viewed as the underdog instrument. I'm sure you have all heard the jokes about the bass player not getting invited to the after party, or perhaps seen the 'sh*t guitarists dont say' video where the guy says 'oh you should totally switch to bass you'll get so many more chicks that way.' Or theres the notion that the bass role always gets pawned off to the weakest guitarist in the group who hasnt even played before because it takes very little to be satisfactory and perform what a band needs. I wanted to fight these notions, because i felt that the cap was just as high as on any other instrument.

But connecting it to my identity in this way has hindered me. I find myself often not listening to music but listening to only bass. I feel myself being resentful of other instruments even (an embarrassing statement to admit). The thought of going and picking up other insturments (i have dabbled before) is unsettling either as it feels like betrayal, or Im afraid of the frustration of starting back at ground 0.

The thing that is enjoyable is the process. Or if it's not then something is wrong. Yeah.... and thats what i need to figure out i guess.

 

[Reflective]

I guess this is a shameless bump. Was hoping for some more input, since i posted another pretty long response.

 

[miltslackford]

I'd suggest some ear training and interval recognition exercises, also just playing along with records and trying to fit in.

Study theory systematically and link that to the basslines you're hearing and the chord structures of the songs you're listening to.

Do some dexterity exercises each day, and pick some challenging pieces of music that you enjoy, to learn and practise....

These all sound like excellent ideas but do you have any suggestions for ear training/interval exercises, theory lessons or books, or dexterity exercises? I think I could probably figure out some physical practice. I have seen that 'exercises' sticky in the technique forum.

Hi

Ear training is one of those things - you can tackle it head on through a software program (of which there are loads - look for 'ear trainers'). It can be good to do this because it targets it very specifically, but I wouldn't expect to do it for too long because essentially it's quite boring. It's more likely you'd do it in spurts. But it can be good for really focusing on the 'ear muscles' that do the job of identifying chords and intervals.

I've found that when it comes to transcription, or working out chord sequences and lines by ear, this is something which improves the more you do it and you kind of get an instinct for it. The ear trainers make you think, but I've found when I transcribe I don't really think I just get more accurate at going straight for the right note. So playing along to anything will help. But if you want to push yourself try figuring out material that is a bit more complicated than what you usually try.

An exercise I've started doing with some bass students is to take a piece and divide the chords up into three basic types - Major7, Min7, and Dominant7. Chords can get a lot more complicated than this, but these are your basic three types or 'families' of chord.

Then I'll teach them some arpeggios for each chord type and we'll look at some example grooves around each chord maybe. I'll give them a basic tune which contains all three types of chord. The tune will also contain a mixture of 'diatonic' and 'chromatic' chords. I'll get them to take the tune home, and rewrite the whole song in Roman numerals (I, ii, iii etc) and put a circle round the chromatic chords. Then they have to make up their own bassline using the chord tones from the shapes I've given them and combining them with the root notes.

This is a good exercise for students who can play from tabs but don't understand how bassists 'make up' basslines.

If you want more details I can explain this exercise to you more.

 

[Reflective]

Thank you

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Personally i would say you identify your problems quite well in your post. From the very reason you started to play bass to the point you only really listen to bass.

It reads like you see playing bass has a problem, but its not about playing bass its about playing music....bass is just an instrument to represent what you play and what you think is what you play.

I would find a good teacher, one with a jazz background and learn why playing bass in any musical situation works and learn to understand it by understanding music.
other instruments are a great way to understand music, so it is not un-common to work with them.
If you look at a sheet of music, un-like tab, any instrument can play what is written. The music is not confined to any one instrument as such ( though its parts and clefs can suggest so )
any one that reads and understands music will get the information from the page and transfer it to any instrument.

Try approaching bass from a musical perspective rather than an instrumental one.

 

[carlthegroover]

I've been playing for a while now, maybe 8 or 9 years, not necessarily as consistently as I could have, but I feel I am dedicated. I've never really had a formal teacher, but music has been a part of my life as long as i can remember, and self teaching is usually effective for me. My mother went to school for music and has been a professional vocalist, so I can always call her up whenever I have a theory question I can't find the answer to.

Lately I seriously feel like I've hit a wall. Every time i pick up the insturment is frustration, but I have a hard time putting it down because I feel like I need to solve it. I feel anxious that I don't have a precise rigid practice plan. I want some kind of formula I can follow me that will give me the fastest progress possible. I spend more time thinking about my deficiencies than anything else.

I see various people around that have a specific talent that is awe inspiring, whether it be athletic, artistic, technical, whatever. Of all the things I do, bass has been what I've put the most energy into and i don't feel like that's the reaction id get from an onlooker.

Are you sure it's burnout you're experiencing? After all, you could pick up another instrument and learn it if you want a fresh perspective of music. What I feel from this post is that you're relying too much on others opinions about yourself, particularly your playing. Maybe you ought to revise your musical priorities and give less weight to the "how do people perceive me" aspect (because it's something you cannot really control) and more weight to the "how do I perceive myself" aspect.

Just a thought.

 

[Mushroo]

How frequently are you gigging and jamming with other musicians? In particular musicians who are better than you and/or play in a style you're not familiar with? If not then hop on Craigslist, hit some open mic nights and jam sessions, etc.

Playing with others is the ONLY thing that has ever inspired me; to be honest I rarely "practice" on my own in a traditional sense (scales, fingering, exercises) but rather sing along with the radio in my car, plunk out tunes with my awful piano chops, transcribe my favorite recordings, etc. all with the goal toward understanding how BANDS make SONGS sound good.

 

[onlyclave]

Just quit. Get an Xbox instead.

 

[Stumbo]

Just quit. Get an Xbox instead.

Seriously, maybe taking some time off might help you.

Get some good sleep, take your vitamins, get out in the sun and eat right!

One thing I've learned is to (if at all possible) not make decisions when I'm tired or not feeling well or after something emotionally draining has happened in my life.

Take a few weeks of and don't worry about the bass. It will be there when you get back and have a clear head.

Then do some research on different learning methods. Maybe buy some books/cds. Take some lessons from a teacher. Join a band.

Make it fun! Maybe you're taking it too seriously?

Good luck.