OK so I am semi ashamed to admit as time has gone by I have neglected my basses and my playing, and once upon a time I was pretty good, having had lessons and been in bands and was regularly rehearsing. Life as such ( not really an excuse I know) would interfere. I still love the bass and want to play again but when I pick up my bass at home to do scales or play with music, it feels a little overwhelming, like I need some structure to get the house built again you could say. Considering finding a bass teacher again Has anyone here gone through long gaps and how did you find "it" again? Thank you !
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Getting back....
- Thread starter Rebecca7
- Start date
I went through the exact same thing but with my five string banjo.
I completely lost motivation to play.
That is what led me to the bass.
Now I play one or two hours a day and couldn't be more motivated.
I hope you find your mojo with your bass.
If not, perhaps consider learning another instrument.
It worked for me.
Naturally, it is going to feel a bit over whelming at first. For now, I'd advise not getting too involved in the technicalities, and instead just have fun by playing along to simple tunes that you like. Build up the playing time gradually..starting at about a half an hour per practice session. In a short while you will find things you thought you'd forgotten starting to come back. Perhaps in a week or so you can start incorporating scales, arpeggios and general theory into your practice. For now though, just allow your physical and mental senses to have a "hello party" in order for them to become reintroduced to the joys of playing the bass. 
Welcome back !!!
Welcome back !!!
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I go with long breaks over the decades. The only thing that gets me motivated is the music. When I hear great songs, and see new innovative stuff, I get back into the music. For me, it was finding new upcoming artist on the YouTube Studio recording channels. And, learning another instrument can also help. Once you learn or have interest in more than just one, more chances you'll be inspired or motivated to try out something new in music.
as fearceol said, I would recommend breaking out your favorite music and just play along. Get the juices flowing, so to speak. you'll see that maybe reaching a few notes is more difficult or keeping a tempo is difficult. write those observations down (maybe one or two), you can then approach a teacher or TB or think it through...
How can I play that fingering better? -practice a related scale.
How can I keep up with that song? -try working that scale with a metronome slowly then approach the tempo of your sample song.
I tell my students, "theres no silver bullet and no nuclear option." Technique and passion will feed into eachother, just play and both the questions and answers will present themselves. Its a process.
Again having a good coach/teacher will help focus your attention and elevate some stress.
How can I play that fingering better? -practice a related scale.
How can I keep up with that song? -try working that scale with a metronome slowly then approach the tempo of your sample song.
I tell my students, "theres no silver bullet and no nuclear option." Technique and passion will feed into eachother, just play and both the questions and answers will present themselves. Its a process.
Again having a good coach/teacher will help focus your attention and elevate some stress.
I agree, the "stuff" will come back. Just call up some music and play-a-long. Yes just roots at first and hope to be able to hear the changes. When that happens add the 5. Root on the first beat and the 5 on the 3rd beat will play a lot of bass. The tonic I and IV seem to work most of the time. All that other stuff will come back once the rust is off.
Go have fun, call up some of you old songs and see what you can do.
[edit] As a reminder --- the 5, from the root, is always up a string and over toward the bridge two frets, or down a string same fret.
Happy trails.
C in first position -- G is up a string and over two frets or down a string same fret.
Go have fun, call up some of you old songs and see what you can do.
[edit] As a reminder --- the 5, from the root, is always up a string and over toward the bridge two frets, or down a string same fret.
Happy trails.
C in first position -- G is up a string and over two frets or down a string same fret.
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I'm in a long gap right now. New town, new day job, raising a child means little time for music.
I fill the void by arguing on TB.
I fill the void by arguing on TB.
