Getting burnout from bass. What to do?

[BlueTalon]

Maybe watch someone else's learning process?

 

[Rick Penrose]

For the last month, I've been obsessed with improving in bass and it was my number one occupation of all my free time. I still want to play and improve still but thinking of picking up my bass guitar gives me a sense of dread. Is this burnout? What steps can I take moving forward from here?

Find a group that needs a bass player and do a few gigs. That will definitely energize your playing. Also, taking a break helps reset your playing. I took a 20 year break!

 

[squeally dan]

Totally focus on another style of music or start learning another instrument. You’ll find your way back.

 

[E2942]

It’s not.

Of course it is.
Someone's commenting about quitting, so the go-to thought is to post a Look What I Have collection of photos?
Most who are considering quitting would probably think of that as the death-knell.

they have something else going on

If I do, I doubt it's very dissimilar to the OP, so maybe people should tread more carefully, & not use it for a chance to boast.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Of course it is.
Someone's commenting about quitting, so the go-to thought is to post a Look What I Have collection of photos?
Most who are considering quitting would probably think of that as the death-knell.


If I do, I doubt it's very dissimilar to the OP, so maybe people should tread more carefully, & not use it for a chance to boast.

Buying a new instrument can reinvigorate interest and excitement in music and offer a chance to build other skills. I don’t love Chapman sticks, personally, but it worked for Chapman Stick guy and he’s proud of his instrument. (Rightly so).

On the other hand, you have offered no advice to the OP. You’ve talked a lot about what you don’t like though, which is self-centered. You even project your personal frustrations onto the majority of people considering quitting. I hope you sort yourself out before you let trivial personal annoyances consume you.

 

[two fingers]

Join a band! Bass, by itself, gets old after a while.

 

[E2942]

On the other hand, you have offered no advice

Quit, that's my advice!
at least for a while

I hope you sort yourself out before you let trivial personal annoyances consume you.

I'm well sorted, thanks.
Your attempt at a psychoanalysis is amusing.

You’ve talked a lot

On the contrary, I've commented very little & talked not at all.

 

[roccobass]

@JonathanPDX
Your last paragraph really hit it. Very true.

To the OP, don’t limit yourself to the bass. Listen to EVERYTHING and imagine how you would do it on bass.

Everyday sounds, commercials, cartoons voices, etc. For grins, I figured out Woody Woodpecker’s goofy laugh on bass and incorporated it into my solo arsenal. . Things like that brought the fun back into bass. That and I also started playing fretless and upright about 2006.

Don’t stop playing, take a rest and then take a look around! Btw, just giving one man’s experience of escaping the doldrums. As we know, not one size fits all. Good luck, my friend.