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Hitting that brick wall

Joshuasmith21

Joshuasmith21

Guest
Aug 24, 2015
15
7
Lincoln, UK
#1
Hello all!

Been playing going on 4-5 months now and feel like I have hit that brick wall! I have been learning scales, arpeggios, triads etc etc. As well as learning songs on the side to break up some of the repetitive learning.

Now I feel like i've hit that dreaded 'brick wall' where i'm unsure where to go next to progres my playing.

Anyone else at this sort of stage/any advice on how they overcome plateau moments?

Also I am definitely not saying i've learnt enough/can no longer progress my skill. Just looking for ways and advice to get carry on from people who have done the same :)
 
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#3
Many years ago, I had an older, wiser player simply say "it'll come to you" and he was right. You're doing the right stuff - if you aren't playing with a band, start soon. You can always try to see how the scales, theory, arpeggios, and all that work in the songs you are learning as well. There's a lot of info online these days, but information isn't wisdom, so sitting down with a good teacher is always a good idea. It can save you years of frustration.
 
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#5
This is just my opinion, as a very mediocre bassist, I'm sure others can give you much better advice, but...

Don't forget to have fun.

If you treat learning bass as something you must do day in day out, then it becomes more of a job than a pleasure.

Take a small break from studying, and do something fun, no matter how simple it is.

Play along to music you like, do something completely different, just have fun.

In no time you will find things that inspire you, and will make you want to learn, even if it is not the "correct route". Not that I think there is a correct route, but you get what I mean.
 
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#6
20db pad said:
Many years ago, I had an older, wiser player simply say "it'll come to you" and he was right. You're doing the right stuff - if you aren't playing with a band, start soon. You can always try to see how the scales, theory, arpeggios, and all that work in the songs you are learning as well. There's a lot of info online these days, but information isn't wisdom, so sitting down with a good teacher is always a good idea. It can save you years of frustration.
Click to expand...
Any advice on which routes to go down in finding a band to play with? I've not really got many connections who are involved in the making of music.
 
#7
Joshuasmith21 said:
Any advice on which routes to go down in finding a band to play with? I've not really got many connections who are involved in the making of music.
Click to expand...

Loaded question with many answers, depending on age, location, transportation, and all that. You can try meeting players at local shows, posting ads on Craigslist or at a music store or coffee shops, asking around about others that play, open jams and parties, and lots of players get themselves going at church. There's also small schools that teach and assemble newer players into bands as well.
 
#8
What do you want to do... specifically, where do you want your bass playing to take you?

You looking to join a band? Start jamming with people. Learning the give-and -take of coordinating your playing/sound/timing with other musicians is a whole 'nother skill set.
Want to write original music? Start recording yourself and your ideas. Learning the "mechaniics" of bass is a good foundation, but you may find it a bit unsatisfying UNTIL you start applying your skills in a musical situation. You can practice scales all day, but when the guitarist starts..."One, two..." then the rubber meets the road.
 
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#10
M.R. Ogle said:
What do you want to do... specifically, where do you want your bass playing to take you?

You looking to join a band? Start jamming with people. Learning the give-and -take of coordinating your playing/sound/timing with other musicians is a whole 'nother skill set.
Want to write original music? Start recording yourself and your ideas. Learning the "mechaniics" of bass is a good foundation, but you may find it a bit unsatisfying UNTIL you start applying your skills in a musical situation. You can practice scales all day, but when the guitarist starts..."One, two..." then the rubber meets the road.
Click to expand...

I'd like to start jamming with other musicians and write original music (only been playing less than half a year so feels pretty unrealistic at the moment).

Joining a band seems a bit out of my depth at the moment, not due to lack of confidence i'm a pretty confident guy I just don't feel quite competent enough to be palying in a band yet.

I'm looking into acquiring some lessons but $$$ isn't quite stretching to that yet.
 
#11
This may sound silly, but check out bandhub (I think that's the name). Basically people join up over the net to record their own parts to tracks, cover versions etc.

Its not everyone's cup of tea, but you can explore what its like to play with other musicians for free and from your own home.

Also, you don't actually need to record anything, you can just play along yourself if you want.
 
#16
Joshuasmith21 said:
I'd like to start jamming with other musicians and write original music (only been playing less than half a year so feels pretty unrealistic at the moment).
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It's not unrealistic. Write music. Whether it's good or not is irrelevant. If you're a creative person and you have music in your head, make it with the bass. If you want to make music than skill certainly helps, but not if you don't have creativity. If you have it than express it.
Joshuasmith21 said:
Joining a band seems a bit out of my depth at the moment, not due to lack of confidence i'm a pretty confident guy I just don't feel quite competent enough to be palying in a band yet.
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It's not out of your depth. I promise. Just make your skill level clear to your band. Roots, fifths and octaves are enough for now. You'll be amazed how fast your playing will improve by playing in a band.
Joshuasmith21 said:
I'm looking into acquiring some lessons but $$$ isn't quite stretching to that yet.
Click to expand...
Lessons help but you can do without them. Don't worry about it.
 
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#20
So you've got the fretboard down? Maybe you should learn the string. Do you understand how overtones work and how integral they are in every aspect of music? Can you mold your sound with your right hand?

Also adding a second instrument to your resume can only make you better. Even great harmonicas are relatively inexpensive.
 

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