Most days anymore I just don't have the will to practice anything music-related. Not just bass, I don't have any motivation to compose, practice, or just research in general.
What keeps you going?
What keeps you going?
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How do you deal with burnout?
- Thread starter ryschnei
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Depends on a lot of things.
If it's general life burnout, then there have been times where I had to seriously take a look at what's going on, and then re-prioritize. At one point I was playing in 3 bands (that all rehearsed), working a day and night job 2 nights a week, plus keeping a commitment to the gym, my wife, and a couple of other things. I now no longer have the evening job, play in 3 bands that rarely ever rehearse, and guess what - I'm a much happier dude. But I don't think that's what you're talking about, so while there's a lot more I do to deal with burnout in that sense of the word, I won't continue. I think you're talking about growing on your instrument, in which case the answer is much more simple.
Buy a new bass.
If it's general life burnout, then there have been times where I had to seriously take a look at what's going on, and then re-prioritize. At one point I was playing in 3 bands (that all rehearsed), working a day and night job 2 nights a week, plus keeping a commitment to the gym, my wife, and a couple of other things. I now no longer have the evening job, play in 3 bands that rarely ever rehearse, and guess what - I'm a much happier dude. But I don't think that's what you're talking about, so while there's a lot more I do to deal with burnout in that sense of the word, I won't continue. I think you're talking about growing on your instrument, in which case the answer is much more simple.
Buy a new bass.
I was in a band from 1999 until 2004 that played 5-6 nights a week with only a handful of weekends off during that entire period. I did this while holding down a full time day job.
After 5 years of this, I was completely burned--physically and mentally. I quit that band, put all of my gear into long term storage and had nothing to with music for two years.
These days, I only play out when the mood strikes me--mainly as a sub or a sit-in.
After 5 years of this, I was completely burned--physically and mentally. I quit that band, put all of my gear into long term storage and had nothing to with music for two years.
These days, I only play out when the mood strikes me--mainly as a sub or a sit-in.
when we were having weekly practices with our drummer. i wanted to practice more and prepair for the next practice, but the practice the week before had me "burn out."
i suppose i did enough rockin for the week.
i suppose i did enough rockin for the week.
...I think you're talking about growing on your instrument, in which case the answer is much more simple.
Buy a new bass.
Works for me. Even if it's just new to me.
I've done that--especially when I was teaching.
Sometimes you need a break.
I had times during the summer where I intentionally did not touch a musical instrument for a predetermined time.
And when it was over I was ready to get back to it--and looking forward to it.
There are many different ways to do something. Many different roads to the same place. If you're tired of one way, try another. What's the least likely song you'd ever expect to hear someone play on a bass guitar? Play it. What are the 5 most important people in your life? Pick a song that reminds you of each of them. Make a medley of those songs. What would it sound like if all the high notes on your bass had an argument with all the low notes? Make that sound. Whats the most boring bass line you have to play in your band? Play that line on one string only. Do it again on another string (don't sweat it if the octave has to change).
Count your fingers and toes. If you make it to 20 without cheating, be thankful. Be happy you live in a place where bullets aren't flying into your family members. Even if you didn't particularly like what you had for lunch today, you're not starving. You own a bass. You're free to spend your life pursuing your ambition of being a bassist. That may sound harsh, but once you realize how well off you are, some of the burden is lifted over otherwise mundane tasks such as practicing. As a compositional tool, during periods of writer's block I play a mathematical game where phone numbers, automobile VINs, cable bill account numbers, whatever are used to represent notes. They create strange patterns that can be modified into usable melodies. Hope this helps.
Sorry, but I don't have an answer for you. I got so burned out that I quit everything music related that wasn't part of my job for 5 years. Now that I'm back, I am careful to make sure that I'm taking the time to be healthy. I make time to eat well and on schedule and ensure that I am exercising. It is better but I still am wary of the warning signs that I had before. Best of luck with the burnout and I hope it works out better than mine did.
