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I feel like I suck...

G

gfdhicool

Jun 8, 2012
134
0
#1
I'm 14 years old (going on to 15) and I've been playing bass for 1 year...Here's why I feel this way

I keep on hitting frets and it makes this ugly sound...(I'm sloppy).

I know theory,I can learn songs by ear (I learned an entire Queen album in a week) (I write my own things in music theory).I don't really focus much on scales...I can't play with a drummer (don't know one) and I'm just simply down in a hole....Is it low self esteem? lol.Is there anything I can do to make myself feel better/get better?
 
#2
1 year is nothing, but if you learned an entire Queen album in a week then you are musically progressing very quickly IMO. Keep practicing the things that you need to work on, it will be a bumpy ride. If you are feeling really down, maybe you need to find some new inspiration.
 
#4
It's not unusual to feel somewhat discouraged at times when starting out. Your mechanics will improve over time, as will your timing, as you play along with music. Along with the other suggestions you'll receive here, I'd say to become a proficient musician, you should gain an appreciation for music which has come before. Listening to some Bach and Mozart and others to understand how they approached their music will ultimately pay dividends for you as a musician.
 
#5
I started playing around 1 year ago and I feel the same way often. I play with a drummer and guitarist who are much more experienced than I am and even though it is intimidating, I stick through it because they are the people that will make me a better player. I have seen a lot of improvement in my playing since I started playing with a drummer frequently. It takes practice and a drummer to tell you that you can't keep a 4/4 beat to improve and become the bass player that you wanna be.
 
#8
keep playing, your muscle memory will become ingrained and instinctual. those sloppy notes will tighten up and your souund will become clean and clear. if you got a little theory and a decent ear, your at the perfect age to master an instrument. teenagers have the perfect blend of creativity, focus, manual dexterity and a lack of outside distractions to excel very quickly.

dont forget to groove. metal, funk, national anthems... you gotta hold down the groove. play along with some youtube drummers. there is something for everyone on there.
 
#10
Whoops,that was a brain fart x(,I meant the frets....I keep on hitting those by mistake...I have been downloading drum loops and so far,I'm making funky bass lines ;P.This'll be a new part of my routine.I won't give up (I'm self taught),i've tried teaching myself things but I obviously can't teach myself everything x(...
 
#12
Go find a GOOD teacher and take some lessons. Seriously, they can help you overcome a lot of your technique problems, etc. and also help you get out of whatever rut you might feel you are currently in. It never hurts to be challenged, you might find there are many things that you can accomplish that you didn't realize you are capable of.
Playing with other people is also a good way to develop as a player & musician. Good luck & don't get too down on yourself, most of us are our own worst critics! :cool:
 
#13
Don't be hard on yourself, be yourself on the instrument and learn to appreciate it and enjoy it rather than compete with the level you think you should be. I think its pretty impressive that you can already play a whole Queen album as well as play by ear, if you keep hitting frets and get this 'ugly' sound play around with the EQ to see if that helps (maybe turning down the treble?) or maybe tone it down on your physical attack on the string. There could be a few reasons other than your own technique for this situation.
 
#15
This sound you a referring to, is it fret clank - the sound of strings slapping on frets, ala Steve Harris? If it is, and apparently you find it undesirable, just play with a lighter touch and/or change the angle at which you hit the strings.

Dude, I've been playing for 27 years. Many people think I'm completely badass. I don't think I'm anywhere near as good as I'd like to be. You are your toughest critic.
 
#18
Aside of what the other guys said (and I agree with them)... get your bass with a knowledgeable technician/ luthier for a full set up. Maybe your bass is the problem (e.g. the action is too low, the neck is slightly bowed, etc.). Or the fret clank might also happen because you need to change strings (maybe higher tension?)...

I mean, the sloppy technique can be due to many different elements (and the multiple combinations of them), so don't get discouraged. Little by little you will be polishing the many elements of playing good enough (sense of musicianship, sense of rhythm, chops, bass technique, bass specs, amp specs, EQ settings... there is a whole world out there to learn).
 
#19
Man, you're 14, so time is completely on your side. I agree with the other comments. If you haven't played many basses, you might find your setup is poor. Beyond that, these problems that seem so huge now, will seem like nothing in no time if you keep practising. People talk about muscle memory, but beginners often don't understand what that means. It's like driving a car, writing, typing, throwing a ball, or anything that requires repetition. Do it often enough, and it becomes natural.

You should also know that "frustration" is the absolute worst mindset in which to practise - it's totally self defeating. While practising, at the point you start becoming frustrated, stop and take a long break. My first music teacher told me that, and it was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got.

All the best,
Mark
 

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