Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I seem unable to play a song without making a glaring mistake.
- Thread starter Bassaga
- Start date
seriously, OP: you can practice your way out of this, even if the basis of your complaint is mostly 'psychological'. you might think that those who hear you expect more out of you than you can deliver --- and that you're 'on the line' --- but what they really want is for you to entertain them (your bandmates have the same expectation!). they could care less about your 'baggage'. good luck with your playing! 
Last edited:
There are no mistakes! There are only passing tones, auxiliary notes, echappes and such!
Last edited:
I'm glad this topic came up, because I think this happens to plenty of people. A lot of good suggestions so far.
This happens to me too, sometimes (especially blanking), and I think it happens when I have too many things going on in my head. It also happens when my muscle memory is not as well-developed. Ironically, even trying too hard can defeat that muscle memory. What I try to do is to practice the part until my hands can do it more or less automatically, and to relax when I do these things. If I get nervous and try too hard, this has a detrimental effect, stiffens me up, screws up my concentration, makes me second guess all these small, smooth motions that used to flow naturally and generally flubs up what I'm doing.
This happens to me too, sometimes (especially blanking), and I think it happens when I have too many things going on in my head. It also happens when my muscle memory is not as well-developed. Ironically, even trying too hard can defeat that muscle memory. What I try to do is to practice the part until my hands can do it more or less automatically, and to relax when I do these things. If I get nervous and try too hard, this has a detrimental effect, stiffens me up, screws up my concentration, makes me second guess all these small, smooth motions that used to flow naturally and generally flubs up what I'm doing.
slobake
resident ... something
Never did like the note for note approach to playing a song. I have had B.L. who have wanted that but I get bored with it. I have a lot of respect for people who do that well and I know there is a place for it. Just not what I enjoy.
In my first band none of us were that good and we couldn't play note for note so we just did the best we could. Over the years we got better and better and eventually developed our own style. That B.L. left and things were never the same.
BTW we did this in a church and people really liked how we played.
In my first band none of us were that good and we couldn't play note for note so we just did the best we could. Over the years we got better and better and eventually developed our own style. That B.L. left and things were never the same.
BTW we did this in a church and people really liked how we played.
Write out a chart. Having a visual reference really
helps me memorize it.
helps me memorize it.
A guitarist friend wanted the same thing...note for note. I disagreed with him by saying that most recordings were a one time captured moment.
Sounds like you're under-rehearsed. In this case, it doesn't matter how technically proficient you are -- you just don't know the song well enough to play it completely and automatically. In your defense, that you're blanking suggests you're right on the line where some parts are automatic and others aren't.
1.) How long have you been at it?bruh I'm just pursuing "reliable" for now. whatever my problem is, perfectionism ain't it, and thank goodness for that 'cause I'd be screwed
2.) Have you ever played with other people?
I find that my mistakes usually come from getting in my head and wandering out of the groove a little. When that happens I try to just hone in on the tune and push everything else out and just enjoy the tune. That usually puts me back in a good place.
If I just go blank on a part that usually means I need to practice more so I get that muscle memory down so when I go full brain freeze my hands just know what to do.
That said, unless your mistakes are just 'WOW!!' no one is sweating them but you, and even then if you're providing a good time everyone will let it go.
If I just go blank on a part that usually means I need to practice more so I get that muscle memory down so when I go full brain freeze my hands just know what to do.
That said, unless your mistakes are just 'WOW!!' no one is sweating them but you, and even then if you're providing a good time everyone will let it go.
@Bassaga
Accept that it’s going to happen and let it go. Playing an instrument is one of the most complex mental jungle gyms that exists. Fixating on a mistake while playing is akin to driving a car while only looking in the rear view mirror, or skateboarding barefoot. Simply saying, “practice your way out,” or ,”try harder,” are gross over simplifications that you will never hear a professional say. There are a host of mental entanglements that could be impacting your ability to focus on the right thing (how the music should sound). Putting a bandaid over your emotions by saying, “oh I just didn’t practice hard enough,” is akin to blaming it on the weather when you don’t turn your homework in. OF COURSE we need to practice a lot and OF COURSE we need to put effort into reaching our goal, but it’s 2020, we have research that transparently shows the mental hurdles we must clear when performing and/or recording.
Some people will naturally be better at performing (to no credit of their own, they just happen to have the right stew of environmental and biological upbringing to help them focus on the right thing). On the complete other side of the spectrum, some people will be dealing with mental issues such as ADHD, dyslexia, stage fright, or crippling self doubt (just to name a few). Everyone is on the spectrum somewhere and by playing music we must accept that the challenges we face will impact our ability to perform fluidly.
On a personal note, I have experienced what you’re experiencing. This very thing is what caused me to have a total mental meltdown and almost quit my music masters degree. I’ve since gotten professional therapy to help me acknowledge my challenges, accept them, learn from them, figure out ways to slowly practice around them, and move on. I’m now 35 years old (I don’t claim to be a music guru or anything), but as someone who makes a living in the industry, it has been interesting to see who has “made it” and who given up the dream and does something else. I don’t credit my success as something I simply tried harder or practiced more to earn. Luck has had just as big a part in my career than as the number of times I’ve practiced scales. But I can confidently say that the people who “make it” are the ones who stay patient, who don’t hold baggage about their playing, and who understand that mistakes are part of the game and everyone makes them in some capacity.
The more refined your playing becomes, the less obvious your mistakes appear to other people. But if you drive a car by only staring into the review mirror, you’re definitely going to crash.
Accept that it’s going to happen and let it go. Playing an instrument is one of the most complex mental jungle gyms that exists. Fixating on a mistake while playing is akin to driving a car while only looking in the rear view mirror, or skateboarding barefoot. Simply saying, “practice your way out,” or ,”try harder,” are gross over simplifications that you will never hear a professional say. There are a host of mental entanglements that could be impacting your ability to focus on the right thing (how the music should sound). Putting a bandaid over your emotions by saying, “oh I just didn’t practice hard enough,” is akin to blaming it on the weather when you don’t turn your homework in. OF COURSE we need to practice a lot and OF COURSE we need to put effort into reaching our goal, but it’s 2020, we have research that transparently shows the mental hurdles we must clear when performing and/or recording.
Some people will naturally be better at performing (to no credit of their own, they just happen to have the right stew of environmental and biological upbringing to help them focus on the right thing). On the complete other side of the spectrum, some people will be dealing with mental issues such as ADHD, dyslexia, stage fright, or crippling self doubt (just to name a few). Everyone is on the spectrum somewhere and by playing music we must accept that the challenges we face will impact our ability to perform fluidly.
On a personal note, I have experienced what you’re experiencing. This very thing is what caused me to have a total mental meltdown and almost quit my music masters degree. I’ve since gotten professional therapy to help me acknowledge my challenges, accept them, learn from them, figure out ways to slowly practice around them, and move on. I’m now 35 years old (I don’t claim to be a music guru or anything), but as someone who makes a living in the industry, it has been interesting to see who has “made it” and who given up the dream and does something else. I don’t credit my success as something I simply tried harder or practiced more to earn. Luck has had just as big a part in my career than as the number of times I’ve practiced scales. But I can confidently say that the people who “make it” are the ones who stay patient, who don’t hold baggage about their playing, and who understand that mistakes are part of the game and everyone makes them in some capacity.
The more refined your playing becomes, the less obvious your mistakes appear to other people. But if you drive a car by only staring into the review mirror, you’re definitely going to crash.
Mistakes are why they made overdubs...
If I wanted to listen to someone play music perfectly I'd just sick on a slick studio recording. Live music (that isn't traditional classical) is something that should be rife with opportunities for "mistakes" because they can lead to some of the most beautiful and noteworthy musical moments...
If I wanted to listen to someone play music perfectly I'd just sick on a slick studio recording. Live music (that isn't traditional classical) is something that should be rife with opportunities for "mistakes" because they can lead to some of the most beautiful and noteworthy musical moments...
drumvsbass
Commercial User
- Aug 20, 2011
- 1,985
- 4,325
- Disclosures
- I work for Long and McQuade Musical Instruments Canada in Sales.
It was written and thought in Miles Davis' voice.I read that in Miles Davis' voice.
Welcome to the club. Don’t feel bad. If I were a betting man, probably more than a few Rembrandt’s hit the trash if you get my drift.
As long as we are humans, mistakes will happen at some point, so don’t beat yourself up. If you heard all the out takes from our heros, you’d be amazed. My advice is don’t worry about being perfect, but focus on being consistent.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,445
- 4,403
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
Latest posts
-
-
What I am finding out with regards to playing as I grow older- Latest: Thunderthumbs73
-
