I Think I Lost My Way

[Jalen Fuller]

Recently I’ve been to push myself out as this intermediate bassist when in reality I’m just a wannabe with a lack of rhythm. I might of had more rhythm in my high school band while playing with a pick but once I got out I started to lose it. What’s worst is as a result after going through a long phase of getting a new bass as a patch up from wanting a Jazz bass to a short scale I am beginning to realized it me and my lack of passion for bass beyond making money in music only cuz I don’t believe in good at much else. Now I am majoring in music in college and I feel it’s a waist cuz the very instrument that I play I suck at. At this point I’ve lost my way and I don’t know whether to just move to a less physically demanding instrument, go back into beats and production or just hang it up keep this as a hobby and do something else worth while in college which I’ll tell you is not much I mean yeah I’m good at history but that’s about it. All my way has been lost

 

[Stumbo]

How about Music History? Write about music and do beats/production on the side.

 

[Pilgrim]

I think everyone has to struggle with where they are going. I started playing in Jr High, but I never thought music was going to be my primary path. I took a 23-year layoff while having a family and establishing a career, then returned to bass playing at age 47.

Music doesn't have to be your career, but it can still be a hobby, an interest, or a way you raise some extra $. That's really up to you.

Most of can do many different things, and it's up to each of us to determine what role each one plays in our lives. There are no right answers, and you don't owe it to anyone except YOU to make any particular part of your life a career or primary pursuit.

Like the teacher who told you to "write an essay about anything," your life is still a sheet of white paper waiting for you to set the margins and layout, and to tell the story on that page.

 

[jallenbass]

Nothing wrong with having music as your hobby. It's something we can generally do most of our lives. Those who stick with it seem to get better with time no matter what their level of talent is. No hurry. Deciding on a career path is something altogether different and I'm in no position to offer advice.

 

[bholder]

Music is a really tough business to make a living in...

 

[BassyFred]

Your playing and your hearing/understand of music is getting better. When your progress is faster in hearing and understanding than in playing it gives you this impression that you are not good. But it is the opposite. You found the problems. Now you can work on the solutions. I know old music teachers in jazz who think that they don't know anything. You are on the right way. Finish your college and get the diploma. That doesn't mean that you have to make a living with music.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Recently I’ve been to push myself out as this intermediate bassist when in reality I’m just a wannabe with a lack of rhythm. I might of had more rhythm in my high school band while playing with a pick but once I got out I started to lose it. What’s worst is as a result after going through a long phase of getting a new bass as a patch up from wanting a Jazz bass to a short scale I am beginning to realized it me and my lack of passion for bass beyond making money in music only cuz I don’t believe in good at much else. Now I am majoring in music in college and I feel it’s a waist cuz the very instrument that I play I suck at. At this point I’ve lost my way and I don’t know whether to just move to a less physically demanding instrument, go back into beats and production or just hang it up keep this as a hobby and do something else worth while in college which I’ll tell you is not much I mean yeah I’m good at history but that’s about it. All my way has been lost

My current drummer majored in music for a short while and after hearing how very difficult it was to make a living at it, he switched to business and marketing. He's currently a director as a large firm, but kept studying music, and using the things he did learn in college to keep his musical education going. He's probably one of the best and most knowledgeable drummers I've ever known personally, and regularly wins any drum competition he enters. Scott from Scott's Bass-lessons couldn't even get into music school. They said he was too weak in many areas, but he used his passion and drive to stay in that game. Now he's considered one of the top educators. Janek Gwizdala, who I admire greatly, has written several great books on bass, but quit both the Royal Academy and Berklee, and went to jam sessions and networked his ass off. He's now a top session player and educator.

I say all this to say, that you don't have to go to college to have a good musical experience.

I honestly don't think music degrees are worth it, if your goal is to just gig. The cost for the good schools is astronomical and they are no guarantee of anything. If you don't have a very intense passion, I'm not sure if the school route is for you. If you're really not feeling it, think carefully about your next moves.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Recently I’ve been to push myself out as this intermediate bassist when in reality I’m just a wannabe with a lack of rhythm. I might of had more rhythm in my high school band while playing with a pick but once I got out I started to lose it. What’s worst is as a result after going through a long phase of getting a new bass as a patch up from wanting a Jazz bass to a short scale I am beginning to realized it me and my lack of passion for bass beyond making money in music only cuz I don’t believe in good at much else. Now I am majoring in music in college and I feel it’s a waist cuz the very instrument that I play I suck at. At this point I’ve lost my way and I don’t know whether to just move to a less physically demanding instrument, go back into beats and production or just hang it up keep this as a hobby and do something else worth while in college which I’ll tell you is not much I mean yeah I’m good at history but that’s about it. All my way has been lost

Don't be so hard on yourself, we all suck at something on the bass. If you truly feel lost, and like you are not progressing, i think a good teacher can help get you going in the right direction. We are all eternal students at the end of the day.

At the same time you should play an instrument you are passionate about. If that is bass, good. If that is another instrument, so be it. Also remember you don't have to do just one thing. You can play bass, make beats, and play another instrument if it is important to you. There is time in a day to do all that.

 

[Pilgrim]

As a follow-up, since music is a tough industry and the OP isn't necessarily fixated on it, my advice is to get a degree in something which provides the basis for a sound profession and career. Music is something you can learn on your own time and pursue as you get the opportunity and motivation.

 

[J_Bass]

Can you post a clip or video of you playing? So we can hear/see it?

Seems a lot like lack of confidence. I have dealed with that all my life. It can be paralising.

Search online for "imposture syndrome", read about that, maybe it will give you more confidence. It's a struggle to beat yourself up every time. Believe me, I know.

 

[Peteyboy]

Recently I’ve been to push myself out as this intermediate bassist when in reality I’m just a wannabe with a lack of rhythm. I might of had more rhythm in my high school band while playing with a pick but once I got out I started to lose it. What’s worst is as a result after going through a long phase of getting a new bass as a patch up from wanting a Jazz bass to a short scale I am beginning to realized it me and my lack of passion for bass beyond making money in music only cuz I don’t believe in good at much else. Now I am majoring in music in college and I feel it’s a waist cuz the very instrument that I play I suck at. At this point I’ve lost my way and I don’t know whether to just move to a less physically demanding instrument, go back into beats and production or just hang it up keep this as a hobby and do something else worth while in college which I’ll tell you is not much I mean yeah I’m good at history but that’s about it. All my way has been lost

Jalen, how old are you? For how many years have you been playing? We all have peaks and valleys in our development as musicians.

 

[MynameisMe]

A teacher will help.
Bass is awesome so there's that.
Don't overthink it.

 

[MrLenny1]

My first college bass professor told me if you want to get into
music you better have a day job to support your hobby.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

Well, I feel the same way every time I listen to Jamerson's bassline. But a lot of people tend to forget that the Bass guitar is rhythmic instruments. You can have all the knowledge of music if you want, but if you do not have the feel or rhythm in you, you're not going to have an interesting bass line. Knowledge of music has increased but I don't hear or see any bass lines next to Jamerson's. We both can know the pentatonic scale but how we apply is going to be different because its about the rhythm/feel, and music has been about rhythm since the beginning. Work on your rhythm and creativeness and that's gonna get you far than your knowledge of music overall. There are bassist who knows more than Jamerson, but won't be able to create the bass line he created. If you don't feel it, don't play it - James Jamerson.

 

[Jalen Fuller]

How about Music History? Write about music and do beats/production on the side.

I thought of that but my college doesn’t offer that major

 

[Matthew_84]

I feel like I could write a few pages worth of text as a reply to this as I’ve been there (went to school for audio engineering and dropped out) and in many ways, I still am (as I have a lack of confidence and sometimes struggle with why I’m playing in the first place)...

Before I am ramble on to death, regarding rhythm, I don't know if you’ve tried it, but my rhythm is best when I’m moving and grooving to the beat. Feel the music. Don’t think about it. The more I think about rhythm, the more likely I am to pooch it.

Regarding confidence, i hear you. Up until my late 20’s, I never thought I’d amount to anything. Even with music, but it was my largest passion.

I realized that I wouldn’t want music to be my main money maker as I didn’t want my passion to end up feeling like a job that stressed me out so I decided to just do it as a hobby.

Eventually, I realized I was okay with tools and could understand technical stuff, so I got into HVAC and that worked out well. I’m not saying that may be the best path for you, but I am sure you're decent in other areas that can lead you to a good job (you just haven't figured it out yet, and that’s normal, IMO).

I do still struggle with why I do it as I don't really like playing in bands, which closes a lot of doors, and I'm not good enough to teach or anything like that, but I still love playing - it makes me happy, and gives me something to make the days seem more worthwhile. So now I’m focussing on making more beats and/or instrumental music.

 

[Jalen Fuller]

Your playing and your hearing/understand of music is getting better. When your progress is faster in hearing and understanding than in playing it gives you this impression that you are not good. But it is the opposite. You found the problems. Now you can work on the solutions. I know old music teachers in jazz who think that they don't know anything. You are on the right way. Finish your college and get the diploma. That doesn't mean that you have to make a living with music.

Another thing I feel is that I should try another instrument and perhaps when I get out of college the instrument I like might not be the one I make a career with

 

[Jalen Fuller]

My current drummer majored in music for a short while and after hearing how very difficult it was to make a living at it, he switched to business and marketing. He's currently a director as a large firm, but kept studying music, and using the things he did learn in college to keep his musical education going. He's probably one of the best and most knowledgeable drummers I've ever known personally, and regularly wins any drum competition he enters. Scott from Scott's Bass-lessons couldn't even get into music school. They said he was too weak in many areas, but he used his passion and drive to stay in that game. Now he's considered one of the top educators. Janek Gwizdala, who I admire greatly, has written several great books on bass, but quit both the Royal Academy and Berklee, and went to jam sessions and networked his ass off. He's now a top session player and educator.

I say all this to say, that you don't have to go to college to have a good musical experience.

I honestly don't think music degrees are worth it, if your goal is to just gig. The cost for the good schools is astronomical and they are no guarantee of anything. If you don't have a very intense passion, I'm not sure if the school route is for you. If you're really not feeling it, think carefully about your next moves.

Thanks, maybe I need to rethink my major before going back next fall

 

[bherman]

From your profile photo, you look like a young guy. So time is on your side. One of the wisest things you can do - especially when young and without large responsibilities (family, mortgage-etc) - - is to hit the pause button when your internal voice is questioning whether you are going down the right path. Take some time to do the work to figure out where your real passions are. Do you have any really close friends that you can lean on for some serious conversations about it?

If you are not 110% committed to music as a way of life and a career, then the likelihood of succeeding is that much harder to accomplish. I'm in my 60's now and while I had a great career, I wish that I had the maturity when in my 20's to ask myself those questions - what is it that I really am passionate about?

 

[bherman]

Another thing I feel is that I should try another instrument and perhaps when I get out of college the instrument I like might not be the one I make a career with

You were typing this as I was composing my response. I think your answer clarifies for me that you are not neccessarily wedded to music and bass as a career. If you were, you'd not even be asking this question about what instrument is right for you.