I Think I Lost My Way

[johnnynitro]

Dude Your pretty much Just Starting Out. I started with a pick. A friend who took lessons & played a little longer said playing with a pick was bad.( Were about 14) So I switched to fingers. I use a pick now and again just to see if I can do it. (Not Real Well) Wish I would have stayed with a pick. What's wrong with a pick ? Because off what classical/Jazz bass players did before us ?

 

[petrus61]

Sometimes we get so mired down in the process of learning/trying/doing, it’s easy to lose sight of why we fell in love with that thing in the first place. Sometimes our confidence can get knocked down a few pegs in the presence of greatness, sometimes life gets in the way. It’s good to take a step back and reevaluate...because life is demanding. Let your mind breathe. You’ve come this far. Music is obviously in your heart. There’s no shame in walking away, but there’s also no shame in failing with this. By all means, put your needs and basic necessities first with a big picture goal in mind, but don’t give up.

 

[arbiterusa]

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.

Could not agree more.

Post-high school, I was determined to do two things; make my living at music and get a college degree. I was not going to be the only person in my family without a degree.

So I got a degree in computer science and then went out and busted my ass trying to make it as a musician. I'm good. Really good. No weak areas and some real strengths.

And after a decade of living in total poverty and a spell of homelessness, I threw in the towel, as I'd finally gotten through my thick skull what most people who try to be professional musicians, Instagram influencers, or NFL players find out; literally one in a million make it, and that's all down to luck. Those are some really, really bad odds.

But I had a degree, and it was in something that could get me a decent-paying job (hint: a degree in music will get you NOTHING) and my life turned out more than OK and I still get to play music. We were doing about 75 gigs a year before everything shut down. If this is where it ends, I had a damn good run.

I own a home, I am married, and I have the world's best dog. And that's all down to me getting that degree in something that could earn me a living.

 

[Logic_11]

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

Currently in school just like you, except I transferred from a college to a university about a year ago. When I started college I had 4 options in mind: Music, Psychology, Anthropology, and Engineering. Music was the first one to come off the list since I felt like it was too risky. I told myself that I wanted to provide for a family and give my future wife the option to work or just be with family. Then I was left with three options: Psych, Anthro, and Engineering. I spent a year studying Psych and then left it because I wasn't the best at it. Then a year studying anthropology, but also left it because I didn't like the job outlook/types of jobs I could get. Then I went to engineering and stayed because I liked the material and the job outlook was great.

All that to say this: if you have the time to study different subjects, do it. I can no longer say, "I wonder what it would be like to study anthropology or psych?" I was already on those paths and I know they weren't for me.

I remember having met three professional musicians at church during my first year of college and they were amazing, like AMAZING musicians. They were a Guitarist, Singer, and a Producer. The guitarist gave private lessons to kids and the singer worked at an after school program in an elementary, they were a couple in their late twenties. The producer was in his early 50's and mostly did directing work. Sadly, all of them struggled financially in one way or another. I think that's one of the things that kept me away from studying music full-time. When I finally met a successful professional musician last year, he told me that music school wasn't necessary to be successful. He has a killer youtube channel and podcast. I'm sure he also does bass work on the side.

 

[arbiterusa]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/75XyZQwhrV14Njnw7

You've got perfectly fine bass skills and I have no doubt could get gigs right now - I've played with guys three times your age who are far worse and still somehow manage to get gigs - and you've got very good stage presence.

Start playing with people and get your degree in something that will make you some money!

 

[Sean150]

I think a lot of what I have to say has been covered so I won’t bore everyone with my life story but I will say a few things.

First, I’ve been out of school for almost a decade and still feel like you describe (my degree is in accounting btw). I think everyone has these thoughts so it is something to learn to deal with without making too emotional of decisions.

Second, talk, and be honest, with whoever you feel comfortable with (school advisors are good long time family/friends are better). I dropped out of engineering in my first year for, what I now realize, we’re bad study skills and the shock of the demands of college/university and I still regret it sometimes.

Third, it is a good idea to balance your passions with practicality. I still want to be a photographer and a bassist for a living but every time I start moving in that direction I lose my passion for the art. You’re passion has to be strong to be a professional artist.

Finally, business/business administration is a very broad field with a lot of interesting options. Like you, OP, I loved history in high school and I found business was a great fit. My passion isn’t necessarily for accounting but it pays the bills and gives me time and money for gear and travel.

Good Luck, and remember, you are still at the beginning of your life’s journey.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I’m 18 and have been playing for 4 years

Hate to say it but you are a youngster and with only 4 years of playing I wouldn't be looking to set the world on fire.

Playing bass should be fun first of all, one should be able hear bass in songs they listen to. Believe me many folks can't pic out the bass in almost any song.

I've been playing for well over 5 decades, and still love it. Never thought I'd make a living doing it and I don't. But I sure have had a lot of fun, and met some real interesting people. But I have always played locally, and have a good reputation as a decent player.

Never went to school to study music and play by ear. I hold my own with most all the locals around. Been on stages doing intro shows with B.B.King, Bobby Blue Bland, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Vaughn, Delbert McClinton, CCR, Miami Sound Machine, and even Joe Bonamassa. Been on trips, even to Cancun to do a gig with my band. But I was playin for many more years than 4.

I do understand your frustration, I guess it happens to us all from time to time. Just need to push through that. But the main thing is, you play bass because you like it and hear bass in your head. And that it is fun.

Tempo all comes in due time, get a metronome. Make sure you tap your foot. Even when just listening to music tap on something in time. It builds up physical memory.

All I can say is if you can't have fun, might as well get a triangle or a harmonica. Sure a lot less to tote around.

 

[Acoop]

Music has to be a passion because no one can do anything to you so that you put the hours, days, weeks, months and years it takes to get good. ... There's no magic pill to get you there. ... What is your passion? ... You didn't mention styles you like, so, maybe you haven't heard the music to give you that passion. ... Long before I picked up the bass I heard Miles Davis and the conversation those musicians had in the music they played. I didn't understand it, but, from that grew a passion in me to play music. ... You need to find the music that speaks to you and then you'll put in the work it takes to be good.

 

[Jalen Fuller]

If you have been playing with a pick for 4 years, it'll take more than a few months to get to same level using another technique. And there is nothing wrong with playing with a pick.

Take time to listen to Bobby Vega and Steve Swallow, they are pick players and they are awesome.

I don’t don’t think I could consider a career as a pick player tho

 

[Funky Phantom]

I feel ya’ brother, but before you give it up, or turn it loose, let me say, I don’t know
what kind of music you listen to, but you said you were having a hard time with rhythm.
What you need to do is get some Parliament. As soon as you can. Trust me. Trust me.
Bootsy will teach you the ‘one’. That’s the foundation of bass.
Once you get ‘the one’ you’ll be able to know where you’re ‘at’.
Then get The Meters, the bass in that (George Porter jr.) is a little ‘behind ‘ the beat, or one.
That’s called the ‘lazy’ bass. Coupled with a funky shuffle feel, it’s killin’.
And, there’s not a lot of notes played on bass, but they’re the key funky ones.
So even if you don’t have super chops, you can still be cool.
Once you understand how to play ‘around’ the one, you’re ready to begin a personal
relationship with James Brown’s music. Mr. Brown ‘jumped’ the one.
It’s called the anticipated one. And it’s so funky, you can’t imagine.
If you can learn the approach to ‘the one’ you can do anything, you can play with
or against the beat. In front of, or behind.
You never know, a year from now you could be whippin’ out ghosted 16th note patterns!

 

[J-Bassomatic]

I don’t suck when playing with a pick but when it’s comes to fingers I still suck after a few months of practice

Maybe the pick is your thing. There's no rule that I know of that says you have to use fingers, do what you do best.

 

[mrm56]

“Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you're doing. If you're not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.” – Aretha Franklin.

 

[Rib 13]

Every person has their own unique book to be written that resides inside of them.......do what your heart says regardless of what your brain argues about

I was recently at a distantly related crossroads........

 

[Spidey2112]

Jalen, I don't expect anything in return...the joy of playing and getting it right is all I need...

... and that lamp, over there.

 

[Kro]

I don’t don’t think I could consider a career as a pick player tho

That all depends on why you want to play bass. Is your dream just to be a professional studio player or sideman, or a bassist for an original band that hits it big?

What's the dream?

 

[Discount Bassy]

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I don’t don’t think I could consider a career as a pick player tho

The way I learned fingerstyle was to throw the picks away. I did it the summer of 8th grade. And all I did, all summer long, was play with my fingers as much as possible. I got a little more used to it. That was 1966. Been a fingerstyle player ever since. Typically use two to three fingers and also thumb at times. I can use a pick these days, but really seldom ever do.

 

[Jalen Fuller]

Sounds like you just ran smack up against the reality of a college level music performance program. Most of your fellow music students have probably had a lifetime of private instruction, played in band programs since middle school, and played in extra curricular bands or ensembles.

Did you have an audition to be accepted?

If you passed an audition, and were accepted into a program as a music major, they must have seen an acceptable skill level for an incoming freshman. Talk to your advisor, or department head and see if you are on track. They owe it to you to be honest and direct about your strengths and weaknesses. They are being paid to educate you.

First year of college is heavy. There’s all your core classes, at a new level of difficulty, learning new time management and study skills, (most kids struggle) new freedoms and distractions. Throw in a performance music angle and you have tons of work to do. You might be away from home for the first time. It can be overwhelming. And then the pandemic hit. Classes probably ended back in March. You aren’t the only one feeling lost.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your instructors and advisors. Talk to your folks about how you feel. It’s not unusual for kids to change majors as they search for direction.

Switching to a new instrument at college level? Not going to happen. There’s no time.

Think about if you really want to take something you enjoy and turn it into a job. If you know any pro or working bassists or musicians, ask how they feel about their choices, and what they did to get where they are. Don’t loan em money, but you can buy lunch.

Hang in there, and get back to practicing.

I’m in a community college and there were no auditions and so far no one has heard my playing. But to be honesty I’m a fraud compared to most of them solely relying off of my some what applicable music theory and lyric writing

 

[Kro]

But to be honesty I’m a fraud compared to most of them

That's not possible, college is where you go to learn! It's not like you faked your way into a highly selective and competitive music program!

 

[singlemalt]

You can’t “fraud” music. It’s impossible to fake music.

You are where you are on your musical journey. As are all of us.

Beware of “all or nothing” thinking. Find a good teacher and work on specific skills with measurable goals.

Check out Mark at Talkingbass.com. Hundreds of excellent free lessons and practice tools.

If you are able, when things open up, find some blues jams in your area and make it a weekly thing. Meet the guys, learn the tunes, take your turn and learn a ton.