Take a bass break. If you never did it before, buy a cheap acoustic guitar and learn this new instrument. You'll find new musical lands and it will feed your musical expression. When you eventually come back to bass, your playing will have evolved.
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I wanna give up
- Thread starter InstantEctobass
- Start date
Take a break from the scene. I have felt like this many times to the point
of hating music. But music was not the culprit, the poopy business is.
I go in 3-4 year cycles then drop out.
It's a great time to study with someone & learn different types of music.
of hating music. But music was not the culprit, the poopy business is.
I go in 3-4 year cycles then drop out.
It's a great time to study with someone & learn different types of music.
I was playing semi-professionally for a bit during my college years. As I approached graduation, I landed my first “big boy” job which would be relocating me to Atlanta. My main band at the time had also just lost our drummer. While we could have gone on without him, he was very much the “heart” of the band. The other guys wanted to go to Nashville, but I was ready to try something else with my life. It wasn’t intentional, but I ended up going about 3 years without even touching a bass or any other musical instrument. I eventually got back into some garage band type situations, but none of them ever went further than jamming and learning some tunes.
These days, I’m not playing in any group, but I am practicing almost daily and am slowly getting some of my skills back. In a way, I think my timing and sense of groove have actually improved. Likewise, my approach to creating music has also gotten more interesting (IMO). All this to say, it’s okay to take a break. Heck, it might even be good for you. No need to force it if it’s not bringing joy to you. All I do recommend is avoid selling “everything.” Keep a bass or two in the closet along with an amp and some pedals (if you have any). One day the itch will creep up and you’ll be glad you still have something to reach for.
These days, I’m not playing in any group, but I am practicing almost daily and am slowly getting some of my skills back. In a way, I think my timing and sense of groove have actually improved. Likewise, my approach to creating music has also gotten more interesting (IMO). All this to say, it’s okay to take a break. Heck, it might even be good for you. No need to force it if it’s not bringing joy to you. All I do recommend is avoid selling “everything.” Keep a bass or two in the closet along with an amp and some pedals (if you have any). One day the itch will creep up and you’ll be glad you still have something to reach for.
D
I thought about doing this recently. I purchased a big package of online music instruction and part of it is beginner guitar lessons.
Can't decide if I would only be wasting my time and frustrating myself, if I tried learning guitar.
It won't break the bank to get a cheap acoustic guitar (no interest in paying to setup with electric!), and it's more worthwhile than other things I could do with spare time, so there's that.
boy do I feel that. I do live in a moderately-large city, but I have zero interest in getting anywhere near any other instrument players, vocalists etc.
First of all, everyone vaguely near my age is too busy with family and work stuff to make any time for music. Else, they aren't into playing music in the first place.
Anyone who plays music professionally wouldn't want to waste their time with me. I am not, never was, and never will be good enough to do anything "band"-shaped, certainly not for pay. Or informally, only for fun.
Ditto for a "jam session." This is not a thing that happens anywhere nearby, AFAIK. Even if we had them, I'd only be annoying everyone & wasting their time, if I did show up.
Thirdly, I'm fed up with meeting strangers. Too many weirdos and scams out there.
You have some set of skills or gifts, apart from bass guitar, that someone else desperately needs. Your job now is to be receptive, constantly, to such a connection. When you finally stumble onto it, you'll know it deep down. Don't be surprised if it involves something you've never done. Don't be surprised if it leverages something inside you you never knew existed.
Never give up!
You got involved I'm music, because it's in your blood.
It's in the blood of everyone who plays any instrument, and some who want to play an instrument, but never try.
Have I ever given up?
Yes, for a short period when I was young, and compared myself to players like Stanley Clarke, James Jamerson and Jack Casady.
Kick the demon of doubt right in the butt, and just continue practicing.
Take a break if you need it, but get right back on the horse!
Good luck.
Mike
You got involved I'm music, because it's in your blood.
It's in the blood of everyone who plays any instrument, and some who want to play an instrument, but never try.
Have I ever given up?
Yes, for a short period when I was young, and compared myself to players like Stanley Clarke, James Jamerson and Jack Casady.
Kick the demon of doubt right in the butt, and just continue practicing.
Take a break if you need it, but get right back on the horse!
Good luck.
Mike
I agree with this. Try listening to a new genre of music, like classical guitar. I recommend Christopher Parkening and John Williams.
I'll add: Don't be afraid to get medicated. For some there is a stigma around that and there shouldn't be. If you see a doctor and they suggest medication, be open to it. The worst part is it might not work, and you'll need to try something else. Don't lose hope in that battle. It took me years to find the right combination of medicines to help keep me level, now I'm glad I didn't stop trying because I'm feeling better than I have in years.
I agree with you, Sam versus.
Classical music is a great place to start, even though it’s hard to play, but I think it’s the Mount Everest of music, and should be on every musician’s long list.
May I suggest, Liona Boyd.
Gotta give the girls some credit.
Mike
Classical music is a great place to start, even though it’s hard to play, but I think it’s the Mount Everest of music, and should be on every musician’s long list.
May I suggest, Liona Boyd.
Gotta give the girls some credit.
Mike
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I agree with you, Sam versus.
Classical music is a great place to start, even though it’s hard to play, but I think it’s the Mount Everest of music, and should be on every musician’s long list.
May I suggest, Liona Boyd.
Gotta give the girls some credit.
Mike
Hadn't heard of her, she's now on my list of CDs to buy!
