Is there a bass therapist here???

[Jogobass]

I'm sure there are several threads in here here discussing the same woes I'm going through, but here we go. I'm at the point where playing isn't fun anymore. In-fact, the striving for perfectionism is eroding my happiness throughout the day. Conventional wisdom would say to put bass on pause, take a break, or even quit. Quitting is not an option. I'm too obsessed. I have too much high end gear that are once in a lifetime finds/relationships.
I played in high school and ver little throughout my adult life. I was the poster-child for Dunning Kruger Effect. But, at least I was confident, in the pocket, and landed my root notes.
I've been studying bass for the last 2 years now at an academic pace. Now, I struggle to focus, land root notes, and my timing (despite practicing with a metronome) is suffering. I keep hearing that this is just me getting better (or my ear is getting better), but these are not excuses for missing notes or lagging. What is going on here? Why am I getting worse? I'm not ruling out fear of failure, choking, or fear of judgement from pro players.
I already have a career that I've mastered, and it's boring to me now. Bass is a way to escape the boredom of life and gives me something to try and "master."

I know progress isn't linear, but how have I stumbled so far backwards.? I am legitimately, at newbie level, after being able to just casually rip through songs like Dean Town. Again....what's going on?

Edit: I've been studying with College profs and bass instructors. Maybe I'm overloaded with too much information and it's overwhelming....

Being a perfectionist and not being able to handle tiny mistakes is a sign of certain mental health diagnosis. I'm not an expert but It's probably also present in your real life. You may have become successful at your job because of it but it can hinder exploration in artistry where mistakes can become happy mistakes and inspire new avenues of art. Being able to have success in life an your job doesn't equal having success in music. They are different disciplines.

I also suffer from perfectionism. I record myself a lot and notice every mistake. This doesn't mean I'm not getting better. I just needed to learn to play through a mistake and continue with a good vibe, which is what will support the band. The band will only care about tiny mistakes if you're recording an album and the audience won't even notice.

At the moment I suffer from some imposter syndrome, where I think I'm not good enough, but everyone tells me I am.

 

[Geepers]

Conor McGregor, the Irish boxer was asked how he handled a loss. “I never lose” he said, “I either win or learn”. We can take this attitude into our bass playing too.

 

[Phe]

If you're serious about only playing to impress your peers you should probably take a step back and re-evaluate your relationship to music and playing. You can try to impress other musicians until your blue in the face and it will never fulfill you. That tank never gets full and you'll be forever trying to impress people, being super insecure about your playing and who you are as a musician.
Other than that: take some time off, let your brain get some rest, let your muscle memory set in and sort your priorities out.

 

[Geogio]

I'm sure there are several threads in here here discussing the same woes I'm going through, but here we go. I'm at the point where playing isn't fun anymore. In-fact, the striving for perfectionism is eroding my happiness throughout the day. Conventional wisdom would say to put bass on pause, take a break, or even quit. Quitting is not an option. I'm too obsessed. I have too much high end gear that are once in a lifetime finds/relationships.
I played in high school and ver little throughout my adult life. I was the poster-child for Dunning Kruger Effect. But, at least I was confident, in the pocket, and landed my root notes.
I've been studying bass for the last 2 years now at an academic pace. Now, I struggle to focus, land root notes, and my timing (despite practicing with a metronome) is suffering. I keep hearing that this is just me getting better (or my ear is getting better), but these are not excuses for missing notes or lagging. What is going on here? Why am I getting worse? I'm not ruling out fear of failure, choking, or fear of judgement from pro players.
I already have a career that I've mastered, and it's boring to me now. Bass is a way to escape the boredom of life and gives me something to try and "master."

I know progress isn't linear, but how have I stumbled so far backwards.? I am legitimately, at newbie level, after being able to just casually rip through songs like Dean Town. Again....what's going on?

Edit: I've been studying with College profs and bass instructors. Maybe I'm overloaded with too much information and it's overwhelming....

Take up the mandolin...
Don't forget about the bass.

 

[Gopherbassist]

What you're describing sounds like it might be helped by meditation. Being in the moment and focusing on right now could help set aside the nagative feelings you're having and help you enjoy playing again. Andy Puddicomb's "Headspace" is a good no BS, no gobbeldygook nuts and bolts approach to meditating.

 

[Michedelic]

Conor McGregor, the Irish boxer was asked how he handled a loss. “I never lose” he said, “I either win or learn”. We can take this attitude into our bass playing too.

Similarly, there’s this quote…

Which I’ve taken to mean: keep on trying different approaches, explore different possibilities, don’t limit yourself, think outside the box, and you also might discover something else from a “mistake” or dead end beyond solving the original problem.