It did when i was diagnosed with hyperacusis & tinnitus. I was on & off for a while, but eventually the interest came back larger than before. I'm a bedroom player since then though; no more gigs / studio rehearsals / bands etc. for me.
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've lost interest in music.
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
It did when i was diagnosed with hyperacusis & tinnitus. I was on & off for a while, but eventually the interest came back larger than before. I'm a bedroom player since then though; no more gigs / studio rehearsals / bands etc. for me.
This happens from time to time, especially when depression or stress are at play.
Lately (I am now 52 years old) I stopped enjoying music I would normally love and started turning to other music types like prog, jazz and funk while I was always heavily rock based.
Because these music types are often a little more intricate to learn and play I have started taking lessons from a seasoned studio and session musician who recently moved from Nashville to the Netherlands. I have been playing since 1991 and was kinda stuck at my max level of being self taught. Now we're making progress again after a number of years. For me, progress is the main incentive to keep playing. The lessons really do help with that.
I have finally started to see and find 3rds, 5ths and 7ths in the chords that my guitarists are playing. Funny enough I now also see the mistakes they are making. Growth is so awesome!
Lately (I am now 52 years old) I stopped enjoying music I would normally love and started turning to other music types like prog, jazz and funk while I was always heavily rock based.
Because these music types are often a little more intricate to learn and play I have started taking lessons from a seasoned studio and session musician who recently moved from Nashville to the Netherlands. I have been playing since 1991 and was kinda stuck at my max level of being self taught. Now we're making progress again after a number of years. For me, progress is the main incentive to keep playing. The lessons really do help with that.
I have finally started to see and find 3rds, 5ths and 7ths in the chords that my guitarists are playing. Funny enough I now also see the mistakes they are making. Growth is so awesome!
You asked, "has this ever happened to you?"
Answer is YES!
I attribute my lack of interest to age. Damn! I'm getting old (69) and I'm lazy about playing music (5,000 Lps, hundreds of Cds). I just don't get the music mood as much as I used to. But, about once a month, I'll pull out a mess of music and play it loud and proud in the house. I have to coordinate playing music according to my mood and my wife being present.
Suggestion for your recent dilemma? Play some stupid fun music! You are probably much younger than me and this stuff is probably very dated for you but................it's still stupid fun stuff!
And, whip out your bass and play along with these 3 chord masterpieces!
Rhino Records Frat Rock
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoM4LAiKzCdWTFv5puzALGsJ7OZNUW8iv
examples...........
Answer is YES!
I attribute my lack of interest to age. Damn! I'm getting old (69) and I'm lazy about playing music (5,000 Lps, hundreds of Cds). I just don't get the music mood as much as I used to. But, about once a month, I'll pull out a mess of music and play it loud and proud in the house. I have to coordinate playing music according to my mood and my wife being present.
Suggestion for your recent dilemma? Play some stupid fun music! You are probably much younger than me and this stuff is probably very dated for you but................it's still stupid fun stuff!
And, whip out your bass and play along with these 3 chord masterpieces!
Rhino Records Frat Rock
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoM4LAiKzCdWTFv5puzALGsJ7OZNUW8iv
examples...........
When I first read your subject heading I thought "I've lost interest in sports." And though that may never come back I can't see turning my back on music - it's an important, positive and creative outlet we all get to build upon. I've put my bass down for months at a time due to the stresses in life but when they reside it's a breath of fresh air to plug in again. "Hello old friend!"
Hang in there.
Hang in there.
Within the last eight months, I lost both my parents, started a new job, broke up my band and moved my family from one of my favorite cities. I didn’t touch a bass for months and listened to basically the same 12 songs in rotation. We finally resettled into our new home and I unpacked my basses, not sure if I even wanted to - too much of a reminder of life before all the chaos. My hands felt different and my basses felt foreign. Within a few minutes I was exploring patterns and drone tones that I never had before...even slapped a capo on it. My relationship with music and bass playing has changed. And I’m okay with that.
Last edited:
Covid 19 sucks. Ruins everything tries to kill everyone. At least we know how that works. Cheer up!
I'm sorry you had to endure all the turmoil. I've had to go through similar things. However, I'm glad to hear that you've weathered that storm.
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
Yes, at one point leading to 7 year period of not playing at all, with all my axes on the wall gathering dust, and staring back at me disapprovingly (or so it felt)
And I found out that the reason was that I was not connecting to MUSIC. before that 7-year pause, i was connecting to a lot of things - learning a repertory, playing with people in a style I wasn't familiar with, the idea of being in a band, doing gigs, the camaraderie and all that. What I had lost connection with was: what MUSIC meant to me, why I had chosen music in the first place as a very important part of my life (as a teenager and not thinking at all about all that)
My recommendation: Let it be. Try and look at the time you've been given as a way to musically/spiritually rejuvenate yourself, in an enjoyable manner. Go listen to old music. Find some new music to enjoy in unexpected corners. Have you tried and made videos to music? Have you tried composing? Have you written your own songs? Can you sing? The spark is somewhere to be found, and the trip towards it can be fun. And you'll pickup that bass again.
And I found out that the reason was that I was not connecting to MUSIC. before that 7-year pause, i was connecting to a lot of things - learning a repertory, playing with people in a style I wasn't familiar with, the idea of being in a band, doing gigs, the camaraderie and all that. What I had lost connection with was: what MUSIC meant to me, why I had chosen music in the first place as a very important part of my life (as a teenager and not thinking at all about all that)
My recommendation: Let it be. Try and look at the time you've been given as a way to musically/spiritually rejuvenate yourself, in an enjoyable manner. Go listen to old music. Find some new music to enjoy in unexpected corners. Have you tried and made videos to music? Have you tried composing? Have you written your own songs? Can you sing? The spark is somewhere to be found, and the trip towards it can be fun. And you'll pickup that bass again.
Been there before, and kinda there now as well. Switching it up by composing on keys helps me a bit. But, like others have said, I really believe it's the lack of purpose in my case. No gigs, no rehearsals, no jams, no social interaction with musicians.. Little need to practice. I still listen to music quite a bit, as always, but have little desire to play an instrument.
No shame in changing interests. Life is too short to waste time doing something you don't enjoy - especially as a hobby.
I am sorry to hear this. COVID has been a struggle for everyone, and it hits everyone differently. I am fortunate in that I work from home and live alone, so my "lifestyle" hasn't changed all that much. I have found my interest in music has actually increased - I have purchased two guitars (one Tele, and just ordered a Lull P4), and am learning how to play all those cool rhythm guitar tracks I've always admired (didn't realize how many of them are in open tunings). As far as bass, I am keeping my chops up, playing a lot of Rush (which was hard to come back to - like most of us, I took Neil's passing very badly and couldn't put their music on the box for several months). I even read Geddy's book, which inspired the P4 purchase (I didn't have a P bass or even a passive bass in the house). I was going out on auditions before COVID hit, too - I haven't played in a band in a while and wanted to get back into things, but...
With music, I tend to go in phases. I am a bass player by "profession," but there are times when I don't pick up the bass for a while, and am solely learning guitar (which is most definitely *not* my gig). Other times, I play bass and the guitars sit in their cases. Now, with more time alone, I am striving for an healthy balance. Learning new things has helped a great deal.
I've also been cooking a lot. I've always loved to cook, but part of my "social thing" was going out for drinks and meals with friends. Or having / attending dinner parties. That has pretty much come to a halt. If there is something I do miss, it is the social aspect of life. We try to do things "virtually" - Zoom cocktail hours, for example - but I'm getting Zoom fatigue (we use it all the time at work - yes, I am still working my day job - thankfully. My company has been aces through this entire thing. I'm lucky.).
I haven't gotten sick, but I know many people who have had COVID. None of them have said, "It's not that bad." Every one of them has said, "You don't want this." A friend's entire family was REALLY sick for three weeks. One friend nearly lost their spouse. Another, who had it in March, has been diagnosed with "post-COVID syndrome" and is now seeing a cardiologist. These were all healthy, no pre-existing conditions folks. It sucks. This is why we need to practice safety when we go out in public - wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands. When I hear people say, "If I get it, I get it," I want to scream. IT ISN'T ABOUT YOU - it's about who you may give it to, and what might happen to them.
We will get through this. And your interest in music will come back.
Yes and no. More "yes". I stopped listening to music while in college in the very late 1980s and didn't start again until 1999, then stopped again around 2003 and didn't start again until a couple of years ago. I had been playing the entire time, though. Just didn't find listening to most stuff to be in any way fun.
It has happened to me countless times. I usually walk away for a while, once for several months, touching nothing musical and moving on.
Inevitably, I either get a musical idea, or a craving to play, and I'm right back to it. I've been at it a long time, too, and this is a cycle for me. Realizing it was a cycle helped.
I also find that new influences, musical or not, can help. Books and movies can be sources of inspiration, as can a new instrument. More than once, a new thing makes new ideas, ime.
Inevitably, I either get a musical idea, or a craving to play, and I'm right back to it. I've been at it a long time, too, and this is a cycle for me. Realizing it was a cycle helped.
I also find that new influences, musical or not, can help. Books and movies can be sources of inspiration, as can a new instrument. More than once, a new thing makes new ideas, ime.
If it's not depression, something isn't right! Maybe try playing to genres of music that you've never pursued... jazz, blues, etc. This may present some sort of a challenge or interest and get you out of that "funk". Hope you start getting that itch to play again. Take care and try to be optimistic.
Yes, totally. It was weird. The desire to play again did come back, however, so hang in there!
been there before..even very famous musicians have been there... I went through that phase for almost a year then sadly sold all my stuff then one day I craved it again and had to re buy all the stuff I had which was an expensive lesson I learned and those feelings happened a few times after I got my stuff but I just did other things until the music craves came back so if i was you I wouldn't sell any of your stuff, just put it away to rest and sooner or later that music beast will awaken again in you. good luck !!
My life's dream was to have a pro recording studio. I got a 3 year lease on a 4K Sq. Ft. facility. I spent a year building the entire space by hand. Right at the 3 year mark, a tornado destroyed everything. The person that was supposed to be my best friend and eventual partner looked at me, while I was heartbroken, in a puddle of water where my studio used to be, and he told me to quit being such a downer and just rebuild.
At that exact moment, I lost my faith in humanity and any taste for being associated with music in any way. I didn't play or listen to music for about 3 years. I isolated myself and stopped talking to people. I put any gear I still had up for sale... but, since I play custom instruments, no nibbles on buying any of my gear.
Luckily, after that 3 year mark, I started getting interested in it again. Now, I'm very particular about the people I conspire with. Sometimes you lose your spark... or it's violently torn from your heart. You may never get it back. But, I can only caution you to be patient. Give it a few years. If, after a few years, you still have no urge to have anything to do with music... sell everything and walk away.
That money can be spent on much better things. Feed a new passion. Make your life more comfortable. But, don't worry about it. If you walk away, you walk away. I learned that none of us is important to music. Music is a harsh mistress that will kick you between the legs every chance she gets (it's a very one-sided, abusive relationship). If I could intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually walk away from music, I would do it in a heartbeat.
At that exact moment, I lost my faith in humanity and any taste for being associated with music in any way. I didn't play or listen to music for about 3 years. I isolated myself and stopped talking to people. I put any gear I still had up for sale... but, since I play custom instruments, no nibbles on buying any of my gear.
Luckily, after that 3 year mark, I started getting interested in it again. Now, I'm very particular about the people I conspire with. Sometimes you lose your spark... or it's violently torn from your heart. You may never get it back. But, I can only caution you to be patient. Give it a few years. If, after a few years, you still have no urge to have anything to do with music... sell everything and walk away.
That money can be spent on much better things. Feed a new passion. Make your life more comfortable. But, don't worry about it. If you walk away, you walk away. I learned that none of us is important to music. Music is a harsh mistress that will kick you between the legs every chance she gets (it's a very one-sided, abusive relationship). If I could intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually walk away from music, I would do it in a heartbeat.
