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Losing hope in bass playing

J

Joesoef

Oct 2, 2010
32
0
Jakarta
#1
First of all I'd like to say that English isn't my main language.

I had a bass for almost a year and I don't think I improve at all. The same song I played a year ago I still have trouble, and I still struggle to play the songs I couldn't play a year ago.

I don't know many musicians and when I asked them they say that bass is easy, I shouldn't suppose to have trouble. My friend who is a bass player also said the same thing (Although he only listen to punk)

I read a few instructions on the web but I still fail because I prefer direct teaching. Yet I doubt my parents would allow me to find a bass teacher when its already hard enough to convince them to get me a bass, they don't understand why would anyone want to play bass :hmm:

Any advice anyone?
 
#3
First, I'd like to say I've seen much worse written posts by folks that have been speaking English since they could talk.

Second, what is the song you're struggling with? There are some songs that have fairly complex bass lines that aren't easy even for people who have been playing for years.

Also, bass isn't necessarily simple. The stereotype has become that bass is the easiest instrument to play, but that isn't really true (in my opinion at least). You shouldn't give up just because you struggle at first.

There are plenty of sites online and I know there are several books out there (though I don't have a list off the top of my head). Keep trying out different things and see if anything jumps out at you. If you can't afford lessons, there are other ways to learn (even if it isn't your preferred style).

Good luck!
 
#4
Bass is not any easier than guitar. Ever notice there are fewer bass players than guitar players?

I suggest patience, and play every day for at least 30 minutes.

Lessons will help you learn the basics faster. But if that's not going to happen, play with other musicians. You'll improve at a faster rate.
 
#8
Bass is not easy. No instrument is. Anyone that says otherwise has no idea what they're talking about.

Learning an instrument takes years and years of study. It is not easy, it will not come quickly. But it is rewarding and fun. Be patient, practice every day. Find a song that's simple at first, then try one that's a little harder.

Good luck and welcome to the club.
 
#10
You found yourself a good place to express these thoughts. I am sure just about everyone on this site will reassure you that bass is NOT a simple instrument. Not only does it require many technical skills and aspects, the bass note is a major fundamental aspect of all music.

I have played for several years and still find myself with many difficulties. Granted, I do not practice like I should (I started to play keys/piano more), but a year into bass playing does not always yield noticeable results that one would consider impressive. However think about the first day you picked up the instrument, and the difference in how your fingers operate. That is the hardest part about first starting to play - to get over the "stupid fingers" phase.

I recommend you search around this site, and you will get a ton of great information that will get you going.

I know I have a few posts that can be considered helpful (theory related and technical related) its a matter of focusing on one thing at a time, preferably in a building block fashion. Learn something (not a song) that will build up to something else. Than expand on what you mastered, regardless of how simple it is, by going to the next step.

From what I have heard, people say that learning to play covers is the slowest way of learning bass. Granted, you are able to play a song, but WHAT are you REALLY playing? Not to say learning the songs of a band is bad, but it is not the best approach to focus upon in learning bass as a semi new bassist.

Also, do a search on this site, I believe it is in the bass humor section, about why bassists are better! A LOT of great humor in there, but it also presents many good points that we bassist hold true about our role in music.

Just remember, the lowest note played on any instrument can be considered the "bass note" regardless of the range it is located. This bass note has many fundamental aspects and roles to it. DO NOT let anyone talk you down about playing bass. Use their negativity to prove them wrong! Just wait until that day comes where YOU ARE rippin' the most grooving lines and see what they have to say. When you ARE confident enough in your playing, and someone talks trash about playing bass... Simply plug your bass in and hand them your bass. Ask them to play it for you flawlessly... I mean, if it is such a simple instrument anyone can do it right?
 
#11
Find some music you like that has bass parts that are simple enough for you to play. Learn them and play them a lot.

This gets you feeling good and having fun playing the bass, instead of thinking about how you are not good, or how everyone says you should not have trouble because it is so "easy." They don't know what they are talking about.

Work on more difficult music bit by bit, slowly, over time. Go back to your easy songs whenever you get frustrated.
 
#13
I would also recommend looking at some "master lessons." I am sure you are by no means ready to undertake virtuosic playing (not to say I am) but they are good to set a goal. Pick something out and work towards it. Essentially what I meant as the building block learning style. Check out this video by Billy Sheehan. It actually mentions something about it on the last few seconds of the video.

Billy Sheehan: Advanced Bass Lesson on Economy of Motion - YouTube
 
#14
Joesoef said:
First of all I'd like to say that English isn't my main language.

I had a bass for almost a year and I don't think I improve at all. The same song I played a year ago I still have trouble, and I still struggle to play the songs I couldn't play a year ago.

I don't know many musicians and when I asked them they say that bass is easy, I shouldn't suppose to have trouble. My friend who is a bass player also said the same thing (Although he only listen to punk)

I read a few instructions on the web but I still fail because I prefer direct teaching. Yet I doubt my parents would allow me to find a bass teacher when its already hard enough to convince them to get me a bass, they don't understand why would anyone want to play bass :hmm:

Any advice anyone?
Click to expand...

Hi Joesoef, apa kabar? :)

English is my main language and bahasa my second so I'll stick to English for now. It is hard finding a bass teacher in Jakarta, I do not know of many, and the ones I do know are either booked full, or very expensive.

Maybe an idea is to find other local bass players and get together at a studio for an hour or two and teach eachother things - everyone knows something, after all. I've been playing for 2 years now and have been improving a little bit, and I think that playing with a full band or at least another bass player would help.

If you want to get together some time, let me know. I live in Purwakarta but am in Jakarta a lot, and sometimes will bring my amp and bass along :)

What bass do you have by the way?
 
#15
As others have said, a year is not very much time to learn a musical instrument. I started playing the bass guitar about 30 years ago, but before that I had many years of instruction on the tenor banjo, which is also a four-stringed instrument. I found that I had a lot to learn.

I have not "mastered" the bass. I have played in various bands etc., over the years, and you don't have to be a virtuoso to play music. Virtuosity is certainly something to work toward, but generally not necessary for band situations.

Try a song like "Do U Wanna Dance" by the Ramones. 4 notes, but they have to be played correctly, and in time.

My Dad also thought that the bass was kind of a silly instrument to play, since he likes to lead sing-a-longs. Well, I don't. Interestingly, when his band (he's in his 80's) needs a sub bass player, guess who gets the call?
 
#16
In no particular order...
* bass is all about timing and feel...
* make some of your practice time about playing notes well (getting a good sound), rather than playing the "right" notes. this will ensure your technique is right and growing
* "Do not despise the day of small beginnings". Relative to your lifespan, 1 year of playing is still the day of small beginnings. Stick with it.
* my grandpa played first chair/second-violins in a symphony orchestra. He said he played second violin because "any %#* fool could play melody." :bassist: Nothing "easy" about bass.
* try playing slowly. then increase your speed. if you're struggling at a given speed, slow down.
* as others have said, play with a band. if you can't play with a drummer. if you can't do that, play with a drum track or metronome.

Lastly: HAVE FUN. Forget being "good". Let it out!
:D
 
#17
Ive been playing electric bass for almost 30 years. Upright bass for 12 years. Im not very good at either. My friend's 15-year-old son can play circles around me and hes been playing bass for a little over a YEAR.

My point is, different people progress at different rates; the main thing is (like gumbynotpokey says) HAVE FUN. If you're having fun, then the time spent playing the instrument is worth it. IMO.
 
#18
I still struggle to play some songs I struggled to play 12 years ago... Mainly RHCP. Well, I *could* nail those songs if I bothered to practice slapping to "level up" a bit but naaaaah. I'm cool with the basics. The chicks are already all "wooooooah" when I play the first 5 seconds of Aeroplane verse moderately correctly :D
 
#19
Watch a lot of bass players on YouTube and any other source you can get your hands on. They don't have to be professional either! If you can get out and see any live bands in your area, do it! Watching others not only inspires, but you can actually see how other people are playing.
 
#20
Look I am 60+and I fight every time I pickup the bass with myself.Am I too old,hurting,senile ,should be listening to Sinatra instead of Megadeth? Or I hear"you must play bass because you are black"Bass is in no way easier to play than guitar.Have you ever seen guitar players try to play bass? Sad indeed,if it was that easy, then you would have all guitar guys playing it.Tell your folks,that if it is about making money,you will make a lot playing bass.My teacher is dying for me to get at least average.He has a ton of guitarists and bands who are dying for a good bass. Bass laying is like Zen,we just KNOW. Guys in Africa some make their own strings.If you want a bass enough,then save every spare penny,do odd jobs, whatever it takes.I used to play guitar and let me tell you ,no disrespect to our brethren but with a loud amp,a few pentatonic scales and a bevy of distortion pedals ,ihave seen slot of them get by.Bass easy,hell I wouldn't,t let the Doublebass guys hear that! Play for yourself son ,if for no one else
 

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