Losing hope in bass playing

[Johanes_H]

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

Any advice anyone?

Weh sesama orang indonesia nih~

Practice regulary bro, and if you don't have a bass you can borrow one or buy a cheap one as your first bass . FYI my first bass is a Prince SB, and i bought it for like 700.000 IDR (roughly 70$) brand new. It's hardly a decent bass, but it served me well as a practice gear to develop my fingering. I've even learned to play slap on it!

Oh and the most important thing IMO is playing with a band. I've found my playing to improve dramatically after i join a band and reharse regulary.. Hope this helps Don't give up just yet. Bass guitar might look easy but it is not as easy as it seems to be

 

[PerlNinja]

Looks like we've got enough people in Indonesia coming out of the woodwork to at the very least start a support group

 

[Joesoef]

Thank you everyone for the advices (And the one who said my English isn't that bad hahaha)

Yes I'm a bit irritated to when my friends, who are all guitarist, tries to put down the bass, they clearly underestimated the instrument! Let's see them try a RHCP song or a Who song hahaha

Studying and reading theory by my own isn't my thing, not really good at it. I prefer a teacher, but like I said my parents wouldn't allow me. It's not a money thing, they just think that's it's odd for anyone to be serious for a bass but I guess I'll have to find a band

This is a great site btw, this site gave me a lot of motivation just by reading to people's experiences and I discovered many great bass players because of this site.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Audiophage]

Don't keep playing the same song for a whole year.

 

[hrodbert696]

Joesoef, give yourself time and practice. Skill will come gradually. What IS the song you say you still can't play after a year? When I first started playing (2 years ago), I set out to learn the bass part to "Rio" by Duran Duran and I still can't do it fully up to speed (though I'm a lot closer now). Granted I haven't worked on it every day for two years, but still. Start with simple, simple stuff and work up to the tricky ones.

 

[Papa Dangerous]

Thank you everyone for the advices (And the one who said my English isn't that bad hahaha)

Yes I'm a bit irritated to when my friends, who are all guitarist, tries to put down the bass, they clearly underestimated the instrument! Let's see them try a RHCP song or a Who song hahaha

Studying and reading theory by my own isn't my thing, not really good at it. I prefer a teacher, but like I said my parents wouldn't allow me. It's not a money thing, they just think that's it's odd for anyone to be serious for a bass but I guess I'll have to find a band

This is a great site btw, this site gave me a lot of motivation just by reading to people's experiences and I discovered many great bass players because of this site.

Thank you everyone!

Tell your parents bass is a serious instrument and it is not for everyone. Anyone can pick up a guitar and play three chords and make a song. Bass.... Bass requires a certain personality to play. It is beyond just an instrument, it is something that we, as bassist, see as a comrade in life. You can also show them a plethora of amazing bassists out there to show that the instrument as immense potential. Than be sure to ask them why they find it weird to be serious about bass.