Losing Interest

[mikeluch]

So due the the Covid -19 situation, all our gigs have been cancelled, particularly at a busy time here in FL for festivals etc.
I understand this is a necessary move and I am not the only one feeling the effects.
My point is that I have happily spent many hours practicing material and rehearsing with the band, and always looked forward to working on new songs.
I know it should be an opportunity to practice more as there is much empty time now that clubs, bars, restaurants and gathering are closed, but I am finding difficult to get motivated as the targets have been removed.
Wondering if others feel the same way or I am just nuts!

 

[Joe Nerve]

I play every weekend, usually 2 gigs. All my gigs for the next few weeks have been cancelled, including a big one (with another band I was playing with) that I was REALLY looking forward to.

I'm bummed... but I'm welcoming the free time.

I already broke out my Beat Buddy which I never really learned to use, going to dive deep into my effects unit, and I'm going to write and record at least one song - which is something I haven't had the time to do in a long while.

I'd suggest doing some of the same. Don't know what you have on hand, but you might want to pick up some effects, recording software, or whatever and take advantage of the opportunity to use your craft in a way you don't normally.

This could be an awesome opportunity, or a time to sulk. I don't want to sulk.

 

[mikeluch]

I play every weekend, usually 2 gigs. All my gigs for the next few weeks have been cancelled, including a big one (with another band I was playing with) that I was REALLY looking forward to.

I'm bummed... but I'm welcoming the free time.

I already broke out my Beat Buddy which I never really learned to use, going to dive deep into my effects unit, and I'm going to write and record at least one song (something I haven't done in a long while).

I'd suggest doing some of the same. Don't know what you have on hand, but you might want to pick up some effects, recording software, or whatever and take advantage of the opportunity to use your craft in a way you don't normally.

This could be an awesome opportunity, or a time to sulk. I don't want to sulk.

Yes, I do have effects, software etc. I also typically play 4 strings, but have 5s and was going to mix that up.
Not sulking, just feel like the excitement has been somewhat taken away. Thanks for the encouragement

 

[catcauphonic]

This could be an awesome opportunity, or a time to sulk. I don't want to sulk.

Werd, Joe!

People get freaked out when their routines get interrupted. For anybody ever wishing for more free time to themselves... THIS IS THAT TIME!

 

[TerenceE]

Wish I had a 5er right now! Perfect time to closet the 4,s and learn the 5!

 

[dramatwist]

I agree with everything said so far... woodshed.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

My target is still the same, playing for my own amusement.
I'm also a recluse by nature, so staying at home is my thing!

I thought that Skid Row wrote this song about me:

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Give it a little time, the bass will call you back. With so much closed I'm thrilled to have time to play when I'm not at work.

 

[Lagado]

"Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities."

Aldous Huxley.

Pursue other interests. Time off the instrument is just as important.

 

[Baa]

I have the same "problem".
My band rehearse every wednesday, but yesterday we had coffe and cake, talked about how Corona affects our lives.
Then we played one (1!) song and then we went home.

 

[Oddly]

I get the OP's issue. Bass is, after all, mainly a band instrument unlike guitar of keys, for example.
Without a goal of some sort, either external as in upcoming gigs, or internal like the desire to master your craft, it's hard to keep focus and interest.

I wouldn't worry.
Take a few days off, read a book (I can strongly recommend @Joe Nerve 's one), go fishing, have an affair, paint a picture (or your kitchen), service your car, learn a new instrument (bagpipes. definitely bagpipes) ... Your bass will still be there when you're ready.

 

[casualmadness]

For anybody ever wishing for more free time to themselves... THIS IS THAT TIME!

This. I spend so much time between my job and three bands-I rarely if ever have “me” time. I took yesterday and today off from work. Yesterday I spent four hours in the tattoo chair getting more work added to an in progress piece. Today? Well so far it’s almost 8:30am and I haven’t gotten out of bed yet. Already thinking of morning tea and maybe some breakfast. Or maybe I’ll go back to sleep. But I’m doing “me” today.
I spend almost every night playing bass-practicing, learning new songs, trying to figure out what the hell Jamerson is playing in that one song or feeling discouraged when trying to learn that Oteil line. Additionally I spend every weekend with my three bands and also a couple weeknights here and there. As much as I love music, I’m happy to have a break.
Put the bass down for a while OP. Adrian Legg (fantastic guitar player) once said he put his guitar down for six months and spent the time focused on fishing. When he returned to guitar he said his technique was shot to hell but he had fresh eyes and a new enthusiasm for it. He said “its the best thing I’ve ever done.”

 

[bassdude51]

So due the the Covid -19 situation, all our gigs have been cancelled, particularly at a busy time here in FL for festivals etc.
I understand this is a necessary move and I am not the only one feeling the effects.
My point is that I have happily spent many hours practicing material and rehearsing with the band, and always looked forward to working on new songs.
I know it should be an opportunity to practice more as there is much empty time now that clubs, bars, restaurants and gathering are closed, but I am finding difficult to get motivated as the targets have been removed.
Wondering if others feel the same way or I am just nuts!

Exactly! Although not related to music or playing bass, I have lots and lots of little chores, loose ends and even fun hobby things to do and now I've have all the time in the world and yet, I don't feel like doing anything! I don't know why.

 

[Stewie]

Since everything is closed, I get to take care of my 3 year old granddaughter (we actually pulled her out of day care a few days before the world shut down). I'd forgotten how much work a little kid can be. I'm having a blast, but I don't have a moment of time to myself. I like it!

 

[BassBrass]

"Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities."

Aldous Huxley.

Pursue other interests. Time off the instrument is just as important.

I enjoy your Huxley quotes. (Especially anything from "Heaven & Hell", his most important book)
Being a New Englander sympathetic with the Transcendentalist movement, there's usually an Emerson quote:
"The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough."

so this guy needs to be thinking about Music not just gigs or "targets". Targets Can be removed, music stays.

 

[gelinas666]

I agree with JOE NERVE.. I'm up in Canada and have lost some shows in the next couple of weeks also.. It's a good time to refresh all your gear.. Clean cables ,pedalboard,amps,cabs,mics etc.. Get those manuals out and learn some new tricks with your gear or get the answers from questions that have lingered about your rig.. Plus there is always some music I wanted to learn that wasn't part of the Projects I'm working with right now..We'll be back at it before you know it!

Keep Your Head Up and Stick on the Ice!

 

[Wanker_Joe]

A friend and I are taking advantage of the situation to get off our butts and do an asynchronous collaborative tune. We've been talking about it forever: I send him a track, he adds to it and sends it back, etc., but we actually live close to each other (within 3 KM) and basically just jammed IRL instead. Now we have the excuse. It's fun stuff, easy enough to do and a neat exercise.

 

[Lagado]

I enjoy your Huxley quotes. (Especially anything from "Heaven & Hell", his most important book)
Being a New Englander sympathetic with the Transcendentalist movement, there's usually an Emerson quote:
"The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough."

so this guy needs to be thinking about Music not just gigs or "targets". Targets Can be removed, music stays.

The other experiences are what you bring back to the instrument, songs are not usually written about music, they are written about other experiences. Changing the frame, gives you more perspective. Something to bring back to it.

"Familiarity breeds contempt."

 

[hrodbert696]

I get the OP. It so happens that all this is hitting at a point where I pretty much know the existing repertoire fine and groups had slightly stalled on adding new material. So practicing band set lists feels pretty stale with no gigs on the horizon to get tight and brush up for.

I'm using the time, so far, to break out the electric guitar and see what I can do with that, hopefully do some writing, and on bass I'm going to finally tackle YYZ and try to learn it properly.

 

[filwitheneff]

So due the the Covid -19 situation, all our gigs have been cancelled, particularly at a busy time here in FL for festivals etc.
I understand this is a necessary move and I am not the only one feeling the effects.
My point is that I have happily spent many hours practicing material and rehearsing with the band, and always looked forward to working on new songs.
I know it should be an opportunity to practice more as there is much empty time now that clubs, bars, restaurants and gathering are closed, but I am finding difficult to get motivated as the targets have been removed.
Wondering if others feel the same way or I am just nuts!

I have had lulls in gigs before, and I oftentimes end up right where you are (losing motivation). The result is that my plucking fingers get soft, my fretting hand gets stiff, and the next gig is literally painful. However, once I'm back on the stage, it takes about 10 minutes to be reminded that I'm right where I belong (even though 2 hours later, my hands are killing me).

So I would encourage you to keep practicing, learn new songs (even if your band will never do them), and keep your hands in shape. Think of me as a cautionary tale.