• 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.

Losing interest...

#21
Maybe try and learn something thats very challenging... When I first started I had already been an accomplished musician on the Flute... And i knew where i started on flute, playing nursery rhyme's and crap like that, and I didn't want that for bass. So i started learning technical songs.



Work on something hard, it might take you a month to even master the song you choose.
 
#22
I took a 3 year hiatus from bass and playing music in general due to your reason, lost all interest in it. Now that I look back I'm kinda glad I took a break and I also kinda regret it. I think the main reason I quit was the lack of playing music with other people....and without playing with others I can totally see how you can easily lose interest in playing bass.

But to me it seems like you are just frustrated and want to quit. Have you considered taking lessons or anything?
 
#23
I encourage you to play long enough to experience a "eureka" moment; when all of a sudden (or so it seems at the time) all of the planets are aligned and it feels magical. From that point forward you can build on your successes and enjoy playing almost every time you pick up the bass. As a fellow poster in this thread related...."you have to be bad before you can be good"......no truer words have been spoken!
 
#24
Much like yourself, I too lost interest in playing the electric bass. I felt that I was always coerced into playing bass in bands when I was a better guitar player than the people I was playing with (played both since I was 11, now 23.). Lately, however, I love it (bass)!!! I still don't particularly enjoy electric, but I can beat on my upright all night long. I think it is an inspiration and situation issue. I hit a wall with improving my bass playing while I was always getting better at guitar. In previous situations it was like "why am I playing simple quarter note lines while the guitar player gets to be creative and indulge in artistic freedom (and not as well as I can at that!!!)?"
Ask yourself why you playing bass in the first place and if you can't come up with any good reasons (i.e. I enjoy it, I like being in a band, jamming is fun, etc.) then move on to something else. Lessons are a great idea; with someone teaching you new material and techniques you will definantly improve (unless you don't listen and learn).
 
#25
I played bass and did many gigs from when I was 14 until I was 24 and then dropped it completely for 13 years (got married, started a family, bought a house, etc.)

I picked up the bass again about 6 months ago and it was frustrating as hell for the first month or two.

Long story short, at 38 I practiced my ass off for a few months, relearned most of what I forgot and added some new skills and now I am in the enviable position of having 4 band offers (out of the 5 I auditioned for) to choose from.

Try to find what brought you to the bass in the first place. If that doesn't work.... bring out your 6 string, crank the distortion and go nuts.:hyper:

Most of us are never going to make more than beer and gas money out of this hobby anyways (that is if you even want to gig), so why not have fun?:bassist:
 
#28
Here's a little wisdom you might want to think on.

"Nobody was born playing."

Repeat this to yourself often.


Some people have more of a natural "gift" than others, but we all had to start at the begining. We all have differnt ways of getting where we need to be too. Keep at it, and you'll get better, be it on bass, guitar , piano etc. etc. How much work you have to put into it will depend a lot on your natual ability. Some folks have to work a lot harder at it than others, but we ALL had to put work into it, and practice.
 
#30
My son is learning classical violin, and a few months before he began his lessons in learning to play the instrument, music theory, notes on the staff, etc., I was thinking of quitting the bass also, even though playing bass was something that I had wanted to do for nearly twenty years.

Once he began his lessons, it changed me and the way I looked at the bass and playing music in general. Suddenly, I went from just thumping a little here and there(specifically, when I felt like it), to wanting to play more difficult pieces and composing more than I had. I started out wanting to learn metal and the blues, but my son now has me interested in classical pieces because of his love of classical music.

Sure, it's tough just to sit and make low noises all the time. Especially when it seems you're getting nowhere. But, there will be that time when you can pick up the bass and suddenly you're going, "Wow! Where did that line come from?"
 
#32
+1 to the band thing! even if you do just find a guitarist and drummer who can play those god awful U2 and Blink 182 tracks that everyone loves, get a load of kids into a local hall and play.

This was the turning point for me on bass, we played in front of about 30 or 40 people at an awards ceromony for a local football team, really simple 3 or 4 chord songs, but people really had a good time. it wasnt like thie whole hall was moshing around or the such (because cool kids dont do that anymore!) but everyone was smiling and we got plenty of compliments afterwards, and since then all ive wanted to do is show off some more, get some more people interested in what i do! and now, only 2 years down the line im looking at a national tour with my current band and a bass endorsement!

Get that first little gig, then if that fails, buy a drumkit!
 
#33
I play bass primarily...used to play drums exclusively...then I started playing bass, then acoustic guitar, and I've just started playing electric guitar, too...
make music for music's sake...don't limit yourself...

I keep my bass playing fresh by playing other instruments...I think it's important to understand things like melody lines, and chord structures to give you more tools to work with.

Don't EVER feel guilty because you feel like you've plateau'd or become stale, or are gravitating to another instrument...just play what's in YOU.

One really good way to spark some life into your playing is to find different folks to jam with. It's amazing how that will challenge your playing and give you some new-found desire, even after just one evening.
 
#34
I think this is one of THE most important hurdles creative people face. And you're not alone. This can happen at any point and it can come on either slowly or all at once. By this I mean, that everyone hits a wall at some point (gets into a rut) where they're not improving, practicing feels more like work and the thought of picking up the instrument (or paintbrush or camera etc) is unappealing to say the least! Bass is especially frustrating because by it's very nature, it is not a solo instrument (with a few exceptions of course). One needs to play along with a band or record. And both of these situations can get really repetitive and frustrating (if you're in the wrong band at least) very quickly.

IMO, a few key antidotes for burn out (or whatver you want to call it) are:

1. Successes.
2. New experiences.
3. Musical growth.

1. First of all, success is a great motivator. Challenge yourself. Set small to moderate goals for yourself. Whenever you achieve a goal, it will often motivate you to achieve the next one. Branch out. Audition for bands or start one up. If you've only been playing a short while, well, stick to making great interesting and new simple grooves. Playing within your means (technically speaking) doesn't mean you can't add an interesting passing tone or dissonant chord to a simple bass line. Go see some inspiring musicians live. Keep things fresh!

2. One of the things I find myself doing is playing what I already know. This is a recipe for boredom and frustration! I'll pick up the bass and run through things I've played a thousand times and I just sink deeper and deepr into that rut. So try and warm up with what you already know but always work towards learning additional bass parts or new music in general. Improvement will do wonders for you!

3. If you've mastered every bass line you ever wanted to master well then you need to go find yourself some more music! Take lessons (with a GOOD teacher). Learn music theory. Etc Etc Etc. As your tastes and ear for music evolve, so too will your inspirations. If you're always listening to new kinds of music, you will probably always hear new things you will want to play. You will also most likely benefit creatively the more music you absorb.

I feel for you because I've been through this many times myself and eventually the passion comes back but 'eventually' can mean a long while! Best of luck with it!
 
#35
Give it time. I have played off and on for about 17 years and I have good days and bad. Some days I wonder if I am worthy. You just have to try new things and be patient. If the interest is there you will develop your style and hopefully embrace it. :)
 
#36
I've been studying upright and guitar bass for about 4 years. I started 'later' in life and my only enduring regret is that I didn't start earlier. Occasionally I find that taking a break from those 2 instruments and devoting some time to piano or keyboard really helps me understand some concepts and chord formation. I love playing music especially the global sense of pleasure I get from playing well (sometimes) with others. A frequent thought is that I am on a fool's errand when I listen to all the bass mastery in the world. There are so many areas that I need to spend thousands of hours on. Still, I love playing the instrument. Some days I have a higher opinion of my efforts than others. I think it's part of being a beginner - or just a student. In martial arts you have to learn to take the fall and perform the technique..same kind of paradigm I think. If it feels good, do it.
 
#37
GlennW said:
In the big picture "two and a bit months" is like a couple of seconds.

And months don't really mean anything - it's hours spent playing, and how you use those hours. If you work at it you can get pretty good in two or three years - good enough to be able to play a lot of stuff.

Edit: Two pieces of free advice: 1) no picks, 2) use your little finger.
Click to expand...

I was completely agreeing with your post/reply right up to the part about "no picks". How is that good advice here?
 
#38
I agree with a lot of other posters; it takes work and practice. If, on the other hand, you stick to it you'll hit a point where you discover that you've "hit a place" where things start to fall together for you and it'll bring a smile to your face. You'll have turned a corner. The more you play the more you'll find this happening.
 
#40
well you either persevere or you quit.
No one says u have to play bass forever but on the other hand i'm sure 99% of the people who've played bass any significant amount of time has had times where they contemplated quitting. Bass playing isn't right for everyone, get yourself a guitar
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back