Musical Depression

[quilanthegreat]

I would suggest you start transcribing melody lines to songs you like. If you haven't done much ear training, it'll be a really fun exercise that will keep you engaged - remember to start simple though, like the chorus of Photograph by Ed Sheeran... fairly entry level but a gorgeous melody. If you already have a developed ear, transcribing melodies will brighten up your musical vocabulary which will also keep you engaged.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Work on yourself first. Exercise, better diet, more sleep, rest and recharge yourself by the list below.

Put the bass down for a couple days.
Go to the beach.
Go see a movie.
Hang out with some friends.
Live life outside of music for a bit.
Think about a small goal and plan on reaching it.
Come back feeling refreshed and ready to go

I agree with Les...
Step away from playing for a time. Physically and mentally.

 

[Ellery]

I feel for you. I don't know your situation but I've found a few things can sometimes rekindle my interest:

* A new piece of gear, doesn't have to be anything expensive or special

* A lesson

* Heading out to a public jam where you're thrown in at the deep end and you just don't have the brain cycles to spare for worrying about being a bit jaded or your playing. Also, depending on the jam, it can sometimes make you feel a bit more motivated about your playing because you see:
(a) Someone much better than yourself who you can watch and learn from and at a level you can aspire to
(b) Someone a bit worse than yourself who can show you how far you've come, because we were *all* beginners at one point

Speaking personally, a side interest helps me. If I live and breathe bass, I can end up a bit jaded. Finding another interest is good for me. In my case it's hiking but it could be anything really.

Wow. A new piece of gear, even a pedal, is motivating and inspiring. If you count YouTube than yes lessons have propelled me to keep trying and reaching for my goals. And the second thing I pursue most is hiking and travel.

 

[Ellery]

I feel for you. I don't know your situation but I've found a few things can sometimes rekindle my interest:

* A new piece of gear, doesn't have to be anything expensive or special

* A lesson

* Heading out to a public jam where you're thrown in at the deep end and you just don't have the brain cycles to spare for worrying about being a bit jaded or your playing. Also, depending on the jam, it can sometimes make you feel a bit more motivated about your playing because you see:
(a) Someone much better than yourself who you can watch and learn from and at a level you can aspire to
(b) Someone a bit worse than yourself who can show you how far you've come, because we were *all* beginners at one point

Speaking personally, a side interest helps me. If I live and breathe bass, I can end up a bit jaded. Finding another interest is good for me. In my case it's hiking but it could be anything really.

Oh yeah and free jams not only loosened me up I met people and joined two bands!

 

[HubbardsFate]

I've been playing for 36 years and still can't slap worth a damn. If it's something you really want to do, just keep at it.

This...but while acknowledging that it might be a technique you're never able to get down to your satisfaction.

There are whole genres of music where not a single bass note on a single song is slapped. Don't get me wrong, slap is pretty cool, and the players who can do it well (read: musically/in context) can be enjoyable to listen to, but I wouldn't be hanging my hat and/or basing my "worth" as a player on that one technique if I were you.

Seek out quality instruction, practice as much as you can, and who knows, a year or two (or five) down the road, you might be a slap monster...but you might NOT be either...so practice being a "general" bass player too (regular fingerstyle, and/or playing with a pick)...work on being well-rounded, being able to play in time, and with good tone, in the genre(s) of music you enjoy/can see yourself playing (there's probably little point in learning to play country music, as an example, if you hate country music...)

I suspect part of the reason you have "hit the wall" is because you're a bedroom bassist...it might do you a world of good to start putting yourself out there, jamming with some like-minded people who might also hopefully become friends.

Finally, I'll reiterate what a lot of people have already said: musical slumps/depressions are pretty normal. I have been playing since I was 16 (44 now) and have lost count of the times I have found myself in the doldrums...and also as some have already stated, sometimes the best remedy for this is simply to step away from bass for awhile...a week, three weeks, three months, whatever...it could make all the difference...

 

[VFB58]

Read the book called Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. It’s kind of spiritual and a little trippy but I found it helpful.
Or...
Create a musical diversion. Buy a ukulele and strum some easy songs. Enjoy the simple charm of the C chord.

 

[diegom]

It cannot be overstated that the point of all this is MAKING MUSIC!
For a long time, I used to play at home, trying to nail this riff, or that riff, completely isolated from musical-human interaction. Slap is a technique. By itself can be somewhat impressive, but when you use it on a song where you need that slap, it becomes GLORIOUS!
Do not disconnect technique from actual music-making.

Billy Sheehan used to say that he learned most of what he knows, ONSTAGE! Of course, his talent puts him head and shoulders above most mere humans, but his point is very valid. Once you lock-in with a drummer, once you are out there, in front of an audience, that technique becomes a tool you can use however you see fit.

Regarding slap. specifically, listen as much as you can to the originators: Larry Graham, Brothers Johnson, Doug Wimbish (Sugarhill Gang), etc. Feel the beat. Slap and pop on your leg, away from the bass. Internalize the groove... And you'll be slapping in no time!

DO IT!!!
Best wishes and groovy vibes to you!!

 

[Cheez]

Also, (and this has been discussed in other posts...in better terms than I’m finding right now), when you take a break your playing can still incubate and improve without you actually touching or thinking about the bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Im 17, been playing bass for about 3 yrs and it’s always been one of my favorites things to do. I love learning and practicing on my bass. But for the past few months I’ve been feeling like I can’t play anything anymore and that I suck. I want to learn and get better but I’m not progressing at all. I can’t get the slap technique down no matter how hard I try. I just feel no motivation to play anymore and it makes me really depressed because my bass is a part of me. I’m not sure what to do at this point, I keep trying but I can’t get out of this slump or whatever you’d call it. If anyone can give me any tips or help me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Are you playing with other people? The more you play with other people, the faster you will grow as a musician.

As for technique, some people can’t slap worth a clump of farts, I’m one of those and have been a working commercial bassist for over 50 years. Truth be told, odds are most music you will play does not call for it, and if you try to squeeze it in where it doesn’t belong, it’s going to sound awkward and elicit evil stares from your band mates. Granted, it sounds really cool and easy to impress people with that style, but in the overall scheme of things, it’s of limited value. You are much better off spending time making sure your scales are solid, logical, and your inversions and phrasing are spot on.

Third, make sure your gear is in good working order. Nothing like a fresh set of strings, or fixing amp or bass hums, or adjustments on your bass to make it play better. I can’t think of anything more discouraging that playing something that does not sound good.

Finally, record yourself. Focus on what you played well and don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back.

Now, get back to the woodshed and practice your butt off. Guys like you are my only hope I don’t have to play bass forever...lol!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Lots of good advice on here for getting past road blocks on your playing. Some of it I'm gonna just try and steal for myself. Thanks

 

[NOVAX]

Cheesy but absence makes the heart grow fonder .

Absence makes the heart grow Fender

 

[panzerfaust]

same with you...i am self taught...believe or not....i ever make a post with this topic exactly like you did....

1 that you need to remember...only open youtube when you need info..like free technique lesson and bass tab....

or you can download sonic visualizer with chordino plugin.... you can put your favorite song (.mp3 and other) and it will give you free chord while you make your pitch sense used to it and slowly try to find your lick style for a song....you dont have to get exact same bass tab with original as your playing doesn't break a tempo....


let me tell you somethin....not being racist but i wanna tell you my own story....i am asian....and being asia means you live on competition since you was born and even with friends...

everything like race....who can count faster on math....who is the smartest....who is bla bla bla.....even in musical instrument....

you ever heard anecdote that said " thing that feared by asian is get beaten by another asian who is 10 years younger"....and dont forget about the magic word that usually used by parents and people....till you use it to yourself... "if she / he can...why i cannot ?" While you comparing yourself with a 6 years old prodigy kid named ling ling on youtube......

maybe in some parts....music can be a part of life goal competition...but put aside ...you have to realize what you are doing right now because you love to do it...no pressure you have to be as good as flea or geddy lee or random asian kid prodigy....perhaps...for the rest of your life...you cant be as good as them....but that's not the point.....yoh do what you love....and you are happy for it...

....if you put expectation to yourself....it's okay...anyone need goals....but the sword only need to get knocked by hammer in CERTAIN PROCESS....not all of it....


so stop hurting yourself...just play even when you play like drunken donkey......

bassist means you play bassist...pro bassist means you play so well and get paid from it.....


i want to be a bassist.....not perfect...but i keep going eventually....even when i realize that i am asian who gave a bad mark about "asians with their musical instrument "stereotype

 

[Jazzdogg]

Take a break. Pursue other interests.

I started playing the bass in 1968. Back in the eighties I injured myself so severely (tablesaw) that I had to quit for about a year.

When I started to play again, I became so enthused that I had to slow myself down and temper my enthusiasm in order relearn how to use my fretting hand.

I've had the same experience (temporary loss of interest) with other avocations; sometimes my interest came back stronger than ever; at other times, my interest waned for more than a year.

Don't worry about it, it's just part of being human: The road to disappointment is paved with unrealistic expectations.

 

[Ostie]

I’ve played bass for over forty years. I’ve never been able to slap. I’ve never been able to fingerpick a guitar. I’m not a great singer either. There are things I can and can’t do. You can’t be good at everything. Sometimes you gotta just move on.