It's certainly not a problem.
That said, if I weren't in a band, bass wouldn't be any fun. Playing bass by yourself is like being a catcher with no baseball team.
Find some people to jam with.
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No Desire to Play Any Longer
- Thread starter Bassist59
- Start date
It's certainly not a problem.
That said, if I weren't in a band, bass wouldn't be any fun. Playing bass by yourself is like being a catcher with no baseball team.
Find some people to jam with.
I've been there. I understand. Don't force yourself. When I was going through "the desert," (some call it burnout) I used the time to focus on making sure everything else in my life was in order and in balance in case something else was affecting the way I thought about or approached playing music. I refused to let any thought of not picking up an instrument become any sort of guilt trip (should I be practicing...). I gradually came back to it. Yes, this has happened to me more than once, including this year: earlier in the year it became a chore instead of a pleasantry to prepare for gigs. I figured out what was really wrong otherwise and now I'm full steam ahead again. Be patient with yourself. I recommend, as I did, clean, polish, and put away the equipment so it is not a reminder of anything unless and until a time comes you choose to resume. Good luck.
5 years for me also. The two bands I was in just imploded (one I am definitely fairly responsible for with hindsight). I put a lot of money, sweat and tears into one of them as we all wanted to “make it” and difference in opinions on how to move forward just killed the project. I joined a covers band shortly after and I didn’t enjoy it at all. I brought my bass out every year or two to see if my brain could communicate to my fingers but there was nothing.
fast forward to 2016, I was moving home after living in France, the high school band (that I had hand in killing off) had written some songs with who is currently the lead guitarist playing bass. They said it didn’t feel right, did I wanna try things? I said sure. Gave me something to look forward to coming back to Scotland. I got home in May ‘16, by July we had crowdfunded enough money to go DIY record an album and release on vinyl. We’re all a lot happier now.
Suggestions for @Bassist59 - don’t force anything. It’ll grow the frustration. But what about something different? Keys, guitar, singing, trumpet? A fresh challenge where you can still bring your bass into the mix like writing a guitar track and then adding bass etc.
For most of us, bass is a hobby. You're permitted to have different interests and at least bass gear has resale value unlike scrap book supplies and beanie babies. <cough> <cough>
There’s lots of good advice here. Reading some of your other posts it sounds like you were doing a lot of interesting technical kinds of exercises. Sounds like you enjoyed doing what you were doing, is it possible that you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere, and thus become unmotivated? Maybe spending some time focusing on your goals and what you want out of playing the bass/music might rekindle the fire. You’ve got to know what you want in order to keep on keepin’ on. That said, if you just want to be Geddy Lee II (or whomever), that’d be a long frustrating haul and you might be better off focusing on building basses or other things you enjoy more. But keep the bass in case you ever want to make noise give it another go. Good luck.
This, a thousand times this. You are not some kind of failure if you don't spend every waking moment getting better at bass. If it moves you, play it. If it doesn't, put it down. If you have the space to keep it until it moves you again, put it aside for a while.
But definitely don't beat yourself up over this. The sun still shines. The people you love and who love you are still right here in your life. You're still you, you just don't have a bass in your hands. If you need to step away for a while, this community will be right here waiting ready to welcome you back if and when you're ready.
I did that once. Was the darndest thing. I got out of it by putting myself out there to my Church’s P&W ministry. It was just getting off the ground, and I was running sound for the P&W team.
I had commented that I was a bassist, but not in a way that insinuated I was offering to play bass. The bassist they had was doing the job, but unbeknownst to me was really hoping to play lead guitar. Several weeks go by, and the WL texts me and asks me to bring a bass to practice if I have one.
I brought my bass to that next practice, and the original bassist is there as well, but with a strat and a guitar amp instead of his bass gear. - As they say, the rest is history…
Not sure if it was the opportunity to serve, or the opportunity to play with people again, maybe both…
I’ve since doubled down on learning and practicing and find bass to be my best therapy for shedding all the random stuff that stress is built from.
Sorry, didn’t mean to make this story about me the subject of something that was supposed to help you, but I hope it does.
I had commented that I was a bassist, but not in a way that insinuated I was offering to play bass. The bassist they had was doing the job, but unbeknownst to me was really hoping to play lead guitar. Several weeks go by, and the WL texts me and asks me to bring a bass to practice if I have one.
I brought my bass to that next practice, and the original bassist is there as well, but with a strat and a guitar amp instead of his bass gear. - As they say, the rest is history…
Not sure if it was the opportunity to serve, or the opportunity to play with people again, maybe both…
I’ve since doubled down on learning and practicing and find bass to be my best therapy for shedding all the random stuff that stress is built from.
Sorry, didn’t mean to make this story about me the subject of something that was supposed to help you, but I hope it does.
That's funny, Plum - just turned 65, been into the keys my whole life - workstations now, that's my real creative force - played bass in bands for a long time, now I enjoy getting together with friends to drink and jam on weekends for the fun of it. I guess we all have our stories!
Same. I’m 66. Been playing since age 10. Been gigging since age 16. For me, the music has to be interesting and my bandmates have to be somewhat agreeable. These days all I’m seeing are tired classic rock or bottom feeder blues situations. I’m also shocked at the number of craigslist ads that are openly hostile to liberal leaning folks like myself. I’m currently drastically downsizing my equipment. I do think that it might be time to step away for good.
There are really 2 things I’ve done when my motivation waned. The first is easy.
Try to enjoy music as a fan.
When you listen to bass lines critically or practice that’s a regimented process. An important process but not always immediately rewarding. So once in a while replace the grind with “the joy of music” instead of the analytical process of learning. It will reset your brain. Throw on headphones. Play something you don’t know in a genre you aren’t bought into. Lose yourself in it. “Leave you worries behind
'Cause rain, shine, won't mind
We're ridin' on the groove line tonight” instead of majors and minors and “effort”. Just find some music to listen to that makes you smile.
My 2 is pick up a different instrument. I’ve been playing bass for decades but before that I played violin. I also play guitar. When I just can’t play another bass exercise and just don’t want to, I pick up my Deluxe and stack dirt and a delay and make horrible whale sounds with my guitar until I remember how much fun it is to blast off.
Reset. Refresh. Music is fun.
Try to enjoy music as a fan.
When you listen to bass lines critically or practice that’s a regimented process. An important process but not always immediately rewarding. So once in a while replace the grind with “the joy of music” instead of the analytical process of learning. It will reset your brain. Throw on headphones. Play something you don’t know in a genre you aren’t bought into. Lose yourself in it. “Leave you worries behind
'Cause rain, shine, won't mind
We're ridin' on the groove line tonight” instead of majors and minors and “effort”. Just find some music to listen to that makes you smile.
My 2 is pick up a different instrument. I’ve been playing bass for decades but before that I played violin. I also play guitar. When I just can’t play another bass exercise and just don’t want to, I pick up my Deluxe and stack dirt and a delay and make horrible whale sounds with my guitar until I remember how much fun it is to blast off.
Reset. Refresh. Music is fun.
Lots of stuff to do in our very limited time in existence, most having nothing to do with playing bass guitars.
I am not a shrink, nor am I giving a diagnosis, but I wouldn't necessarily negate the possibility that something else in your life may have something to do with it. If you really 'loved' doing something and have lost all interest then... You say you are not on meds. Ok, meds usually don't make you lose interest.
Anyway, probably as others have said, it is just phase. I just want to throw out the fact that other stressors in life and anxiety/depression can manifest themselves in different ways. Depressed does not mean crying alone in a room. I write this not just for you, but for anyone that is going through stuff.
Good luck!
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In 2017, both of my parents died within a month of each other. After that, I lost all interest in playing music. The motivation was just gone. I would still catch myself playing 'air bass' to songs I was listening to, but the idea of getting my instrument out and playing it was completely missing from my life.
I didn't touch my bass again until a year ago when I went and auditioned for the group I am with now. Basically, I didn't play or even touch my bass for four years.
Bach Cello suites for bass, (tab book available on Amazon), has kept me interested, and eager to pickup the bass for two years now.
I play in a band, but even playing the same 40 songs with others can seem rote after awhile. When I'm in a rut, I like to play along with the radio to see if I can learn unfamiliar tunes on the fly in one go. I also like to play while I'm watching TV and not even thinking about what I'm playing, and sometimes I end up playing with the show's soundtrack or commercial. It makes playing seem more like play and less like work (rote practice).
Following up on why I say guitar (or other) is that picking up another instrument as a distraction leads you to think about bass in a new way. Bang out some horrific guitar riff, “how would this work with that bass line…”. You’re thinking about bass indirectly instead of having a self imposed mandate.
Yeah I agree. My wife would always ask me after some sort of band drama..."why dont you just play along with music at home or find some people to play with in garage every now and again?" And I feel like its similar to shooting baskets by yourself. Its fine and all but without something to work towards it wouldnt be anywhere near as fun. And, to the OP, i had the same thing happen to me with i was about 24. Got sick of the originals band thing and being in bands and didnt play with another for over 10 years. I rarely would pick up my bass at home but played more guitar than bass. I eventually missed it and have been in cover bands ever since. I almost tried picking up another instrument to make it interesting too, so thats an option.
Agreed.
Guitar and drums are far more likely to be instruments where you just grab it and start experimenting.
I'm 49, been gigging off and on since I was 16, always on the bass. I got really disenchanted with the band scene, recording, playing clubs. It just wasn't fun anymore. I'm having an absolute blast now, doing nothing but freely improvising.
It ebbs and flows for many - seems like the same is happening to you.
Do not worry too much about it, you will get it back. It might happens on its own, it might be a piece of gear that moves you, you might get a tune stuck on your mind and wanna play it, you might want to colour match your picks with your pickguard and a strap - point is, it will come back.
Enjoy the ride!
Do not worry too much about it, you will get it back. It might happens on its own, it might be a piece of gear that moves you, you might get a tune stuck on your mind and wanna play it, you might want to colour match your picks with your pickguard and a strap - point is, it will come back.
Enjoy the ride!
