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No Desire to Play Any Longer
- Thread starter Bassist59
- Start date
It will pass...when the time is right you'll pick the bass up again and fall in love with playing. I wish I could say the same thing. I had to stop playing because of arthritis in my right hand. One song and I'm done! I have a wall full of basses and 60+ years of memories. I am been blessed to have those years of playing music. Let us know when you get back in the saddle!!
I bolded and underlined that one specific part about getting started.
I've had more mini-slumps than I can count over the years (well, decades now!) and a few major slumps. For me, what happens is that when I make music, I get very into it. I try to make the best music I can make, so I know it's going to take a lot of time and effort. Sometimes I get overwhelmed just thinking about it, so I hesitate to even start. When that happens, I make up my mind to focus on one specific thing, like working on a certain riff, or remastering a recording, or writing a new song.
Also, walking away from making music for a while can be a good thing. If you love music, the motivation will come back soon enough.
I just came out of a seven year hiatus this spring...life got busy (again), my wife and I sold our house in NH, lived with my son's family for a couple of years until we got our feet back on the ground and then bought a house in Missouri after I retired and moved here. It's not the first break I've taken but was definitely the longest...and you know, I really didn't miss playing...until I got settled down here.
Sometimes you gotta take a break and head to "the wilderness" for a while...and not in a bad sense. I have found in those times I find rest, reconnect with myself (and my wife and family), play other instruments I may have badly neglected and even get a renewed sense of my spiritual bad self. Let the break take it's natural course. In due time, you'll start to miss playing again and you'll be a better player because of it.
Sometimes you gotta take a break and head to "the wilderness" for a while...and not in a bad sense. I have found in those times I find rest, reconnect with myself (and my wife and family), play other instruments I may have badly neglected and even get a renewed sense of my spiritual bad self. Let the break take it's natural course. In due time, you'll start to miss playing again and you'll be a better player because of it.
I hear ya. I'm in the same boat. I recently completed a pbass build and bought a new rig to inspire my lazy behind to go at it again. Hasn't worked yet. I've almost sold all my gear several times but then hold on to it because I know as soon as I do I'll meet someone that I'd love to play with.
Still lookin.
Still lookin.
What he said. I have quit several times, for decades, even. It always comes back.
Lately I have not wanted to practice. At all. I still rehearse and play shows, but I haven't been in my practice studio for more than a handful of hours. I probably need to fix that as my hands are getting stiff.
yes...the solution for me was to stop playing covers and work on originals.....It turns out: I still really loved playing bass, I had just been hating what I had been doing with it
Its never too late to reinvent yourself
Try to keep yourself busy with bass related things. Set goals that you have not reached before. A lot of motivation can come from being in a band. You have to learn and rehearse certain things and after a gig you'll have the satisfaction to have played infront of an audience and even get payed a little for your musicianship.
Or get new toys to play with. Find things that inspire you. I just recently bought a tech21 VT Bass di, because I wanted a di for gigging and didn't want to go with a cheap black box. So I looked up what people recommend and some well known players would use and boom. I've enjoyed the tones I get out of that thing so much that I spent the past 4 days just fiddling around. Even played a gig with it two days ago and felt like my tone was so fresh and nice sounding. That gave me a huge boost in motivation for example. Even though I was already motivated to begin with haha
I had a 2-year slump during my first marriage. No encouragement from the wife, her parents outwardly made fun of the music I played when a friend did actually come over and her brother would go into the little room I had my recording studio in and unplug everything and stack it in the corner. I tried to keep playing but ultimatly, I ended up not doing anything for about a year. Then she cheated on me while I drove trucks at night, divorced me and let my son drown in a river. Things are better now musically speaking.
After leaving the band I had been in for 4 years, I haven't touched my bass since. It's been 2-3 months now and I haven't had the urge whatsoever. I play my guitar though. Honestly, I was a guitar player before they asked me to join the band, I played bass with them and learned how to play and sing lead... constantly playing and working on it... then when I don't need to have those skills, I also lost motivation to even pick it up too.
I used to play on cover bands in my 20's and at my church in my 30's. I've moved to two different states and haven't found either a Church or a band to play with. Of course, my motivation and my desire have plummeted. For some reason I still come here and visit many music websites trying to spark my desire again.
Many of us are were you are right now. Like other members suggested, don't sell all of your stuff because you might regret it later. Hopefully you find the desire again or, be happy with your decision.
Many of us are were you are right now. Like other members suggested, don't sell all of your stuff because you might regret it later. Hopefully you find the desire again or, be happy with your decision.
Hang in there, OP, and be kind to yourself. Like The Smiths said - there is a light and it never goes out.
One of these days, you'll pick up again.
One of these days, you'll pick up again.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I pretty much took the 90s off to focus on my career ... then in 2000 I got back into it
Many go through this~ the trick is, don't sell your gear. You'll be back~
The video below explains everything...
The video below explains everything...
Sometimes you just need a break. Had a similar thing happen to me. Stopped playing for a couple of years, sold everything except my #1. Came back stronger, even picked up guitar as well. Had another semi-break (playing maybe 10 min per week or so), then came back to get into drums and production. Now I take small breaks, accumulate ideas (recorded on the cell phone), get the itch, and put out some original music every now and then.
My advice is take that break, but don't sell any gear that you'll regret losing. In my case everything but my #1 bass went on sale (at fire sale prices too - I really didn't want to even look at anything music related at the time).
OTOH, "I'm not depressed, I just have no interest anymore in <thing that used to bring me joy>" is a statement that should give you some pause. Take a very thorough look at the rest of your life and see if this isn't happening in other areas. It could be that you're fed up/burnt out on just bass, could be something else. Now, I'm not internet-diagnosing you or anything, just saying that you should make sure you are able to confidently say it's just the bass, or get help/professional advice if it isn't.
My advice is take that break, but don't sell any gear that you'll regret losing. In my case everything but my #1 bass went on sale (at fire sale prices too - I really didn't want to even look at anything music related at the time).
OTOH, "I'm not depressed, I just have no interest anymore in <thing that used to bring me joy>" is a statement that should give you some pause. Take a very thorough look at the rest of your life and see if this isn't happening in other areas. It could be that you're fed up/burnt out on just bass, could be something else. Now, I'm not internet-diagnosing you or anything, just saying that you should make sure you are able to confidently say it's just the bass, or get help/professional advice if it isn't.
Been through it multiple times over 35 years. Just got the itch again a few weeks ago after a considerable layoff. I explored a few other hobbies that I wanted to try and it worked out good with covid. I think it’s normal. What I think is unusual is to have the same level of passion perpetually. I’ve often wondered if a Billy Sheehan or Victor Wooten ever just fizzle out and take a break.
I went through this a few years ago but it passed and now I play more than ever.As others have noted act on the depression possibility.I think that was a big part of my problem.If I could only get a gig now I'd die a happy man.
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