No Desire to Play Any Longer

[basslayer]

That happens to me mostly when I don't have a band or done other means in playing with other musicians. I've gotten better with playing without a band (due to the pandemic halting band activities) but I still have to motivate myself to work alone. I always feel better once I play. I always have musical ideas, do my motivation for working alone has become creating a frame for a new song or an entire song when I sit down to play. I now have hours of musical ideas to pitch to different projects.

 

[RedMoses]

Its OK to put passion projects on the back burner for a while, you will be back eventually with renewed enthusiasm. A few years College I started a real job and had enough money to peruse my other passion, cars and racing, I spent a good 5-6 years not playing in bands and picking up the Bass to couch pluck only once in a blue. When I got back into playing it was the most busy musical point of my life, this last almost 10 years of non stop shows, tours, rehearsals... The past couple years have been less about Bass and more about recording and guitar playing and way less Bass but ill be back, just like you will.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Sometimes in life it becomes about the people, not the playing.

 

[friskinator]

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.

I've seen those same types of CL ads. At least they let me know who to avoid.

I still technically gig, but my band only plays 3-4 times a year at this point. We only do local private events when the money is right. That's fine with me.

 

[mambo4]

If you don't have the spark you can't force it.

having a booked gig usually cures this in my experience
others relying on your commitment is quite motivating

 

[fourstringdrums]

Yup, going thru it now with my main instrument drums. As for bass I've quit and sold everything about 4 or 5 times over the last 20 years. It'll pass. You'll be glad that you still have the instrument even if the urge doesn't strike very often.

 

[Geogio]

I always switch instruments, because I play a variety of string stuff but this last time when I was down hard with a shattered wrist and a quadricep was traumaticly detached from of my kneecap... I sort of got into keyboard for a while... one handed. I'm never going to be great at it but I do have a better understanding then I did prior to my gravity tests.

 

[FirewalZ]

I think anyone who has played for any length of time has gone through the same/similar thing. For me, taking a break is essential, checking out new styles of music outside your comfort zone (Jazz, Classic R&B, etc), check out some good local bands, go to an open jam, etc....all ways to re-invigorate the pasion.

 

[9985]

Unless you are relying on playing for income (doesn't seem to be your case), it is supposed to be source of happiness & fun above all else, turning it into a chore by forcing it is counter productive. Assuming you are asking because you are seeking ideas on how to change your own thinking without forcing it, hanging out with other musicians might help. Even if not playing, just being around others and talking about music - former bandmates, fellow bassists, random people at music store, even going to a small venue live gig where you can easily get right up to the stage, maybe chat with band on breaks. Other ideas - listen to some old recordings of yourself, or studio versions of some of your favorite cover songs. Might inspire you.

 

[SJLee]

I had a 14 year hiatus once from playing bass. I did continue to play acoustic guitar and piano. Once I decided to make Motion Design a career I really had to buckle down and focus my energy in that direction. Somewhere along the line after bringing that dream to reality, a coworker wanted to put a project together and that set things in motion once again.

Due to a band breakup and changing states, I've been dormant once again. Being unemployed for the past year hasn't helped as most of my focus has been updating skills and trying to decide if I want to continue in motion design or get out of the chair and do something different. Reinventing myself at 56 has been a bit of a challenge, but what else is there to do?

 

[HertzWhenIPlay]

I’ve found that an old drum machine or something of the like can be a lotta fun to play along with.

 

[tbz]

Happens. I had a fairly bleak 12-ish year run where every project just ended poorly. Kept staying on in situations where I should have cut and bailed earlier. Then I’d burn out, and there’d be a dramatic exit of some sort.

At the end of that run I had a 2ish year period where I didn’t have any desire to play. I was done emotionally.

Eventually agreed to jam with some co-workers. That was positive, and it helped re-ignite the spark. Haven’t really stopped since and I’m playing better and more now than ever.

 

[Bass-ball]

Been there. Didn't play for about 15 years.
Still had a bass and amp, picked my bass up one day and realized I missed it.
Don't worry about it.

Almost the exact same situation - about 15 years. Played and played and played and then having kids, grad school, career, blah blah blah got in the way, then once I became an empty nester I was like "I wonder if I can still play like I used to," picked it up, and now I'm back at it around four days per week.

Don't sweat it, OP. Let it come to you; trying to force it could make you dislike it even more.

 

[Bass-ball]

Consider switching musical genres

This was HUGE for me. Like a lot of people I started in rock, picked up a lot of bad technique and habits, but once I started venturing out in terms of what I listen to and play, I started loving the instrument again. And, not to sound too pretentious or whatever, I can't stand playing rock now. It's so one-dimensional, and kind of "hides" behind the rhythm guitar too much; something I never really noticed when that's all I was playing.

 

[SoonerBill]

Being a just for fun bass player whether I play or not isn't as big a deal as it is for a gigging player.
But I can relate to just being done for a while or for good. For about 30 years I was an avid bicycle road racer. For another 10 I had a goal of at least 4 sub 4 hour Century rides a year. All that time I rode 7k to 10k miles a year. Rode year round. I had a spare bedroom set up as my shop and it would have made some small bike shops envious.
One morning I got all the garb on. Aired up the tires and stocked up on water and nutritional stuff. I got to the end of the driveway and it hit me I just didn't want to ride today. I haven't been on a bike since. Sold everything over the next couple years.

 

[tekhedd]

I reached that point for a bit, about the same time I realized I needed to be playing keyboards. Now that I'm playing chords some of the time, bass is a lot more fun.

The problem here is that playing *is* more than a hobby. Quitting may be a very bad idea! For most of us, it's not even an option.

My advice: Find a way to make it fun. Switch instruments, or switch bands, or buy a DJ console. Use your brain: what would make it fun?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I haven’t touched my bass or guitar in about a year. There’s no explanation. I loved playing and even plan on building a bass from a kit but, I just don’t feel like getting the thing out.

Zero motivation. I bought some bass music books to work on since I’ve always enjoyed doing that but still don’t feel like getting started.

This is the damndest thing. No, I’m not on any type of medication. Nope, not depressed. I loved playing bass - just can’t do it right now.

Anybody else afflicted with this type of musical “impotence”????

To be honest, For most of my life I’ve been attached to some musical entity since I was in preschool. I mean 60+ years either singing, or playing instruments. I’ve played enough notes. However assembling notes in sequence is still a fun exercise.

I’ve given up on being the best instrumentalist/bassist in the world long ago but instead focus much more on the art side. Exploring all the possibilities within the parameters of a song, with a personal style, everything becomes new.

I doubt very seriously if I’ve ever played a song perfectly in my life. But somewhere between the double bars, I find great satisfaction and joy in the art and the it’s creation.

 

[TyBo]

I haven’t touched my bass or guitar in about a year. There’s no explanation. I loved playing and even plan on building a bass from a kit but, I just don’t feel like getting the thing out.

Zero motivation. I bought some bass music books to work on since I’ve always enjoyed doing that but still don’t feel like getting started.

This is the damndest thing. No, I’m not on any type of medication. Nope, not depressed. I loved playing bass - just can’t do it right now.

Anybody else afflicted with this type of musical “impotence”????

I've gone through significant periods of lying fallow, musically. Like you, I'd even gotten some parts together out of which I planned to make an instrument ... which I finally did, maybe 15 years later. Came out real nice and for a while was my main player as I got back into playing (largely through a chance encounter with an old friend who was having some jams at his house). So maybe it's just something you gotta roll with, I don't know. Life is to be lived, can't always tell where it's going ...

 

[groovepump]

I've been there as well. I blame my situation on not being stimulated by good music... but there's always good stuff to dive into... gotta hunt for it, be it old or new.

Just don't sell any hard-to-find basses when you're in a funk! You'll be mad later.

Good advice.
i sold an L2000 fretless and my best DB when I got laid-off 10 years ago. I found a new job 1 week later and still regret that I panicked over the job loss an did that. two excellent instruments.

 

[CletusMarley]

It happens.