No Desire to Play Any Longer

[Gluvhand]

I took an almost 25 year break and didn't miss it one bit. I kept busy stopping hockey pucks in multiple leagues. I peaked when I played in a charity game with some active and retired NHLers and then on the MSG ice. It wasn't ever going to get better, I was getting older, and I was done. That was 6 years ago. I had picked up my bass again, very informally, about 8 years ago and haven't stopped. I wouldn't sweat it. You'll be back...or you won't.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I suggest learning a different instrument, at least as a break from bass. I went through a phase where I wasn't enjoying bass (almost a decade, actually), but I tried to stay engaged with a series of other stringed instruments, until I ended up back with another bass guitar.

 

[Inky13]

Don't stress it. I'm cutting back due to mental/physical health and motivation issues. It happens. Like you, I'm hoping to bounce back. Take the time you need. Life happens.

 

[celticsapper]

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"????

That very same thing has happened to me several times in the 53 years I've been playing stringed instruments. In my case it has entirely to do with having no visible horizon to work toward. Horizon = enthusiasm. No horizon = lethargy. But that's just me. Right now I have a horizon so I'm smoking those strings every day.

 

[logdrum]

Yep. Not alone. Not rare, maybe even normal

 

[NewKid1011]

I feel that way about guitar. I learned on the guitar, loved it for decades and then I didn't. I still have a Tele Deluxe for emergency nostalgia but I rarely play it. I don't miss it either.

So maybe you're done with bass. That's okay in my opinion.

 

[SemiDriven]

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 took a break for upteen years.

Been back at it for the last 10 years.

"Shrugs"

It happens.

 

[JuanB]

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.

Wow. Sounds like you went through hell. Glad you made it through to the other side.

 

[Shifter_four]

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 lived through that about 2 years ago. I played for 11 years than i didn't want to play anymore. Can't explain it. But for no reason, just like it was gone, it came back. Don't worry about it and don't sell everything. You might regret it.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Play/learn a different instrument for a while.
When I feel uninspired playing bass, I'll pick up my guitar or sit at a piano for a while. It usually gets my creative juices flowing again.

 

[wyleeboxer]

If I didn't have bands to play in I probably wouldn't be playing… bass at least. I play banjo so I'd just deep and go solo at home and around town with that.

 

[DivisionLocal]

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 mean, I wouldn't call it that but I took a break of many years because I had other, much bigger priorities that consumed nearly all of my time. If you don't have the time or space for a hobby, do whatever it is you need to do to take care of yourself and your obligations.

Don't feel bad about it. That's just the way life is sometimes.

 

[Hot Rats]

Wow. Sounds like you went through hell. Glad you made it through to the other side.

Yep, thank you for noticing. I have occasionally thought back to that marriage and family and I am just amazed that I found myself in that situation.

 

[theobass]

Cool thread folks.
OP, no worries. We all experience that. You will come back better if the desire hits you to play again (it will).
Sometimes taking breaks, from months to several years is a really good thing, but the music never leaves your head does it?.
Lot's of great advise already. Be well.

 

[dangevans]

Oh yeah, been there. All I can say is hold on to your bass, play for fun if you want, and an opportunity will eventually come up that will get you playing out and enjoying it again. Good luck.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

i have gone through periods where i am in a gigging band and playing every day to playing maybe once a month and not being in a band. it is just how it goes. nothing wrong with it.

 

[JuanB]

Yep, thank you for noticing. I have occasionally thought back to that marriage and family and I am just amazed that I found myself in that situation.

OT
What was your ex-brother-in-law's deal with unplugging your stuff? That's just weird. Sounds like your ex's whole family was made up of a bunch of nice folk.

 

[DaveParker39]

Yeah, it happened to me on guitar. I played guitar 80% of the time and bass 20% of the time.
So I started playing bass more and taking voice lessons to mix it up. Next thing I knew I was in a band.
Taking singing lessons is actually a really good motivator to work on music, in my experience. As is playing a different instrument. I have a lap steel... I'm not great at it but it's fun to play.

 

[Chas49]

To OP - This happened to me for about ten years (2006-2016). During that time I was focused on completing my PhD and rarely got out my bass/guitar. After I finished up and starting getting back into music - and more specifically playing in bands again - my love for playing returned. It's fine if you aren't "feeling it" anymore... Follow your joy!

 

[GreyBeard]

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 put my bass down for years at a time in the past but always end up picking it back up. It is just time for you to recharge for a while. You'll pick it back up some day and will enjoy it all over again.