Not feeling it (practice)

[G3Mitch]

Hey guys,
Don't really post in this section at all, and this has probably been asked before, but it's sort of a wierd subject to look up in 'search'.

Anyway, it's looking like I'll be playing bass for this new band, and the style isn't really what I would normally play. But it is good music so I'm happy. The leader of the band gave me a CD of a few tracks and I'm learning it all by ear. Its going well, I've figured out most of the songs over the last couple of days. I just need to get the structures etc stuck in my head.

On to my question though, today I was jamming along with the tracks and I just wasn't feeling good about my sound or playing, and was getting pretty frustrated, mind started to wonder.. I am curious if anyone else gets this from time to time, and is it better to just put the bass down and come back later, or just DO the practice and get on with it?

 

[SolomonHelsing]

I got that alot leading up to first proper practice with band members,
I was having trouble doing the main line for Bon Jovi - Livin on a prayer.
So after the practice last thursday i gave myself the weekend off all of it, went back sunday night, and did it better than ever, so i would say giving yourself a break is a good thing.
However i then didnt practice much for the past three days and other songs did suffer a bit, but not much.
However due to university work starting up again alot i had to put it to the side for a bit, but luckily all of my band are practising when they can, and we're doing fine anyways.

So it'll start to come to you, but i would say have a break for a day or two from the things fustrating you maybe, you might come back to it and find yourself alot happier with it.

 

[G3Mitch]

Yeah, I did stop. I played all the songs through once, where as the last couple of days I've been going back over parts, taking notes, playing them over and over etc for hours at a time. I think a break is in order, few beers perhaps haha.

Obviously I want to be professional and learn the songs and know them well by the time we rehearse, and they are originals so pretty unfamiliar. A big reason I'm doing over-time is the other guys only want to do two 2 hour rehearsals before the first gig, which is in March so nothing to stress about, but this is the first band I've been looking to join where I haven't been part of the writing process

 

[Sykk Reaper]

If you arent feeling it you can always change it til you feel it works for you, and the rest of the band probably wont notice if you keep it subtle.

 

[Duckwater]

I think it's all part of the creative process

 

[SolomonHelsing]

Obviously I want to be professional and learn the songs and know them well by the time we rehearse, and they are originals so pretty unfamiliar. A big reason I'm doing over-time is the other guys only want to do two 2 hour rehearsals before the first gig, which is in March so nothing to stress about, but this is the first band I've been looking to join where I haven't been part of the writing process

Yeah i get what you mean, going into last weeks practice i felt like i hadnt learnt the songs much, and honestly we only went over three of the five songs we picked out.
But out of that two went really well, and the other i had half of it but not the other half.

God forbid when we start doing originals but might be a good time aswell, no idea

Surprised they only want to do two, two hour rehearsals before a gig in march, know thats like 1 a fortnight if its at the start of march, but would've thought more practices the better.
But hey im in a university covers band right now, so what do i know

 

[G3Mitch]

Its not necessarily feeling the parts, they are their songs and I'm happy to play the parts, sure I'll put my spin on things subtly (particularly adding effects here and there, and the odd fill) my question is more about practicing in general, getting frustrated when things aren't going smooth, getting picky about timing etc.

To the post above, (duckwater) yeah thats always the way I've always played, being part of the writing, coming up with my own parts, far easier to remember. Doing this will be good for me though, a completely new style, a new take on things! You can never have enough tricks up your sleeve imo.

 

[G3Mitch]

Yeah i get what you mean, going into last weeks practice i felt like i hadnt learnt the songs much, and honestly we only went over three of the five songs we picked out.
But out of that two went really well, and the other i had half of it but not the other half.

God forbid when we start doing originals but might be a good time aswell, no idea

Surprised they only want to do two, two hour rehearsals before a gig in march, know thats like 1 a fortnight if its at the start of march, but would've thought more practices the better.
But hey im in a university covers band right now, so what do i know

Go the originals!! The two practices will probably happen 2 weeks out, once a week. I'll be having regular get together's with the band leader, and he is the other half of the rhythm section so thats good. I would personally like a few more practices, but this is the way they do things. Maybe I'll mention it but I won't push it.

I guess I'm just not used to doing things this way right now, I haven't played in a legitimate band since 2008, since then I've really only been an improv player, jamming with friends etc ZERO stress about getting parts right and all that.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

.

On to my question though, today I was jamming along with the tracks and I just wasn't feeling good about my sound or playing, and was getting pretty frustrated, mind started to wonder.. I am curious if anyone else gets this from time to time, and is it better to just put the bass down and come back later, or just DO the practice and get on with it?

Feelings are just that.....feelings. So what you feel today might not what you feel tomorrow, or next week. So learn the songs and the music and ignore any feelings. Once learned then you can take a break.
The reason profesionals are profesional is they do the job regardless of what they feel to a very high standard or function.
So do the practice, but do it with the new reason and focus of playing them to a high standard and functionallity, rather than any personal veiw of the material....your focus and feeling will change with in minutes because you have redefined the task.
If you cannot live up to this new definition of what you have to do, then work out why, seperate it from what you do well, work on it till it becomes as strong as the rest of your playing, then put it back in and continue.
By eliminating weaknesses we become more consistant, and that in itself leads us to being better players and have better feelings about what we do.