Not progressing on bass

[Fialka]

This happened to me sometimes in the past. I was at the same spot, playing the same songs everyday. Now I am in two bands, jamming with friends from time to time, learning various types of music, working on my timing with metronome, I am not bored at all. Seriously, search local advertisements and find people to play with.
Try learning challenging songs, step out of your comfort zone like others have advised.
I recently got strong interest in band Yes, there is lot of fun in Squire's lines to be found.
edit: Or just take a break, for few days. I always find that refreshing when I feel like being stuck in a rut.

 

[lfmn16]

I play everyday but it’s usually just songs/riffs I already know.

This is your problem. Playing the same things you already know is not practice and doesn't help you progress. If you want to get better you need to learn new things. The fastest way to progress is with a good teacher. I also second the suggestions to play with other people. If you don't know anyone that plays an instrument then meet new people. If you really love music you'll figure it out.

 

[kmon]

Lessons or starting a band are both good ways to shake things up.

Do you have concerns about starting a band? Not sure how to do it? There are lots of folks here that can answer your questions. No shortage of somewhat informed suggestions out here.

 

[Magthegrate]

Put on some random spotify or youtube music and just try to keep up with whatever song comes on, playing by ear. No rewinding allowed! Add in some artists or genre's that you normally don't play. It'll be frustrating at first, but you'll progress faster than you thought, and you might just expose yourself to some new music that you didn't knew you liked.

 

[JRA]

i doubt that it's the case "i'm not progressing on bass." i'm sure you've been progressing some, but you're obviously bored. you want someone else to do the work, but you want the benefits. i would recommend a paramour. you may need to get that out of the way so that you can concentrate on music...with a passion...for a reason. good luck!

 

[bikeplate]

Find some people and play with them or join a band

 

[AMJBASS]

Like several others, I highly highly recommend you go find people to play with. Learn some simple blues lines, and go to jam sessions. When you start playing with other people it really shows you where you're at as a player, and what you need to work on. You can learn songs and riffs in your bedroom, but to become a "player" you need to get out there. Taking lessons is also a great idea. While you may know how to play several songs etc, lessons with a good teacher will really open up your ears(and fingers) to new ideas and possibilities.

 

[Wfrance3]

 

[Tigerpig]

You just need to keep switching up the angle you're approaching it from...Extrapolate your process! Enjoy it like it's the first time you picked up the instrument, find the newness, the interest of the experience by focusing on an aspect you've so far not approached....Maybe study a particularly accomplished bassist under the microscope for a while, or a technique, or sight reading even, just for a couple of months, but intensely...That might help knock things along for you. I think we get both better and worse as musicians in terms of our headspace, practice is key to keeping it together. Push yourself beyond the comfortable even if it sounds crap to begin with. The first few notes you fretted probably sounded crap, but you amazed yourself.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Are you getting out to jam with anyone?

I agree with this. You will find your biggest improvement when you play with other players.

 

[oranje]

Any experience you can get from playing with others or lessons is invaluable. Nothing beats playing with people who are better than you are. You Tube is your friend, tons of great lessons and "how to play this song" videos available. I like the video format because I can also see what the bassist or band is doing. Get a nice play along set up where can mix / balance your bass and your player, find songs or genres that interests you and jam along. I like to go down the You Tube rabbit hole and find styles I want to work on or that are outside my normal scope and learn how to play them. Next best thing to playing with others IMO. Keep plugging away, practice makes perfect.

 

[pcake]

perhaps your school music teacher knows some folks looking to jam or start a band. or maybe your local music store has a bulletin board where you could put a "bass player available to jam or form band" card.

 

[dab12ax7ef]

Get in your school’s jazz band, musical pit orchestra, orchestra on double bass, whatever’s available. You’ll meet other peers to jam with there too.

 

[dan1952]

Put an ad on Craigslist, or post on Facebook that you play bass and are available. You'll get a call or two. There is always a shortage of bassist. Even if you get called for a group or a singer that isn't your favorite type of music, go for it. You might be surprised.
One way or the other, don't give up!

 

[BazzaBass]

Hi so I’m 17 yrs old and I’ve been playing the bass for about 3 years now. I love it so much and it’s always been one of my favorite things to do. But lately I’ve been feeling like I’m not progressing at all. I play everyday but it’s usually just songs/riffs I already know. I try to learn new songs but always ended up getting bored for some reason I really want to improve and get better but I don’t know what to learn. I feel like I’ve lost motivation to play and into frustrating me. Does anyone have any tips maybe that could help? Thank you

I’ve found that playing on my own I also can feel like you. It’s because there are millions of possible songs to practice/play. When you join a band, of any sort, the potential list of songs become more limited (band members likes & dislikes, playing and singing ability etc) and it is easier to focus ones practice when their is a “set list”.

 

[tlite]

1) Go fishing, skateboard, forget about the damn thing for a few days, and when you come back to it, you will be surprised how you seem to have made progress without playing it for a few days.

This. Take a break. It helps. It really does.

 

[slowjam98]

Play piano.

 

[srayb]

If you live near music stores, see if they teach lessons and especially if they have a program that puts students together into bands that work on getting songs together and performing those songs. It is probably the easiest way to accomplish several key aspects of being a good bass player: learning technique and theory from a good teacher, as well as being able to work with other musicians, which is “key” to success for any musician (pun intended).

Also try to find bassists (such as on Spotify etc) that you really like listening to. We have all had slumps, but often for me the real inspiration to pick up the bass again and again is after listening to a great amount of inspirational bassists. Even if you don’t take the time to learn what they are doing note for note, you may be inspired by a type of groove or a sound or technique they have.

Practice at improvising and altering what you play, listen to what works and what doesn’t. Learn harmonies and scales.

Good luck! What got me through many difficult times is just saying (& believing) “if they can do it, so can I”.

 

[Spidey2112]

Your avatar... the person in the photo looks pretty happy... with a bass in her hand, doing what I'm assuming is playing...

... I'd frame this pic, and stick it in my practice space, if I were you.

 

[Magthegrate]

I'll think I'll add to this that I play a lot of country and Americana with my band. The music that I most commonly put on when I'm feeling in a rut is Electro Swing. I realize most of it isn't played by an actual bass with strings, but it's a lot of fun!