• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Panic attacks when trying to practice

K

Kuoxasar

Aug 8, 2009
111
0
#1
I'm more than a little embarrassed to bring this problem in front of other people but there's a lot of people with a wealth of different experiences on this board. Maybe someone knows what I'm talking about.

I have a beautiful Chrome Red MIA Jazz that has been sitting in a FretRest for too long. I bought it used with money from my first real job. It means a lot to me for various sentimental reasons besides the fact it's also pretty and sounds great. Great instrument.

I have had an off/on flirtation with music for years and want to get back into it. Originally I gave it up because every time I tried to practice I would get nervous. I didn't have a plan. I had the bass, I had a Line UX2, I would try to play on my little 15W amp, or on the computer, playing out or on headphones, no matter what, I'd get weird, mentally. I felt like everything I'd think of was derivative garbage, I couldn't write, I'd make small mistakes trying to cover songs I'd heard, I'd think I was just embarrassing myself. I tried just playing scales but somehow actually got nervous doing that. I'd set the bass down pretty quickly.

I really can't figure this out. Feels like I am completely unable to express myself creatively. Not to say, even if I wasn't, that I'd make anything good. But I will never know. I'm not playing in front of anyone, of course, but I can't even play in front of myself.

Anyone ever deal with something like that?
 
#8
Do you mind if I ask how old you are?

I've had friends and family members like this, that were just way too judgmental about their abilities, or subconsciously comparing
themselves to what others were doing, then deeming themselves not good enough, when, in fact, they were actually fine and,
in some cases, excellent. They just wouldn't let themselves relax and have fun.

I would recommend two things, which others here have already brought up.
The first is, find an instructor. It really sounds like having a specific direction with your playing, as well as learning some theory as
to why what works actually works so that you understand it a bit better, as well as having someone to help guide you and offer
positive input as well as constructive criticism, so that you have some valid input.

Second, you may have a deeper issue that could be helped with some counseling. The inability to play without deeply criticizing yourself
could stem from something deeper.

I, too, used to be VERY judgmental of my own playing (not to the level you mention). When I finally just relaxed, had some fun and
learned a bit more, it was such a relief.

I wish you the best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Papazita, smogg and sorganism
#9
gricko said:
try getting a teacher/tutor to lead you through the practice and/or set up a practice plan for you .
Click to expand...

EXACTLY.

If you are trying to teach yourself, well it's pretty obvious,
You are doing a poor job of it.
Get an INSTRUCTOR.
You know like IN PERSON.
IN the same room at the same time as YOU.
Not video.
Not Virtual,
Not books

A REAL LIVE IN PERSON instructor.
You will be astonished at the improvement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smogg
#10
Kuoxasar said:
I have had an off/on flirtation with music for years and want to get back into it. Originally I gave it up because every time I tried to practice I would get nervous. I didn't have a plan. I had the bass, I had a Line UX2, I would try to play on my little 15W amp, or on the computer, playing out or on headphones, no matter what, I'd get weird, mentally. I felt like everything I'd think of was derivative garbage, I couldn't write, I'd make small mistakes trying to cover songs I'd heard, I'd think I was just embarrassing myself. I tried just playing scales but somehow actually got nervous doing that. I'd set the bass down pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

It seems to me that there's a huge disconnect between the amount of time and effort you've put into playing and writing, on the one hand, and the expectations you have set for yourself. You say that you've had an "off/on flirtation with music for years," and evidently you've never been able to get yourself to practice much -- yet you expect to be able to just sit down and play songs without making any mistakes, and to come up with creative songs and lines out of the blue. You just need to come to grips with the reality that this is going to take a while, and that progress will come slowly, one practice session at a time.

One specific suggestion: Whenever you sit down to practice a scale or song, be sure to start out playing it very slowly -- so slowly that you can do it consistently without making mistakes. Next time try playing it just a smidge faster, and work up to the desired tempo a little at a time. If you do this you will both progress more quickly (because you are not practicing making errors) and get less frustrated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smogg
#11
It's maybe your fear of the unknown. I take on new things I want to learn as a personal challenge and tell myself I can do this and I will. Sometimes not knowing anything and seeing how much there is to learn can make you nervous,try taking playing bass in small nibbles not huge bites .
I don't often say this but a teacher could do you allot of good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smogg
#12
Lobster11 said:
It seems to me that there's a huge disconnect between the amount of time and effort you've put into playing and writing, on the one hand, and the expectations you have set for yourself. You say that you've had an "off/on flirtation with music for years," and evidently you've never been able to get yourself to practice much -- yet you expect to be able to just sit down and play songs without making any mistakes, and to come up with creative songs and lines out of the blue. You just need to come to grips with the reality that this is going to take a while, and that progress will come slowly, one practice session at a time.

One specific suggestion: Whenever you sit down to practice a scale or song, be sure to start out playing it very slowly -- so slowly that you can do it consistently without making mistakes. Next time try playing it just a smidge faster, and work up to the desired tempo a little at a time. If you do this you will both progress more quickly (because you are not practicing making errors) and get less frustrated.
Click to expand...


I concur with Lobster11 and he phrased it very tactfully. But, let's just cut to the chase. Based on your initial post; IMO, it sounds like you went out a got a nice bass. Then you sat down and tried some cover tunes and/or tried to write your own lines and it did not go so well. So you got frustrated which created tension and ya kinda gave up.

You need to be honest with your self. Have you put in the hundreds & hundreds of hours of working on fundamentals and mechanics? Have you sought out resources to at least get the basics of theory down so you have a foundation skill set to help you write?

You gotta pay your dues!!! There are no shortcuts. Music is a life long journey. You have to come to terms with that. As others have stated private, in person lessons will give you direction and help with goal setting. It also speeds up the learning curve. It's a lot easier to have fun with it when ya have some fundamental skill sets push you along. If private lessons are not an option there are other resources out there to help. But real lesson make a huge difference.

Hang in there and keep plucking away. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lobster11 and xgator4u
#13
I have to say, it's brave of you to put yourself out there like that. I've been working through a similar situation I think, just from a different perspective (whenever I feel my playing is garbage I end up practicing for 4 hours straight :P). I'm slowly coming to realize that it's not so much a problem with how well you practice or how much you practice, but with how you approach the instrument. If you pick up the bass and tell yourself "OK, I'm gonna practice so I can become good at bass" (or worse, "I'm gonna practice so I can become better than this other guy at bass"), these panic attacks are gonna keep happening because with that mentality, you'll never be good enough for yourself, whatever others might think of you. You've gotta pick up the instrument and tell yourself " OK, I'm gonna practice because I love music and playing the bass is a hell of a lot of fun". I think you'll find that you can practice a lot more and a lot better that way. It's not betraying yourself, it's not going to get rid of your drive to improve. The right mentality will make improvement easier and will make said improvement feel better for longer.

That's my spiel, but what do I know, right? Hope it helps and hope you find your passion in bass, music, and life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: warrplayer and smogg
#15
Listen to this interview with Steve Vai. The relevant part starts at 57 min when he discusses his practice routine. A couple of minutes in, he goes into detail about incorporating "playing without thinking" and the importance of avoiding criticizing your own playing:

 
#16
It is totally okay to suck at playing. I've been playing over 40 years. I've recorded with people whose faces have been on magazine covers. When I practice I STILL think I suck. It doesn't matter what you think when you are practicing, just keep practicing, and you will get better. I try my best to quiet and empty my mind when practicing; maybe some mindfulness exercises like staring at a candle flame would help. Don't know, haven't tried yet. Too busy practicing. :)

Just remember, your opinion of your playing is only an opinion. You will never become a player that impresses everybody. Just practice everyday and get better than you were before. It's the journey, not the destination.
 
#17
It's absurd to deride yourself for being "derivative" when you have just barely started learning to play the instrument. Concentrate on learning how to play instead of just noodling without a plan.

There is no substitute for having a plan of action and putting in the time. I took up bass about 14 months ago after playing guitar for many years. I got some instructional books including Ed Friedland's Hal Leonard Bass Method. I worked my way through that book in about two months and then moved on to several others, including his Bass Grooves, Blues Bass, and (very challenging) R&B Bass Masters books. Sorry if I sound like a fan boy, but those books worked for me. I feel like the progress has been tremendous.

I was fortunate to have an extended (paid) leave from work during the months when I was really digging into it. I could put in four or five hours a day, sometimes more. I'm back to work and don't have that kind of time except on weekends, but I can still manage two hours' practice in the evenings pretty much no matter what else is happening. I look forward to that time with the instrument. It's a peaceful and relaxing conclusion to my day. Whether what I am working on happens to be difficult or easy, whether the progress is rapid or slow, it's nice to close the door of my music room and focus on one thing.
 
#19
xgator4u said:
EXACTLY.

If you are trying to teach yourself, well it's pretty obvious,
You are doing a poor job of it.
Get an INSTRUCTOR.
You know like IN PERSON.
IN the same room at the same time as YOU.
Not video.
Not Virtual,
Not books

A REAL LIVE IN PERSON instructor.
You will be astonished at the improvement.
Click to expand...


This is just like playing golf, if you don't know what's wrong, take some lessons from a pro
Like my man gator says
You'll be surprised in the improvement
 
  • Like
Reactions: xgator4u
#20
my suggestions: do Baby Steps

example:

- take a very very small amount of things to practice, maybe just a little melody consisting of 3 or 4 notes.

- and play it 10 or 20 times. your goal is to play ist nice and pretty.

- then put the bass away and do something other which has nothing to do with music.

- return to this small exercise 2 or 3 times a day

- after several days you will recognise a feeling of relief and easiness (but it really takes days)

- keep up with the exercise

- then put the bass away for some days

- then return to the melody
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back