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Please Help Make Bass Fun Again For Me

#61
Matthew_84 said:
Hey TB,

A few months ago, I lost all motivation to play bass. I realized I wasn't going to join a band (have no desire to), and lost the desire to become a good bassist, and at the same time playing bass just stopped being fun.

I have since hung up the bass, logged off TB for a few months, and used my spare time playing video games.

While out for a walk today and talking to my wife, I realized I missed it - or rather, I missed using my spare time to do something productive (playing video games is very fun, but I don't accomplish anything).
Click to expand...
I think this happens to all of us "weekend warrior" types at one point or another. I started playing again about 21/2 years ago after a nearly 10 year break and I couldn't be happier. Sounds like you need a good dose of inspiration. Finding new music to discover and listen to, reading about music/musicians and studying certain players really helps keep the fires burning.
I recently got a paid subscription to Spotify, it's pretty affordable and you can spend hours digging up great stuff, they have pretty much everything. Also, using a site like allmusic.com as a reference, I will find all the tracks I can with certain players on it, like Carl Radle or Max Bennett, etc and create great playlists to listen to and study thier styles.
I came across a few good books that really helped open my eyes, "The Music Lesson" by Victor Wooten is pretty inspirational and gets you really thinking from a new perspective.
Lastly, as others have said, just some fun jamming with like minded individuals can really get the blood flowing.
 
#62
Sometimes things are like that... changes or a lot of work produce stress which makes us tired of many things including those which constituted our foundations just a few months earlier.
What to do?
It depends... look for the source of stress and try to deal with it... bass playing desire will come back by itself then
 
#63
My personal advice (and this may sound weird) is to get a gym membership and start working out regularly.

I've found that the natural endorphin boost you get from a good work out is like a mood reset button. I can go there in the crappiest mood, have a good lift and walk out with a smile on my face and a different outlook on the rest of my day. It makes everything I do seem a little better. Plus, you can get shredded and look like a total bad ass.
 
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#66
singlemalt said:
Get rid of the gaming system. Classic symptom of addiction is a loss of interest in activities that once gave you pleasure.

Video game are designed to make you want to play more video games. without ever really delivering a satisfied feeling. They are electronic crack. The game designer is training your brain. Would you let your kid sit there and game for hours?
We're all swamped with electronic distractions these days, music can be a refuge. A place to concentrate.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more with all the above. There is very little life affirmation in the video games I've seen.

I would add that there is no harm in getting treatment for depression, as it sounds like this is taking on more aspects of your life than just bass. And a big part of that treatment includes being involved and engaged with other people, in general. This was one of my motivations for getting back into a band after a long lapse.
Is there drama? Sure, sometimes, just like in life. And I've been the cause of it sometimes as well. But you learn to cope, to interact, to be a human again. You will be rewarded with camaraderie and friendship, and the music will help open your heart. And I look forward to gigs as an opportunity to meet people I usually would have no contact with.
Being physically and socially active will help in alleviating these symptoms you describe. And be patient with yourself, as recovery from any addiction and depression is a process. Find your strength and build on it.
 
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#67
Get into effected play and explore some of the textural possibilities of the instrument, play in alternate tunings, learn a style that you loathe because every style contains lessons, everything is just about thinking outside of the box. Try looking at "your bass" through a fresh set of eyes. Bass isn't just about playing basslines, after all.
 
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#68
Delve head first into a totally new genre. Find a genre you either know very little about, or think that you don't like. Figure out who the most beloved and/or polarizing artists in that genre are and check them out. You will eventually find something that does something for you.

At that point, just figure out how to play it! I did this with jazz and it gave me months of rekindled enjoyment, after about 4 years of not touching my bass. I got so into it that I even considered going to back to school to try and get into a music program. I have heard people tell similar stories about metal and classical music rekindling their passion.

After jazz, I started to segway into RnB and now I'm hooked and have even played in an originals band that played some of the most prestigious venues in my city. I never imagined that I would get as into bass playing as I am now. All it took was broadening my listening palate.

Best of luck and I hope this is helpful.
 
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#70
You dont HAVE to play. If you feel obligated to play it then that might be why it's difficult to pick up the instrument. However if you know that you want to keep trying then why not mix the video games with the music? I used to play Rocksmith and I actually found it a whole lot of fun. I'm not sure I'd sell my basses as some people are suggesting though. Sometimes we hit a slump and just need a break, then all of a sudden we get a sudden urge to play again. Also, if you have kids or plan on having kids, then the basses might be something you want to share or pass down to them.
 
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#71
You like video games so much why not learn a few video game tunes like Mario,Zelda,Metroid and so on.a lot of those old games had some pretty groovy tunes that are fun to play.Loosing interest in the bass would be the black spot for me.I hope you pull through.
 
#72
Not really on board with the video game bashing. Everything in moderation. It's only a problem if it consumes your life. I like to sit for a couple hours on the weekend and game out (just grabbed Skyrim Remastered, talk about digital crack) and I don't inherently see a problem with that. I've derived a lot of joy from games over the years, I don't think it's any better or worse than any other hobby you do in moderation.
 
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#73
My (not-so) important thoughts on this...

1) PLAY-- it's a stress-buster. Stress makes one not want to do things that otherwise might engage a person. However, being engaged in something that absorbs you is a cure for stress. Break through the initial lack of "into-it-iveness" and the creamy center will reward you sooner rather than later. Otherwise it's a ctach 22-- you're a bit depressed and don't want to do stuff, and not doing stuff keeps you depressed. Flip the cycle. Many's the time that I headed to a gig, stressed and really not feeling like playing-- thinking I'd much rather stay home-- but when I get there, and just PLAY, I feel so much better.

2) Play with friends. You may not want to the hassle, drama, and time consumption of a full-on gigging band, but if so, form a "Tuesday Night Music Club" kind of deal... play regularly with friends who just want to make some music for fun. In that setting you can be as creative or wild or silly as you want, no repercussions. It's all yours. Playing music with people is very rewarding, IME. Being able to be creative and experiment makes it fun.

3) I find contrary to what some say, playing by myself at home can be and is fun. On my couch, I can just explore any idea that comes into my mind, and just "play" and not "practice". I tend to mess around with more chordal ideas and compose little bits to amuse myself. I don't have to accompany, or follow a structure, I can go wherever an idea takes me, "what if I played THIS here?..."

4) The only time I find practice/play-at-home to be less than very enjoyable is if I've been off for a while... it takes me about a day or two of playing an hour a day or more to get back everything that got a little rusty from time off. Once your hands are doing what your mind is envisioning, it gets to be fun again quick. So, play an hour a day at home for a week, even if you're not super "Jazz"ed (bass pun) and see if that doesn't get you feeling good. I think it will. Getting yourself "in the zone" feels great, no matter where you're doing it.

5) Music engages the neuro- pathways of the brain. Playing music will actually help you think more clearly the rest of the time, keep you sharp, help to delay any mental degeneration by keeping your mind active. Also, an aside-- exercise also helps your brain function and reduces stress... keep going on those walks, and more.
 
#74
Matthew_84 said:
Hey TB,

A few months ago, I lost all motivation to play bass. I realized I wasn't going to join a band (have no desire to), and lost the desire to become a good bassist, and at the same time playing bass just stopped being fun.

I have since hung up the bass, logged off TB for a few months, and used my spare time playing video games.

While out for a walk today and talking to my wife, I realized I missed it - or rather, I missed using my spare time to do something productive (playing video games is very fun, but I don't accomplish anything).

However, when I got home, I looked at my bass, thought about playing it, but then I didn't know what to do that wouldn't bore me, and I went and played the video game again.

I'm sick of playing the same old songs I know, I don't feel like learning new songs (my memory has become very bad lately - too many things happening at work which seem to be clogging my mind and I can't seen to remember how to play the song again the next day), and if I'm not going to join a band or write my own songs, then I don't see the point in working on improving my improvisation, chord tone/scale knowledge, ear training, or improving my chops.

Based on what I typed above, this post seems completely useless, but if any of you have any ideas on things that I can do that could rejuvenate my enthusiasm, I would love to hear it, honestly.

I know the #1 answer will be to join a band, but I'm just not interested. I don't have the time, I don't have any spare money to pitch towards rehearsal spaces, gear rentals, and/or marketing, and I also hate band drama. I'm dealing with enough drama in my life right now, I don't need anymore of it.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. Very sorry to hear this, especially if it's hurting your motivation to do things you previously enjoyed.

To second what others have said - unless you are deriving income from playing bass and are relying on it to pay your bills, there is no need to force something that's not there. It sounds like you're in a position to play bass for fun, so... if it's not fun right now, it's all good. Learning how to make it (Force it to be) fun may not be the right answer right now. If I were in your shoes, that'd be a sure sign for me to take a step back and figure out why playing bass stopped being enjoyable.

It's really hard to tell from a single post of TB exactly what might be contributing to your lack of desire to play. If you think work/home life factors may be causing such undue stress that it's killing your motivation, there is no shame at all in talking to a mental health professional if that's a possibility for you. A visit to a counselor may also be covered if you have insurance.

I've gone through bouts of 'bass-orexia' before, but still wanted to play music, which led me down the paths of learning some basic guitar and piano. I had fun, and came out of it more well-rounded as a listener and player.

Lastly, I can't recommend exercise enough as a stress reliever and mood improver. It doesn't matter what - everything from going on a brisk walk around the block to yoga to lifting weights - it all has proven benefits on physical and emotional health.
 
#75
I'm pretty much in "your boat" with bass also. But, I'm not into video games, instead, TV (so my bass sits on lap while I watch and I noodle about).

So, some advice for making bass fun again.

Always have your bass on a guitar stand somewhere in the home where it stares at you and begs to be played.

Have a decent bass and amp so that you bass sounds very good.

Have a decent stereo that sounds good and play along with songs on your bass for enjoyment. Compile/burn some songs on blank Cds. Songs that you love and songs that you enjoy playing bass along with. These songs will be "your band" and you will be the bassist.

Although you can try to push yourself a bit to advance, play your bass to songs that are within your abilities and limitations so that you don't get discouraged. There are many easy and simple bass lines to songs that are exciting and fun.

Ultimately, if your heart is not longer into bass, then most likely it would be best to to give it up.
 
#76
I am also currently taking a break from playing in a band. I have some things in my personal life that I need to sort out right now, ie moving to be with my girlfriend. Once that is settled, I would like to get into playing again. OP maybe you just need to sort some things out in your personal life? Playing in a band can be very time consuming. In the meantime, I still like checking in with talkbass and am definitely GASing for a cool P-bass.
 
#78
I recently started collecting some records. I bought a used record player and some decent bookshelf speakers. I like to put a record on and play along, by ear, to each track on it. Sometimes it takes me a while to get the chord progression, let alone a specific bass line, but I challenge myself to at least have the chorus learned by the end of a song. (And have the time signature figured out if I can't tell immediately that it's not 4/4 or 6/8.)
Now obviously you don't have to use records, but I find this method of practice very enjoyable because it presents a new challenge each time. And some records are easier than others. Sometimes I go back and play with ones I particularly enjoy. This practice has helped my ear for sure. (But I think I could uses some more formal training on chord progressions.)

Another practice technique I've picked up that has been fun and extremely rewarding has been learning solo bass pieces. The ones I like to learn are transcribed from popular songs, usually by other bass players since I'm not talented enough right now to do it myself.
I'm not trying to toot my own horn. But here's one that I recorded, as an example of what I'm talking about:


And here's the one that I'm currently working on, transcribed by Adam Stevens:


That's all the advice I have. I wish you luck, OP!
 
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#79
Matthew_84 said:
Hey TB,

A few months ago, I lost all motivation to play bass. I realized I wasn't going to join a band (have no desire to), and lost the desire to become a good bassist, and at the same time playing bass just stopped being fun.

I have since hung up the bass, logged off TB for a few months, and used my spare time playing video games.

While out for a walk today and talking to my wife, I realized I missed it - or rather, I missed using my spare time to do something productive (playing video games is very fun, but I don't accomplish anything).

However, when I got home, I looked at my bass, thought about playing it, but then I didn't know what to do that wouldn't bore me, and I went and played the video game again.

I'm sick of playing the same old songs I know, I don't feel like learning new songs (my memory has become very bad lately - too many things happening at work which seem to be clogging my mind and I can't seen to remember how to play the song again the next day), and if I'm not going to join a band or write my own songs, then I don't see the point in working on improving my improvisation, chord tone/scale knowledge, ear training, or improving my chops.

Based on what I typed above, this post seems completely useless, but if any of you have any ideas on things that I can do that could rejuvenate my enthusiasm, I would love to hear it, honestly.

I know the #1 answer will be to join a band, but I'm just not interested. I don't have the time, I don't have any spare money to pitch towards rehearsal spaces, gear rentals, and/or marketing, and I also hate band drama. I'm dealing with enough drama in my life right now, I don't need anymore of it.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Buy Rocksmith (PC version). It is a video game and your bass is the game controller. You can learn to play your favorite songs by your favorite bands. Work your way up the leaderboard for your favorite songs while playing bass. I am sort of going to opposite way of you. After playing Rocksmith I decided I wanted to learn to read music and learn to play bass so I'm playing less Rocksmith these days and working through the Hal Leonard Bass Method. Rocksmith is just pure fun so give it a try. Sometimes I begin to play songs and look up and it has been 2 hours. It is that much fun.
 

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