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Please Help Make Bass Fun Again For Me

#82
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...

Dude, I know just how that feels. My advice FWIW, is take a little break from the band scene. Take some lessons, maybe jam with some friends with no commitment. Sounds to me like you got burnt out and need some time away from the stress of trying to make the band thing work.
I burned out pretty bad towards the end of college, just didn't have any desire to do any real practicing, just goofing off on the bass once in a while.
Take it easy man. Don't force it. Just try to get back to a point where you enjoy it again. Don't join a band just to join a band, find a group of musicians that you really enjoy playing with and that don't cause any drama, people that you can just jam with and you don't feel like you need to gig to make it worth it, just jamming with them is enough to make it worthwhile. If you're just playing in your spare time right now, then just make it a spare time commitment, there's no need to overcommit to anything. It's music, just enjoy playing with friends or on your own, no stress, no expectations that you have to remember the tune the next day. Just play for the fun of it and forget the rest.
 
#83
What helped for me was sitting down and clearly defining what kind of bassist I was going to be.
We often hear "get good at everything, you'll get more gigs", etc, etc. But that approach isn't for everyone. I love reggae, don't wanna play it. I love jazz don't wanna play it. So on and so forth.

Also, I'm a slow learner so trying to get proficient at all styles just isn't in the cards for me.
Maybe you're just doing too much and you're not seeing the progress you want in the areas you truly care about, because you're not actually working on those areas. Once I narrowed it down to the things I truly cared about and wanted to learn, bass got a lot more fun.

Good luck.
 
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#84
We've all been there. Committing to a band was too much commitment and a playing alone is uninspiring. So, I took a couple years off to focus on visual art. And then running a marathon. And then having kids.....Finally the divorce came and the only way could express myself without wallowing in guilt at the bottom of a bottle was music. But, as you know, creating music on bass without others is, well, limiting to say the least.

I decided to learn how to use a pick, and play shorter, higher tuned instruments. I bought a couple cigar box guitars and started playing again. Creating music was fresh and fun again. I bought a drum machine and hand-held audio recorder. I challenged myself to create a new tune every week for a year and post it online. The beauty was, in doing this, I also picked up the bass and fell in love all over again. After 52 weeks, I had a standing offer to join a band of other like-minded, middle-aged, fellows with the same intention to play original music for fun. We practice only once a week and gig about once a month, on our terms.

The short is, don't stop creating. There are some fine suggestions above. My advice is to change mediums for awhile. Explore a new instrument, medium, or physical sense. You'll be back. Happier and more inspired than ever before.
 
#86
I'm struggling with this at the moment. Lots of excuses. My problem is no one to jam with actually, I'm not seeing the point. Currently, it is just a bit better than watching television. I'll get over it, and soon!
 
#87
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...

I had this issue when I first started playing, and even for some time afterwards. I'd play the same old songs, same old scales, same old things I knew.
Then, I decided to take some lessons with a teacher and lesson plan that I clicked with.
Since then, it's been fun, challenging, and I got better to the point where I could have fun, know what I was doing, and build on what I had already learned.
Perhaps this will work for you, too.
 
#89
Wolfenstein666 said:
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.
Click to expand...

I agree. I don't watch TV, but I do like to play some Call of Duty for a bit.
 
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#90
Try writing songs on a different instrument... Acoustic guitar or piano. I can relate to what your feeling. ;) Heck, it even happened to Miles Davis for 5 years.

If you feel like playing, play.... If you don't, don't worry about it. Music is forgiving in that way. I stopped playing for 8 years professionally. I putzed around and played some country music, then earned a Batchelor's degree. Now, I'm ready to play again... and that's what I'm currently working on. Once you know what you don't want to do, it's easier deciding what you DO want to pursue musically.

Good Luck,

D.
 
#91
two fingers said:
My suggestion?

Take more walks with your wife and find a new job. I realize it's not the question you asked. But it seems to be the source of both your deflation and your need to escape through video games.

Once you figure out how to reduce stress altogether, simply find some guys who want to jam in somebody'so garage. The drama usually comes with gigs. Jamming in a garage is fun and easy.

Sorry if I offended you. That was not my intent. Hope it all comes together for you.
Click to expand...
So perceptive! I'm impressed...
 
#94
RichardW said:
If you don't want to play, don't play. It's not an obligation and I presume your livelihood does not depend on playing the bass. If you want to feel a sense of accomplishment or productivity in your spare time, maybe you should volunteer in some way that serves others--maybe at a local food kitchen or homeless shelter. When your spirit is revived and you want to return to the bass, it will be there.
Click to expand...
It really is as simple as this^. If you don't feel joy when you pick it up, leave it on the stand awhile longer. With 2 young kids, my spare time is limited but I'm genuinely excited when I get some spare time to play. If it ever happens that I'm not excited to pick it up, I'll leave it sit until I am.
 
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#95
You know, people used to get together, sit on the back porch, smoke, drink, play music, sing, and swap tall tales.

Not such a bad way to enjoy yourself, build community, edumacate the youngsters and learn a few things.

If I look around my community, right now, there are several "picking parties" that happen on a regular basis, usually involving a potluck dinner. People bring their kids, their instruments, a song or two they've been working on, or some just show up to listen. There's no band drama, no need to contribute money for rehearsal space or recording time.

We've also gotten together with friends and neighbors on an even more informal basis for food and music.

Point is, you don't have to "join a band" in order to play music with others.
 
#96
What inspired you to play in the first place?

Going to see live music always gets me fired up to play.
So does new gear.

I stopped playing because I wasn't happy with my tone. I purchased a cheap new (used) amp and BAM! I'm good with it again. I love how it sounds. I need to play every chance I get. I just love hearing the sound it makes! Heck, I want to join a band again!:D

Playing an instrument is an entirely personal experience.
You have to find out what makes playing important in your life, but it can be a simple fix.
Good luck and I hope you find joy with or without the bass.
 
#97
You need to figure out what your motivation was for learning to play bass to begin with.

If it was once fun, that means some psychological need you had was being fulfilled. It wasn't playing bass itself, the bass was a means to an end for some payoff.

It might have been a tool to socially connect with certain people.
It may have been an accomplishment that you were proud of, but are now not so proud of for some reason.
You may have exceeded your goal on it and it is now no longer a challenge.
It might have been a way to get attention from others. We all crave attention in one way or another.
Maybe you thought the bass would lead to something you now believe it won't.

That list of motives could go on and on. You need to discover what you were REALLY seeking and do something to find it.
It may or may not include playing bass. That's the way it is.
 
#98
playing in a band is WORK
work isn't fun (for the most of us)
PLAY your bass (like ^%$ around with it, experiment, let out some aggression or creative rambling).
most of all, have no attachment to the outcome, in other words, don't concern yourself with 'getting back into it'.
just play around with the sound you can create with the thing
you may find some inspiration there in the wack of noise

this works for me, most of the time.
the rest of the time, i just pick up the bass and 'exercise', even if i don't want to.
just to keep my bass muscles working.

hope this helps :)
 
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#100
I firmly believe if it stops being fun, then why bother! I stepped away from playing with the intentions of taking a break from it, almost 14 yrs went past before I seriously picked it up again.
Don't let 14 yrs pass you by. You'll regret it!​
 

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