Quitting or taking a break from playing

[fingerguy]

Let me start by saying this is NOT a look at me I want attention post. I just need to see if I am alone on this.

On Saturday I am on my stool playing my bass and acoustic guitar and some ukulele and maybe my harmonica but not sure. Then it hit me that I just keep spending time in my room playing other peoples songs. I probably will never play in a band let alone on a gig. What am I doing?

So decided going to tuck away my instruments for now and see what happens.

Anyone else found themselves in this mindset?

 

[RustyAxe]

Sure, temporarily. I do gig, sometimes more than I really want to. Every now and then I get bored, or too busy with life, and the gig seems more like a job than a pleasant pastime that puts a few $$$ in my pocket. It passes.

I’m happy to play other people’s music, though.

 

[Biggbass]

I've found that depriving oneself of socializing with other people and enjoying live interaction, especially with one's creative interests, can lead to disinterest in the process that stimulated the creativity to begin with. Getting out there and interacting helps keep the interest, motivation, and commitment active.

 

[Gorn]

I have no interest at all in being musically creative. I love playing stuff written by others. I'll probably never gig but will play with friends from time to time but even if I didn't, I'd still enjoy playing at home. If you don't wanna do that than don't. It's a voluntary leisure activity.

 

[GBBSbassist]

I probably will never play in a band let alone on a gig. What am I doing?

Why not though? Is there something preventing you from playing in a band?

 

[Nashrakh]

I definitely feel the desire to downsize to actually get creative again, but I'm a sucker. I can't say no.

Have a drawer full of musical ideas but no time to condense them into coherent pieces because I overloaded myself with the task of hoarding the proverbial cats.

Quitting altogether? No. But I could use some "time off" just to futz about with my own stuff.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

I've done it a few times and always came back to it. I think it's a good thing. It helps you remember the real reasons you play music and ditch your deadweight motives.

 

[slobake]

Left my band about 18 months ago. Since then my playing has been occasional at best. Without gigging I don't have much incentive to practice, probably not good. Thought I was going to woodshed and work on technique but it didn't happen.
Having a get together with my old band in two weeks. Need to get the bass out and shake off the cobwebs. Looking forward to it.

 

[fingerguy]

Why not though? Is there something preventing you from playing in a band?

Various reasons but really doesn't matter.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I took it one giant leap further & sold every piece of gear.
Inside of 4 months I had a u-bass, and within a month of that I had two electric basses.

Eventually I had a guitar as well & then a 2nd guitar.
I tried over the Summer to accomplish anything on guitar besides the simplest power chords & finally sold those & gave away all my thin picks.

I kept the V-Picks & any pick 1mm or thicker, and ditched the guitar chord charts.
Even now I've got an itch to pick up guitar again & it's only been a few months since I sold them.

It's a vicious circle with me!

 

[friskinator]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Been gigging off and on (mostly on) for most of my adult life, but my interest and enthusiasm haven't been strong in recent years. I don't feel the excitement I once did, and I don't know if it will come back. I don't have any interest in playing the same old bar band covers anymore, and I don't have any interest in original bands either.

I just moved to a new city (and country) where I don't know anyone, and the thought of starting over musically is overwhelming. However, the thought of completely abandoning something I've been doing for almost 30 years seems...sad.

 

[fingerguy]

I took it one giant leap further & sold every piece of gear.
Inside of 4 months I had a u-bass, and within a month of that I had two electric basses.

Eventually I had a guitar as well & then a 2nd guitar.
I tried over the Summer to accomplish anything on guitar besides the simplest power chords & finally sold those & gave away all my thin picks.

I kept the V-Picks & any pick 1mm or thicker, and ditched the guitar chord charts.
Even now I've got an itch to pick up guitar again & it's only been a few months since I sold them.

It's a vicious circle with me!

Sounds like we have similar issues.

 

[JRA]

i've had extended 'moments' where i didn't play so much, but i've never really been in a situation where music wasn't a motivator. i've been in the music game since childhood. i'm a musician. it's what i do. even when i've done other things for a bigger paycheck = i did it so i could get back to the music...or to fund my music. for me: being a musician is a 'thing'. i know that others do not share that POV... nor should they.

So decided going to tuck away my instruments for now and see what happens.

hope it works out for you! good luck!

 

[buldog5151bass]

1. I don't get the obsession with debating over original versus cover. I am a musician - I play music. Not all musicians are composers - not all composers are performing musicians.

2. Unless it is paying your mortgage, music is a hobby, and therefore, supposed to be fun. If it's not fun, nothing wrong with taking a break.

3. To me, the best part of music is the interplay between the musicians. Even if you goal is not to gig, why aren't you playing with others? I'm not judging, just curious. One of my bands gigs about twice a year (jazz) - we play weekly because we enjoy getting together and making a glorious sound.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Playing alone even with a recording sucks.

I do not noodle or otherwise play without a full recording of the songs to play with when alone and If I am not going through the list to play live with a group that weekend then I usually do not pick up the bass at all that week.

Like this coming weekend I will not be playing with a group so I will not touch my bass but maybe once this whole week.
Next week there will be a set list so two to three days will be played with the recordings to get them down/refresh the memory depending on the songs.

For me the fun is not at home by one's self but playing with others.

Then it hit me that I just keep spending time in my room playing other peoples songs. I probably will never play in a band let alone on a gig. What am I doing?

If YOU are having a good time then It's All Good and Enjoy.

 

[Camaro69]

Im in the vicious circle right now. Not sure if I should try a guitar or sell everything

Meh

 

[fingerguy]

I get playing with others and I had fun doing that but a few things changed.
1. First was a jam session that was set on a semi regular basis with my teacher but he is so flighty and inconsistent it started to get annoying that it would be weeks before we get together. On top of that every song was at most 2 notes per measure and he knows I wanted to be more challenged but just didn't do it so I stopped going to him.
2. I joined a group of guys to form a band and the guitar player and drummer are huge Dead Heads so myself and the other guitar player just learned the songs and jammed. I was fine with what we were playing even though I am not a fan of their music but I was having fun. Then comes to our 3rd practice session and the guitar player texts us with this attitude saying he is out because we don't have set days and etc. My last text to them all was this is supposed to be fun and never texted after that. I don't need egos or attitudes for something that is supposed to be fun. I can only imagine what he would be like if we were famous which is not ever going to happen.

So anyway I tried Craigslist and I get all kinds from a person with a huge set list expecting me to know all the songs to another guy insisting to play at my house even though I told him I have 4 dogs and they are never quiet to strangers. Just got to the point it wasn't worth it.

Anyway here I am and I am taking a break. As far as getting rid of the instruments that is a big part of my OCD and bi-polarness; first time I admit to it. I am going to try to break the cycle and not quickly sell everything and see what the future brings.

Right now I am binge-watching shows on Amazon Prime and doing my Sudoku puzzles plus studying for certification tests that would make me more marketable in my career.

 

[fingerguy]

Im in the vicious circle right now. Not sure if I should try a guitar or sell everything

Meh

Whatever you do I can advise this, playing a good instrument vs one that is affordable is night and day. Whatever you choose is up to you but after 6 okay instruments and finally getting a couple of Taylors. I could have bought at least two Taylors if you add up all the guitars I bought prior to it.

 

[friskinator]

1. I don't get the obsession with debating over original versus cover. I am a musician - I play music. Not all musicians are composers - not all composers are performing musicians.

2. Unless it is paying your mortgage, music is a hobby, and therefore, supposed to be fun. If it's not fun, nothing wrong with taking a break.

3. To me, the best part of music is the interplay between the musicians. Even if you goal is not to gig, why aren't you playing with others? I'm not judging, just curious. One of my bands gigs about twice a year (jazz) - we play weekly because we enjoy getting together and making a glorious sound.

The difference between originals and covers for me is huge. At this stage in my life, I'm not interested in being involved in the creative process that an original band requires. Rehearsing, working out arrangements, agonizing over parts, recording, and all for probably no pay? Been there, did that. If that's your thing, more power to you. But it's not mine anymore.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The difference between originals and covers for me is huge. At this stage in my life, I'm not interested in being involved in the creative process that an original band requires. Rehearsing, working out arrangements, agonizing over parts, recording, and all for probably no pay? Been there, did that. If that's your thing, more power to you. But it's not mine anymore.

I'm talking more about playing covers is not "real musicianship". OP seems concerned that he is playing the music of others - to me that is irrelevant.