Returning to the fold...

[John Pockrus]

A couple of years back I acquired an Epiphone Jack Cassidy Signature bass on a whim. I was in a couple of garage bands back in the mid to late '60's and early 70's but sold my rig when I got married in '75. Fifty years later, I still like to play but my chops are lousy. And the technical level of equipment and enhancements is overwhelming.
I picked up a little Peavey micro amp and play along with my collection of blues music. But I've reached the point where it feels like I'll never catch up with younger and much more diverse players...
Any words of encouragement from players who resurrected their musical pursuits after a lengthy hiatus?

 

[NigelD]

Play The Blues... Play the Blues

 

[Oren Hudson]

Play what you do best and own it good. Don't worry about what other bassists are playing. Remember - often times, less is more.

 

[BboogieXVII]

My advice (which is free but hopefully not worthless) is have a good time with whatever you are doing; with the bass, with the kids, while at the dentist's office, or with life in general. Make it fun for you, soooo it's hard to give advice. Just experiment and try different things. Maybe you can find some youtube tutorials you like, maybe jam along with blues tracks, maybe jam along with recorded music. Try whatever you feel might be fun.

 

[pcake]

i'm still on a lengthy hiatus due to health issues. before i had to take a break, i played super fast with massive attack - now i can't due that, although a lot of it is coming back, but i have shoulder and wrist issues, so i doubt i'll ever be able to play the way i used to. but after coming to terms with that, i enjoy playing again. true, i'm not playing death metal or fast punk, but the important thing is i'm playing. and because i'm not that player anymore, i'm playing music styles i never bothered with before, and i think it's making me a much more rounded player.

don't worry about catching up - this isn't a race. just play and let it make you happy

 

[John Pockrus]

Play what you do best and own it good. Don't worry about what other bassists are playing. Remember - often times, less is more.

Less is more... That advice is straight from an old comment by Kenny Gradney, bassist for Little Feat. Actually, his point was it's what you don't play that sometimes makes a good bass line.

 

[John Pockrus]

i'm still on a lengthy hiatus due to health issues. before i had to take a break, i played super fast with massive attack - now i can't due that, although a lot of it is coming back, but i have shoulder and wrist issues, so i doubt i'll ever be able to play the way i used to. but after coming to terms with that, i enjoy playing again. true, i'm not playing death metal or fast punk, but the important thing is i'm playing. and because i'm not that player anymore, i'm playing music styles i never bothered with before, and i think it's making me a much more rounded player.

don't worry about catching up - this isn't a race. just play and let it make you happy

Thanks for the post. I applaud your new approach... and the sage advice. Be well.

 

[Stumbo]

Check out the link in my sig. Lots of great learning info. Some blues links as well.
Good luck!

 

[BboogieXVII]

Check out the link in my sig. Lots of great learning info. Some blues links as well.
Good luck!

If I could like this two times I would!