Lately i have started to wonder if i should continue playing bass or not. i started out learning by tabs with a cheap bass. then i got a fender pbass and continued learning by tab until about a month ago. i started learning all of my material by ear. ever since then it has been a slow downward spiral of interest. i know tabs are bad so i dont want to use them anymore. learning by ear tAkes up so much time and almost make playing feel like work. i have gotten very good at playing but im not sure if i should go on. i have been searching for some kind of spark of interest but have not been able to find it. suggestions, comments?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Should i keep playing?
- Thread starter soggytaco45
- Start date
Nobody can answer this but you. If the fire dies out, we can't talk you into playing.
I'd like to make a comment about tabs. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH USING THEM. Hell, I can read sheet music and I use tabs because they are easier. They're just a guide, anyway.
I'd like to make a comment about tabs. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH USING THEM. Hell, I can read sheet music and I use tabs because they are easier. They're just a guide, anyway.
Put the bass down for a while. If you're not feeling it, then just do something else for a while. It will come back to ya! 
What about playing by ear bums you?
I like playing with other people more than by myself. I also like to play by myself too...
I like playing with other people more than by myself. I also like to play by myself too...
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
Tangentmusic beat me to it. Playing with a band is a great way to rekindle your interest. Also for me anyway, playing original music has always been very fulfilling. It's great to create!!
CrashCarlisle said:
+1. I read standard notation very well, but I still like reading tabs when they're available. They help with finding a good place to put your hand so that you aren't jumping around all over the neck.
Chords though, that's where the fun is!!!!!
Like I said, playing with others you consider better than yourself can really spark your learning and enthusiasm.
You can learn alot just by other musicians showing you stuff
i would absolutely LOVE to play with other people...its just that there are not very many good guitarists that i know (if they are good, they play country)
I read. I sight read. I also use tabs from time to time to make sure I am using the right fingering (usually when working through method books)
If you feel like it's fizzing out then take a break from it. If you truly want to play again, you will. If playing feels like a chore, then there's no reason to be doing it.
+ A Million... once you figure out chord tones, you're golden.
However, if you're not feelin' it, there's nothing wrong with putting the ol' girl down for a while. If overall music is what you're into, then why not grab another instrument and learn that. It will make your bass playing better.
Or better yet, imagine you *are* playing another instrument when you're playing bass. For me, I broke a huge plateau in my playing by imagining my lower register as a baritone sax, and my higher register (above the 12th fret) as a trumpet, and I still use it all the time...
edit: "is it difficult to sight read?"
From my opinon, yes and no. If you know the basics of "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do" and can apply it, then you're good, but IMO, the best way is to throw youself into it in a band situation, and once you know sharps, flats and the names of the notes in both bass and treble clef (as well as the names of the notes on your bass) it's not too hard. Just use the internet and you'll be fine. There's a wealth of information out there, but admittedly, the TalkBass forums can't steer you too off course, and also if you want more info, check Carol Kaye's website. That woman is should be declared a Saint.
TL : DR -- Yes, you should keep playing. Take a break or work through it, but either way, keep playing. It will get better, and you'll always be able to play with people and make great music.
I think so. It's something you have to practice.
I was going back and reading something you said, about how certain aspects of your playing are feeling like a chore to you.
I really believe that is part of practicing, though. I think in many ways it is supposed to be hard and challenging...just like working out in a gym to get strong.
I spent years as just an ear player (opposite of you, for me that is easy) and I think by not really challenging myself, I ended up short changing myself and wasting a lot of time just having fun with my playing.
Yeah, I learned some things...pocket playing (groove playing) but not the theory...so years later I had to start cramming to learn all the theory and reading and things like that, I ended up having to play catch-up.
My advice? have two kinds of practice, maybe at different times....one day, ear training, next day, tab reading, next day, sheet music.
Ear training to me has always meant playing along with CDs, which to me is fun.
Ear training is work, like any aspect of learning. Once you get good at it though it gets easier and the rewards become greater. You just have to be willing to stick with it to reap the reward. If you're not, you're not, no one can make your mind up for you.
If you want to continue though, try Standing In The Shadows Of Motown or What Duck Done. They have isolated bass tracks and you can just listen to those with the rest of the band omitted.
It should be a good starting point and will hopefully make it easier to pick stuff out in recordings. If you don't want to quit, then don't. You'll get out as much or as little as you put in.
If you want to continue though, try Standing In The Shadows Of Motown or What Duck Done. They have isolated bass tracks and you can just listen to those with the rest of the band omitted.
It should be a good starting point and will hopefully make it easier to pick stuff out in recordings. If you don't want to quit, then don't. You'll get out as much or as little as you put in.
My guess is that it is just a phase, you will get over it and be wanting to start playing bass again.
I tried it my self some years ago, I lost interest in playing and quit my band. I have regret it several times since.
I tried it my self some years ago, I lost interest in playing and quit my band. I have regret it several times since.
