totally true. In 30 something years, the only time I didn't play bass was when I was in the service. Soon as I got out, first thing I did was buy a new bass. I missed it a lot.
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
I hear ya. My interest in guitar waxed and waned from year to year before I finally settled on bass as /my/ instrument of choice. I agree completely that you should go find some guys (or girls) to play with. And if you want some spark, try a completely different genre of music for a bit. That's worked for me.
Also, don't get too hung up on the tabs vs. sight reading. Use the tools that are available that work for you, rather than getting caught up in the trap of "I should really be doing this or that".
Also, don't get too hung up on the tabs vs. sight reading. Use the tools that are available that work for you, rather than getting caught up in the trap of "I should really be doing this or that".
My advice to anyone about anything is this:
Quit. Life is long, and it isn't worth trying.
Just kidding!
Of course you should keep playing!
Quit. Life is long, and it isn't worth trying.
Just kidding!
Of course you should keep playing!
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Should i keep playing?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If it is fun then yes ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If it is fun then yes ...
OP, learn not to unquestioningly soak up others opinions. You were using tab, but you quit because some said its not good. You were improving using it, be your own judge. Tab does not keep you from learning by ear or standard notation. I suggest getting a teacher for at least six months, and a few years would be great. By all means, join a band! Your playing will come alive if you do.
Getting into a band helped me a ton! I highly reccommend it, your playing will improve immensely and you'll have a ton of fun. My first band on bass was the church praise team and I just read the chords and played the root notes of each chord
. Later I got into jazz and started learning the theory behind chords and whatnot. Also, I played trombone for a few years before bass so I already knew how to read notation (only bass clef though....) and transferring that onto bass just took a couple afternoons of dedicated practice for me.
Edit: I was also in a rock group for a while and ended up really refining my ear with that, because nobody would bother to yell out the chord changes the first time through the song.
. Later I got into jazz and started learning the theory behind chords and whatnot. Also, I played trombone for a few years before bass so I already knew how to read notation (only bass clef though....) and transferring that onto bass just took a couple afternoons of dedicated practice for me.Edit: I was also in a rock group for a while and ended up really refining my ear with that, because nobody would bother to yell out the chord changes the first time through the song.
Try to expose and listen to different styles of music. Know musicians from Different music genres. You can get different things from them.
Btw I think learning by ear is the best thing.
Btw I think learning by ear is the best thing.
No matter how you learn, how's your musical memory?
I suggust that you work on playing your tunes from memory. If you find learning by ear difficult, possibly learning by tab is limiting your musical memory?
When you're able to hear a bass line, melody or whatever and you can sing it, you hopefully be able to pick it out on your bass or keyboad.
I suggust that you work on playing your tunes from memory. If you find learning by ear difficult, possibly learning by tab is limiting your musical memory?
When you're able to hear a bass line, melody or whatever and you can sing it, you hopefully be able to pick it out on your bass or keyboad.
yup hit some open mic nights start getting the energy others are throwing out there! There is nothing like playing in a band to help you decide if this is what you want to do.
