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Struggling with bass burnout

#21
The statement that stood out to me was “can’t seem to look at my basses anymore.” That’s not just burnout, that’s pushing on loathing. And that’s ok. It can sit there forever; it’s not a pet or a child. But why is it almost painful instead of just not as fun?

I do find that when I hit those phases of burnout that I change instruments. I spend a few weeks locked in on the drums (a decades old cheap kit) Inevitably, they switch places, and I’m bored of the drums and wanting for the strings. And many times, I’m such a better player when I take a step back and revisit. It almost doesn’t makes sense… I’m not practicing, but when I return, things seem to be easier.

Also, unless something’s happened that makes you want to actually put them out of sight, I have always believed accessibility is HUGE in enjoyment of playing and progressing. It makes it harder when you have to pull the bass out of the closet, out of its case, find your cables, where’s my strap, etc. Spend a few bucks on a nice stand and keep it out. I’ve gotten so much enjoyment and 5-minute sessions because I’m ready for dinner but don’t have to leave for another 10 minutes and… oh, there’s my bass.

It’ll come back to ya. Just don’t force it.
 
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#22
Motivation is a personal thing. Some folks can play at home forever, without any need to go out an play in front of other people. I'm not one of those people. I play church gigs - every weekend I'm not on vacation, I am playing somewhere. The opportunity to go out and play music with others (some of who are really good musicians or vocalists) is the carrot. The fact that, at 9 and 11 AM on Sunday, there will be an audience (a REAL deadline), and I don't want to tank the music are the "stick" - those things keep me practicing every day.

That's what motivates me. You need to figure out what motivates you.
 
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#24
I have painted myself into that corner a few times since I started out in the mid 70's.

The short answer:

Walk away, Go fishing. Attend a movie marathon. Take up cooking. Just something, anything besides bass.

I did this once and it took several months, though the others weren't as nearly as long. Sooner or later, the ardor was re-ignited, the itch to do it came back, and then I was back in business. This will take . . . . as long as it takes.

I often think that a sudden detour into the world that doesn't care one damn bit about basses, music, bands, strings, amps, the whole ball of wax, is a good thing, a way to restore some normalcy over mania. And I daresay that if you're utterly and totally consumed by anything, it's entirely normal that somewhere down the line, enough is enough is enough for a while. It's unsustainable, no matter how ate up with it you are.

So I'd take a walk. If you're like most of us, believe me, it WILL be waiting for you to come back.

If not, be glad you found out as a youngster.
 
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#26
I don't think its burnout at all, your life has changed. You moved on from high school and are now in college which is a different life. Embrace the change, stay focused and never forget you are a bassist! College is a time for expanding your thinking and that involves rearranging your priorities and focus. It doesn't mean you aren't who you are and never hesitate to pickup a bass when you want to or need to but always remember the bass is there for YOU. Right now you are in college and there for your education and bass is there when you need it. Best wishes for a great year at school and maybe plan a summer bass project unless you're traveling, hiking, working or otherwise enjoying your summer off from school. :thumbsup:
 
#28
mikecd1 said:
I don't think its burnout at all, your life has changed. You moved on from high school and are now in college which is a different life. Embrace the change, stay focused and never forget you are a bassist! College is a time for expanding your thinking and that involves rearranging your priorities and focus. It doesn't mean you aren't who you are and never hesitate to pickup a bass when you want to or need to but always remember the bass is there for YOU. Right now you are in college and there for your education and bass is there when you need it. Best wishes for a great year at school and maybe plan a summer bass project unless you're traveling, hiking, working or otherwise enjoying your summer off from school. :thumbsup:
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I played bass all the way through college, and was as active in the music department and gigging/jamming as I was in a lot of other stuff. The important thing is that I saw bass/music as part of who I was, but it wasn't ALL I did. The one time I crossed that line was when I did 'officially' declare as a music major for at least a semester or 2. I never played LESS bass in my life during that time because I was so stressed out with other music courses, and the only time I did play was when I was prepping for 'juries'. I quickly learned that while I loved music, bass, and was already gigging and making money playing music, that I did NOT like the stress of being a music major. I think that was an important lesson to learn.... and college was the place to learn it.
 
#29
I took a ~20 year break (pretending to be an adult, you know, house in the burbs, wife, 2.5 kids and dog), and a couple things got me back in in a major way: One, I discovered a new band that I loved a lot and got me listening to music and caring again. Two, I got sucked into a fantastic and atypical church band and I got to play all kinds of new music weekly. That in turn inspired me to renew the learning process and improve my skills, and that's led to a lot of great things since. My point is, the impetus for you to return to music could come out of anywhere and at any time and when it's time. In the mean time, you need a break and you can rest and not feel awful about it. Lots of us have similar stories.
 
#30
JazznFunk said:
I wouldn't believe ANYTHING that AI tells us.
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In this case, the AI seems to accurately interpret the meaning of Mark Twain's words. So I am not relying on AI. I am also not relying on Mark Twain. However, this specific quote and ideas are reference by accredited business and psychology classes. So in this case, I will assume both Mark Twain and AI must be on to something.
 
#32
Wasnex said:
In this case, the AI seems to accurately interpret the meaning of Mark Twain's words. So I am not relying on AI. I am also not relying on Mark Twain. However, this specific quote and ideas are reference by accredited business and psychology classes. So in this case, I will assume both Mark Twain and AI must be on to something.
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Twain was onto something for sure - and his quote is eloquent, clear, and relevant on its own. I guess my confusion came in when AI was used to 'clarify' something which was clear from the start. Carry on.
 
#33
How’s your overall mental health? You said you just went to uni; that’s a big change. It’s not uncommon to have feeling of depression in your youth, and losing interest in things you once enjoyed is a symptom of depression.

Not a MH professional, and definitely not trying to diagnose you. Just saying, might be something to keep an eye on.

Could also just be you’re in your guitar era. If you’re having more fun playing guitar than bass, rock it.
 
#36
What are you studying? That needs to be your main focus right now, your bass will wait for you, when you find time and space it will call you back. As others have said, bass is primarily and accompanying instrument so it is much more fulfilling when playing with others.
 
#39
If you really wanted to play, you would. It sounds like you wish you wanted to play. Ask yourself why?

One thing I’ve noticed more in recent years is people not recognizing that they may have different “seasons” in their lives. Unless you make your living playing, if you’re not enjoying it, set it down and find something you do love.

It’s like the guy who was the star quarterback and prom king in high school and then spends the rest of his life chasing that feeling instead of just being open to new challenges and experiences which may be equally or even more fulfilling.

People, hobbies, passions float through your life. Embrace them but learn when to let them go. Don’t be like the guy that stays in a crappy band just because he’s invested 5 years in the band, then goes on to waste another 5 years.

If it’s your life’s passion, you’ll come back to it.
 
#40
buldog5151bass said:
For me, bass is not a solo instrument. I absolutely abhor practice on my own. Put me next to a good drummer, and everything changes.


If you need some time off, not an issue. Find some other musicians with similar interests, and I bet it will start coming back.
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Exactly this ^. I hate playing bass alone and only play at home when preparing to play with others, and only that material.
 

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