Thinking about giving up (rythm issues)

[GypsyMan]

I think I'm in the same talent pool. (NONE!)
If it's ok I'd like to make a suggestion.

"Don't let Perfect be the enemy of Good!"


Don't try to keep up with a metronome. Find songs that you like, Find scales that interest you.

I know that last part sounds absurd, but I just picked up a new DVD;

Amazon.com: EASY BASS GUITAR SCALES DVD - Over 50 Common and Exotic Scales and Modes For Bass: Mark John Sternal, MJS Music & Entertainment, LLC: Movies & TV

It had the usual, Blues; Pentonic, etc, but then it had Hungarian and Spanish gypsy scales.

Don't just try to play the BASS Line, do what interests you! I like noodling, I've been playing along with Eric Clapton's "Cocain" I sing along and play along to the song. It might not be the base riff, because I'm walking up G A C D to the song. I try to match notes to the words. Walking up the neck as I sing.

I'm just noodling and goofing off!
Find that song you have memmorized and have a blast!

Hope that helped.

P.S. If you're having tempo problems, try running scales or chords. I find that if I don't have much to do, I lose tempo; So I'll whip out a scale! Or even better, just a quick 3 note chord!

 

[DJ Bebop]

stop practicing and start playing with a band. You dont get good till you start gigging.

Yep,
My son did do a CL thing.
He just put that he was looking for people at his level or, more tolerant of his ability.

Worked for him.

 

[kshewchuk]

When you practice with a metronome. Put the metronome on so it sounds on beat 1 and 3 (Or 2 and 4 if you are practicing jazz). This forces you to keep your own time while the metronome is playing. If you practice with the metronome on all four beats you will start to rely on the metronome for the time. Hope this helps!

 

[NKUSigEp]

I'm maybe looking for tips or encouragement, but I also wish to vent a bit.

I've been taking private lessons (for 2 years), read alot here, practice at least 5 times a week (1 hour and more), got a metronome, drum machine software, books filled with timing exercises... and yet I still feel like I cannot hold rythm like a bassist should.

I'm struggling to either count or ''feel'' the rythm. Even simple 3/4 (such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzj8U_TSBzg&feature=related) are bringing me to the border of despair. And I don't even want to talk about 16th or 12/8 (which ends up sounding like a sloppy and inconsistent swing). I practice at 60bpm and up, but listening to a recording of myself is saddening.

Lessons are costly and I'm wondering if I'm simply wasting my time and money by continuing since I'm probably rythmically (sp?) challenged (aka tempo-handicaped).

Anyone been there ?

Time to pick up the kazoo!!! I dunno...some people have it, some people have to work at it, and there's some people that just weren't meant to be bassists. I'm one of the latter as well... LOL

 

[dbamta]

I have had that feeling and as some many others have said, you can put too more pressure on yourself.

 

[cchorney]

I would put aside the metronome for now and play along with recordings for songs you know. Or play with other players. Because they will really help.

Also, try other styles. Maybe your fingers are built for ska, or reggae, or something else besides "down beat" only playing. Kinda like (and this is an old reference but I'm old so it works for me) Steve Martin in "The Jerk", where he can't find a rhythm until he hears for the first time mellow big band music.

 

[cracked_machine]

I've been playing bass for about 10 years and only when I joined this forum about 6 months ago I heard of the concept of "playing along to the metronome". How is that enjoyable!? Find a record you like the bass line in, learn it and then practice by playing along to the record. I don't know, but that's how I do it. And it works for me.

 

[Etienned]

Just a quick update :

I posted an ad, tried to jam with a couple of bands, lots of different experiences, and I think I found the one I was looking for.

I feel alot better and more confident in my skills and my «musicality», yet I clearly see several ways to improve my playing. Building a setlist will be fun...many things to learn but its totally no pressure. All pleasure.

Oh, and yeah, several people also suggested seeing Victor Wooten's ''Groove workshop'', the fairy dust talk really does the job! In all seriousness, it offered me several new, liberating, perspectives on what bass is. My cake is really getting better.

Thanks guys for your support.