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Thinking of hanging it up.
- Thread starter Twobass
- Start date
That is a very good point:make sure you are seeing the difference between the band and the instrument - i don;t think you are burned out on the bass but you may be burned out on the band or type of music /dont hang it up-for me playing is a type of mental therapy and it something that is entirely my thing -my time to spend on me, we all need that in our busy lives. i stopped for many years because i gave 100% of my time to family and work but had no time for myself. You started bass because it was fun-if you need to put it away for a while than do so,soon you will realize you need to play again and that you need it in your life .
I have been trying to find a new job for a year now with no luck. I got put on second shift, it wasn't my choice.
HI
Sounds like you simply need a new challenge. Answer some ads. Start your own band doing the music you'd like to play. This will give you a spark. Ive been in the same cover band for the last 6.5 years. What a snooze!! We never rehearse, make a plan, nothing. Just show up and play. Frankly, at times we dont even speak to each other. Like punching the clock at any job you might have. To offset it, Ive started my own band and Im in the process of booking some shows. Also, I play at a church 2 days a week. There we run it like a world tour. Everyone comes prepared, Avion in ears, protools, etc. Very pro. Everyone cares.
Try some variety. Guarantee you it works
Rob
Sounds like you simply need a new challenge. Answer some ads. Start your own band doing the music you'd like to play. This will give you a spark. Ive been in the same cover band for the last 6.5 years. What a snooze!! We never rehearse, make a plan, nothing. Just show up and play. Frankly, at times we dont even speak to each other. Like punching the clock at any job you might have. To offset it, Ive started my own band and Im in the process of booking some shows. Also, I play at a church 2 days a week. There we run it like a world tour. Everyone comes prepared, Avion in ears, protools, etc. Very pro. Everyone cares.
Try some variety. Guarantee you it works
Rob
Freelance. Nothing will keep you on your toes more than doing a gig and not knowing the songs well! I've worked in a few long term bands, when they break up I'm right into a freelance period. My present band is doing about 4 gigs a month, not nearly enough (we will not play for less than a certain dollar amount period) so I'm into another freelance period a bit. Tonight it's a country gig, Merle Haggard stuff etc, might be easy, but I'll be faking it the whole time. Subbing for a guy who can't do the gig.
Do you play another instrument? If so, try focusing on that for a while. Or composing or recording music. I've had phases where I've put the bass aside and concentrated on keyboards and MIDI/audio recording. I always come back to the bass though!
This has already been said in most of the previous posts, but I've been in your situation several times and I feel the need to put in my $.02. A change of genre is exactly what is needed. The longest I've lasted with a band is 5 years, and that was a band that gigged 100 - 120 times a year making good money. This was a 'variety' band doing only private parties, and we were all good friends. It just got to the point where I couldn't stand the thought of playing any more of that type of music - I felt stifled.
I've tried other things over the years, and the only thing I do regularly now is musical theatre - I typically play somewhere around 150 nights a year, but it's in groups of 15 to 20 consecutive nights, so there's still time for another project or 2. For instance, my next show isn't until February of next year, so I could put something together for the holidays if I were so inclined, but right now I'm just enjoying having the instruments hanging on the wall of my music room and giving my fingers a rest.
The best advice I've seen in this thread is to keep your equipment. If I had done that, instead of thinking at 2 different times in my life that I'd never play again, I'd still have a 62 B15, a 66 Fender Mustang, an early '70s EB2, and several other things too painful to remember. You look at the value of those now and think I was a moron to sell them, but at the time it was just like selling any other currently-manufactured product - who knew there would be a vintage market for them?
OK, that's enough of an old guy rambling on. Good luck with your decision.
Blooz
I've tried other things over the years, and the only thing I do regularly now is musical theatre - I typically play somewhere around 150 nights a year, but it's in groups of 15 to 20 consecutive nights, so there's still time for another project or 2. For instance, my next show isn't until February of next year, so I could put something together for the holidays if I were so inclined, but right now I'm just enjoying having the instruments hanging on the wall of my music room and giving my fingers a rest.
The best advice I've seen in this thread is to keep your equipment. If I had done that, instead of thinking at 2 different times in my life that I'd never play again, I'd still have a 62 B15, a 66 Fender Mustang, an early '70s EB2, and several other things too painful to remember. You look at the value of those now and think I was a moron to sell them, but at the time it was just like selling any other currently-manufactured product - who knew there would be a vintage market for them?
OK, that's enough of an old guy rambling on. Good luck with your decision.
Blooz
I'd take deep breath ..... stand back from the whole situation ... pack all your stuff in a room/closet ( don't sell it ) ...... do something else that you enjoy .... let the time pass ...and new views of opportunity will appear .....
Anybody who does the same old thing for two long will get tired of it, no matter what it is. Just step away from that band and go on a new band search...
Trust me, going a while without playing will definitely reawaken that old hunger of wanting to play again.
Trust me, going a while without playing will definitely reawaken that old hunger of wanting to play again.
You might want to just take a short break. Even arena touring guys take a few months off here and there
Don't give up or sell anything, just take some time away from bands and maybe you'll find out what you really want to be doing with your time and your music.
+1 I've gone through this a few times in my career, and usually when you get back to it, you have a more enthusiastic and motivated approach because you find you miss it so much!!
Another "+1" here.
Take a break, and DON"T SELL YOUR STUFF!!!!! (is that clear enough?)
If you have other interests, pursue them for a while.
Live your life, make a commitment to do some things you always wanted to do, but don't give up playing, even if it's just at home.
I know the feeling well, just tired of the 'same old, same old' spending your weekends in bars setting up and tearing down. The playing and hanging out is still fun, but sometimes you just need a change.
I tried to take some time off myself, but I just have too much trouble saying no to good friends who happen to play in bands.
It would be easy to quit if they were jerks, but they're great people and I don't want to leave them stranded.
Take a break, and DON"T SELL YOUR STUFF!!!!! (is that clear enough?)
If you have other interests, pursue them for a while.
Live your life, make a commitment to do some things you always wanted to do, but don't give up playing, even if it's just at home.
I know the feeling well, just tired of the 'same old, same old' spending your weekends in bars setting up and tearing down. The playing and hanging out is still fun, but sometimes you just need a change.
I tried to take some time off myself, but I just have too much trouble saying no to good friends who happen to play in bands.
It would be easy to quit if they were jerks, but they're great people and I don't want to leave them stranded.
Twobass, if you don't want to sell your stuff, just send it to me for....safe keeping! Send a PM for my mailing address 
I'll go ahead and echo what the other guys have said, and suggest that you find another band, take some time off to clear your head, or talk to the guys in your group and just air your concerns. I mean, if you're not having fun playing music, then there's no reason to be playing at all.
I'll go ahead and echo what the other guys have said, and suggest that you find another band, take some time off to clear your head, or talk to the guys in your group and just air your concerns. I mean, if you're not having fun playing music, then there's no reason to be playing at all.
A few months ago I stepped down from a working country band cuz it just wasnt fun anymore. It was the same old music, same setlists, done the same way in the same few clubs a few times a month to the same people...whew!
NO FUN! If music is no fun i am out....that is my #1 rule.
I left to continue on a side project with a talented singer/songwriter who at the time we were not even giging. Today we have released a CD, are giging and having fun....all is good.
You could take time off or find a new musical direction. I dont think down time is good but thats me...a change might do you good.
NO FUN! If music is no fun i am out....that is my #1 rule.
I left to continue on a side project with a talented singer/songwriter who at the time we were not even giging. Today we have released a CD, are giging and having fun....all is good.
You could take time off or find a new musical direction. I dont think down time is good but thats me...a change might do you good.
I think you should sell all your stuff and get a real job
I just have a need to be the only voice of dissension
seriously, every post here speaks with authority and wisdom
If music is a calling in your life, it's not possible to give it up.
choose your projects wisely
good luck!
I just have a need to be the only voice of dissension
seriously, every post here speaks with authority and wisdom
If music is a calling in your life, it's not possible to give it up.
choose your projects wisely
good luck!
To pile on what has already been stated..
Take a break. Indulge in any other interests you have. KEEP all your gear. Something will reignite you musically!
Take a break. Indulge in any other interests you have. KEEP all your gear. Something will reignite you musically!
Take a break, learn Led Zep songs or a bunch of jazz standards, something that will push you more musically than the 90's thing. Then start a tribute band and get rich or play cocktail jazz at chinese food restaurants and get fed. These have both worked for un-slumping me. I think I've been an active player for about 18 of the 24 years since I started.
Yeah as the rest been there done that. I took off 10 years from live performance but, I never put it down when I was ready to go again I was happy to get out and play and my chops were still there. I can only say it is a personal call you must make on your own.
I did not sale my stuff. If you are burnt out from rocking the bass and the hours and lack of $ is what has you down take time off. But if the band you are in has you seconding guess, find another gig even better start your own like I did and surround yourself with like players and when your rocking the music you love to play " you know what it is" then they will pull that bass guitar from your cold dead hands!I am 51 and bass is a major part of who I am!
I did not sale my stuff. If you are burnt out from rocking the bass and the hours and lack of $ is what has you down take time off. But if the band you are in has you seconding guess, find another gig even better start your own like I did and surround yourself with like players and when your rocking the music you love to play " you know what it is" then they will pull that bass guitar from your cold dead hands!I am 51 and bass is a major part of who I am!
Good stuff in this thread...
You might want to try a few church gigs if you're into that kind of thing. I do this every once in awhile. There's nothing like the 'call/response' thing to get you charged up (an essential aspect of this unique form of music). I can remember being surprised when everyone suddenly sprung to their feet on a chorus or the older guy who came up to me afterwards saying that his knees went out on him when I hit that bass note- a real spiritual experience for him.
Like one of the posters said...let it come to you...
You might want to try a few church gigs if you're into that kind of thing. I do this every once in awhile. There's nothing like the 'call/response' thing to get you charged up (an essential aspect of this unique form of music). I can remember being surprised when everyone suddenly sprung to their feet on a chorus or the older guy who came up to me afterwards saying that his knees went out on him when I hit that bass note- a real spiritual experience for him.
Like one of the posters said...let it come to you...
