• 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.

This probably sounds dumb...

Dan Bozek

Dan Bozek

Aug 3, 2011
529
29
Pittsburgh, PA
#1
…But do you ever get tired of your playing? I’m feeling in a little bit of a rut right now because even though the people that I work with think I sound great, I’ve been thinking thoughts like “Dan, you ALWAYS use that lick,” or “we used that same groove on another song,” etc… I’m hoping that everyone gets like this from time to time and that it forces you to get better even if only to keep from being bored listening to yourself play. Ha ha ha.
 
#3
BogeyBass said:
This is why blues players have the option of going down to the crossroads. Meet the devil, then sell their souls for some sort of amazing music skills.
Click to expand...

Ha ha ha!! Only of I was Ralph Macchio. :^P But seriously. The feeling of plato-ing kind of sucks. I know I'm good and do a lot of things well, but I need to do something to make me sound more interesting to me!! Ha ha ha. I guess everyone gets here from time to time.
 
#4
Brilliant bar convo just happened in regards to this subject...

Rule #1: Love the way you play. -- Steve Vai.
Rule #2: Don't stop. -- Frank Zappa.
Rule #3: Keep going. -- Frank Zappa.

I'm not the hugest Vai or Zappa fan, (but a fan nine the less) but that's some good perspective!! :^P
 
#5
Dan Bozek said:
…But do you ever get tired of your playing? I’m feeling in a little bit of a rut right now because even though the people that I work with think I sound great, I’ve been thinking thoughts like “Dan, you ALWAYS use that lick,” or “we used that same groove on another song,” etc… I’m hoping that everyone gets like this from time to time and that it forces you to get better even if only to keep from being bored listening to yourself play. Ha ha ha.
Click to expand...

I have been there man for sure. We do all originals so it’s easy to play my normal lines out of my small bag of tricks of my average crap. What has helped me in the past is to just learn a few covers or parts of them it never hurts and you can see how other usually better musicians put lines together or move through one chord to the next without stepping on the melody and actually reinforcing it without being to notey.

Another thing is to take a small break that can help and listen to different music. Lately at 43 am taking lessons again so I can get to the place I have always wanted to get to and that’s to be able to jam with guy’s right out of “The Real Book”. My teacher is forcing me to play in triads, pentatonic as well as just different modes and it forces me to look at my fretboard differently and not just play off the root all the time so it gives many more perspectives to look at the same chord structure and approach it differently. At least it’s been helping me become a better more literate player.
 
#6
Dan Bozek said:
Brilliant bar convo just happened in regards to this subject...

Rule #1: Love the way you play. -- Steve Vai.
Rule #2: Don't stop. -- Frank Zappa.
Rule #3: Keep going. -- Frank Zappa.

I'm not the hugest Vai or Zappa fan, (but a fan nine the less) but that's some good perspective!! :^P
Click to expand...

Amen, brother! ;) :bassist: Pick out some songs with lines that you find challenging and transcribe or learn the original bass part by ear. Should help.
 
#7
well, yes i did. i got so bored with it(and my grades were down, so i had to make changes), that i put it in its case, locked that case, and stowed the bass in my closet. Couple months later, after i got my grades up, i pulled it back out and i was all like "i really missed doing this!" Moral is, taking a break every once and a while is good. Just not for too long. You may start forgetting things (songs, where you left that key:rollno:...)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back