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What was the most time you left playing for?

#61
Intentionally--about 5 weeks.
I used to teach and one summer I decided not to play any guitar or bass until August to take a break from it.
I'd taught for a few years--and needed it.

So part of June & all of July
 
#62
My biggest gap was probably about 3 years, but that was on guitar.

I started playing guitar when I was 8, and over the next 20 years I had several periods of playing for a year or two, then putting it down for several years. This really kicked in when I was a teenager, since I hated being pushed by my parents to practice. The longest I went was probably around 3 years without any serious playing. I reached a place where I was mad at myself because my years of starting and stopping had stunted my play and left me re-treading the same ground over and over again. I always felt that itch to get back out there, which I'd temporarily soothe by sitting in on a jam session or doing a little home recording, but I was so frustrated with my lack of growth that I never made a serious push to get a regular gig.

Then about a year and a half ago some friends were trying to put together a metal band. They had guitar covered, but they asked if I'd consider trying my hand at bass. Turns out I'd been on the wrong instrument all these years, and with my foundation already in place, within a matter of months I already felt more comfortable as a bassist than I ever had as a guitarist. We had a lot of membership turnover before our current lineup finally resolved, which has thus far prevented us from playing live. Finally we've got a stable group, with several experienced live musicians, so hopefully we'll be able to start playing some shows very soon.

I know this is a different trajectory than what you had in mind, but at this point, I'm definitely feeling that itch you were talking about. It feels like I've been creeping my way toward the stage forever, and now that I'm on the cusp I'm chomping at the bit to get out there finally.
 
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#63
In the last 25+ years I would say I stopped for a WEEK at most.
I can't explain it, I have a CRAVING to play, an ADDICTION.
I read through this whole thread and I got cold sweats and nausea. lol

I have numerous hobbies, wood carving for instance. I can set that down for years at a time, no problem. I can't do that with music, and I've never been able to understand how any musician can.

Obviously, the bass does not lend itself to playing by yourself on the couch, so I pick up my old acoustic guitar and learn some songs or something I can do by myself like that.
 
#67
17 years not playing in a band. But I was playing tournament softball during that time (my 20's and 30's). Always had a love of both sports and music. Sports won. I was always playing my bass at home though. Started back up with bands at 39. 56 now and going through another lull and it's going on 2 years without a band.
 
#68
DWBass said:
17 years not playing in a band. But I was playing tournament softball during that time (my 20's and 30's). Always had a love of both sports and music. Sports won. I was always playing my bass at home though. Started back up with bands at 39. 56 now and going through another lull and it's going on 2 years without a band.
Click to expand...

Have not played in a band since 1986. I think the op meant complete abstinence!
 
#72
I must say the past 2 years I haven't really played music, keeping reading TB kept me in the world of music even though sometimes I wonder why I'm here when I feel so alien as I see music differently but how well ... I stopped because I felt like I pour oil on a dying fire for 2 years. Making YouTube vid kinda helped but then I got a job as an accountant 2 years ago and since I'm way too exausted to play and to make matter worst I have to deal with carpal tunel because of the devilish creation that is a computer mouse.

So I wonder if I'll sell all my gear one day and just be done with it for good. I still ike it and still love to think about music but since I seem to be in the wrong all the time here I can't help but wonder if it is worth it.
 
#74
Clef_de_fa said:
I must say the past 2 years I haven't really played music, keeping reading TB kept me in the world of music even though sometimes I wonder why I'm here when I feel so alien as I see music differently but how well ... I stopped because I felt like I pour oil on a dying fire for 2 years. Making YouTube vid kinda helped but then I got a job as an accountant 2 years ago and since I'm way too exausted to play and to make matter worst I have to deal with carpal tunel because of the devilish creation that is a computer mouse.

So I wonder if I'll sell all my gear one day and just be done with it for good. I still ike it and still love to think about music but since I seem to be in the wrong all the time here I can't help but wonder if it is worth it.
Click to expand...

Don't give up! To me, even if I am not playing for other people, music still helps ME. I find when I start questioning where I am going with it, then I do something DIFFERENT for a while, but still connected to music. Put down the bass and pick up an acoustic guitar, learn some songs, write some songs.

Put your mouse on the other side of your computer and use your other hand.
 
#75
I didn't play for 6 years. Still held onto one bass throughout that time.sat in the gig bag in the closet and waited for me! No real reason I stopped, I just did I guess. Started playing again in 2011 after moving,and I just picked it up one day..sometimes now I may go as long as a week without playing. Moved again,my bass is here,my amp is not.I am looking to change that,bassist does not live by headphones alone right!
 
#77
Cristofre said:
Don't give up! To me, even if I am not playing for other people, music still helps ME. I find when I start questioning where I am going with it, then I do something DIFFERENT for a while, but still connected to music. Put down the bass and pick up an acoustic guitar, learn some songs, write some songs.

Put your mouse on the other side of your computer and use your other hand.
Click to expand...

Thank for the encouragement. The bass in my profile picture is my latest aquisition in december 2013 and it is now at my local luthier to adjust the neck as it was in a condition far beyond my hability. Will help for sure to have a playable instrument.

Still, I'll have to see a doctor for my carpal tunel problem, I don't have a problem playing music at all but when I put my hand on a computer mouse, it is over.
 
#79
Technical I have never stopped playing however, I took about 9 years off of performing live on a regular basis while the kids were little. I just did studio work mostly the reason I said regular basis is because if I went out to see a local band that I knew, they would drag me up to play a song or two.
added:
Oh crap I lied I just remembered something I dropped a car hood on my fretting hand when I was about 19? that ended up with a compound fraction of the main hand bone below the pinky and I shatter the pinking knuckle completely I was in a cast for 3 months so 3 months :)
 
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