Why do I suck?

[BassyBill]

WHOOPS, bit of a clean up done here. Please remember rule #1 on this forum is non-negotiable respect for your fellow bassists. Thank you, carry on...

 

[Biggbass]

I'm confused...do you play bass or piano or trombone?
Have you had any formal training? Taken lessons on any of the instruments you mention? Or are you self teaching?

 

[Hulktopus]

To me (as others have stated), you're being too hard on yourself. It's sometimes hard to find a middle ground between telling yourself, "I'm horrible" and telling yourself "I'm awesome." The best advice I ever got regarding this subject was this: "Be honest with yourself."

What I mean here is that if you are struggling with a certain aspect of playing (be it one measure or a really tough rhythm), tell yourself that you need to work on it, but be specific. "I need to work on the transition between measures 2 and 3."

When you're playing well, and you think you're playing well, give yourself a pat on the back. That little confidence boost can go a long way. "I finally got it! Good Job, Alvin!"

Also don't feel overwhelmed at the amount of material you have to learn. Scott Devine said in one of the lessons he posted here, "Learn a little bit every day, because the small piece you learn might be the key to understanding all of the other things you have learned."

In order to learn properly, do as MostlyBass says (5 steps) in his previous post.

Good Luck!

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Never criticise yourself....there's plenty of people in this world you have not met waiting to do it for you.

 

[Duckwater]

Maybe you need to take a breather from theoretical concepts and really listen to yourself

 

[bassbully]

"The One Show" is a half hour TV magazine type programme that airs on BBC1 at 7pm over here in the UK. Like a lot of people I use it as wallpaper while I'm on the sofa with my evening meal on my knee, and tune into it if anything catches my interest.

Recently, they had a little cameo feature about things that really make a song, and to my surprise they did about 5-10 minutes about Pino Palladino's bass line to Paul Young's "Wherever I lay my hat". Pino was featured, playing the line and explaining that he was really nervous that the bass was so up front when the record was released.

The interviewer said "Nervous, why?"

"Oh, you know musicians" Pino replied "we all think we're rubbish don't we"

Bingo....there you go!

 

[BassChuck]

As long as you think you suck you'll be able to find a reason to justify that thought. The opposite is true too. Its your brain, your life.... how do you want to spend your time?

 

[Varcolac]

Never criticise yourself....there's plenty of people in this world you have not met waiting to do it for you.

I must respectfully disagree. Always criticise yourself. Otherwise you'll never have the impetus to improve. If you're satisfied with every note you play, you'll never try to play better.

I'm my own worst critic, but I work hard to overcome the problems I see in my playing. Thus, I improve.

Don't go in saying "I suck." Start by saying "I'm not perfect, but I can improve." Then work on it.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

I must respectfully disagree. Always criticise yourself. Otherwise you'll never have the impetus to improve. If you're satisfied with every note you play, you'll never try to play better.

I'm my own worst critic, but I work hard to overcome the problems I see in my playing. Thus, I improve.

Don't go in saying "I suck." Start by saying "I'm not perfect, but I can improve." Then work on it.

Not looking to play on words, but any player looking to critic their own playing is not really qualified to do it, that's why they should not do it.........by the way were you criticising my post?

 

[ACalbass]

I'd like to submit my story to your consideration.

I've been studying quite hard for seven or eight years. I've done it all: Bach etudes, transcriptions, learning jazz lines from ear, bass methods, piano methods, trombone methods, reading, theory, harmony. You name it.

I've been playing professionally for maybe 5 years. I have a lot of experience both on the stage and in the studio.

Then again, I think I suck. I can't seem to properly learn anything. How do I decide what to study, and how the hell do I know I learned the material? I'm completely overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to know, and this is not good. Can you help me in sorting this thing out? I'm thinking of selling my gear and just find any other job.

The only thing I see here is that you value your musicianship for what you have learned and what you didn't learn.
Not at any moment I read you like the music and what you do.
I sense you,as many professionals I know,consider this a job and this is when you lose the perspective : you do not like to work,thus what you do suck,is not fun anymore,is more a burden than enjoyment.

Music is not all about work,but it can be if you let it.
For a moment,think about what you do : most musicians would want to make a living off music,as you seem to be doing,but can't because the opportunities never came as it appear happened to you.

Now,I must admit,many professionals I know do suck (LOL),but I know they enjoy what they do,and understand their shortcomings,thing that you are lacking at this moment.

Get away from the daily work and do what you like to do,if you like playing,go and play strictly what you like in your off work hours.
You will get nothing from complaining and trying to find answers when stressed.
Clear your head,maybe you find this is what you are (and what you play) and start understanding is futile to think you suck or not,the only positive situation that can come out of this is to push you to be better.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

sounds like you know more technical stuff than me and I've been playing a long time. You're just stale. I'll pass.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Get a private teacher, and start teaching lessons of your own. It'll give you much more perspective and focus. Also, teaching fundamentals to beginners helps reinforce them in your own playing. You'll become a better player by the end.