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Why don't I feel like a musician?

#41
I can relate. I too have largely been self-taught where bass is concerned. I completed a bachelor's degree in music but I wasn't there for bass per se and I had a hard time applying much of what I learned to the instrument. What has helped me most has been studying with a teacher who specializes in jazz. Also, courses like those offered on Talkingbass.net can help fill in gaps and keep you on a straight line of progress. I'm currently working my way through Jeff Berlin's sight reading package and it's helping my reading a lot.
 
#42
We're only the bass players.. if you want to feel like a musician, play the guitar and sing instead? :D

Kidding aside, I feel like a musician when there's a connection with other musicians and the audience during a performance. Also, when you get credis for a published piece.
 
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#43
Congratulations for getting back into to playing and for wanting to improve your capabilities on the bass! A couple of suggestions that I've found helpful. The first is to develop very specific ideas about what aspects of your playing that you want to improve. Just saying, 'I want to get better,' is too broad. It helps to focus on a few things. Do you want to be a better reader, or a better improviser or learn the proper way to play a particular genre? Do you want to learn a particular technique like slap or playing with a pick?

Once you have that, find a teacher who can help you work toward those goals. And if you can't find a teacher who can listen to you, help you identify areas that might need improvement and develop a plan to improve.

Local universities are a great place to look for teachers. And with COVID, many teachers have gotten comfortable teaching via Zoom. You can study with anyone anywhere.
 
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#44
WrapRough said:
Why don't I feel like a musician?
Click to expand...

First congrats on getting back into a creative expression! Only good will come of it! - As for the rest...I play music professionally, converse with musicians daily, am surrounded by music and music making tools, write, record, produce, compose and transpose.. as a way of life... and I still don't feel like a 'musician'. I feel more like a scientist or tone smith and the studio is my lab. However I can say I love my music life and my life around music. As long as you are having fun, I would not worry about the definition.
 
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#47
OP, good post...
Life is never about titles, basically you can be what you aspire to be. Pretty cosmic, eh? What I'm hearing is that the term "musician" to you translates to acceptance with your peers (at whatever level they are). Music is similar to public speaking, to do it well requires two things: first knowing your content, and second confidence. Having a great speaking voice and having charisma really help, but I compare that to talent and experience.
I know that for myself, I aspire to play beyond my abilities - and that drives me to practice and improve. I took a 10+ year hiatus when a band thing didn't work out in the late 80's and really didn't resume playing until around 2001 (in hindsight it was better that I stuck with my day job ;)). Joining a small private club band for fun got me back into playing, I stopped playing as a guitarist and returned as a beginning bassist. Now almost 20 years later I play with group of talented "musicians" that push me to actually put in the time to "earn" the chops I've been able to "ad-lib" over the years (also self taught).
So my 2c's are cut yourself some slack and enjoy playing, sounds like you're working to get better. I'm more comfortable playing with my band, where I've practiced the songs and know the set. But I still do the occasional jam, or open mic where you are forced out of that comfort zone. Like public speaking having a good understanding of the subject will build your confidence. In bass terms, knowing your basics so you can adapt to whatever the music is. On those times I get lost, I just turn down a bit... at least it's not so obvious.
 
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#49
roswell1965 said:
This might help:
The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music - Kindle edition by Wooten, Victor. Arts & Photography Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Click to expand...
This book made a huge difference for me. Reading it has changed EVERYTHING for me. I just received his sequel to it!
I recommend reading The Music Lesson, then taking some lessons for sure (I'm pretty good at home learning so I use Scott's Bass Lessons dot com). But most importantly, once you've gotten your head in the right mindset, listen to many different artists and styles, and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zones or to play things differently. Relax. It's all amazing.
 
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#50
tothemax said:
OP, good post...
Life is never about titles, basically you can be what you aspire to be. Pretty cosmic, eh? What I'm hearing is that the term "musician" to you translates to acceptance with your peers (at whatever level they are). Music is similar to public speaking, to do it well requires two things: first knowing your content, and second confidence. Having a great speaking voice and having charisma really help, but I compare that to talent and experience.
I know that for myself, I aspire to play beyond my abilities - and that drives me to practice and improve. I took a 10+ year hiatus when a band thing didn't work out in the late 80's and really didn't resume playing until around 2001 (in hindsight it was better that I stuck with my day job ;)). Joining a small private club band for fun got me back into playing, I stopped playing as a guitarist and returned as a beginning bassist. Now almost 20 years later I play with group of talented "musicians" that push me to actually put in the time to "earn" the chops I've been able to "ad-lib" over the years (also self taught).
So my 2c's are cut yourself some slack and enjoy playing, sounds like you're working to get better. I'm more comfortable playing with my band, where I've practiced the songs and know the set. But I still do the occasional jam, or open mic where you are forced out of that comfort zone. Like public speaking having a good understanding of the subject will build your confidence. In bass terms, knowing your basics so you can adapt to whatever the music is. On those times I get lost, I just turn down a bit... at least it's not so obvious.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply man. Funny you should use that analogy as I am an accomplished public speaker in my day job. I've spoken at many global conferences, and you're right. I know my material and nothing can come at me that I cannot handle. I'm in full command.

Yeah labels don't mean much, but acceptance among peers is a better way of putting it i guess.

I think it's because I didn't focus on the fundentals and really just played songs, I'm just not confident in what I know. I know it sounds good but I don't know why. And I only get there through trial and error. I need to get back to basics!
 
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#51
thabassmon said:
Have you tried using you voice to get the stuff from your head to your hands.

I an no pavarotti, but I found the more I sing what I want to play the quicker I can get my fingers to do it.

In time the singing won't need to happen, and you can go direct.
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Yeah I do try to do this with my bass fills, and it takes an age to transcribe my own brain. Then I get frustrated and play Rio instead ;)
 
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#56
Try showing up late for a meeting. Fire a drummer, that usually helps. Say something about Jaco to your spouse with real conviction as if to suggest she/he ought to know who that is.
Doing those uncomfortable Stu Hamm finger stretching exercises will help in a different way.
 
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#57
WrapRough said:
I think it's because I didn't focus on the fundamentals and really just played songs, I'm just not confident in what I know. I know it sounds good but I don't know why. And I only get there through trial and error. I need to get back to basics!
Click to expand...

No worries man... As a guitar player in my late teens the pentatonic blues scale came naturally to my ear, my local peers were a bunch of Bluegrass pickers. Learn a few chords and an easy way to riff between them, never really stopped to look back. Basically a bunch of hot licks without the understanding behind them. I'm putting in the work to learn it now... 40 years later.
I don't think it really matters how you get there as long as you do. At least you can play, so might as well enjoy the trip.

You might like this guy... he's got a ton of cool videos. I love his "What makes this song great series".

​
 
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#58
SLPimp said:
I'm more of a downers guy, but that should work.

To quote Fat Mike, "How ya supposed to rock n roll/without substance abuse?"
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In my 20s I would get home from work, roll up four or five fatties and play until bed. I llved above a shop with no neighbours and had a G&K 4x10 rig. Great times. Nowadays if I have even a few tokes I fall asleep on the sofa :)
 
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