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- The final try...
The final try...
Hello there, I'm pretty much ready to give up playing music, but the conflict is that I want to keep going. I just need direction, the internet is full of endless streams of information but it means nothing. I've been playing bass for 1 year and 2 months, in that time obviously I've improved since when I started but I feel like I've hit a wall, I don't know where to go from here. I tried playing in a band for a bit of direction but we crashed and burned as we couldn't even agree on a genre of music to play. I guess I'm posting this as a kind of plea for help, I just need someone to set me on a path. The worst of it is that there isn't any guitar/bass teachers near me.
Anyway, if you have any advice please do comment it.
When you hit a wall like you have, a teacher is a great help but not essential. Have you got Rocksmith? It's a must for every budding bassist, ( and guitarist to a lesser extent), and you actually enjoy learning. Keep looking for other musicians to work with, the band situation really is the best place to learn, just cos you didn't get lucky the first time out doesn't mean there's nobody out there. Also, keep your goals realistic, don't aim to be Geddy Lee by Friday, I'll never be Geddy Lee if I live to be a hundred but that's ok. Keep practising every day, just 15 minutes at a time to keep your hand in. But most of all don't give up, think back to when you first picked up the bass and you didn't even know which end you had to blow into, and now look at you
I've been playing for 40 years or so and like you hit obstacles. Not played in a band for over 15 years but I like playing. I played in punk, rock and soul bands. I currently write tabs on this site which is my way of continuing to play. Keep searching for a band to play in and don't be too fussy about what you play because YOU WILL enjoy it. Hope you find your dream.
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Hello there, I'm pretty much ready to give up playing music, but the conflict is that I want to keep going. I just need direction, the internet is full of endless streams of information but it means nothing. I've been playing bass for 1 year and 2 months, in that time obviously I've improved since when I started but I feel like I've hit a wall, I don't know where to go from here. I tried playing in a band for a bit of direction but we crashed and burned as we couldn't even agree on a genre of music to play. I guess I'm posting this as a kind of plea for help, I just need someone to set me on a path. The worst of it is that there isn't any guitar/bass teachers near me.Anyway, if you have any advice please do comment it.
The only path you can follow is your own. You know what you like & want, you have to strive for that.
I'd wager that if you're feeling burn out it's because you're too focused on one genre of music or one style of playing. Branch out. You never know where inspiration might come from, but you're more likely to find it if you open yourself up to a wider range of influences.
Speaking from my own experience, I grew up in a household with a massive vinyl collection. My mom exposed my sisters and I to everything from Bach to The Jackson Five, Uriah Heep to Kiki Dee, Deep Purple to The Bee Gees, Molly Hatchet to Chicago, Ted Nugent to The Shangri-Las, Jim Croce to Blondie, Boston to Prince and pretty much everything and anything in between. And I've never experienced burn out or lack of interest in over twenty years of playing bass and guitar. All because I have a large well of influences to draw from. I do have my favorite genres (mostly metal and 90s alt-rock) but if you look down my tab list, you'll see something from just about every genre.
As for instructors/lessons, personally I'm self-taught and don't think that an instructor is an absolute must. But then again it took me many years of sitting down with a bass or guitar on my lap and familiarizing myself with the fret board one note at a time. I'd imagine an instructor could help you learn more quickly, but instructor or no, you're going to have to put the time in. Music is a craft, and like any craft, it requires diligence, time and repetition to perform well.
The nice thing about an instructor is they will challenge your playing. I respond well to being responsible to someone else - meeting their expectations motivates me, so I create situations where I push myself using that. I don't want my teacher to feel like he is wasting his time with me, therefore I'm motivated to show progress every week (plus I'm frugal, so I don't want to waste the money I spend on lessons by not being prepared).
Everyone learns differently, everyone is motivated differently. For me, taking lessons works on both fronts. So it might be something to try to get through where you are.
Most bass teachers are also guitar teachers. I'm not afraid to admit that I've had a few “lessons” that were 30 minute 12-bar blues jams, just to play with someone else for a while. And since they have guitar students they may be able to introduce you to someone who is looking to put together a band.
regardless of advice or suggestions in here only you can decide what you're asking
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regardless of advice or suggestions in here only you can decide what you're asking
I agree. Just play. That's it. Just play. Anything and everything that makes you feel good. Don't worry about the rest. Learn from what you are playing and expand those notes into your own thing. I don't believe in a thing as hitting a wall. There is no excuse for that. Sorry there is so much inspiration out there and millions of songs and ideas. There is no way in my mind to hit a wall and run out of ideas. The bass is a empty canvas its up to you to create and make it work out of endless absolutely endless possibilities.
Check out Scott's Bass Lessons
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Hello there, I'm pretty much ready to give up playing music, but the conflict is that I want to keep going. I just need direction, the internet is full of endless streams of information but it means nothing. I've been playing bass for 1 year and 2 months, in that time obviously I've improved since when I started but I feel like I've hit a wall, I don't know where to go from here. I tried playing in a band for a bit of direction but we crashed and burned as we couldn't even agree on a genre of music to play. I guess I'm posting this as a kind of plea for help, I just need someone to set me on a path. The worst of it is that there isn't any guitar/bass teachers near me.Anyway, if you have any advice please do comment it.
And what have you decided?
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Quote:
Hello there, I'm pretty much ready to give up playing music, but the conflict is that I want to keep going. I just need direction, the internet is full of endless streams of information but it means nothing. I've been playing bass for 1 year and 2 months, in that time obviously I've improved since when I started but I feel like I've hit a wall, I don't know where to go from here. I tried playing in a band for a bit of direction but we crashed and burned as we couldn't even agree on a genre of music to play. I guess I'm posting this as a kind of plea for help, I just need someone to set me on a path. The worst of it is that there isn't any guitar/bass teachers near me.Anyway, if you have any advice please do comment it.
And what have you decided?
That there's no way I'm ever stopping, there's too many great songs to learn. I've listened to “Cum on feel the Noize” by Quiet Riot on repeat and I'm hooked!
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