I am down, really really down.

[maddog]

I'm really down about playing. My bass has been collecting dust. It's not like I've hit a roadblock. I am too much of a beginner for that I would think. Trying to get back into shape and grad school has really cut down on the free time and I can't seem to find the motivation to practice when I do have free time. Jack, where are you when I need a swift kick in the pants? Any ideas to get excited about playing again?

 

[adouglas]

Any ideas to get excited about playing again?

Remind yourself of how cool live music is.

Go see a good band.
Or watch a good concert video.

 

[DJBenzBass]

I'm really down about playing. My bass has been collecting dust. It's not like I've hit a roadblock. I am too much of a beginner for that I would think. Trying to get back into shape and grad school has really cut down on the free time and I can't seem to find the motivation to practice when I do have free time. Jack, where are you when I need a swift kick in the pants? Any ideas to get excited about playing again?

When I feel "less creative" or in a rut, I like to pick up some classical music transcribed for guitar or bass. Obviously it's more work to move the guitar lines to bass, but it's worth it. That may do the trick to get you going. It really works when you start playing something and you suddenly remember it from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon or something like that.

 

[maddog]

Remind yourself of how cool live music is.

Go see a good band.
Or watch a good concert video.

jolly good idea!

NorM had invited me to the SMB concert tonight but it was canceled. Going to have to find an alternative.

Paging Mr. NorM. Paging Mr. Norm.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Sometimes a little time off is okay. One year I completely stepped away from my bass for about 7-8 months, had some things in life to get finished.

 

[MingusBASS]

jolly good idea!

NorM had invited me to the SMB concert tonight but it was canceled. Going to have to find an alternative.

Paging Mr. NorM. Paging Mr. Norm.

SMB=Steve Miller Band? Super Mario Brothers?

If it's Steve Miller Band, Gordy on Drums teaches at my alma mater. DAMN he's awesome and what a pleasure it was when I had the chance to jam with him.

 

[Caca de Kick]

If it's Steve Miller Band...

I'm sure it's the Steve Morse Band.

 

[MingusBASS]

Ha...I love how I thought of Super Mario Brothers before Steve Morse Band. Durrrrrr...

 

[Bill]

About 4 years ago, I took a long break from gigging. I had just gotten a full-time job, we just bought a house, and I had been gigging 4 & 5 nights a week for the past year & a half (on fiddle, but still....). I was absolutely burnt out! I needed the time off to get used to the job & take care of the new house. I went probably 8 or 9 months without playing a single gig, and I loved it. When I got the urge to play again, I was back in full force. And actually, after that break was when I got heavily into gigging on the bass (although I'd played bass for a good 10 years at that point). Time off isn't a bad thing!

 

[petch]

When I hit the wall I like to buy something modest-priced to kick the fun back up. This makes me want to try out the purchase and gets me playing again. New strings (perhaps a different kind), new strap, new pickguard, oil/wax, whatever.

 

[jongitarz]

I have found that sometimes it's good just to step back for a week or 2. Listen to some Coltrane or Miles. Recharge the batteries.

 

[Colin]

it's called being in a rut, after playing fulltime for 9 years I found myself in a rut bigtime. I took some time off and these days I enjoy it even more.

 

[Dr. Nick]

Do you have a drum machine? Sometimes I find playing along with a pattern from the multi processor I have for geetar can get me out of a rut and into some new territory...

The important thing is not to beat up on yourself too much...you'll get back into it when you're ready!

 

[SteveB]

Keep listening to music that is 'new to you' until you hear something that makes you HAVE to pick up your instrument and play along.

 

[maddog]

That's my whole problem. I'm still a n00b. I get disgusted because my musicianship outstrips my ability. Switching instruments has been a bit rough. I've been working on 1st position via some of Ed Friedland's books and just can't seem to catch on. Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself.

 

[Baird]

I just started playing bass again about 2 months ago. I didn't play a single gig and barely picked up a bass for almost 12 years!

Wedding, kids, house, cars, vacations, fence for house, etc. took priority. Now that my little guys are 9 (taking guitar lessons) and 11 (drum lessons) and are getting into music, I have an excuse to get back into it.

Time off doesn't have to be all bad.

 

[eddybomb]

Try grooving to Stevie Wonder's "I Wish"....not too hard and really keeps you interested. The groove is irresistable.

Play your axe, man...you know you want to...you know you can...you know you should...I can hear a Bongo weeping from loneliness.

 

[MingusBASS]

Put a cartoon character on your pick guard. That will lift your spirits.

 

[syciprider]

When I don't feel like practicing I play along to some tunes that are simple but fun. Like Lowrider or Mustang Sally. Lifts me up and fires up my interest.

 

[eddybomb]

Put a cartoon character on your pick guard. That will lift your spirits.

It always works for me...I painted Ren and Stimpy on a P bass I owned...sold it for $200 more than I paid for it. The guy bugged me till I sold it to him.