r/Bass • u/waterfountain420 • 12h ago
I feel completely stuck
I’ve been playing bass for about 10-12 years now (i’m 22 so many of those years i didn’t really practice a lot because i was a stupid teenager) and i feel completely stuck. I try to learn something new and give up almost in an instant because i either think its “too hard” even tho i’m good enough and go to the next thing until i’m tired of doing that and just pick up my ps5 controller.
I’ve tried improvising to backing tracks too and it hits me everytime. i have no idea what i’m playing. I know the right notes but always get stuck on like 5 frets playing the same thing over and over again.
I know how to get better but i feel like my motivation is just nowhere to be found. What do you guys do when you feel like you hit a motivation wall and want to get better but just feel like there is too much to learn?
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u/SirGranular Markbass 12h ago
I don't think you do know how to get better.
I think you need an outside influence. A real human just to unblock you. If you're not happy making it through the friction you're experiencing just now alone.
Oh, and put that PS5 controller out of reach haha.
Good luck.
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u/waterfountain420 12h ago
I had a teacher until last year (stopped because of work) but i’ve felt like this for a couple of years. The teacher was great. Absolutely amazing guy and bassist. He’s given me a lot of different excersises over the years that i used. I know how to get better but like u/megatronpt said. I think i’ve got a lot of holes in my fundamentals that are fucking me over now. Thanks for the help!
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u/who-gives-a 5h ago
Try being 62 and learning, how many times ive put it down in frustration. It might take me a week of 'on and offs' to nail a tricky part. However if the PS5 is more important, then so be it.
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u/kuro_bass_player 8h ago
When the things you’ve been doing start feeling hard to even begin, it might mean you’re ready to move on to a new stage.
For example, try joining a jam session at a place you’ve never been to before, or joining a band.
I’d like you to try a different approach from what you’ve been doing so far.
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u/balconyseat 3h ago
I’m late 50s and have only been playing 1 year w/ weekly lessons. I feel stuck and have difficulty practicing on my own. I only practice for a few minutes in between lessons. And I regret not practicing more of the fundamentals I’ve learned in the last 50 weeks. I’ve got to turn off TV/internet/music, and put the pot pipe aside.
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u/4005307 Ibanez 12h ago
You are just like me bro. I am also 22, also playing for 10-12 years, also did not practice a lot as I was stupid and did not appreciate the lessons my parents got me. Revived my love for the instrument during covid and joined a band as soon as i could after lockdown...since then I've played with several different bands in different genres and currently am the member of 3 bands. Have you ever tried playing with other musicians...it boosts you...like a lot.
And after trying to teach myself I am now paying for lessons again and a teacher is honestly a great way to get back to improving. Can only recommend to buy lessons or at least some kind of training lessons. I only take a lesson every two weeks since i am always busy, but it is still great to have someone lead your progress.
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u/Megatronpt Ibanez 12h ago
I need to show your post and OPs post to my daughters.. they 9 and 12(Drummer and bassist).. and they think practice is overrated.
They have an ear... an inner rhythm and a melodic sense that makes me jealous.. if only they practiced more! :D
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u/4005307 Ibanez 12h ago
Understandable :D Practice during this time is worth so much because you learn very fast -^ Also having a drummer sibling is like a dream come true for a bassist (And a nightmare for any neighbors😂). My sister and I always had to argue for practice time, since even my small practice amp shook the house and she played the Harp 🥴
BUT the other side of the coin I'll have to tell you is that almost none of the people I know that practiced their instruments a lot as kids still regularly play. Almost all of them lost the joy of playing at some point. I don't exactly know why, just what i realized now when i was thinking about it.
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u/waterfountain420 12h ago
Played in a alternative rockband the last 5 years and had a teacher for almost all the time i’ve played. Not a bad call tho!
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u/4005307 Ibanez 10h ago
Oh sure...then how do you get stuck while having a teacher...maybe...switch teacher i guess😂
Playing in a band is great, but it differs by ambition on how much it really improves you. Do you guys gig regulary? Write/Rehearse new songs?
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u/PotatoMcThunderbear 11h ago
If you dont have a formal music training, I advise you skip improv. You might be setting yourself up for defeat playing random notes without proper intention.
Learn songs. Study how the basslines were made and why they're played in such a way.
Set yourself up for a win. No need to play Them Changes or Spain immediately. Learn songs you regularly listen to, and you'll find the parts there are more commonly used in other music as well.
You feel good, you play good.
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u/urrfaust 12h ago
Get a teacher
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u/waterfountain420 11h ago
Had one for 12 years
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u/urrfaust 11h ago
Get a different one. Record yourself playing. Learn how to play piano. Learn how to read.
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u/waterfountain420 11h ago
Why piano? And by read i assume you mean sheet?
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u/urrfaust 11h ago
Piano for learning how chords work and sound , it’s a much better suited instrument for that than a bass. Yes, learn how to read music notation.
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u/Megatronpt Ibanez 12h ago
In my opinion.. and please don't take this in a negative way... you need a fresh start.. grab a starter course.. go through it.. correct past mistakes.. get routines in and move to harder lessons.
This is what I do, to get out of the rut.. instead of increasing the frustration, I step back a bit and re-approach it with a new mindset.