Cookers Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Hi, gotten into abit of a bass rut lately and was wondering if any one could come up with any ideas to get me out of it. All suggestions welcome Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Try listening to some completely new music. What you listening to? Maybe people could help you with recommendations for some new music for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennysFord Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Are you in a band ?? Have you tried some local Jam nights even. Try checking out some lessons on Youtube or take a few one to one lessons even to broaden your skills or try something left field like learning a style that you havn't really enjoyed in the past. You could be on a plateau that you'll break free from soon, I think that happens to everyone from time to time, stick with it and you'll soon be re inspired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 If you're not in a band go and join one. Alternatively, do you compose/write? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Band, absolutely. Bizarrely, when I'm in a rut, I just go and make myself learn a new song - usually something really rocky, and then hit it at volume. Bass equivalent of shock treatment, for me - but when writing has reached a dead end it's a good break for fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 what sort of rut.. be more specific.... ? check out Scott Devines bass lessons online if its a theory one..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 How long have you been playing, and how old are you? It might not be "a rut", you just might not enjoy it as much as you did when you were younger & had more enthusiasm/energy/time/whatever. I found not playing at all for a while got me back into it a bit - I didn't touch a bass for about seven years. Still wasn't the same buzz as when I was younger though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 It's the bit at the top of the neck where the strings go through, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Doesn't everybody hit a plateau at some point?? I've found that learning one new riff, breaking it down and using the parts in other riffs gives me the kick I need.. I've recently been using 10th and 11ths instead of octaves which has made me play in a different way..as B5 said check out Scott Devines lessons online - there are also some really good lessons on the Bass2bass forum.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Summat I learned from a book I have by Garry Hagberg and Howard Roberts. If you had the resources to get yourself into this rut or plateau, you definitely have the resources to get yourself out of it. Take your tired old shapes, licks and phrases and learn them backwards and upside down. It will unlock a creative part of your brain and it will lead you down new creative paths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Pick up another instrument for a few days. usually works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookers Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 Thanks every one some really good ideas Just finding myself constantly playing the same old riffs and no concentration whilst trying something new. I don't play in a band currently but think having someone to jam with and push me might be exactly what I need. Thanks again , I'l definitely be checking out those links as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Tune your bass to fifths and play some of your regular paterns - does wonders for inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 [quote name='Cookers' timestamp='1337898832' post='1667326'] Thanks every one some really good ideas Just finding myself constantly playing the same old riffs and no concentration whilst trying something new. I don't play in a band currently but think having someone to jam with and push me might be exactly what I need. Thanks again , I'l definitely be checking out those links as well [/quote] Learn a bass line that you think is too difficult/challenging for your own personal level. I'm not talking about the newest 'Victor Wooten bass solo extraordinaire' style lick that you've seen on YT, but maybe something by your favourite bass player that you thought might be out of the realms of your own playing. It does wonders for generating work for your ear, and in turn your muscle memory will store new ideas that will come out as a natural part of your playing in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 ive been in rut bass wise recently, so im making the concious move to write and record some music which is not like anything i have done before, the theory being it will push me to do different things on bass and get me thinking more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Riffs like "I want you back" by the Jackson 5 and "Breezin" by George Benson are both structured in an "odd" way - learn both of these..you'll be inspired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 [quote name='Cookers' timestamp='1337898832' post='1667326'] I don't play in a band currently but think having someone to jam with and push me might be exactly what I need. [/quote] Then join a band now. All the best stuff happens musically when you interact with other musicians. Plus being in a band is fun, you get to meet all sorts of interesting people and might even make some money to support your GAS... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Maybe try a fretless or five string, if you're like me you might enjoy the challenge and the different sounds. My playing/listening style is mainly rock so I'll have at transcribing some reggae/motown/soul music just to change things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 I've been in a rut since I was 17. Fortunately there are a lot of players in here with me. We're getting along just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 [quote name='Cookers' timestamp='1337890410' post='1667112'] Hi, gotten into abit of a bass rut lately and was wondering if any one could come up with any ideas to get me out of it. All suggestions welcome Thanks [/quote] play drums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1337971539' post='1668296'] play drums [/quote] Lol, get out! Did I say band? Band, band, band and band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1337975635' post='1668371'] Lol, get out! Did I say band? Band, band, band and band. [/quote] calm down down down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_skezz Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1337971539' post='1668296'] play drums [/quote] You're right there, playing around on a kit actually did wonders for me when I was in a rut a few months ago Only got so far as learning the basics thanks to the neighbours complaining, but it was great to explore music and songs that I'd written with heavier focus on another instrument and made it all feel so much fresher when I got back to bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1337958674' post='1668086'] I've been in a rut since I was 17. Fortunately there are a lot of players in here with me. We're getting along just fine. [/quote] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZEsBNw4KUY[/youtube] Couldn't resist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 [quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1337892338' post='1667160'] It's the bit at the top of the neck where the strings go through, [/quote] Only on MIJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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