jezzaboy Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 [quote name='barkin' timestamp='1358964020' post='1947796'] I've had similar. Somewhere around '02 the band I was with at the time kinda drifted apart for a number of reasons, and after our last gig I didn't even pick up a bass for some 7-8 years. Just couldn't be arsed, which was possibly part of the reason for the band folding. I noodled around at home a bit with an acoustic guitar and developed a dirty banjo habit, but had no urge for the bass at all. Just stacked all my gear under the stairs and left it there... ...until mid 2010, when some mates got in touch asking if I'd be up for a one-off gig for a laugh in a local pub. So I did it, and had a whale of a time. The one-off scratch band is still together, getting more gigs than we can do, and I think I'm enjoying playing more than I've ever done. As others have said, if you don't wanna play, don't. Life's short mate - do stuff you do want to do. [/quote] This is one of the best posts I have read on here. Well except for the banjo bit!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Can't play? Course you can, Marvin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 i think we all go through this, i left the last band i was in over 10 yrs ago,we used to do alot of gigs and it became a chore the singer was an ego maniac and it put me off bands and playing bass for a while. i thought i might join another band and did a couple of auditions but the last audition i did the guitarist/singer insisted on doing the eq on my amp because he wanted a specific kinda sound?suffice to say that didnt work out. i think part of the beauty of playing bass or any instrument is the fact you can leave it and then come back to it anytime you feel the urge when i started playing i thought to myself that i was in no way a natural and in fact i was pretty awful but at the back of my mind i thought well ive got a lifetime to nail it i play most days and have now got into fretless to keep myself amused and if a band comes around that works i wouldnt hesitate to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 (edited) Although I always played bass and enjoyed it I never really played between gigs or practiced. That was until I bought myself a Fender Geddy Lee bass. It's such a sports car of the bass world, with it's super fast, thin, neck (which allowed my to play the type of runs I never thought possible before) that it rejuvenated my interest and got me to the next level of competence. Although I no longer have the bass I still play most days even if I have no gigs that week. So my advice is to go and buy a Geddy lee today. You'll feel much better for it. Edited January 23, 2013 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassintheface Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 just take some time off. Nowt wrong with that if you're not feeling it. Just crack on with other stuff - homelife, work, gym, study, whatever suits.... then when you least expect it, you'll get some motivation to pick it up and you'll be away! Maybe go to some gigs and enjoy 'enjoying' music - go to some gigs... You'll be fine.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 No problem with not playing pal. I was in a pretty successful band but couldn't stand the other musicians and constant travelling. Gave it up for s good 10 yrs. Started again. In a great band with brilliant people. Really enjoying it. And have a real job too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Giving it up for a while is a theme on this, and so is starting again and enjoying it more. I'm one of those too, I'm glad that I didn't get rid of my stuff , although I'd leant it out and managed to get it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mace Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 +1 to pretty much all the replies here Don't stress it mate, to this day I still won't pick up my bass at home if I'm even remotely p@ssed off - I read in my teens about 'negative association and reinforcement' and for some reason it just stuck with me as far as playing an instrument was concerned. I'd like to think playing music is meant to be fun so if it causes you stress put it away and forget about it, it's not compulsory Do something else you enjoy and maybe (hopefully) you'll pick it up again one day, if not then no great shakes Hope you're good otherwise - take it easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 If your not inspired it is easy to lose interest , I played at school , then in a couple of garage bands , but sold up for about 10 years, I got bought a new one by the wife and hit lucky with a blues outfit that the neighbour was putting together , a lack of ambition of the band meant I left (after a fair few years) with no intention of playing much but doing something else. Then my lad suggest I looked at joinmyband , I did for the craic and fell in with the best bunch ever , the rhythm guitarist has been in bands for 30yrs and I swear he can play any song you care to mention in 2 secs , the drummer is sooooooo solid it is untrue, and the singer , well he can sing like a bird , ok the lead guitarist is a lead guitarist but is often on fire . Do what you have to, and let something inspire you , tell us what is is when it happens, but don't write write the low end off just yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 No problem with not playing pal. I was in a pretty successful band but couldn't stand the other musicians and constant travelling. Gave it up for s good 10 yrs. Started again. In a great band with brilliant people. Really enjoying it. And have a real job too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Lots of advice I've taken on board, thanks. I suppose a break would be good. Frustratingly I've only been playing 3 years and I'm getting to the point I've done my bit of networking and, only a few, but I'm getting asked to do little side projects. I'll have to work out something...or other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Playing the same stuff over and over, and playing on your own both suck Marv. Say yes to a weird side project that throws you out of your comfort zone, and you'll have fun with it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I stopped playing for 18 months or so... and it was just what I needed. I was rejunvenated and came back much stronger after I got my playing back together which took a while. Everything is so much better now... so don't be scared of a break but you have to recover some ground but I have the energy and drive to do that now. The only downside was that I gave up so many gigs and you can't get them back easily............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [quote name='barkin' timestamp='1358964020' post='1947796'] ...until mid 2010, when some mates got in touch asking if I'd be up for a one-off gig for a laugh in a local pub. So I did it, and had a whale of a time. The one-off scratch band is still together, getting more gigs than we can do, and I think I'm enjoying playing more than I've ever done. [/quote] And now the bloody drummer's had to relocate at short notice, and Bristol to Cambridge is a bit of a trek So look out for me in the 'how hard can it be to find a drummer who can play a constant tempo for a whole song, turn up on time for rehearsals, etc etc...' threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1359063231' post='1949421'] I stopped playing for 18 months or so... and it was just what I needed. I was rejunvenated and came back much stronger after I got my playing back together which took a while. Everything is so much better now... so don't be scared of a break but you have to recover some ground but I have the energy and drive to do that now. The only downside was that I gave up so many gigs and you can't get them back easily............. [/quote] Absolutomundy. Even a short break of a few weeks helps me sometimes. Seem to play better and not just plod through. Works with the whole band, sometimes when gigs get short, a 3 week break, without a rehearsal, and in my case hardly even picking up a Bass, makes it all kinda fresher, and new ideas come that way.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Do pro musicians ever go through this sort of things and how do they deal with it if they can't afford to give it a rest for a few months? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Reminds me of when I stopped riding motorbikes. I'd ridden them from late teens up to early 40s. Ridden all over the UK and most of Europe to bike rallies, camping etc, and lived on a bike and in a tent for 6 months travelling around Europe and North Africa after I did my degree. Used a motorbike every day, for commuting and pleasure whatever the distance or weather. I loved motorbikes and everything about them. Then suddenly one day I just completely lost interest. Had no qualms about selling my beloved Honda VFR. It was very odd at the time and all my friends and family couldn't believe it. But it happened. Why don't you try something completely different for a while - even something totally unrelated to music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1361098060' post='1980911'] ....Do pro musicians ever go through this sort of things and how do they deal with it if they can't afford to give it a rest for a few months?.... [/quote] Do you ever stop going to the office (or to your workplace) because you don't like it anymore? There are very few pro musicians that only play what they like. They can dislike what they are being asked to play and can feel stale but probably won't let it affect them in the same way. Edited February 17, 2013 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Indeed. That's my basic point. In many respects, the amateur musician can have a better time that the average jobbing musician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 [quote name='barkin' timestamp='1361041765' post='1980332'] And now the bloody drummer's had to relocate at short notice, and Bristol to Cambridge is a bit of a trek So look out for me in the 'how hard can it be to find a drummer who can play a constant tempo for a whole song, turn up on time for rehearsals, etc etc...' threads. [/quote] And...bingo! Audition & a few beers last week - proper rehearsal tonight. Can't wait And he's got his own kit and everything...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZenBasses Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Can I just add that writer / players block does happen and I will not comment on the why's and how's as it's different for everyone. What I will say is that the Humility shown on this forum sometimes is very humbling. We critise we explore and we shout and we have humor All this comes together as a forum a community even an extended family if you will. It's very nice to see the troops rally round Don't give it up just have a break like many others maybe your time will come. But don't force the issue. Edited March 12, 2013 by ZenBasses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 That has happened to a few musician friends of mine over the years. They just... walk away. And usually they come back months / years down the line. Who knows - maybe I'll just wake up one morning and think... 'bugger it'. But as it stands I literally can't comprehend it. It's such an alien concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassSwede Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 [quote name='barkin' timestamp='1363097315' post='2008380'] And...bingo! Audition & a few beers last week - proper rehearsal tonight. Can't wait And he's got his own kit and everything...! [/quote] So it seems it wasn't that hard after all. ;-) Glad to hear you found a drummer and hope he will fit as well into the group. Much enjoyment! / Swede Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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