silverfoxnik Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hi Folks, It's been a busy week (as per usual) and sometimes when it all gets too stressful, the first thing I think of when going home that I know will chill me out is picking up a bass and having a noodle around for half an hour! But it doesn't usually pan out that way because the first thing that happens when I walk through the door is kids/family mayhem etc, etc, and quite rightly so as they come first. Which means I tend to skulk around much later on practicing the bass with the headphones on, which is never quite the same thing. Is it just me with this scenario or does this sound all too familiar to anyone else?? Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galilee Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Ths kids/family mayhem thing sounds sickeningly familiar.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceuggy Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I'm lucky, no kids and a very understanding, supportive wife. I can just chill when I want with my bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='324435' date='Nov 7 2008, 07:33 PM']Hi Folks, It's been a busy week (as per usual) and sometimes when it all gets too stressful, the first thing I think of when going home that I know will chill me out is picking up a bass and having a noodle around for half an hour! But it doesn't usually pan out that way because the first thing that happens when I walk through the door is kids/family mayhem etc, etc, and quite rightly so as they come first. Which means I tend to skulk around much later on practicing the bass with the headphones on, which is never quite the same thing. Is it just me with this scenario or does this sound all too familiar to anyone else?? Nik[/quote] No, thats exactly what happens to me (although my partner is supportive too). I snatch ten minutes here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 A long time ago when I was going through some weird mental issues and having panic attacks and stuff, picking up a bass made them go away. It depends what I'm doing though. Sometimes when I pick up a bass to do something creative with it and the juices just aren't flowing it's the most annoying thing in the world, but if I'm just picking it up to thrash through some tunes then yeah, that's always satisfying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmandan Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Geek99' post='324480' date='Nov 7 2008, 08:41 PM']No, thats exactly what happens to me (although my partner is supportive too). I snatch ten minutes here and there.[/quote] ....with your partner or your bass? Edited November 7, 2008 by bassmandan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='324435' date='Nov 7 2008, 07:33 PM']Hi Folks, It's been a busy week (as per usual) and sometimes when it all gets too stressful, the first thing I think of when going home that I know will chill me out is picking up a bass and having a noodle around for half an hour! But it doesn't usually pan out that way because the first thing that happens when I walk through the door is kids/family mayhem etc, etc, and quite rightly so as they come first. Which means I tend to skulk around much later on practicing the bass with the headphones on, which is never quite the same thing. Is it just me with this scenario or does this sound all too familiar to anyone else?? Nik[/quote] Nik, I don't have kids but have a partner who is not very supportive of my making a racket, sorry, playing, and so I only get to play plugged in either when she's in the bath or out. I have to add this situation was a gradual one as I used to play plugged in when the telly was on! Playing bass definitely relieves stress for me, but I feel it's not the same when you're not plugged in, and headphones don't come close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Absolutely and that's when all my new song ideas appear! The power of noodling... Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 [quote name='alexclaber' post='324502' date='Nov 7 2008, 09:03 PM']Absolutely and that's when all my new song ideas appear! The power of noodling... Alex[/quote] Yeah but then I forget them 5 mins later Although I must have about 300 randomly recorded riffs on the PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 [quote name='Protium' post='324509' date='Nov 7 2008, 09:16 PM']Yeah but then I forget them 5 mins later [/quote] I hate it when that happens! I've got myself into the habit of developing anything good into a full song structure immediately so by then I've usually played it enough times that it sticks - that way as long as I remember how it starts I can remember the whole arrangement (Pino's "trust chops"). Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galilee Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Okay, a serious response. No, it's not a reliable form of stress relief for me. Sometimes, if it's going well, then it relieves stress. At other times, it makes me angry beyond words. I have been close to throwing £1,000 worth of bass guitar across the room many, many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Train Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I usually manage to get 30 minute or so when I get in to get rid of the day's stress but the kids do want attention. Better that thatthem wanting nothing to do with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 [quote name='alexclaber' post='324502' date='Nov 7 2008, 09:03 PM']Absolutely and that's when all my new song ideas appear! The power of noodling... Alex[/quote] I came up with a great line a few years ago only to be informed by my brother that i was playing a chilli peppers song in a different key with slightly altered phrasing, back to the drawing board! I do chill out playing bass, but with kids ( one 4 year old and another due in Feb ) it's becoming harder to fit in anything regular, one of the reasons i shelved a new band, i knew i would not be able to give it the time. When i do get to play it's great, I forget every thing for a short time. For me the golden time is when everyone is out (rarely) and i can ditch the headphones and accusations of being anti social and just go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebeat Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I use the bass to chill out...i have no kids and live on my own, my basses are me kids , so need to worry about annoying anyone with my crap playing...i do have 2 cats but they both seem to like my style...especially the white one who needs to get as close to me playing as possible....that cat has taste i tell ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 [quote name='steve-norris' post='325019' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:15 PM']I do chill out playing bass, but with kids ( one 4 year old and another due in Feb ) it's becoming harder to fit in anything regular, one of the reasons i shelved a new band, i knew i would not be able to give it the time. When i do get to play it's great, I forget every thing for a short time. For me the golden time is when everyone is out (rarely) and i can ditch the headphones and accusations of being anti social and just go for it.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_u_y_* Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='Galilee' post='324518' date='Nov 7 2008, 09:30 PM']Okay, a serious response. No, it's not a reliable form of stress relief for me. Sometimes, if it's going well, then it relieves stress. At other times, it makes me angry beyond words. I have been close to throwing £1,000 worth of bass guitar across the room many, many times.[/quote] Felt that way a few times. Personally, if I'm stressed I prefer to engage in some sort of group activity. Take my mind of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I find that practicing bass is very calming. Though I'm trying to get into a band at the moment and I find myself noodling when I should be working out songs on my Bass Trainer! My first son was born 3 months ago and I'm having real trouble finding time to play. At the moment the only time I can find is after my Missus and the littl'un has gone to bed, by which time I'm knackered myself and have difficulty getting in the mindset for working out songs or improvising. It's the hope that things will get easier as my son gets older that keeps me optimistic, but reading the comments on here, it doesn't sound that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Very familiar (I have 3 demanding kids plus an equally demanding wife). I have two of my three basses in a stand next to my side of the bed and a typical Mr & Mrs Clarky evening ends up with me noodling in bed while she reads for a bit, falls asleep and eventually barks "Clarky turn the lights out zzzzzzzz". Romantic, eh? Edited November 10, 2008 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='Clarky' post='325704' date='Nov 10 2008, 09:27 AM']I have two of my three basses in a stand next to my side of the bed and a typical Mr & Mrs Clarky evening ends up with me noodling in bed while she reads for a bit, falls asleep and eventually barks "Clarky turn the lights out zzzzzzzz". Romantic, eh?[/quote] So how did you manage 3 nippers...? Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 When I get home from work, I usually sit down, grab the bass and have a little play on the bass before I get changed out of the suit and tie. Sometimes I'll do that in the morning too when I know I've got a long day ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-ic Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Playing the bass is still very new to me but I look forward to getting home and playing for about an hour or so. iI really takes my mind of things and I feel it helps. However, I do get frustrated sometimes as I really do need to sort some kind of tuition out as I rely way too much on learning by TAB and I end up playing the same songs over and over again. I am sure my technique needs some sorting out. Edited November 10, 2008 by Absolute-beginner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='lowdown' post='325737' date='Nov 10 2008, 10:14 AM']So how did you manage 3 nippers...? Garry[/quote] I think they're mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='bassmandan' post='324491' date='Nov 7 2008, 08:53 PM']....with your partner or your bass?[/quote] somedays it could be either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='Absolute-beginner' post='325746' date='Nov 10 2008, 10:21 AM']Playing the bass is still very new to me but I look forward to getting home and playing for about an hour or so. iI really takes my mind of things and I feel it helps. However, I do get frustrated sometimes as I really do need to sort some kind of tuition out as I rely way too much on learning by TAB and I end up playing the same songs over and over again. I am sure my technique needs some sorting out.[/quote] I think thats true of most people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='324435' date='Nov 7 2008, 07:33 PM']Hi Folks, It's been a busy week (as per usual) and sometimes when it all gets too stressful, the first thing I think of when going home that I know will chill me out is picking up a bass and having a noodle around for half an hour! But it doesn't usually pan out that way because the first thing that happens when I walk through the door is kids/family mayhem etc, etc, and quite rightly so as they come first. Which means I tend to skulk around much later on practicing the bass with the headphones on, which is never quite the same thing. Is it just me with this scenario or does this sound all too familiar to anyone else?? Nik[/quote] Yep, and for me it'll get worse come April next year!! I tend to use the post 9pm time - when Nic is in bed too (being all pregnant as she is) - to do my practice on my acoustic bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.