Lack of motivation?

[Buh_Sheeky]

I don't know what it is, but I've been feeling less motivated to play bass whatsoever. O_O It's usually an up and down sort of feeling, but I've noticed it increase more to flat out not really wanting to play ever since I started going to school for music. I know most on here has felt discouraged at one point or another and I've been playing about four years now, the last two with actual lessons that have helped me greatly in my playing. But I've noticed that now it has stopped becoming fun alot of the time and that now it's just another thing I have to do to pass a class (eek!!!) I have had a couple of times where it was fun and I felt it, being able to express myself musically and it was a magical feeling, I'm begining to wonder if school's actually starting to kill it. It could be the school, all the other required courses and such...although I love my bass teacher...I know this might be a self pity thing, but I was wondering if any of my fellow lowend MXrs could offer any advice, insight and stuff of the like. Make me happy again dammit!!! j/k :p

Edit: I know this sounds akin to "stuck in a rut, " but it's a bit different, I know I have a bunch of shtuff to learn, but I can't quite brung myself to play. Geez, this is sounding cheesy ain't it :[

[VAinE]

Eeehhh... I don't know if I can make you happy again, but from my point of view, it sounds like playing bass has become a duty for you, rather than being fun and inspiring..

I've never had lessons or a tutor, and I'm going on my 5th year as a bass player.. It has always been fun for me, and that's why I keep doing it... :D

#VAinE

[smd]

Do you play any other instruments? When I'm sick of my bass I pick up a guitar. It's refreshing pick up a different instrument because the way you play it is totally different from they way you play bass. Over time I'll crawl back to my bass and ask for forgiveness. Then we hold each other... I'm sorry.

Something else you can try is exploring a different genre of music. Just listen to something you are unfamiliar with. It should spark a little inspiration.

Discouragement and lack of motivation happens to everybody. I haven't nearly gotten close to learning all the songs in the Led Zeppelin catalogue. :)

[Buh_Sheeky]

Lucky you. Well I really don't want to stop playing, I know something's still there inside me (more cheeze) I just need something to trigger it and I don't know what it is.

[Buh_Sheeky]

Do you play any other instruments? When I'm sick of my bass I pick up a guitar. It's refreshing pick up a different instrument because the way you play it is totally different from they way you play bass. Over time I'll crawl back to my bass and ask for forgiveness. Then we hold each other... I'm sorry.

Something else you can try is exploring a different genre of music. Just listen to something you are unfamiliar with. It should spark a little inspiration.

Discouragement and lack of motivation happens to everybody. I haven't nearly gotten close to learning all the songs in the Led Zeppelin catalogue. :)

heh. Well I've played guitar for 3yrs. previous and hack on keys and drums once in a while. I feel like I don't have time to play anything else because, I get these bass-related playing projects and I constantly have to complete them. Besides, since I haven't played my guitar in ages...*cough* maintenece...it doesn't look so appealing to play, but hey maybe i'll clean it up. =) But the thing is, since I'm going to school for bass, just trying to learn jazz/musical concepts, it takes up my time and it's like I end up being frustrated with music altogether. :\

[smd]

Hmm.... get drunk.

[Buh_Sheeky]

Heh not bad idea...there are bar jams...that they unknowingly let the underage play at...hmm...couple of drinks+jam=fun...right?

But seriously do you think it's the going to school for it part? I've heard many a story about many a music major dropping out after a few semesters Am I just one of the statistic? :\ And there's always that arguement of "you don't need to go to school to be a musician..."

I really do apologize if this is a bit whiny...:\

[Ellx]

I reacon if you got into a band/started playing with your band more often you would be inspired to practice more because of not wanting to let down the team. "Gotta support the team"(Seinfield quote lol).

[smd]

I don't know if I can really help you then if it's school related. Hell, I still haven't gone to college. But, every college kid gets doubts about what they're doing. Or they get burnt out. Or they lose their confidence. What do you plan on doing with a degree in music? Where is that going to take you in life? What do you see yourself doing?

[Buh_Sheeky]

Funny thing is I am involved in many school related bands and am playing in a friend's improtant school related performance, you'd think that motivate me, and it did for a while. As for a career, right now I just want to be a better musician and be able to apply my skills to be able to express myself better through my playing. I like learning, but having that time constraint is a bummer though. I'd like to get gigs and I am here and there, but when it comes to school I guess I kinda, as you say smd, feel burnt out and maybe had a loss of confidence. I miss high school where everyone boosted my ego :p

[Raz-The-Bass]

you definetly need music to reinfuse your passion ever heard of a band called ESTRADASPHERE go here http://www.groovetv.net/ and download some shows if u havent heard them before ive got a feeling ur troubles are over show me a bassist who isnt impressed by them.... and ill eat my bass

[Sleepy]

DEFINITELY start exploring different genres of music and try picking up a new instrument. I play bass and guitar, and am starting piano soon! Also, since I signed up for MX I've been introduced to TONS of new and inspiring music I would never have found out about otherwise: some examples being Wintersun, Agalloch, Kalmah, Nile and Elvenking.

[Worrpigs]

if i were you id just quit. just kidding. try playing new stuff.

[skingle]

I have had this a few times. I do not feel motivated at all to play. However when i feel like this i seem to explode out with a new technique and playing gets interesting again. So stick with it, see what happens.

[darrell]

I'm in one of those ruts. It's more because I'm going to school for music, but not playing with my band anymore (guitar and drummer are lazy) so if feels like a waste now. I'm still as interested in music as ever, but without having people to share that passion with and express it through music, it sucks. I just bought an upright bass to try to expand my horizons... Hopefully it doesn't make me feel worse about not playing in a band.

[cAPS_lOCK]

Get. A. Band. Period.

[crimsonghost_138]

Our lead singer switched his major from political science, to music, and was dealing with music at least twelve hours per day. Her was going to school, coming home, and playing for 6 hours, every night. He got burnt out on this and decided to drop out and stay in the band. If you play in a band, you shouldnt be a music major, take some classes. It will overload you with music so its not fun. I suggest taking music courses, but not being a major. Major in something else, if you really enjoy playing music. That way, you dont stress yourself out or feel demotivated to play.

[Bplay]

Sheeky:

To me it looks like you're taking things to seriously, remember that music is like a game, its meant for you to have fun with it, try forming a band or getting into one. Sometimes you'll find that interacting musically with good musicians can be a good inspiration, but remember that playing with bad musicians will result in getting bad or boring music.

Another Thing is that maybe you should take it easy with music school, try doing homeworks then watch a dvd, vhs whatever music video of your favorite bass heros or bands, and maybe that'll get you inspired and make you feel good. Another great inspiration/motivation booster is seeing your favorite musicians live as i did when i went to a flecktones show and met vic :) really, the fact of seeing him live just makes me think how fun the bass can be.

Last, you can do yor study and you can take a little time to learn cool techniques like slap, ttap, slide, pop, new finguerings whatever that can make bass playing more fun.

But remember dont quit your studiyng, homeworks are important and no matter what everyone says, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK so get both your mind and your chops working and youll find yourself playing better and feeling better about averything.

Hope This Helps :)

[maco]

Do you play any other instruments? When I'm sick of my bass I pick up a guitar. It's refreshing pick up a different instrument because the way you play it is totally different from they way you play bass. Over time I'll crawl back to my bass and ask for forgiveness. Then we hold each other... I'm sorry.

Something else you can try is exploring a different genre of music. Just listen to something you are unfamiliar with. It should spark a little inspiration.

Discouragement and lack of motivation happens to everybody. I haven't nearly gotten close to learning all the songs in the Led Zeppelin catalogue. :)
I agree with him. When I had nothing to play on flute, I started bass. I intend to get a trumpet and piccolo soon. The piccolo will get me back into flute. Just having lots of instruments means if you get bored, you switch for a bit, and then you end up missing the other instrument and you never really get "i wanna quit" bored with any of them (probably why my single-instrument family members all quit, and i just keep learning more).

By the way, when I'm at home, I have no motivation at all. My bass is next to me, and I'm on the computer. As soon as I go to work (guitar store) I wanna play. There's now a fretless there, so I play around with that. There's also an extremely good bassist there that teaches me new stuff (that I don't learn at lessons). He taught me artificial harmonics on Wednesday, and then I was sitting there for like 20 minutes playing around just having fun. Sometimes a new technique like that can get you going cuz you wanna see what you can do with it. Try hanging out at a guitar store and playing with all the basses and getting into bassist-heaven.

[Buh_Sheeky]

Hey thanks guys/gals whoever, haha, well I guess I had most of those things in mind, but yeah, going to school for music isn't for everybody, and I guess it ain't for me. I think I'm going to take the music classes I want to take, get out of the dept. and bumble around college a bit, I mean that's what college is for right?...watch...I'll change my mind thinking I can put up with it for another semester XP

[Tryxx]

I got some good advice in this (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387047) thread.

[Shuffle It All]

ive never really learnt any theory, i only play when im enjoying it, if it becomes a bore is top and watch TV, i am dedicated, but i think anything in life is pointless unless you enjoy it, maybe try and gte enjoyment back into with a band, or like other have said with a new instrument.

[gronk]

I suppose I'm kinda in the same boat. Over the last 3 months or so I haven't really played that much. Like I'll pick up my bass, play a few lines I already know for 5 minutes and then just put it down.

I've got a feeling it's because my bass (a MIM Jazz) just doesn't interest me anymore. It's a bit worse for wear and I can't be bothered taking it to get a service because I'm going to defret it when I get my new bass, so I'll just wait til then.

Hopefully once I get a new bass I'll be a lot more motivated to play.

[SenòrThump]

When I'm feeling a bit demotivated, I jsut go and listen to any really talented, soulful bass player, and it gets me right back into the groove again.

[3thereal]

^ That, and;

Jam with some new people, listen to some new music.

[Buh_Sheeky]

Alot of you are saying get a new band/instrument!!! Just to let you all know I'm going to school right now for music and am playing in classes I paid for, I have to keep playing with these people at least for the rest of the semester. University student=brokeness :p. For the moment those options are not an option for me, but thanks anyway:).

Tryxx: thanks I looked at the thread. Same bind, eh? Apparently you got out of that oogly funk, no?

Edit: I think I'll be okay, let you all know when I do get to take that break =)