Ever just feel lost?

[bluejazzoid]

I'm posting this because "All Along The Watchtower" is such a great song. And I love Michael Hedges and his version so much:



But mostly because I think Dylan's lyrics here are always worth contemplating... especially in these kinds of discussions.

 

[Machew]

I have about a week off (with pay) and I made a list of stuff to do and I'm not doing a great job getting it done...

 

[amstratnut]

now I'm curious .....

I love to jam, not much locally that I'm interested in. I'm assuming Melbourne, FL? ~3.5hr drive .. how is the overnight accommodations? hee

oh, that leaves the leap year rollover to look forward to. One day to feel everything come together before all all goes to .. um .. falls apart.

Well, despite objections by my bandmates, I am not a grand/great bass player. I'm solid and simple. Yes, I tend to feel inadequate while around them. Some of the songs on our to-do list have bass patterns outside my comfort zone. Any with bass-centric intros or rely heavily on bass overall scare the bejeebies out of me and give me anxiety.

I have a "Bass Players United" t-shirt that sums me up: "World's Okayest Bassist". Keyboard player gets mad at me whenever I wear it. (during setup, I change for the show)

I dont know what level you are playing at but, based on your posts, Id bet you need to break down your parts more on the intimidating stuff. Work a ton on the timing. The way I do it is, I bought a slowdown software called, transcribe, and I play along with difficult sections at a slower tempo. Doing it this way really helps timing wise and mechanics wise.

I hope that helps! Maybe you will feel a bit better if you find you can actually tackle stuff you find intimidating.

 

[amstratnut]

I'm posting this because "All Along The Watchtower" is such a great song. And I love Michael Hedges and his version so much:



But mostly because I think Dylan's lyrics here are always worth contemplating... especially in these kinds of discussions.

Ive said it before, Hedges is always in my top 5. Love love love the guy. True genius right there.

 

[Della Street]

I'm an old fart. I don't get side looks.....

@Faith Nicole
Stormy Monday is misleading you out of modesty.
I've met him in person - he is a tall guy, handsome, great conversation. And he drives a Porsche.

 

[Faith Nicole]

@Faith Nicole
Stormy Monday is misleading you out of modesty.
I've met him in person - he is a tall guy, handsome, great conversation. And he drives a Porsche.

how big is the couch? Hee j/k

 

[stratocarlster]

I feel like this a lot .. just a little bit out ..

View attachment 621821

We all do; it's the human condition. Life is so challenging and complicated, only a happy idiot doesn't get overwhelmed by it all. It's fantastic that firstly, you took up the bass in middle age and secondly, you have a gig! Don't take that for granted... Challenge yourself to get better every day. Put down the pulp fiction that is just feeding your funk, pick up the bass and play it so you're more than just OK. When practicing do you play along with the originals? I think that's a great way to make it fun.

You know there's just one treatment that will snap you out of this funk ... CBT. i.e. Just do it!

 

[Stormy Monday]

how big is the couch? Hee j/k

It's big enough that the cat will let me share it....

 

[Faith Nicole]

We all do; it's the human condition. Life is so challenging and complicated, only a happy idiot doesn't get overwhelmed by it all. It's fantastic that firstly, you took up the bass in middle age and secondly, you have a gig! Don't take that for granted... Challenge yourself to get better every day. Put down the pulp fiction that is just feeding your funk, pick up the bass and play it so you're more than just OK. When practicing do you play along with the originals? I think that's a great way to make it fun.

You know there's just one treatment that will snap you out of this funk ... CBT. i.e. Just do it!

Regarding playing along, I do both. When first getting back into playing, prior to joining the group, the guys gave me their set lists and I made recordings of several of their shows. I practiced along with that and from originals that way I knew what they did and how it was supposed to be. That may sound wrong about the guys. I say that because the bass player they had at the time wasn't any good and didn't play any of thier stuff right. Not to toot my own horn or anything but the guys loved how I played from my first song. Dancers came up and complemented me directly (and also to the guys) about the difference and how much easier it was to dance with me playing.

You know it's working when the dancers notice

It's big enough that the cat will let me share it....

Well, that right there is a proper litmus test. Cat approved.

 

[Faith Nicole]

Played a show last night. Decent crowd, we played well, lots of dancing, I was miserable.

I don't know what's going on. I do know that it's not the music (or the guys), it's me.

 

[Stormy Monday]

Played a show last night. Decent crowd, we played well, lots of dancing, I was miserable.

I don't know what's going on. I do know that it's not the music (or the guys), it's me.

has your playing turned into a job? Like your other job?

 

[Faith Nicole]

has your playing turned into a job? Like your other job?

No. We do play most every weekend with some back to back. However, I always look forward to playing. It has to relate to my mental state this past week Music wasn't enough to overcome.

 

[stormsedge]

Comes and goes. Yesterday, I went through a bunch of the tunes I'd papered in prep for the SC Jam...actually played many to the end (unusual). Then I got to noodling some of the old tunes I started with (JDenver and Eagles)...and suddenly it was two hours later.

Admittedly, I have a new to me Strat that seems to have inspired me for whatever reason...and a partscaster in the works that I am excited about...but, I do like adding new tunes.

 

[Stormy Monday]

No. We do play most every weekend with some back to back. However, I always look forward to playing. It has to relate to my mental state this past week Music wasn't enough to overcome.

Sometimes taking care of my much-better half with her health issues puts me into the wall. I'll have to force myself to jam with the guys. Only lasts about a few hours.

 

[Mansonienne]

Hey, yeah I don't post much. I do lurk a lot.

I love playing music with the guys, I always enjoy the gig (barring certain creepy fill-ins). Lately though I've been sitting at the house, plenty of time to practice, yet I find myself staring around feeling lost. I end up reading instead until bedtime.

I know that I need to practice, we have songs queued that I need to familiarize myself with before our next rehearsals .. but I can't seem to do it.

I definitely have days (weeks) like that.

 

[tery]

Its OK to burn out - one can make it worse by piling on guilt.
Blow it out - walk away today and have fun.

 

[wooders]

Hey, yeah I don't post much. I do lurk a lot.

I love playing music with the guys, I always enjoy the gig (barring certain creepy fill-ins). Lately though I've been sitting at the house, plenty of time to practice, yet I find myself staring around feeling lost. I end up reading instead until bedtime.

I know that I need to practice, we have songs queued that I need to familiarize myself with before our next rehearsals .. but I can't seem to do it.

That's when I pick up the acoustic and just play away. Nothing constructive, just play.

 

[StratUp]

For guitar inspiration, listen to music and songs that make you feel good. Then try to learn them.

For general inspiration, try to find something, anything, that you want to do. It can be really small. But accomplishing something inspires you to do a little more. And so on. Sometimes you have to reboot it repeatedly, but eventually, hopefully, it sticks.

 

[stratocarlster]

Played a show last night. Decent crowd, we played well, lots of dancing, I was miserable.

I don't know what's going on. I do know that it's not the music (or the guys), it's me.

Keep showing up is the main thing. Lots of exercise. It will pass. And if you think it won't, get help.

 

[Faith Nicole]

Update:
(For anyone interested)

No, I haven't brought myself to practice yet
Yes, I made an appointment with my therapist .. whom I haven't seen since 2019