What to do

Terry Bros (955)

Bass Miscellaneous Forum · 7/2/2012 11:21 PM

Hi Active Basses. It has been a while since I have been on this site and am reassured when I see the regulars still abound. I have been battling an illness for over 18 months now and am well and truely on the mend. Of course I had to leave my band and put the bass away whilst on the road to recovery. (nothing life threatening). I am basically back on deck and have been playing the bass during the last few months and intend to put myself out there at the end of August. Problem? well I just don't have that drive I use to have. I find these days that if I have any spare time at the end of the day to disapear into my music room to practice etc, I sit back and relax instead. (I have a day job). This is starting to get to me as it would be a shame to finally give it away after playing bands (guitarist /bassist) since the early eighties. Yes I am in my 50s. My question is really a request for opinions. I have never lost that drive before and am curious whether I am not alone here and if there are any ideas or remedies I may persue. Or maybe it is time to finally hang up the bass and close the book.

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 2:26 AM

Maurice Carr (37594) wrote:

I get something similar from time to time Terry.

Perhaps you should play a whole pile of neat songs you like on a good stereo, enhance the bass and/or get some really good live band DVDs out and watch those. That's given me the incentive to carry on at 61 !!!

There's nothing like some god music to get the inspiration going.

Joining some other musos of like mind and perhaps just start with a garage band, or get together with a guitarist. Be careful they are not dream stealers, but the right guys will give each other the incentive to look forward to getting together and playing some good music.

Keep posting here as well, you'll get good encouragement, particularly when you come across something difficult.

Good to hear you're recovering by the way, that cannot have been nice what you went through to make you have to lay up bass for all that time.

Mo

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 6:51 PM

Paul Warren (15309) wrote:

There's nothing like some god music to get the inspiration going

Freudian slip? I'm not much into god music myself so it likely wouldn't inspire me much. However some good music... lol

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 9:03 PM

Terry Bros (955) wrote:

Thanks Mo, Yes I should did out the "Cream Re-union live at Albert Hall" DVD. Watching Jack Bruce play that Warwick Fretless always gets me.

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 2:26 AM

Brad Mock (16433) wrote:

Life changes our energies and interests especially when it comes to our avocations. While i still enjoy music my playing is limited compared to what it once was, more and more i am being choosier over gigs and projects most often playing music with friends and inspiring conspirators. Playing music for me these days is almost as much social as it is creative.

Admittedly much of this is due to a lack of energy to get out play long gigs that require moving heavy equipment in and out and late night drives home followed by an early morning return to work, and that's not even considering the lack of money or appreciation from gigs these days.

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 11:15 AM

Gar Whitenton (5737) wrote:

avocations...ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww I HATE avocations!

no, wait, my bad...I hate AVOCADOS!!!

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 1:28 PM

Brad Mock (16433) wrote:

My wife is allergic to Avacados so I get to eat hers when we dine TexMex!

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 11:14 PM

Roger Gumbs (30457) wrote:

My energy is sapped at this time every year because I play in 2 softball leagues from May until early August.

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Re: What to do

7/3/2012 11:12 PM

Roger Gumbs (30457) wrote:

Terry,
Why don't you check some of the local band's song lists and learn 15-20 of the common songs all the bands are performing. It'll challenge you a bit, and you'll be ready for any future auditions.

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Re: What to do

7/4/2012 10:12 PM

Marcus Hart (14365) wrote:

Just keep doing what you're doing .... kickin back and relaxing. And when you DO get the itch to pick up your bass, it will have more meaning and you'll likely find that the joy you once had is still in place - it's just been in hibernation. I'm 54, and I still enjoy playing just as much as I did 35 years ago. I will admit though that moving gear around is harder than it used to be. Uggh!

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Re: What to do

7/5/2012 2:06 AM

Terry Bros (955) wrote:

Cheers Marcus. You make a valid point. Yes I have been kicking back and keeping to a daily routine in order to get better and this has probably hindered my drive to return to the discipline required. That together with other commitments I have at present that must also play a part. I know what you mean re lugging gear around at our age. I had bought a rather large rig prior to having to stop. Not looking forward to luggging that around again however it sounds fantastic so is worth it. Had a thought this morning that a new bass would also be nice. May sell some surplus gear and buy a 24 fret Metro Sadowsky. (In my dreams)

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Re: What to do

7/5/2012 12:37 PM

Marcus Hart (14365) wrote:

Metro Sadowsky - now there's some motivation :)

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Re: What to do

7/5/2012 8:23 PM

Terry Bros (955) wrote:

Yeh thanks Marcus. I actually made enquiries with Sadowsky approx 2 years ago to make a 24 fret rosewood neck Metro bass. Said it would take approx 6 months for ex amount of dollars plus import duty and shipping. I live in the most remote city in the world in Perth, Western Australia. In a nutshell, far too expensive. Many thanks for the teaser though.

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Re: What to do

7/5/2012 1:38 PM

Marcus Hart (14365) wrote:

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