Creative rut

[Phoenix]

Hey guys...

I'm in a spot with my playing. All I seem to be playing is the same old stuff I always do; the same 'improv-d' riffs (at least the ones that don't sound like s**t) etc. Maybe I'm having one of those days, but any ideas to help me out?

Thanks

Chris

 

[Lex]

Hey guys...

I'm in a spot with my playing. All I seem to be playing is the same old stuff I always do; the same 'improv-d' riffs (at least the ones that don't sound like s**t) etc. Maybe I'm having one of those days, but any ideas to help me out?

Thanks

Chris

Couple of questions... how is your theory, and how are your reading skills?

 

[Phoenix]

Hey guys...

I'm in a spot with my playing. All I seem to be playing is the same old stuff I always do; the same 'improv-d' riffs (at least the ones that don't sound like s**t) etc. Maybe I'm having one of those days, but any ideas to help me out?

Thanks

Chris

Couple of questions... how is your theory, and how are your reading skills?

I'll be perfectly honest with you - my theory sucks, and I can only read tab... I plan to get some cello music (on bass - unless someone could suggest a better instrument?) and learn to read sheet music and the classics at the same time. The problem for me is the short term.

 

[Lex]

Hey guys...

I'm in a spot with my playing. All I seem to be playing is the same old stuff I always do; the same 'improv-d' riffs (at least the ones that don't sound like s**t) etc. Maybe I'm having one of those days, but any ideas to help me out?

Thanks

Chris

Couple of questions... how is your theory, and how are your reading skills?

I'll be perfectly honest with you - my theory sucks, and I can only read tab... I plan to get some cello music (on bass - unless someone could suggest a better instrument?) and learn to read sheet music and the classics at the same time. The problem for me is the short term.

Normally when i am in this situation I try and learn (by ear) the parts of other instruments... a horn line, a piano solo... etc

but I think that focusing on short-term improvement is a band-aid solution... it's only going to give you short-term results.

I think the key to real improvement is getting back to basics, learning chord theory (and scale theory), and learning how to read. Bach's Cello suites are worth looking at.

It sounds boring but its worth it... once you break through the initial hump you'll end up hungry for more.

Best of luck with it!

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks I think a firm kick up the backside is what I need here...

And perhaps a little more time than my degree will allow me at the present time! Believe me though, once my Thumb arrives, I'll be practicing like a demon to do justice to the thing

 

[Lex]

Thanks I think a firm kick up the backside is what I need here...

And perhaps a little more time than my degree will allow me at the present time! Believe me though, once my Thumb arrives, I'll be practicing like a demon to do justice to the thing

I really think all it needs is around 30 mins a day, and a good practice routine. My teacher encouraged me to do it first thing in the morning... Apparently if you can do it for 28 days straight it becomes habit!

(hasn't happened for me yet)

 

[vibrantsociety]

One thing you can do is look to the ones who did it best and learn some of their tunes to HELP you think outside of whatever box you find yourself in. I'm obviously not saying that you should play exactly like they do, but having newer influences always tends to send a spark of creativity to the writing process.

/$0.02

 

[Hanzo]

They say when you get ur first Thumb you have to almost re-learn everything anyway, so I'm sure something will come of you learning your beautiful new instument. When I get stuck I spend a lot of time playing nonsense. Like just playing stuff all over the neck just listening to the bass. You might hear the begining of something and be like.... hey what was that. Whatever the case we've all been there before hang in there. Like I said I'm sure the Thumb is going to give you tons of inspiration!!!

 

[Grgzilla]

Watch other bassists & steal off them.That's what I always do to shake off the stuck in a rut blues.

 

[snorkel]

Listen to adverts on the tellybox. they always seem to have prominent (sometimes good) bass lines

 

[Tv IV Dogs]

Smoke a blunt and jam along to a beat. Make a point of trying to sound like someone or something else...works for me!

 

[Phoenix]

Smoke a blunt and jam along to a beat. Make a point of trying to sound like someone or something else...works for me!

I like to be able to remember what I play :wink: And I've tried playing drunk before - doesn't work at all!

 

[Pedro]

playing drunk always sounds so much better at the time than in the morning....cant imagine why.

Learn some notes and some scales!!! Start with the easy ones like C, A# and F, especially A# and F in first position cause they are the same pattern just starting on either the E or A string.....i think....don't have a bass to hand so i cant check :lol:

The 'Mel Bay Delux Bass Guide' is pretty good for theory, but it does seem to suck all the fun out of playing

but learn some scales anyway!!!!

 

[Tv IV Dogs]

Smoke a blunt and jam along to a beat. Make a point of trying to sound like someone or something else...works for me!

I like to be able to remember what I play :wink: And I've tried playing drunk before - doesn't work at all!

Drunk and stoned are COMPLETELY different animals...especially for jamming.

I'm sure I'm not the only stoner on the forum?

 

[Benjamin]

Drugs r baaaad, mkay?