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I play guitar (poorly) and bass guitar (well enough to convince bars to pay my band money). Several times in my life I've completely burnt out of playing music
by wilsonnb3 8y ago
I play guitar (poorly) and bass guitar (well enough to convince bars to pay my band money).
Several times in my life I've completely burnt out of playing music. The most recent time was about a year after graduating from college. I was tired of going to bars, tired of playing the same songs over and over, and tired of playing music in general.
I quit the band I was in and sold all of my bass gear to buy a Fender Telecaster and an amp to go with it. I thought changing my instrument would be enough to bring the passion back. Unfortunately it wasn't and my Telecaster was largely unplayed.
I tried several synthesizers, a digital piano, busting out my old trumpet, and an acoustic guitar but they all ended up sold on Craigslist or sitting around collecting dust. I was also pretty depressed at this time in my life and I think that's why it felt like I would never enjoy playing music again.
I found other ways to occupy my time. I bought a fancy gaming computer and played a lot of Overwatch. I watched way too much TV and read some really good books. Eventually I lost interest in those things too. I hit a really low point with my depression but bounced back with the help of my wife. Things got better.
I happened to go into a Guitar Center while I was on vacation to look for something to try igniting my musical passions with. I happened to stop and play a bass guitar that had caught my eye.
This was the only love at first sight experience I've had in my life and it was amazing. I only played it for about ten minutes but I couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day.
The next day I went back to Guitar Center and bought the bass along with an amp. That night I texted one of my old band mates and a few weeks later it was just like old times. I started playing the bass guitar everyday again which led to me playing the guitar everyday again which led to me recording myself playing again.
I won't be surprised if I burn out again in the future. I think it's a natural part of life for me. It's comforting to know that however bad it gets music will be there for me when I'm ready for it. That's why it's such a good hobby.
- jackgolding 8y agoBass is great to pick up as someone who doesn't know any instruments because it only takes about 5 lessons to feel incredibly comfortable with a lot of basic music. After the first few lessons I've found the problem is now how do I contort my fingers to play certain parts of songs.
- wilsonnb3 8y agoI agree. The reason that I started playing it was because my three friends and I all played guitar and wanted to start a band. I was the worst guitar player so played bass. The only downside to the bass for me is that it's not as fun as other instruments to play by myself. I love playing it in a band but when I'm by myself I'll usually pick up the guitar instead.