Just over a year ago during a heat wave and a health scare very impulsively I drove an hour each way across Los Angeles County trying to beat the clock to pick up a frankenbass Ibanez jazz, amp and some pedals from an incredibly kind soul who gave them to me for free.
Flash forward a year and while we’re getting a small respite from the heat unfortunately my health isn’t any better. That bass though? Still makes me happy every time I play it. Found out I love modding as well. Rekindled a love of playing music I’d forgotten. Allowed me to reconnect with old friends and meet so many lovely new people both on here and IRL.
So forgive my bit of sentimentality. For so many of us the year has been a tough one. As I was sitting tonight playing a song that could barely play the first few bars of a year ago it really struck me just how much progress I’ve made. And to be kinder about where I feel like I “should” be. That having something that makes me happy and a fun community of folks to share that with. I dunno, that feels like a good place to me.
Anyhoo, thanks again to everyone on here! Y’all are the best. And to anyone struggling in a rut hang in there yeah? It gets better.
I’m glad you hear the call of the bass, and Im sure your bass will make you happy for many years. I find playing bass very therapeutic, the same as meditation. All the stress disappears after sitting with the bass, practicing and playing songs.
Just over a year for me, too. I also started because a health issue prevented me from all my physically active hobbies. Fortunately, my health has improved. (I think I maybe had long Covid?)
This made me HAPPY reading this. Happy 1 year. I also put playing/music down for almost 10 years..(LIFE), picked everything back up this year and it’s been wonderful. Keep playing and enjoy!!!
Yes! The meditative and therapeutic qualities really help with stress levels. When I was younger and a classically trained pianist there was always a pressure on improving and playing a lot of music I didn’t always care for. Sitting to play bass is like, I’m gonna learn some new things and then I’m gonna play my favorite songs and there’s just a lot of joy to it all.
I don’t know that it was long covid. Never got a definitive diagnosis. But that is the conclusion that makes the most sense.
Weird health stuff where basically any physical stress on my body was amplified about 5-fold. So I’d start working out and gas out suddenly about when I’d finish warmup. I’d start a run and feel fine, then at about 1/2 mile, I would hit a sudden wall where I’d suddenly be dizzy and short of breath. Had a weird fainting spell one afternoon.
Lots of tests to confirm that it was NOT: cardiovascular, lung related, neurological, or Lyme disease. But not clear what it was.
Inexplicably cleared up one week and seems to have been good since.
lol yeah that tracks. I love it here, it’s been my home for 20 years, but the traffic here is a very particular circle of hell. I was only able to get across the county in an hour since that particular foray was on a Sunday afternoon and the Dodgers weren’t playing
Today is one year since I bought my first bass. It was a great decision and I wish i hadn’t put it off for 30 years from the time I first wanted to in high school.
Congrats!!! That’s fantastic! Life, the universe, and everything can make it so hard to be able to stick with anything for a month let alone being able to carve out time for a whole year. Even tho it’s much easier said than done, I think the important thing to focus on isn’t the years you weren’t playing but instead celebrate that you’re playing it now
I’m glad you have recovered well. I know people who have battled long covid for a long time.
