Hope it’s okay to share something a bit personal here. I’m in my mid-40s, recently went back to studying law, still working a bit, and also taking care of my partner, who’s been through two bouts of cancer and some other serious health issues. As you can imagine, energy is not always there — and the mental load gets pretty heavy, too.
I picked the bass back up to escape a little, to breathe. And when I do play, it really helps. The trouble is… lately I just can’t seem to find the spark. I try to follow the schedule I’ve set up with Josh, but sometimes even the idea of plugging everything in and sitting down to play feels like too much. I get into this “leave me alone” headspace. I know rest is important — but I also feel like I’m slowly losing the connection.
What I really want is to find a way to bring back the simple joy of playing. Something more playful, almost like a game. I’d love to “gamify” my practice a little — nothing too serious, just something that makes me want to pick up the bass more often, even for 10–15 minutes, and feel like I’m getting something out of it.
So here’s my question:
When you’re tired, unmotivated, or just mentally drained… what do you do?
Any small rituals, fun challenges, apps, games, or little goals that help you keep playing — without pressure or guilt?
Would love to hear what works for you. I know I need to reconnect with the instrument, but in a way that feels light and energizing — not like one more thing on the to-do list.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts you’re willing to share.
Ugh, that sounds rough! But… I think everyone here can relate to your situation. Even without some of the tougher aspects of your particular situation, I guess everyone has been at a point where just picking up the bass feels like an unsurmountable task and not worth pursuing.
There is no easy fix, but maybe I can say this: once you actually do pick it up, you’ll find that instead of the 10 minutes that you finally, grudgingly “allowed” yourself, you’ll be playing for much longer. And, it doesn’t really matter what you play in this moment - you will start to re-connect and experience the joy of playing the instrument.
So, then the challenge is: how do you force yourself to actually pick up that bass? Well, assuming that your life needs to be very structured (given the requirements of your situation), I would schedule in 15 minutes of bass and do it like you would any other scheduled “chore”. (Initially) not because you want to, but because it needs to be done!
So, have it next to “5:30pm - clean bathroom” as “6pm - pick up bass” in your calendar, and once you switched on that amp and connected your bass, I almost guarantee that those 15 minutes will be long gone before you realize it, and you’ll still be sitting with your bass in your hands.
So, yeah, I think (unfortunately), having it (at least initially) on your to-do list is the only way you will pick up that bass again. But… that’s only to get you over this built up hump of “bass inertia”
I realize my reply wasn’t very “concrete” and filled with (well-meant) common places…
One thing you could try is: listen to some happy bass music, like this one showing the amazing Alphonso Johnson with Billy Cobham. Pick up your bass, try and figure out the root movement of the tune (not too hard) and then start “noodling” along, just exploring, catching the mood, the infectious “happiness” of the melody and the drive of the solo. Just play along as good as you can - this is, in essence, the bass equivalent of “singing under the shower at full level and not caring a bit”
It sounds like you’ve been through a rough time, you have my empathy. One of the pleasures of this forum is you know people here will try to positively help.
I assume that there are songs you know, and know well. I’d just pick up the bass, plug it in and play those songs. No self-induced pressure regarding technique, tone etc., just blast the songs out.
Personally, I find punk songs quite good for this - often loud and focused on riding the root note at a furious speed… … just the me, bass and song.
I do the same thing. I mentioned in another thread the concept of a “12 stone” song, or a song that you go back to just to remember the simple joy of playing. For me, it’s Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. I’m also working on Hysteria by Muse, but that’s a very challenging lick to play at speed for 3.5 minutes. In short, play songs. Play songs you know. Play songs that bring back positive memories even if they’re “easy” to you now. I always start with stuff I know, then inevitably end up working on other songs. Sometimes your brain needs to plug into arrangements rather than exercises. Hope things improve for you.
I’m off the bass for the last 6-7 weeks or so I got to spend maybe 10-20 mins each of those weeks. Playing with both my eyes closed. Both my eyes still recovering from diabetic retinopathy I can’t focus both eyes and it’s been kicking my butt.
That said I’ve been listening to music on my headphones and IEMs and really geeking out over the bass tone quality and sound stage, at the same time I just worked on visualization and play along with the music. This improves my short playing sessions a lot.
Pfeww @Laurent_LG I sympathize with you…that is rough…
Know that this too will pass , and acknowledge for yourself the situation you are in is not easy.
There is not a lot more I can add that others have said already, just lay the bar very low , 10 minutes noodling on the bass is ok, just keep the connection with your instrument.
I’ve built out a playlist of fun songs to play along with. Things with simple progressions that don’t require a lot of fancy technique but lots of room to personalize. Ideally stuff with more rhythmic complexity options than pitch complexity.
Put something on and jam to it. I’ve started fretless recently and just playing a simple blues line on fretless is comforting and cathartic. But I also feel like it’s making me a better player, allowing me to pay super close attention and experiment with HOW I play rather than WHAT I play.
Songs I regularly play from this list:
Nina Simone “Tell Me More and More and Then Some”
Robert Palmer (w/ The Meters) “Through It All There’s You”
Shuggie Otis “Purple”
Galt Macdermot (w/ the Meters) “Coffee Cold”
J Dilla “DFTF” (any instrumental Dilla groove is a masterclass in rhythm)
Bob Marley “Three Little Birds” or “Stir It Up”
Cowboy Junkies “Sweet Jane”
These songs work for ME. Dunno what will speak to YOU in the same way.
Pick up your bass and groove along - pretty much two chords (G7 and C7, I think). Play the funk box, play disco octave, groove your a$$ off - go nuts It’s addictive fun!!
If you want the (studio) track without the bass - here you go:
You’re absolutely right. That said, I think I’ll first finish the B2B course before diving into the songs. It’s not that I don’t feel capable, but the course follows a logical structure that makes things easier — I can kind of switch off my brain and let myself be carried along by the flow.
That helps a lot, especially when my energy is limited.
There are quite a few “simple” songs I could start working on in the meantime, though — nothing too technical, but still interesting musically.
To be honest, I tend to lean more towards minor keys than major ones… I guess I connect more with the melancholic or introspective vibe. Sad music just resonates with me more, I suppose. lol
Sure - whatever feels most comfortable for you. But, remember to reward yourself for lessons finished; perhaps by playing a fun song
Just to clarify: I didn’t mean to imply that “Synchronicity” is a “simple” song, just because there are only two chords. In fact, to pull this off, it requires a lot of precision and in-the-pocket playing. But, that doesn’t mean one can’t have fun with it and groove along and try out all kinds of little motifs, riffs, and fills
Thanks, Joerg – that’s a great reminder!
I’ll definitely keep that in mind and reward myself with some fun songs along the way
And yeah, totally got your point about Synchronicity – two chords doesn’t mean “easy”! The groove and the space in that kind of playing really demand attention and control. That’s actually part of what makes it so tempting: a challenge, but one you can enjoy exploring bit by bit.
Also, you’re right – I should focus on a few “signature” songs that are fun to play and make me feel good. It’s easy to get caught up in exercises and forget why we started playing in the first place!
Appreciate the advice and encouragement – it helps a lot!
Every morning before I go to work I pick up the bass and put my headphones on. Sometimes I’m motivated and I start right on with Josh’s course or some songs. Other times I start demotivated just plugging the same grooves I already know from Mark’s groove trainer course over and over. But no matter how I feel before I put on the bass, I feel a lot better when I leave the house. For me the bass is like therapy😅 …but I know if I would pause the routine for a longer time, I‘ll probably have the same struggle as you have.
for some people this may be an area you might not want to get into, especially in public. but from someone that knows, it sounds to me like what you might be struggling with is not motivation, it’s depression. which would make a lot of sense when seeing what you’ve been going through. and yes, playing an instrument or doing anything you enjoy can help, but so can addressing the problem (which btw you very well might be). please take care of yourself.
Yeah, the psychiatrist mentioned anxiety-depressive disorders. My doctor knows, and I’m seeing a therapist, so I’m not completely alone in this. I’m hoping that classes will help me get my head above water a bit, get some fresh air, and maybe move on from certain things.
It’s not easy though… Taking care of someone who’s been through what she’s been through — it’s heavy. And with all the university assessments piling up right now, honestly, it’s a lot.
But hey, I’m doing my best. Just trying to get through, you know?
… just the me, bass and song.
It’s addictive fun!!