So I was away from bass practice for close to a month, due to travelling back home to finally see my family and friends after almost two years! Finally got time for a meaningful practice session today, and perhaps naturally, Iāve found that I had to start reeeeaally slowly, like do all the scales, do the ultimate groove workout routine/drum loop practice, then do some simple chugging tunes (U2ās With or Without You, for example), and patiently move on to other stuff with slightly more challenging rhythm. Basically, some muscle memory (and otherwise) had gone into hibernation, even after six months of daily practice. And my calluses, where are my fat calluses!
Is this something you guys have encountered, after travelling or otherwise having to be away from the instrument for a while? And how did you go about ārestartingā your usual routine and generally getting that muscle memory back on track? I suspect the answer is ājust keep playingā, but thought it would be nice to collect some general advice and perhaps, encouragement
Welcome back to the groove. Iāve never been away from the bass for more than a couple days, so I canāt really advise you from experience, but I will say to start slowly and get your muscles and tendons back in shape before you push too hard. This advice is mainly to avoid injury.
Itās like riding a bicycle (worn out expression, I know), it will come back to you quickly.
Iām actually just getting back to practicing after about 6 months away from it due to back issuesā¦
So far, Iām working through the āend of course badass and super badass checklistā as kind of a āself-examā to see what I need to spend additional time on. Along with those, some simple ā1 finger per fretā type of exercises just to get the finger-independence back up to speed.
I had just finished the course when I had to put the bass down, so I probably have to āgo backā further than you, but basically Iād say figure out whatās still comfortable and work up from there until you notice things that might need a little workā¦
Iāve been struggling a lot lately with lack of progress and lack of motivation, and havenāt been practicing regularly since around April. Itās a vicious cycle, because if I donāt practice then obviously Iām going to make even less progress, and that just reinforces the āwhy do I even botherā thoughts in my head.
Iāve been trying to follow Joshās advice to pick up the bass every day for just 5 minutes, and that usually turns into a full 1 or 2 hour practice session. But here I am again today sitting literally right next to my bass, typing a post about playing bass, instead of actually playing bassā¦
Anyway, as you too pointed out, a large part of playing an instrument is just muscle memory, and that can return fairly quickly. Youāll be back where you left off soon.
I took a break to focus on sax for over 6 month, took a few days/week or two to get back to where I was (which was really nowhere). The worst part was the calluses for sure. it will come back.
On vacation this week with the family at the beach (which I hate), and will be trying out the Traveler Ultralight bass and zoom combo all week. Plan on focusing on basics, live lesson stuff and Mark Smith courses early while everyone else is sleeping and late at night.
