That’s just East German for “I love you!” 
Yes, I’m a f#cking swan, thank you
Me (right side):
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Sorry Guys, I have read the name of this topic many times in the past months without having time to read your posts become only one answer comes to my mind and it is quite depressing
Question - What are you struggling with ?
me - bass 
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@GGWAW Forget being “good” what would you need to start having more FUN playing?
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This brings up something I’ve been “struggling” with (really more of an internal debate).
I’ve read the excellent book Atomic Habits, and one recommendation it gives for building a good habit is to remove as many points of resistance as possible–to make it as easy to do the thing as you can.
So some real points of resistance for me practicing bass are set up and tear down. I live in a small condo, so my bass and other gear have to live in the bedroom closet when I’m not practicing.
So to practice, I have to get the amp out and set it up, get the bass out of the closet and case, and get my music stand out. And then put it all away when I’m done. Probably doesn’t sound like much, and it really isn’t, but it still results in there being times I would practice and don’t because of the hassle. Also if the bass were more accessible, I’d likely pick it up multiple times a day just for a few minutes to run a few scales or riffs.
So I came up with a solution.
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Get a headphone amp, so I don’t have to lug out the amp every time, and I can also practice later at night. I’ve done that.
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Get a thing to hang my bass on the wall in the living room, so I can just grab it at a moment’s notice. I got the thing (easy) and even got my wife to agree to let me hang my bass on the wall (hard).
But I haven’t done it. The main reason is I worry about keeping my bass on the wall instead of safe in its case. Mainly I’m worried about dust. Not just making the bass dirty and gross, but also getting into the electronics and causing problems.
I know some of you, at least, keep your basses out. How much of an issue is the dust accumulation? Really the only time I can get to all of it is when changing strings, so they’re out of the way. I use Elixir strings, so I don’t change them that often. Other than aesthetics, have you ever had the dust cause scratchiness in the pots or any other problems?
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I keep mine out and to hand all the time. I’ve found so long as I’m picking it up to play regularly it doesn’t get too dusty. I occasionally give a quick dusting passing the duster under the strings over the pups and fretboard but really, with regular use, it doesn’t seem to pick up much at all. Maybe if I had pets it might be a little worse but even then with regular use it I don’t think it would get to settle.
With respect to the electronics it’s surely not going to be anything worse that a stereo of which mine has sat out, with an occasional dusting, for some 40 years and I’ve never opened it up to clean it and it still works as good as the day I bought it. And it would be far more susceptible than the bass electronics as it has a bunch of ventilation holes to let all the muck in. It’s not like the days of valves and waxed capacitors (unless you have a valve amp) where there was loads of static knocking around to attract the dust and the wax to glue it down.
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It’s not an issue at all. I have even my expensive basses out 99% of the time. The only time I put one or more in a case is when I move my bass rack. Otherwise, it’s not a big deal to have all my basses out and ready to play. Dusting is quick and easy.
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I keep both of mine hanging on the wall. It’s art when not being played. Works great.
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Dust happens. No big deal at all. Just blow it off.
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All we are… is dust in the wind, dude.
--Socrates, probably
If it’s in a case, I’ll never play it, for the same reasons you mention. I keep everything out as one or another will inevitably strike my fancy at any given moment. Dust is not an issue at all.
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Absolutely !
I had my family concert 2 weeks ago and despite great feedbacks I was disappointed by my « performance »
Then I turned back and looked at the previous year event. This highlighted the tremendous progress I made which is encouraging but I have the feeling to plateau for a couple of months
My challenge for this year will be to find the platform to bring me to next level … but also and more importantly what is the next level !!! It could be start playing with a pick, work on speed, develop rythmic skills, play more songs, try slapping …. Vacations are coming, probably the right moment to frame 2025
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Playing with others is a lot of fun. The idea of a challenge is a great one too. Maybe “pick 5 picking songs”
Perfection is the enemy of happy. 
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When I was in the band…and I would screw up… the singer would give me the stank-face… I’d just look at him and say “Jazz” 
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My guitarist says, “when you sound bad it just makes me sound like shit, not you”
I’ve gotten great at stopping when I’m off and hopping back in in a couple of notes. Missing notes sound way better than wrong notes. And when other people mess up just keep playing. If everyone keeps playing nothin is fatal.
Last night our guitarist doubled up his solo accidentally and we all kept playing perfectly, it was amazing.
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That is the sign you are playing as a unit and can read each other
Awesome!!
And ya… skip a note or 2 is way better than that wrong note FOR SURE!
That wrong note always cuts through the mix and says “I’m here!!” LMAO
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I’m glad to hear you guys say this because when I’m practicing long pieces of sheet music and I get momentarily lost or make a mistake, I just skip ahead and jump back in. Sounds like I’m practicing how to handle mistakes properly.
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I would tend to agree but Victor Wooten doesn’t seem to 
Note this has been posted before!
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Here’s the thing though. I think he’s talking about confident wrong notes. If you throw one in that is 1/2 a step down and it’s in the grove, you don’t pause, and you keep playing then cool.
But I know when I’m in the wrong spot I panic and it’s a cluster of uncertainty. So maybe it’s better said as learn how not to freak when your fingers or brain flubs a bit. Keep the time and groove going and immediately move on.
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Yes, this x 1,000,000
Like it says on the case in large friendly letters - Don’t Panic
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Also: always know where your towel is.
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