QUITTING. 

Hey all, if you've ever experienced something like I speak of in this video and ever thought about quitting, or have a story to tell about some of your own trials and tribulations along the way - I'd LOVE to read about them in the comments. It may seem small, but for someone on the edge of quitting their career, reading and hearing about others peoples personal journeys will be a massive help. Love you guys! xoxo

Pablo Casals, world renowned cellist, was asked when he was 80, why he continued to practice 4 to 5 hours each day. His response was “because I am beginning to see progress”. Never quit.

I had a trainwreck at a jazz jam last night. Got rattled trying to keep up on a tune I'd never played before, and just completely bombed from there. The other guys just laughed at me and said "We can't let you leave on that one, let's just hit a simple blues and let you redeem yourself." Can confirm I still wanted to crawl into a hole (I still kind of do), but nobody died and I'm now learning a new tune. Thanks for the perfect timing with this one, Scott!

I'm a 68 yrs old "Beginning" bass player. I really needed your encouragement today. Your lessons have made a difference in my late life journey to become a musician.

After more than fifteen years, I finally set up a RU-vid channel just to leave this comment. I never thought I'd meet someone brave enough to say all this out loud.

I'm a drummer who has cerebral palsy. A teacher I had in school tried repeatedly tried to get me to quit and play another instrument. Almost 30 years later and I'm still playing. A few years later she wasn't a teacher at our school any more.

Here's my story of falling off the bike and getting back on: Like a lot of kids, I picked up the guitar around age 15. By that time, I had been studying classical piano for about ten years, so I knew a little music theory, and I could pick out some tunes. So over the next eight or nine years, I developed some skills on the guitar, and I thought I was hot stuff. So now I'm 24 and living in Chicago. I went to Rosa's Lounge (a blues club on the West side) and asked if I could sit in with the band. They were a bit surprised, but they said, "Well, okay, but we're going to play a set first, and then you can come up after the break for the second set." So I sat there, nursed a drink, and listened to the first set. The band was incredible-it was all these old dudes who had been playing for 30 years, except for their guitar player, who looked like he was still in high school. And hoo boy was he something. He could play stuff on the guitar that I just didn't even understand. It was amazing. After the break, they invited me up there, and I knew already that I couldn't hang with them, but what I could I do at that point? I got up there, sounded like a complete idiot through a few tunes, and slunk on out of there with my tail between my legs, feeling stupid. The next day-the very next day-I looked in the paper for a teacher. "Frank Rumoro Jazz Guitar Academy: Scales, theory, improvisation" the ad said, and I jumped at it. For the next year and a half, I had a lesson with Frank every week. Each week he'd fill out an entire legal-pad size sheet of paper with exercises to do: play this scale in these six positions, these arpeggios, learn this chord melody, that standard, etc. etc. At first it took me an hour each day to work through that piece of paper, but I made sure I came back the next week having learned the whole lesson. Soon, that hour grew to two, and then eventually to three. I had a full-time job this whole time and I could barely keep up. Once it got to three and half hours a day, I said to Frank, "I can't get through it all, you're killing me", and he said "You were never supposed to get through it all, but you just kept coming back having learned the whole thing, so I gave you more and more." Anyway, thank you Scott. You've been an inspiration to me for a while now, and I appreciate everything you've done to help me become a better musician.

I started music at 7 got my 1st bass in 70 I am 63 now I can't quit its the only thing that keeps me sane even after the BS that happens

I've been tackling my own anxiety and panic disorders for over two months while I've been with a band. After a massive attack on Saturday, I was thinking about quitting. Legitimately, I was going to sell my instruments and resign myself to getting put on disability pay and at most keep a single acoustic guitar around for my own benefit. It's been an ungodly struggle since day one. I can't believe that this video came out when it did. It was almost kind of like a miracle to hear someone who is essentially my bass guitar teacher talk about the thing that I've been in anguish over. Thanks, Scott. I feel like I've got friends here.

Man, this is really intense. This goes way deeper than just playing bass. This is universal advice and is very encouraging. The secret to being successful is to never ever give up. You are the man Scott. Love your videos.

You are such an inspiration Scott. I’m super proud to be a member of SBL. Loved hearing your bump in the road stories, defo takes me back to many similar experiences!

Scott, this is not bass advice, this is life advice. It’s given me a new perspective and is the message I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience. You are awesome and an inspiration.

That’s not just a bass playing lesson: that’s a life lesson. Adult life is not just about winning. It is about getting up after you fall down and learning from the mistakes made.

"Every strike brings me closer to my next home run." - Babe Ruth

In 2010 I was in music school mainly playing guitar and got carpal tunnel, ended up in hospital for 4 1/2 years (not related to my hand). I physically couldn't play guitar any more and it broke my heart. I got my operation but ended up with some permanent nerve damage and didn't play for years. As of 2019 I picked up bass as opposed to guitar and am now quite happy playing along to records for my own amusement. Took a decade but I got there!

I studied jazz music here in Basel, Switzerland. I first started with the electric bass and slowly transitioned to upright bass during my studies and there was one teacher who always told me that my sound sucks, my ears are bad and so on and so on... It was a rough time for me because I started to question my skills a lot and wondered why others still wanted to play with me although I “suck in playing”! Luckily, I met Larry Grenadier and had a couple of lessons with him and he gave me my confidence back. I learned that I have something to say in jazz by playing bass and that I am a good bass player and that the other teachers opinion is just ONE opinion. I am so glad that I kept going. Music schools can be some kind of a toxic environment because you are being compared to others but especially in Jazz you’re own sound and voice matters and we are humans, not robots. Music should be fun and played from the heart and not from the brain (I hope that makes sense)

As Adam Neely said "it's only music, nobody dies" Edit: make a Bass Tale with Paul Bender 🤗

Practicing Music is like with all things: It will probably get worse before it gets better. We all hit valleys before we hit peaks. Just keep trying! I am glad that I never quit.

6 years ago I depped in a jazz funk band, which my teacher also used to play in (AND he recommended me for the gig) and I butchered the songs because I struggled to follow the charts. They gave me a second chance with another gig and I messed up again, so I refused to be paid. 3 years later I became their full time bassist and have been ever since. Toured around the UK, Asia, and recorded an album with them.

Tuba player here. Some years ago, I placed at an international mock orchestral audition competition. It was at a conference, and everyone that placed in the various competitions were asked to play a featured piece in front of a British style brass band. For those that don't know, tuba parts in British style brass band are written in Bb treble and Eb treble clef (generally tuba is a non-transposing bass clef instrument). I had not made that connection when invited to play (I was still in undergrad and thought I could play anything), so I accepted. We were asked to come in for the last 15 minutes or so of a rehearsal, and the concert would be that same night. I sat down to read with the brass band and realized I couldn't read the music, because it was written in Bb treble (I had only played in bass clef, nvm reading treble in my theory classes. It was difficult at the time to sight read transpositions on my primary instrument). Needless to say, I had to skip the concert, and I felt a humongous weight of shame. Everyone else that placed at competitions were much older than me and had played in British brass bands before. Years later, I was doing another degree at a different school, and the local British style brass band asked me to play with them for a couple months. Remembering my former experience, I quickly accepted and worked the crap out of my Eb treble. Luckily, that band loved me while I was there. Everyone will feel useless at some point in their music career. You can only use those experiences to teach yourself something new.

Realizing that you are the weak link in the chain is the worst feeling, but that feeling is a powerful motivator to improve.

I’m only a recreational bass player. My passion is writing but I love the way you’ve expressed this need to never let go of your passion. It’s the same for all things we love. I feel better as a writer just listening to this. You’re amazing Scott.

Obligatory comment of appreciation for the content and to help the channel. Cheers from Texas, Scott!

As a rare person who is lucky enough to make an ok living just from music, over the years, I realized that it was mostly stubbornness that got me here. “Real life” doesn’t want or have room for you being a musician. It’s only the arrogant, crazy, or people that just love it too much that keep doing it anyway.

Thank you for posting this. Bassists encouraging each other is what many of us need right now. I have wanted to quit a few times myself 😅 But I love it too much. Thank you for reaffirming that we should never give up.

I understand with your experience why you are a great teacher! This video has become one of my favorites of SBL channel, thanks Scott for doing such a great job for musicians.greetings from Bolivia!

Dude thank you. I just started playing again after 3years of not even looking at an instrument and I had an ATROCIOUS audition. I thought i lost it. I don't have it anymore. I'm glad I found this video. Thank you. I'm gonna go practice.

"You're not good enough, but it doesn't mean you're never gonna good enough" This channel helps me in playing bass in the past year. Yeah I'm a beginner, but this channel helps me a lot in playing bass. I was right in choosing a right instrument, and choosing the best teachers here on RU-vid. You're a big inspiration to each one of us Mr. Scott. Thank You!

Thought you were gonna be quitting then. Jeez man don't up my anxiety like that lol

I am, by career, a nurse who, for four decades, has played his bass for the love of the instrument and the positive energy that playing it gives back. I don't play well, but glad that I never quit. At 60, I continue to improve my skills with small steps of satisfaction. Thank you and all who share their craft, for the inspiration!

This message is GOLD man ... when the going gets tough I'll watch this again and again ... Much appreciated.

Thank you Scott. Im very proud audience of your RU-vid channel. Love to hear these bumpy stories. These stories not only happens on playing bass but many learning processes.

If you don’t make any mistakes, you’re not doing anything.. 😉

You gain nothing from quitting. You only lose something you previously had.

Gah, i needed this, Scott. I’ve been on and off the bike for a long time, and whenever i sit down to learn more, i get frustrated with knowing that i should know more, and then i get overwhelmed with where I should be starting and what i should be revising. Regardless of what point a musician is at, like you said, we cannot give up. How wonderful it would be to be able to spend even just a week under your wing to learn, ugh!! Best wishes to you, your family and everyone at SBL and supporting from home!!

Wow, what an important message, especially after a very discouraging year for everyone. There are so many people out there who have so much potential but who have no one who has been through the crap they're going through to help them keep pushing. All it takes sometimes is someone willing to give back and believe in them. The world needs more people like you, Scott.

I needed to hear this today. Thank you Scott! 🙏🏻❤️

You're so awesome!!

Thanks for this Scott! This is quite timely. Your response to this specific issue can be applied to any area of our lives when we feel like quitting. Thanks for this! Needed this this week.

Thank you for this Scott. I can tell it REALLY comes from a heart of love and support as well as a passion for bass.

What is more healing when you have had a bad day, than just sit down, relax, and play your instrument.

I started playing bass at 13 and progressed extremely fast. The church I went to at the time had a pretty serious band and they accepted me into the band within months because I had already passed the adult in skill who was doing it currently and he wanted a break. For the next 7 years I practiced with the worship team 2 times a week for 3 hours or so and also did a live performance with the band 1-3 Times a week. At our church and also traveling going to other churches and venues. As a teenager it was a thrill. Something new. That made me feel important and skilled. As the years went on I realized all of the time I missed just being a kid. All my friends would go hangout and I always had to play. Or practice. Or move our equipment somewhere. By the time I was in my 20s I was exhausted. Quit the worship team. Quit going to church because it was always a topic. Why did u quit. When will u play again. And I quit playing bass all together and sold my most prized possession. My first bass. A 1994 black peavey foundation with maple neck. I’m now 31 and started playing again about a month ago. In that month I progressed far beyond what I was before out of pure passion. And I got that feeling again. That enjoyment that I had when I first started playing. Now I’m filled with regret I wasted so much time. Not playing , not learning , not progressing. Taking time off is needed sometimes. But never lose focus on the passion. Never stay in a situation that makes u come to hate what u love most. To all my musicians out there. You know what I mean I’m sure. Just figured I would share my story

One of the best motivational speaks ever, period. So so helpful, and so true, put into such moving words.... Thank you!!!

Thank you Scott for sharing your inspirational message. Quitting is the easy way out but I discovered that from every difficult musical experience I came away wanting to prove myself even more.

My dad said the same thing when I was 18 and I couldn't tune my guitar: "Don't try. You don't have the talent." Years later I graduated from Berklee College of Music and he apologized. "You are destined to do great things in music," he said. Don't ever let someone tell you what you can't do.

I did quit. In the 80's I was in a metal band that went pear shaped. And I met a girl, we got married yada yada... 33 years (and one divorce) later I reconnected with an old college buddy and we went to see his son playing in a metal band - I got the bug back. 3 years later I've got my own band, we played at a local venue just over a week ago at a jam night and really rocked the place. We've got an offer from another band to be a support act in another town in about a month as a result. While we were playing lots of people crowded the front of the stage area and had a great time, then left when we finished. I felt sorry for those who played after us, but the experience also made me wish I'd never stopped playing. It was something I always missed and was probably one of the worst decisions I've made. I've missed out on 33 years of doing something I love doing, and I could be so much better at what I do if I'd just kep going.

A lesson that applies to all things, thank you for sharing this, Scott! You're the best!

This was INCREDIBLE message Scott. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE can apply this ANYWHERE in their life! Rock on brother....rock on.

Man. I've met a day like this just about every year for the past 7 years trying to become a professional grappler. I really understand what that guy went thru, and also really don't. Its so important to not meet expectations, even tho it sucks to feel inadequate. Respect to every one who never quit.

I am a Paramedic. If I screw up, people die! In music however most of the time the audience doesn't even notice. Hell, truth be known a lot of "Ghost notes" and "Mutes" are just well placed screw ups that work out. Bless you Scott. You are an inspiration!

Scott this is the best lesson on keeping your head up I can't stop won't stop quitting is not an option if you really want this.

The best lesson you have ever done on this channel. Full stop. Cheers, mate.

Long story short.... Had a stroke, sold everything. Some time passed....... bought a new rig. Struggle...... but feels sooooo good! More time passed... Due to a financial situation, I'm putting my bass and amp up for sale literally tonight.💔 It's okay, *I'll jump back on the bike. And I'm going to take this time off-the-bike to study music theory more in depth. Stay low, friends.

I wouldn't dream of quitting, playing and listening to music is such a big part of my life, you can never please everyone in every aspect of life, if someone has criticism, take it on board and do what you need to do to prove them wrong.

thanks for your words scott! been doing this thing for while and nothing seems to work. content like yours really helps us fellow bass players get through these hard times. wish you all the best bro!

Scott thank you for sharing this video!!! Long time bass player nearly 20 years. Battled a deep depression through Covid, i'm sure like many others. I didn't touch my bass through it, I just couldn't bring myself to play. For about 2-3 years. It sounded terrible, my timing was off, and learning new songs felt like a chore. I wasn't playing live or with a band in a few years prior and felt that it was no longer a part of my life. I started watching some of your videos on RU-vid and got the inspiration again. Playing bass as been a joy in my life and I can't thank you enough for doing what you do! Helping all of us gain a better understanding of our instruments and techniques to improve has played a vital role in my own life. For me I was able to find my rhythm again. That I was able to take into my day to day. Thank you!

Thank you Scott. I needed to hear this. 🤙🏾😎

god I love Scott’s passion.

This is the most positive advice I've had about music for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration! One thing I'll say is that like anything, you can burn out on music. If you need to take a break to rekindle the love of your craft, then do it. It happens. Sometimes it's important to take a breather!

Great job, Scott. You are so right. I'm impressed at your ability to put that into words. For all the upcoming musicians (and some of the older ones too who are trying new things), that is the message.

When people said I wasn’t capable of playing bass I took it as a challenge and practiced every single day and now they want me to play with them. Of course, It was really depressing and hard for me back in those days but what kept me motivated was seeing my bass guitar and the reason I had bought it for. I’m not saying that I’m a professional bass player now but I can proudly say that I can survive through any jam session with ease! So if I can do it than so can you! :)

Right on, if you love something you can't quit. Playing music is a blessing for your whole life, don't let anyone take it away.

This is fantastic inspiration. I've been playing for three years and there's still days where everything I do is completely off. No matter how much I practice the small stuff. But I don't want to stop!

Great message Scott, this can be applied to everything in life, if you want something bad enough don’t let one persons opinion change your direction, learn from it and become stronger, trust your gut instinct 👍

All good bass players have one thing in common. They didn’t start out that way.

Super powerful, not even trying to make a career out of my bass playing but this was really inspirational.

Best video I've heard in a long time. Thanks for the pep talk but, I have to get back to the shed! I'm glad I'm here and I know this is a good place to be.

Man, what a great story, good on you for working hard at it, you got the chance and used it. I didn't play for almost 10 years, just working and really wanted to get back to playing bass again. Luckily I found a band and started with bying new basses as well.

scott wasnt born a musical genius. for part of his life he was a plebe like us, but he made the best of the chances he was given and developed his talents.

I had an experience recently where I lost a friend (who was also my guitarist) and my girlfriend at the time in a single weekend! I seriously thought about packing up my gear and moving back home until a few days later the drummer and I just jammed for an hour, which resulted in me writing and recording all of the bass AND guitar parts for our new album. If you are an artist you need to experience these moments, as horrible as they may be, to fuel the creative fire that burns deep within you; sometimes it’s not pain and suffering that does it, it could be elation or love. That’s the thing about the creative process, it happens in the most miraculous ways at the most unexpected times. To quote Winston Churchill, “Never give up!”

Yup! Been there too. Thanks Scott. I know this hit home for me and was motivational to here. I would love to hear more”fell of the bike” Stories from the greats on the site if there was a special section for it. It’s hard to deal with sometimes. Because you feel like you’re letting yourself down, you’re fellow musicians down, your audience down. The other one that’s been hard for me to balance is the notion that bass players don’t seem to be used as much in modern music anymore. I think I heard a story where you had a friend in LA who told you that live bass players are very rarely used on any modern music releases anymore? It kind of feels like what’s the point sometimes. With all of the stuff going on with automation, synth, and computers etc. Proud to be a member of SBL and what you all represent. Even bought two straps to show it when playing, lol!

Well said Scott.....lot's of takeaways in your stories and positive attitude to be had here. It inspired me in many ways and I hope it helps many and especially those having a rough time at the moment and in the future. Cheers

My first ever gig was a decent sized show. We ended with a cover of Maggot Brain. If you know the song, you know it’s one everyone knows the notes to. On first go around I flubbed a note and heard a guy in the crowd yell, “don’t worry, you’ll get it right next time” I went home that night and practiced for atleast 3 hours. Now everyday I play bass, I warm up with maggot brain.

The desire to quit really can strike in the most unexpected of ways too unfortunately. I've been a bassist for close to 6 years in a small Midwestern town (ope). While not exactly a cultural hub, there is a small music scene with closely-knit people. I had the terrible auditions, egotistical bandmates, trainwreck gigs, and bumpy open mic nights as a house musician. It's just a part of the process and I did it because I just had a deep love of the connection I get with my fellow musicians. However, you sometimes don't know you've been shot at until the bullet rips through you. I had started a band with some great friends. We had been in other projects, weathered the terrible limelight-seekers, and recorded together into the early hours of the morning. It was the first band where my ideas were not only listened to, but made into songs. I felt such joy, like this is what I've been trudging through the trenches for. Then I trainwrecked. We had a show with a lot of people showing up. Good opening act. My songs were going to be shown to the world as full compositions. My terrible anxiety got to me and I overplayed and couldn't keep a groove if my life depended on it. I panicked and didn't think to take a deep breath and take it easy. We got decent compliments, but I knew I had a lot of work to do after that. Every gig is a learning experience after all. Then the groupchat erupted a few hours after the show. The singer started trying to convict me of turning up in between every song. My amp was across the stage, so I couldn't reach it at any point. He thought I was messing with my knobs to be louder, when I was actually just tuning my bass (it's headless, so the tuners are on the body rather than headstock). When he couldn't nail me for that, we tried to say I was bullying the sound engineer to make me louder than everyone, when I asked him to just put more guitar in my monitor (also, never piss off your engineer). I've ran sound myself and know not to do that. Whenever he couldn't get me for that, he started saying I played terribly. I agreed with him, but that wasn't good enough for him. He thought I PURPOSEFULLY was being terrible. I couldn't get through to him. He pestered me for hours. My bandmates wouldn't even tell him to lighten up even though they told me privately that they knew I would never do those things. I eventually quit the band. The band I founded to get away from the ego and control of another former bandmate. We had 15 original songs and 12 were written by me, so I took them with me. But, I lost motivation to practice. Listening to music felt like looking at pictures of an unfaithful ex. Evening thinking about music sickened me. I didn't play for 2 weeks and muted my phone anytime an advertisement had music in the background. I essentially avoided my passion like the plague and even my mother noticed something was off when visiting. I did start listening to music slowly and began listening to stuff that reminded me what I loved about music. I found new and exciting stuff. I have new riffs, techniques, and goals now. I just had my first rehearsal with my new band last night and we already have 3 songs written. If you ever want to quit, never forget what makes music so great. It's not the recognition, solos, or money. It's the love! Don't let one person tear you down like I did. Learn what you love, always look for places to improve, and make every note count. And don't stop practicing like it did, because it felt so awkward to get going again after 2 weeks of not using those muscles

Thanks so much for this encouragement! A rookie player here and my biggest struggle is memorizing the music and it causes major brain freeze when I'm so used to having a piece of paper in front of me. I totally bombed on my first weeks practice a few weeks ago and it broke my heart. But I used it as a tool to get the work done. This week I'm up again, 3 songs for our worship team and I'm pumped

Scott thanks for putting this out there for all of us. We all have our mind crushed while on our musical path in life where you have been humiliated and think the worse. but i got over it and it motivated me like a mad man to push myself Thanks Joe Romano

When I mess up over and over, and I feel like I’m done with it, I just tell myself that once I get this done, I’ll be able to do more than I could

I have an audition on Wednesday. I feel like this video popping up today was the universes way of warning me that I'm going to choke.

I'm beginning as a bass player this week and all your videos have helped me understand the bass immediately. I'm coming from a classic, acoustic and electric guitar background so it helps but as I'm learning the bass from your vids I'm re-learning things about the guitar I never noticed before. God bless you brother!

Thanks, Scott. I feel like I needed this video aswell! Was starting to lose motivation over not feeling like I’m progressing enough, but your content is a large part of what inspired me to begin with. Keep up the content, cheers!

Because of COVID I’ve been retraining for a new career and barely had time/energy (and quite frankly interest) in playing music/bass. That could be a cool topic to touch on...

I spent three years without playing due to an injury on my hands. I focused on other things...but eventually I was able to return and feel better than ever . This happened 7 years ago.

Cheers Scott, this is what I needed after the day I've had. This is advice you can apply to anything. Love the channel, keep on keeping on.

Thanks Scott, For the amazing pep talk brother. You are THE main reason why I even picked the bass back up after taking nearly an 8yr hiatus and I’m so glad I did. So Cheers Scott and much love..

Had me scared with the title tho

I feel that way every time I see Jaco or Victor or any great bassist play. I go home and don't want to play anymore. I'll NEVER be that good! But I always find myself trying to imagine my life without music and I can't. I remind myself how far I've come. So I'm still here (68 yrs old.) I just try to be the best player I can be with my skill set. I keep trying to learn new stuff and improve what I already do. I'm still playing and still getting asked to gig with other bands whenever I'm free. Keep on truckin' Brother.

I really needed this. Thanks for the years of quality content, Scott!

I already admire you from years, but with this you made us proud of being bass players, so much love for you Scott! ❤️🙏🏻

I’ll be brutally honest Scott, I have been a bass player for 30 years and have had some amazing experiences. Thought I was pretty good. Then I started watching some of your videos and got completely overwhelmed to the point of realising that I had so much more to learn and what skills I had accomplished over the years didn’t seem to amount to much. It really blew the wind out my sails. I winced at every duff note I played, quit my band and turned my back on playing in public, much to the bemusement of my manager and record label. And as a man in my forties I’m scared of the path ahead. I feel like my best years are behind me and I should have concentrated on theory much more earlier on. I miss it a lot but what I have in front of me leaves me with anxiety.

I would like to share what my father once said to me about success. " A person whom tries but fails, is far better off to a person whom doesn't try and succeeds."

I love playing bass and I love riding my bikes . Thanks for the positive pep talk. You rock man

This was perhaps the most important lesson I've heard, not just in music, but in life itself. Bless you, Scott.

This is the earliest I've gotten to a SBL video.

NEVER QUIT WHEN YOU'RE AT THE BOTTOM...!!!

This was exactly what I needed to hear and be reminded of in 2021, thank you for the great timing!

This is likely the BEST motivational/ pep talk, that not only I have heard, but the best general encouragement for ANYONE dealing with adversity in their field. Thank you, bass brother. I'm saving this video forever! 👏🏼🤝🏼👨🏻‍🎓🎸🎶

Quite a few times. The most memorable was I’d been put forward to dep for a few weeks but the band leader wanted to audition me. Only catch, no vocals or drummer, just me and him on guitar in his living room. It was pop standards and I charted out what I could. We just didn’t gel, there was nothing, and after the 4th track he said ‘is that how you think it goes?’, Look, I’ve already auditioned a guy who knows these tunes and I’m going with him. Then he wanted me to stay for a chat over coffee! Weird experience.

Had us in the first half ngl

Thanks for sharing your story Scott! I think those moments are what make you get better. It can either make your forfeit or go home and practice. The 1st time i played the bass in public was at a blues jam, about a month into playing. I had messed up the jam for everyone. The event organizer and sound engineer to me how Im not ready to play yet and should go home and practice, it was humiliating honestly. But there was another musician thay saw the interaction and told me that everybody starts that way and that its inevitable. He made me realize that what they were saying was true (i was not ready), but it doesnt mean ill never be ready! I went hime that night and practiced my scales the whole night and really started practicing daily. The next jam, in about a few weeks, the progress was just visible. Everyone wanted me on their set, because Ibwas also more confident that i put in work. I saw looks of satisfaction and encouragement upon the faces of the guys who told me i was not good at the last jam! That made me feel good. A few months ago, now that Im alrrady playing in some really great local bands as the bass player, i was talking to that same sound engineer and he was telling me how much he has seen me improve in the 1 year and a half since I started playing!

This post is one of the best posts you’ve done. Mental health is an issue and sometimes we need a good story like yours. I have no story. I sent a happy birthday to a mate and with a few well known riffs ‘bunged in and I was stoked by it. That’s my hi as a bass player. The metronome is my tutor currently but I may change that. I’m learning to read but it coincides with a busy time at work involving a lot of research on the plus side I keep the music theory because I practice soon after where the service analysis I do I might never use. It comes down to the grey matter and the power of memory we all have.