Has anyone ever taken a substantial break from playing?

[Veils]

A few years ago, I was in a band that experienced a reasonable degree of success for the genre of music we played (metal). I supported bands like Slayer, Mastodon and Trivium, got some Radio 1 Rock Show airplay and at the time, everything got very very serious. It eventually sucked any enjoyment I took from playing bass, I stopped practicing in my own time and eventually, I gave up altogether.

I was, at the time, a pretty good player. I've now finally got the itch in a big way to jump back in. I've loaned a bass to try and get some of my chops back. I'm obviously rusty, my fingers are a tad clumsy and trying to play along to one of my old bands tracks (I attached it - this is NOT the above mentioned band) is, in places, quite difficult.

What's the biggest break you guys have taken from playing and did you take any specific approach to getting back into it?

Edited August 25, 2014 by Veils

[mickcope]

About seven years. Must getting back into it now

Focusing on scales, playing along to random tracks and learning current key songs

Mick

[Veils]

Definitely a longer break than mine! I probably took a 3-4 year hiatus!

[Veils]

I have no idea if that attachment worked.......should be an mp3 file?

[sprocketflup]

Took a break for a decade, enjoying rediscovering my favourite instrument as we speak

[Veils]

Wow, bloody good work!!!

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Veils' timestamp='1408993418' post='2535356']
I have no idea if that attachment worked.......should be an mp3 file?
[/quote]

Once downloaded, the file should be re-baptised with an 'mp3' suffix. It's the System that imposes this; we can't do anything about it. The file is fine; just re-name it.

[slumjacket]

I took a break of about 15 years, it was only when I got back into it I realised how much I missed it.

Don't worry about being rusty, I've been back playing for about 6 years and I still feel a bit rusty.

[Veils]

15 years! Wow! Guess my break is no big deal

On the filename, I think that's renamed itself. The file was named properly when uploaded, no biggy but thanks for the heads up!

[gary mac]

Longest break I had was about 14 years. Getting married, having kids and running my own business took up all my time and energy. During that time I would still occasionally play a bit of keyboard or acoustic guitar but that was it.

[JamieMillsBass]

What was your band called dude? I took pretty much a 3 year break whilst at uni. I found my chops came back pretty quickly to be honest, but not sure if I had of taken a longer break would things be different.

[Veils]

The band I made some progress with was called Veils, the band in the attached tune was called San Sebastian

[Les]

14 years, then got tricked into joining another band, still at it 6 years later.

[RhysP]

Went for about 6 years without playing a bass at all, and still go for anything up to 6 months at a time between playing bass as I tend to concentrate pretty much exclusively on acoustic guitar, mandolin and (most recently) pedal steel guitar these days.

[Veils]

My aim is that when I move back to UK next year, I will get the band you hear in the attached tune back together. I spent about 6 years playing metal and always wanted to put something more melodic together where I could really express myself a bit more as a bassist. I still love listening to the music we made to this day, I'd kill to get that band back together!

[3below]

About 10 years of no serious bass playing. Thought I was going to give up altogether with wrist problems. Magically this sorted and am playing again - probably better than ever (IMO lol).

[Wooks79]

I took 2 years out, after a frustrating end to a previous band, and still kick myself to this day about 10 years later!

It was a bigger knock back in my playing than I could have imagined.

[Diablo]

I took about 15 years out, been back at it 3 years now. I dunno about polishing those licks and trying to express myself more, I'm just happy to fudge through a set without messing up

[Veils]

Well that's a long time to take out!! I think if I took 15 years I'd be screwed!!!

I'm seriously considering nipping into town now to buy a Ray35 I saw last weekend........

[obbm]

I stopped playing in 1967 when I sold all my gear (worst decision of my life) and started my career. What with that, marriages, family and other hobbies I didn't get back into playing again until 1990, a break of 23 years. I was very rusty however I've not looked back since.

[Pinball]

I stopped playing guitar in about 1987 and picked it up again in 2012, thats errr too long. I now play in two bands, bass in one and guitar in the other.

[Mornats]

17 year break for me which I thought would be the record here but clearly not! Finally got lessons this time round and I'm much better than I used to be although still a bit noobish.

[casapete]

Took a break of around 18 months when I started a family.
Missed it like hell, got back into it gradually by doing deps, been pro for 21 years now!
Can't imagine doing anything else to be honest, still love it.

[Veils]

Well I'm very close to having an arrangement to pick up a Ray35 which I've found here in Mexico for about 500 quid.........then I'm well and truly on the comeback trail!!!

[thisnameistaken]

I stopped playing from about 1999 to 2005, and within a year of picking it up again I was a better player than I was before. I definitely play less notes now and they are better-chosen notes because I have a better understanding of music, and I modulate them for interest in appropriate places, rather than playing too many notes all the time as if music was an athletic event, which is what I did when I was younger.