If you could turn back time to your very first day of picking up the bass guitar, what would you do differently? Many beginners focus on the technical aspects right away: scales, riffs, and songs. But there’s a foundational element that often gets overlooked, and addressing it from the start can drastically change your learning journey.
The Underrated Power of Your “Why” in Learning Bass
Imagine starting a journey without knowing your destination. That’s often what learning bass feels like when you haven’t defined your “why.” Why do you want to Learn Bass? Is it purely for enjoyment? Do you dream of rocking out on stage? Are you aiming to join a band with friends? Or perhaps you want to master a specific genre?
For a long time, I didn’t have a clear answer to this question. I simply started playing. While spontaneous inspiration can be wonderful, in this case, it led to years of unfocused practice. I dabbled in various techniques, sometimes dreaming of becoming a famous touring musician, but my practice routine didn’t reflect that ambition. It was more aligned with someone who just wanted to have fun and become exceptionally good at slap bass – a cool technique, but not necessarily a path to stadium stages.
This lack of clarity created a disconnect. My unconscious desire didn’t match my actual practice habits. Consequently, my progress toward any meaningful goal felt slow and frustrating. I experienced a sense of failure and even felt self-conscious about sharing my bass journey online as a teacher.
It wasn’t until later, reflecting on my experiences, that I realized the importance of aligning my “why” with my actions. Once I redefined my “why” to “enjoy playing great music and help others learn to do the same,” everything clicked. Suddenly, my practice became purposeful. I could intelligently choose what to practice, focusing on rhythm, tone, and musicality, and assess whether my practice was actually moving me towards my goals.
Discovering my “why” sooner would have saved me years of wandering in the musical wilderness. So, if you’re just starting to learn bass, take a moment to ask yourself: what’s your “why?” Understanding your motivation will be the compass guiding your practice and ultimately, your success in learning bass.
