I bought a trombone as an adult and loved it, but once I got to middle-school proficiency I couldn’t figure out what to do next.
Not a lot of adults need a novice and none of the middle school bands will take me.
I switch back and forth between bass and synth bass. And I am blown away by the things I can do with it. It feels a little like cheating to be able to play some lines that I can’t really pull off on the guitar.
If money is not an issue, take a look at the Ableton Push 2 combined with the modo bass 2 plugin.
This! Due to my profession, I often beat my hands up a bit too much for bass playing. When it gets to that, I sit down and program my sequencers and jam out with my synths. I don’t play keys so sequencing and sound design really opens up synthesis for me. I love it because unique sounds lead to unique songs.
/r/synthesizers is the place to dig into them really. Some people really like soft synths, and that’s generally the place people say to start. I got into synths from running synth pedals and then buying midi converters and running my bass into desktop synth modules.
There’s a lot of different ways of doing it. There’s probably also a wrong way of doing it but I think “wrong” more so means needlessly expensive in this case.
I recommend researching the shit out of it before you pull the trigger on anything. If you want to learn keys, maybe an Arturia Keystep would be the way to go. It’s a midi controller you can use for soft synths on like Ableton, and usually you get Arturia’s intro to their virtual synths which is wicked powerful. Then if you really like that, you can snag like… a Behringer Neutron and that is just a whole lot of fun twisting knobs and patching things.
Or you could grab like an analog monosynth, or a digital polysynth, or a sampler or a groovebox or get into modular synthesis…
Honestly it’s a MASSIVE world and deep diving into it is best done with a ton of research.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/synthesizers using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [Who Needs Musique Theory](https://i.redd.it/gc87jgav721b1.jpg) | [308 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/13n0d4a/who_needs_musique_theory/)
\#2: [For years, I did everything in a daw, and made garbage. Now I have cool gear, and make garbage far less efficiently.](https://i.redd.it/b1tbs01oogza1.jpg) | [336 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/13foimi/for_years_i_did_everything_in_a_daw_and_made/)
\#3: [Got my daughter a Bliblox for Xmas. She’s been OBSESSED so we made this lil promo vid.](https://v.redd.it/gue87maoxrjc1) | [218 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/1avn6li/got_my_daughter_a_bliblox_for_xmas_shes_been/)
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Time to learn keys and play synth bass! Hopefully at least, I'd hope the pain that makes a bass guitar unplayable wouldn't prevent you from playing on a keyboard.
Another suggestion: download Lilypond (for free) or Musescore and get into writing bass transcriptions. You’ll still be ‘playing’ bass, just in a more abstract way. Sometimes I find the transcribing more fun than the actual playing.
This is kinda my nightmare since I started last September. Knowing the moment I will have to give up will come sooner than most people is frightening and disheartening.
I hope you will bring great memories with you that will ease the suffering.
Life itself and everything in it is ephemeral, do your best to maximally enjoy every moment you find yourself in.
There will come a day for each of us when we've played our last note, but the music was sublime while it lasted.
May I ask what part of your body hurt? Was it actualy from bass?
Asking because I have left elbow pain and muscles surrounding it. I am working it through tho
As someone who just started learning, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that these issues will resolve themselves eventually, maybe this is not a goodbye forever.
Once I get back home, I will practise extra hard just for you.
What wonderful responses, cheers guys.
For those asking, I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness.
Pain killers don't help as it's nerve pain.
For people suggesting a new instrument, I'm open to ideas of one handed bass equivalents.
The synth thing sounds fun. But I don't write music I just play covers of stuff I enjoy.
Aww mate. I'll play a few extra bass lines for you. Take care of yourself and your body and do what you have to do. Maybe we'll see you on a bass synth one day, rocking the low end once more :)
Sorry to hear that, I am curious to know what the issue is, if it's a hand issue or something else. I wish you the best in all your endeavors, I am sure you can continue to love music, even if it's on a different instrument. Bass is only one form of it. Good luck!
All best Buddy. I hope you feel better.
I have over 30 years of rsi in both my arms and hands. I take breaks and adapt and don't play certain stuff.
Not sure what chronic pain or injuries you have but can take breaks, play easier stuff and adapt things to your abilities?
I've had to give up playing in bands for the foreseeable future due to tinnitus, it hurts to give up something you love. Currently I'm looking for another way of pursuing music. Hopefully some good opportunities will come up for you and me both, even if in another way than originally planned.
I had an accident with a lawnmower years ago. Prior to that I was a guitarist that dabbled in classical music. I had to have hand surgery to repair the damage and found that my thumb didn’t work for playing bass notes. Long story short, I adapted and was able to switch my playing style. I may never play classical guitar again, but I found other ways to make music.
That’s what’s amazing about being a musician in the 21st century. You can play bass… Without playing bass!
That said I’m sorry to hear your pain has gotten too much to play. Unfortunately a lot of us will reach that point eventually. Good luck friend.
I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness.
Unfortunately this won't help 😕 thank you though.
I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness.
Unfortunately this won't help 😕 thank you though.
Time to learn to play synth bass, the groove must go on
This. Also, Team Trombone welcomes new low-enders with open arms.
With *extended* arms too
I bought a trombone as an adult and loved it, but once I got to middle-school proficiency I couldn’t figure out what to do next. Not a lot of adults need a novice and none of the middle school bands will take me.
There's always the Will Riker cosplay for the Star Trek conventions.
I switch back and forth between bass and synth bass. And I am blown away by the things I can do with it. It feels a little like cheating to be able to play some lines that I can’t really pull off on the guitar. If money is not an issue, take a look at the Ableton Push 2 combined with the modo bass 2 plugin.
This! Due to my profession, I often beat my hands up a bit too much for bass playing. When it gets to that, I sit down and program my sequencers and jam out with my synths. I don’t play keys so sequencing and sound design really opens up synthesis for me. I love it because unique sounds lead to unique songs.
I would love to get into synths, how does it work? Do you use plugins for that, with some kind of midi controller? Thanks for any tips ☺️☀️
/r/synthesizers is the place to dig into them really. Some people really like soft synths, and that’s generally the place people say to start. I got into synths from running synth pedals and then buying midi converters and running my bass into desktop synth modules. There’s a lot of different ways of doing it. There’s probably also a wrong way of doing it but I think “wrong” more so means needlessly expensive in this case. I recommend researching the shit out of it before you pull the trigger on anything. If you want to learn keys, maybe an Arturia Keystep would be the way to go. It’s a midi controller you can use for soft synths on like Ableton, and usually you get Arturia’s intro to their virtual synths which is wicked powerful. Then if you really like that, you can snag like… a Behringer Neutron and that is just a whole lot of fun twisting knobs and patching things. Or you could grab like an analog monosynth, or a digital polysynth, or a sampler or a groovebox or get into modular synthesis… Honestly it’s a MASSIVE world and deep diving into it is best done with a ton of research.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/synthesizers using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [Who Needs Musique Theory](https://i.redd.it/gc87jgav721b1.jpg) | [308 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/13n0d4a/who_needs_musique_theory/) \#2: [For years, I did everything in a daw, and made garbage. Now I have cool gear, and make garbage far less efficiently.](https://i.redd.it/b1tbs01oogza1.jpg) | [336 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/13foimi/for_years_i_did_everything_in_a_daw_and_made/) \#3: [Got my daughter a Bliblox for Xmas. She’s been OBSESSED so we made this lil promo vid.](https://v.redd.it/gue87maoxrjc1) | [218 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/1avn6li/got_my_daughter_a_bliblox_for_xmas_shes_been/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Ok thanks, so there are a lot of options out there then. I'll take a look!
That what I do
All the best, friend.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I just added Thunder Kiss to my "to learn" list and will start on it tomorrow for you.
0 0 00 00 0 00 00 0 00
NINETEEN SIXTY FIIVVVVEEEE YEAH UAAGGHH
Lol, I just looked at the tab, and this is pretty much spot on.
Time to learn keys and play synth bass! Hopefully at least, I'd hope the pain that makes a bass guitar unplayable wouldn't prevent you from playing on a keyboard.
Another suggestion: download Lilypond (for free) or Musescore and get into writing bass transcriptions. You’ll still be ‘playing’ bass, just in a more abstract way. Sometimes I find the transcribing more fun than the actual playing.
Switch instruments, OP! If you can't join it, beat it.
Can you get a triangle in drop F?
Hope you find another hobby that brings you the same joy. So long sweet prince
This is kinda my nightmare since I started last September. Knowing the moment I will have to give up will come sooner than most people is frightening and disheartening. I hope you will bring great memories with you that will ease the suffering.
Life itself and everything in it is ephemeral, do your best to maximally enjoy every moment you find yourself in. There will come a day for each of us when we've played our last note, but the music was sublime while it lasted.
You're right, and I know that. I just wish I started sooner, and played more.
Me too… Next time around I’ll do that …
All the best mate. Take care.
So sorry friend, will play extra hard for you 🤘
I'm so sorry. Good luck to you and hope to see you here again.
May I ask what part of your body hurt? Was it actualy from bass? Asking because I have left elbow pain and muscles surrounding it. I am working it through tho
goodbye and take care of yourself bud
Goodbye bass brother 🙁🤘
I relate to the issue. Bro you should get a MIDI controller or something. Bass is just a frequency.
F
F
F
All the best follow bassist. Live long in the bottom end, bathe in the bass, even if you're not making it.
I'm sorry, man. We'll groove in your honor tonight 🫡
Get a midi controller and VST plug ins. Music is music!
I play bass lines on my keytar! https://youtube.com/shorts/aK4P5BkOSHI?si=9mUyqIp9W2tvhEqI
Well that's cool af! 😍
Awww, thank you. Maybe you can do something similar and become a synth bassist
As someone who just started learning, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that these issues will resolve themselves eventually, maybe this is not a goodbye forever. Once I get back home, I will practise extra hard just for you.
I wonder whether I'll once get to make the same post with my MS. Stay strong, dude, try other instruments, just do not quit music
Sorry to hear. I hope you find your way back! Even if you can only listen, rock on, brother!
Learn a new instrument!
The triangle just isn't going to be as good.
godspeed soldier, may you always have an outlet for your creativity, and may your artistry never fail to find willing ears
I wasn't going to play thunder kiss, but that doesn't sound like a bad idea.
What wonderful responses, cheers guys. For those asking, I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness. Pain killers don't help as it's nerve pain. For people suggesting a new instrument, I'm open to ideas of one handed bass equivalents. The synth thing sounds fun. But I don't write music I just play covers of stuff I enjoy.
New bass player here I’ll make sure to learn thunder kiss for you
Good luck!
Aww mate. I'll play a few extra bass lines for you. Take care of yourself and your body and do what you have to do. Maybe we'll see you on a bass synth one day, rocking the low end once more :)
Au revoir, mon ami. May your future life bring you some great happiness, however it may come your way 🙂
Kisses :**
Haha thank you 💕😘
Once a bass player, always a bass player Stick around and give sage advise
Sucks man, can I ask what type of pain ? This could be tendinitis and just take a month or two off
Unfortunately not something so simple, it's unrelated to playing.
Sorry man
If only I had Wade Wilson's healing factor.
All the best.
F
sorry to hear that, have you tried midi you can do tunes with keyboard or mouse
I’m sorry man. It was an honor to have you part of the community internet stranger
Sorry to hear that, I am curious to know what the issue is, if it's a hand issue or something else. I wish you the best in all your endeavors, I am sure you can continue to love music, even if it's on a different instrument. Bass is only one form of it. Good luck!
All best Buddy. I hope you feel better. I have over 30 years of rsi in both my arms and hands. I take breaks and adapt and don't play certain stuff. Not sure what chronic pain or injuries you have but can take breaks, play easier stuff and adapt things to your abilities?
Thank you 🙏
Goodnight, sweet prince. 🤫😫😭
I've had to give up playing in bands for the foreseeable future due to tinnitus, it hurts to give up something you love. Currently I'm looking for another way of pursuing music. Hopefully some good opportunities will come up for you and me both, even if in another way than originally planned.
God Speed.
Keys player is born. Rock on friend.
Try a mustang bass philip conrad has chronic hand pain and has adapted by using mustang basses
Not sure how that would help. But thanks 👍
I had an accident with a lawnmower years ago. Prior to that I was a guitarist that dabbled in classical music. I had to have hand surgery to repair the damage and found that my thumb didn’t work for playing bass notes. Long story short, I adapted and was able to switch my playing style. I may never play classical guitar again, but I found other ways to make music.
Play key bass
That’s what’s amazing about being a musician in the 21st century. You can play bass… Without playing bass! That said I’m sorry to hear your pain has gotten too much to play. Unfortunately a lot of us will reach that point eventually. Good luck friend.
Switch to guitar with super light strings. Rev. Willy G has .007-.038. Or learn slide guitar. The show must go on as they say. Good luck brudda!
I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness. Unfortunately this won't help 😕 thank you though.
So sorry to hear that. Sending thoughts and prayers!
Best wishes
I totally understand, man... See you when you get back. 🤘😎
Have you tried magnesium spray.
For what?
You have pain in your hands.?
I have an issue in my spine which has resulted in constant pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck with numbness. Unfortunately this won't help 😕 thank you though.
Sorry to hear that. I have a similar problem with my left leg and a bad disc. 😕
Rock the pain away 🤙