Are the things you’re working on aligned with your goals?

By Jon Liebman
December 9, 2022

Whenever I set out to do something, I go all in. One hundred percent.

Last week my wife and I went bowling with our granddaughters. “Papa, you’re so serious,” somebody said. What can I say? I’m intently focused on knocking down all the pins every time I’m up. That’s what I’m there for.

I’m also crossword fiend and I find myself unhappy and disappointed if I don’t fill in every square. 

I love to watch Jeopardy! but I hate those times when it makes me feel stupid.

That’s just the way I’m wired. Maybe you’re the same way?

Think about why you do what you do

When it comes to learning bass, is it possible that you’re putting too much pressure on yourself?

Ask yourself this: “How far am I trying to go?” 

Then ask, “Do I really need to push myself so hard? Is that goal really what I want? And is it worth it?”

Now I’m not advising you to slack off or adopt an unhealthy attitude. But let’s take a step back and look at things in perspective. 

Chances are you’re over 50 years old. You’re not trying to be a rock star. You’re not trying to set the world on fire. You’re not looking for a career as a professional musician. 

You just want to learn to play bass so you can have fun. And if you can avoid feeling any pain in the process, even better!

Don’t get hung up on the destination

I got to thinking about this during a recent conversation with my old friend, 8-string bass virtuoso Igor Saavedra, published as this week’s FBPO interview.

I was telling Igor about the students in the Bottom Line Club, and how I’m always impressing upon them the fact that they can make such an incredible impact on the music, and on the groove, just by playing a super simple bass line that doesn’t cause them any pain.

“What you said is totally right on the money,” Igor says, adding how you don’t need to be obsessed with the destination. It’s much better if you just relax and have fun. 

In fact, according to Igor, the destination may not even be all that important.

“Of course, the expectations have to be realistic,” Igor says, “and my advice would be focus on having fun, and the rest will come. Or not. But it doesn’t matter if you’re having fun.”

Remove the pressure

In other words, somebody might come along and offer your band a record contract. Cool. But is that really what you’re going for?

“If it does not happen but you had a great time, not thinking of any destination, it will be worth it,” says Igor.

If you were a career-bound bass student, still in your 20s, I’d be giving you a very different message. But at this stage in your life, wouldn’t you just like to learn bass for the sheer enjoyment of it and play music that you love?

“I have had many over 50 too,” Igor says about his bass students. “And it works like this: They lower their expectations, and if they’re really, really good, well, things happen and they do more stuff. Great! But if it does not happen, the whole trip was (still) incredible for them.”

Think about the goal you want to achieve and what it takes to get there. How closely do the things you’re doing align with that goal?

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Igor reiterates. “Have fun!”

Your turn. How about you? How hard are you working to learn bass? Do you feel you need to give it everything you’ve got or is it enough just to have fun? Maybe it’s somewhere in between. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. And be sure to watch my interview with Igor here.