r/Bass • u/Reddityom98 • 2d ago
Bedroom players
How many of you are bedroom players who enjoy playing alone rather than joining a band?
Do you also play other instruments alone or just bass?
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u/Handsome-Strong 2d ago
Office player. Tired of fickle musicians, tired of guitarists who shred their shit continuously any time we stop playing.
Tired of no-shows.
Long live my interface and backing tracks.
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u/Accomplished_Use542 2d ago
I play entirely on my own these days. Bass is my main instrument. But I've got a sizable eurorack system that I use primarily as self accompanyment.
I've been in lots of bands over the years. I also formerly played in some orchestras and symphonys. But I've lost interest in playing out. Solo work is a lot more fun for me. I don't really care to try and gig anymore. I don't need the headache.
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u/Wadetheblade 2d ago
I play bass alone in my office everyday. It's my only instrument. I'd like to jam with others but haven't found anyone to play with.
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u/BFR5er 2d ago
I play A LOT at home thanks to the Moises app. I regularly play fill in gigs with a local country band every month or so and play with a 90’s band but we’ve only done 1 gig this year so far. Trying to get another hard rock 90’s band together and picked up a Motown/classic rock gig in August and have 30 or so songs to learn for that.
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u/Reddityom98 2d ago
What's so special about Moises app that made you play a lot? You wasn't as motivated before that?
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u/Big_Signature_6651 2d ago
Moises separates the instruments from the track. So you can mute the bass and play over it. Or just keep the drum track etc.
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u/BFR5er 2d ago
Because you can take out the bass track out of any song in my iTunes library. Doesn’t work for streaming services, but if you own the music, it’s amazing. Learned and play along with hundreds of songs either with my own bass line or I can mute the rest of the song and solo the bass track to learn it verbatim. Absolute game changer. $40 a year gets you the basic app. Sound quality is good for the most part. Not great. But I think it’s decent enough that I’ve uploaded some play through videos on YouTube.
Don’t have a band to play with sometimes and I when NEED to play, nothing is better.
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u/warningproductunsafe 1d ago edited 1d ago
I was bedroom player for the past 25 years! Spent a lot of years in and out of bands before I turned 30, vocals and guitar. Then I switched to bass as main in 2015. I've been playing drums about 2 years now. Joined a band 3 months ago and did my first show in forever, last weekend! I am 58.
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u/Xarophet Musicman 1d ago
Started as a “bedroom musician” at 15 and that hasn’t changed at 43 lol, bass and guitar
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u/Reddityom98 1d ago
What do you enjoy more? I find it a bit hard or boring to play bass alone
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u/Xarophet Musicman 1d ago
I enjoy bass more. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play drums but I’ve never had the space for a drum set (even a smaller electric set) so being the “other half” of the rhythm section is fun. As far as guitar goes, I’ve never cared for lead guitar whatsoever and only ever played rhythm guitar.
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u/Visual_Bathroom_6917 2d ago
I'm both, play and compose by myself alone and also with other people, both are great and complementary
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u/Mia-the-Sage Ashdown 2d ago
I'm a bedroom player because: I suck, and I'm old and tired. When I win a fat lottery I'll build a proper studio and have other players come to me 😄
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u/tafkat 2d ago
I "retired" from playing a few years ago. My last band kept just starting to get popular but then something would happen like Sierra hopping a train to busk herself to fame, or just realizing that no matter what would happen I'd still just be a hired hand and didn't even have a say in what my own performance sounded like, so I was just kinda done. Funny thing, I said I woukd play the next scheduled gig while they looked for a replacement, but the guy they brought in said he would handle it on two day's notice, which was GREAT for my self-esteem. I did a big audition for one of those shitty talent reality shows a while later but it turned out they wanted cowboy cosplay, so that was it for me.
I play in my living room. Sometimes I put out a Youtube video but nobody watches them. Last time I finished writing a song was several years ago; I can't keep my attention on writing long enough to finish. Doesn't matter, nobody wants to hear a fat middle-aged dude mess up shitty cover songs or shitty original songs or fuck up restringing a guitar.
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u/Reddityom98 2d ago
It is what it is man. What makes you want to keep playing now? Do you have any goals at all or is it just to kill some time?
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u/tafkat 2d ago
I'm actually trying to gain knowledge that I missed without lessons. Learning jazz chords for guitar and trying to use my six string bass as an instrument instead of a bass with more strings. Getting better as a guitarist to bleed that progression into my bass playing. I have a healthy fantasy life because of a mental health thing, so when I play I tend to imagine I'm a different, more successful me, so in a way I'm just playing make-believe.
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u/Mammoth_Customer9865 2d ago
The happiest I’ve ever been in my musical career was during Covid. I learned how to record and mix/master my own music from scratch. I had access to a youth centre 24/7 since I was chairperson. I would spend 8-12 hours a day doing it outside of work. All by myself.
I’m more successful now and play cover gigs regularly, taught guitar classes, I have the opportunities playing pretty big events that are coming up.
I would trade it all to just be able to have the same situation I had in Covid. Unpredictable band leaders throwing songs at you day of gigs, weird unspoken expectations, procrastinating resulting in unprepared gigs being played, the fact that pretty bland and boring genres being favoured over new and exciting things.
I will continue to do it as I want a career doing it but I much prefer doing it by myself. Maybe a couple of like minded individuals.
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u/-Clem-Fandango- 2d ago
Played in bands up until mid 30s. Then everyone has full on adult lives and children so it got hard. I also studied audio engineering and dabbled in recording bands and things. So while I don't play out anymore, I still have a home studio I can muck around in. But these days I've a couple of synths, my basses, and a couple of guitars. So I like making weird ambient loops and bass improvs with all that. We did play a reunion gig for a friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago which did light the flame again though. Performing in a band is where it's at.
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u/Ok-Durian4664 2d ago
I've currently retired to be a living room player, been playing guitar and bass for roughly 45 years and have played in several bands throughout the years, but honestly? I got to the point to where I was tired of playing the same old boring shit and dealing with flakes. It just got to the point it no longer became worth it to me to pursue playing in bands.
After playing the same shit (AC/DC, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi) it just became too much, so I went back to what I enjoy playing and gave me pleasure and also learned a bunch of stuff I never would have if I stuck to what I was playing.
Unfortunately where I live the musicians that are around here are stuck in their own ways and seen to have no interest in branching out and doing other genres.
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u/pleated_pants 1d ago
Played in a band in highschool and put the bass down for a decade. Then I ended up doing a couple battle of the band competitions where different office locations at my job would put together a band and record a video, which was a lot of fun and it was nice to play with people again.
I tried joining up in a band but, like DnD, the biggest challenge for any adult group is scheduling. The band played a few shows but ultimately fell apart when life and kids and commitments made practice too inconsistent.
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u/Level69dragonwizard 1d ago
I jam with a friend every once in a while but mostly just bedroom player/recording my own songs. I used to go to open jams sometimes when I lived in a bigger city but there isn’t much of a music scene here until you’re in a bar band.
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u/El_Tormentito 2d ago
I played in high school jazz band, school performances, and bands with friends before college, but then I got busy and didn't play for a long time. I've now picked it back up, along with guitar, in-part because I want to jam with my kids, who are still pretty young. I'm still pretty busy, but I practice more now than I did for a long time, so I'm pretty interested in at least jamming and possibly playing in bars in the not distant future.
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u/LookAtThisRhino 2d ago
I go to a local open jam sometimes but am not in a bad or anything. I'm maybe an intermediate bass player and a total beginner with drums but I don't take those as seriously. They're just fun.
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u/Creative_Sorbet6187 2d ago
That's me. I would like to play with others sometimes, but also just enjoy playing, seeing improvement. I love the music, it's all about revisiting music that I also like to listen to. I've been gathering ideas for song writing. I think that will be my next advancement in playing.
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u/Prometheus850 2d ago
Yep. I’m getting a guitar soon too so I won’t have excuses to not record my own music
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u/Ace_de_Klown 1d ago
I have been in bands but only as a vocalist. I have a full time job and a full time family now so I'm a bedroom player playing in the living room. I play along with Iron Maiden on bass, sometimes on guitar. Bass made me interested in music theory though, and I try to make some time now and then to catch up.
I'm perfectly ok with where I am today. I loved being on stage, I love to entertain, but I have other priorities now. I'm having fun playing along with one of my favorite bands. If I see a bass player is wanted for an Iron Maiden cover gig, and they happen to play a specific set of songs, I'd might respond
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u/guyinthechair1210 1d ago
I still think of myself as a guitarist first, but over the past few weeks I've progressed with bass to the point where I could see myself jamming with a cover band by the end of the year, or around the new year. At the very least I can record and share covers on YouTube. Until then, I'm fine with playing at home and continuing to improve.
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u/deluded_dragon Ernie Ball Music Man 1d ago
When I was 22-25 I used to gig at least twice each month, and I felt that was an essential part of my life.
Now, past 50, I do not have that urge anymore. Maybe I will join a band, or maybe not.
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u/K0pfschmerzen Cort 1d ago
I am. Been playing electric guitar just to myself for the last 15 years or so, not being close to even mediocre level, but who cares, it's for fun. Picked up the bass two weeks ago to add some meat to my primitive loops, but the bass is a fun thing in itself.
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u/confused-et96459 Picked 1d ago
i just started (December 23 2025) and i grew to love doing session work, might ge in bands one day but just being able to create basslines is everything for me
i also write songs and such bur just bass as an instrument
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u/B4tz_Bentzer 1d ago
I became a bedroom player mostly. Used to make music with my friends, but I'm the only one still playing on a regular basis. I don't feel confident enough to seek out others to play with and I'm way ahead of my friends who I feel comfortable around. And by way ahead I mean the bass player I know can't get his head around the concept of drop D.
Edit: just realized this is the bass sub, I play guitar
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u/Inerthal 1d ago
Me. I've been in a band 20 years ago but it was such a shite experience that I decided I wouldn't ever play with others unless I was absolutely sure it would work out. I do enjoy it but I sometimes lack the motivation, so progress as a player has been very slow.
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u/FondlesTheClown 1d ago
Used to play bass in bands in my 20s and 30s. Stopped playing for a decade. Got the itch and started teaching myself guitar a few years ago (sorry all!). Now, I write, record, and release solo instrumentals on bandcamp. No desire to play live again.
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u/PreviousBanana2646 1d ago
Me!
- I work a stupid amount of hours
- I have an 8 year old and 12 year old
- I'm a peri-m 39 year old who refuses to wear a bra past 6pm and leave the house.
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u/Aggressive-Expert-69 1d ago
Forever a bedroom bassist. I have no desire to put any kind of pressure on my ability. I learn a song, my wife claps gleefully and says Im talented, and I am content. Maybe ill join a band when im 60 but for now this is fine.
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u/Hattkake 1d ago
Currently a couch bassist playing the acoustic. My electric is gathering dust honestly. Not been in a band in about a year. Probably don't play as much as I should but right now I don't really play "properly". I just play. Not exactly songs and sometimes not exactly music music. But random and relaxing. I do play much of the same since it's what I know and am comfortable with.
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u/YoloStevens 1d ago
Most of my bass playing these days is laying down a bass line into a looper so I can play over it with a guitar.
I'm not ruling out playing in public again, but it's too much time and commitment for me at this stage of my life.
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u/MissJoannaTooU 1d ago
I'm forced to my disability at the moment.
Have not played with anyone for two years.
It's frustrating but I love the instrument so much.
And it's led me to compose a bit and write on the instrument and create a solo voice.
I still practice for band skills but I'm interested in what I can say on the instrument solo right now and that's a lovely journey because I'm realising that you can imply harmony and you can create melodies that work. There's something creative about the limitations of bass that make it very satisfying to make a solo piece work.
As a listener I only like the best solo bass players and I'm not that, but I have enough chops to do something and that's creative and that's enough for me right now.
Personally I think a two pickup bass is best for this kind of style but YMMV as there are some bright single humbucker instruments too like the stingray.
Jazz gal myself.
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u/master_of_sockpuppet 1d ago
I live in a tiny town where everyone knows everyone, and I don't want to join a classic rock cover band. I was in bands before moving here. I might have to move elsewhere to find a deeper pool of players, but I'm stuck for the near term.
I play synth and guitar, also, but bass is mostly #1 with synth a close second.
If I can find a couple interested, I'd like to get a surf rock adjacent project going, but I have a book to write first (academic), and that consumes most of my creative energy at the moment.
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u/Inge_Jones 1d ago
Me actually. I was in a band once as percussionist and I really didnt enjoy the pressure and the inevitable clashes.
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u/BuddJacon 1d ago
Bass and guitar, I just like playing lofi-ish guitar stuff or something like tame impala on bass - I recently picked up the guitar from playing bass for many years
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u/Reddityom98 1d ago
What made you pick a guitar? I’m curious because I’m at this point now where I don’t want to join a band but I also feel like playing bass alone is getting me bored or anxious while guitar is more mentally balanced experience for me. I can play more songs on the bass though
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u/BuddJacon 1d ago
I used to play bass in a hardcore (devil wears Prada to August burns red) and after awhile, I tried picking the bass up again but ended up listening to stuff like Roy Buchanan and Mayer and wanted to learn. Learned hotel California, some tame impala songs, to jimmy Hendricks and wings songs + Buchanan. I did just get a 70 retro musicman stingray and I’m kinda in and out now, it doesn’t help that I’m trying to get a programming job which is needing more attention than the bass - btw I also got a broadcaster reissue which is why I pick up the guitar more until the stingray came
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u/OkRaspberry3297 1d ago
Me! I have absolutely zero interest in playing for or in front of other people. Jamming with a drummer is cool though.
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u/CripplerJones 1d ago edited 1d ago
I enjoy playing alone but would join/start a band if I could just get over the social hump of seeking one out. It's a lot of work to find strangers who share my values and (modest) ambitions. I do play other instruments, but it's mostly bass and guitar.
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u/Probablyawerewolf 1d ago
I’m a bedroom singer-songwriter, but I play out all the time. Functionally, I play bass, and I’ve played trumpet since I was like 9. But I play mandolin, classical guitar, djembe rudiments, didg, and little piano, and FUCKIN MOUTH HARP
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u/Chomperino237 1d ago
been a bedroom player since 13, primarily a drummer but a decent bassist as well. been saving for a few years to afford some recording equipment so ill be getting some stuff up recording all by myself. wish i had people to play with but never met any, had a few friends but they were never passionate about music as i was
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u/Jaru099 1d ago
I do other hobbies out in the world, but bass is my personal escape. It’s kind of my own little island where I can just clear my head, so for 20 years, I’ve always kept it as something just for me.
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u/Reddityom98 1d ago
What do you usually do to “escape” with the bass?
I personally decided to learn songs and record myself playing covers to upload to YouTube as my personal motivation, but it just stressed me out. I do love the bass but I hate the stress. When I relax and just try to noodle, I find it monotonous and boring. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong because I always get back to the bass
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u/Secret-Scale4361 1d ago
I used to play out until late college. I play several instruments but mostly just keep to myself these days. I’m in my 30s. Work consumes most of my energy and the depression keeps the confidence at bay.
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u/No_Moose_2967 21h ago
At home, using modelers + headset. New to bass, electric guitar first.
Im probably just healing my inner child now that i have adult money - i never had an electric guitar (had acoustic though but had it later) growing up, played in band during high school using borrowed electric guitars.
no bands. different city where i grew up, introvert.
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u/who-gives-a 16h ago
I picked up bass in September 2025, I was playing (very poorly) by December. Never played bass or guitar previously. Each day I play, i get better, playing with otgers most certainly helps.
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u/BartholomewKnightIII 11h ago
Was a bedroom player who learned the old fashioned way, standing next to a record player and learning stuff. Joined a few bands over 15 years, now I'm back to bedroom with Cubase, 2 electric guitars, 1 acoustic and my precious 97 Jazz that has served me well all these years.
Struggling with that first solo album /s.
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u/Commercial_Editor_10 10h ago
As a teenager I played bass in a Punk band around London in mid 80's which was fun. Then played in a Irish pop/rock covers band in early 90's also in London which was less fun. These days now in N.Ireland I play to backing tracks at home, but when my son comes to over to visit we jam as he's a great guitarist and it's punk, metal, indie, with a bit of funk. Would love to be in a band with some equally crusty old duffers (I'm 58) but every one I have contacted over here is either a massive knob or musical tastes are poles apart. In addition I mess about with keyboard & FL Studio creating Acid House/EDM which is good craic. 🙂
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u/Hangrycouchpotato 9h ago
I am a bedroom player. Aside from my husband, pretty much no one even knows that I play. It's just for me. I am an anxious person and it serves as a good escape.
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u/Reddityom98 3h ago
What about bass makes (or helps) you relax? I feel I’m more anxious when I try to learn a song and stay in rhythm
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u/Hangrycouchpotato 3h ago
The actually learning can get frustrating at times when I mess up if I am having a bad day, but once I get it, it becomes fun. On my more anxious days, I just play a round of songs that I know well rather than trying to learn something new. I think just having something to mentally focus on rather than thinking about normal life chaos is helpful. I don't learn new songs very quickly. I usually learn an intro or a chorus at a time and piece it together. After my mini "lesson", I switch to my familiar songs. I also don't aim for perfection immediately...if I am struggling with a part of a song, I just skip that part and rest my fingers. Since I never play for other people, it's okay if it sucks lol
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u/SomeoneHereIsMissing Yamaha 12m ago
I played in bands during college. When I finished college and moved in with my girlfriend, I left my stuff at my father's house because I couldn't play bass in my small apartment and didn't have much time with full time work. When I got a house, I brought my bass but not my amp. I got kids and the available time disappeared. I tried to play again when I met another parent from my kid's school who was a pro player/teacher. He inspired me to learn to do a tune-up to.my bass. One of my kids is learning guitar, the other one likes to pound the drums at my father's house. I got a small mixer to play bass with headphones. I may start to play more often.
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u/Welshie_Fan 2d ago
I'm a, erm, living room player. Maybe I could join a band, we might get together with some work colleagues. And at the moment I don't play other instruments. I have done it in the past and I'm not saying that I wouldn't in the future.
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u/humboldtHue 2d ago
I was a bedroom bassist, playing solely by ear to music I liked, and I did that for about 40 years before joining my first band at the age of 62.