Ok I'm taking the plunge

[Nohandles]

In a couple of weeks I plan to start classical bass lessons. I have been playing Old Time and Bluegrass for almost thirty years with no real training, just an ear and tenacity and not bass either, banjo, guitar, mountain dulcimer and mandolin. I don't read music very well " get a lot a flack from my son who is a great classical guitarest" but I need to take the bass to as high as I'm capable of. I have to admit I'm more than a little afraid and need a little encouragement right now. I have been able to put something together while my son plays classical "ticks him off" so maybe I'm just over thinking all of this.

Any thoughts and help?

[christ andronis]

Don't think about how you're progressing...just play. The journey is the fun part. By the time you've learned everything, you'll be dead so it won't matter. Good luck and have fun.

[TroyK]

You are over-thinking all of it. You're not in competion with your son. You have an interest and an opportunity to learn to play beautiful music on a fabulous instrument. You have no idea the joys that await you.

Find a good teacher, connect with the music, connect with the instrument and enjoy the ride.

Oh and post things in the appropriate forums. I suspect this one will get move out of "basses" in 3 - 2- 1...

[]

[MingusAmongUs]

Go for it. Classical, schmassical. It's all music. Learn and enjoy.

"There is no such thing as a wrong note."
- Art Tatum

“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.”
- Charles Mingus

“There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind.”
- Duke Ellington

(can't verify these, just found em online...but you get the picture.)

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

“There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind.”
- Duke Ellington

..."good music, and bad music."

[bassist1962]

I will say that you are slightly over thinking. My personal feeling (and I got this from one of my teachers) is that anytime you get your hands on the instrument to play, or practice, it's a good thing. It just build that much more of your ability, whether it be bluegrass, jazz, classical, or what ever other technique/style you are trying to accomplish.

[Nohandles]

Thanks all. I'm sure it will be alright but there is always that little fear going someware you have never gone.

[christ andronis]

Originally Posted by Nohandles

Thanks all. I'm sure it will be alright but there is always that little fear going someware you have never gone.

bass.....the final frontier!

[MrLenny]

I'd start with a good teacher to get started
and get proper fingering down. I did the Edouard Nanny method
book and to this day it is the best thing I ever did for my playing.

[shostkontrabass]

Originally Posted by TroyK

You are over-thinking all of it. You're not in competion with your son. You have an interest and an opportunity to learn to play beautiful music on a fabulous instrument. You have no idea the joys that await you.

Find a good teacher, connect with the music, connect with the instrument and enjoy the ride.

I completely agree with this! Well said.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by TroyK

You are over-thinking all of it. You're not in competion with your son. You have an interest and an opportunity to learn to play beautiful music on a fabulous instrument. You have no idea the joys that await you.

Find a good teacher, connect with the music, connect with the instrument and enjoy the ride.

Oh and post things in the appropriate forums. I suspect this one will get move out of "basses" in 3 - 2- 1...

[]

I whole heartedly agree with you I'm not compeating with my son just a little father son mixing it it for fun.
He wrote a piece for us to play together that I have been working of for a while, when we can get together and it is beautiful when I can hold up my end.
My only goal is to just become a good bassest and have fun. Bass is the most exciting instrument I have ever played and I can't leave it alone.
Thank you all for the encouragement can't wait to get started now. Doug