60 and taking up the bass, I must be out of my !@#ing mind

[Lownote Floyd]

Hi. I could never master the folk guitar with my short fat fingers (plus I tried to learn right handed when I am left handed) so at the "advanced" age of 60, I have decided to throw caution to the wind, and try the bass. I just ordered a left hand Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz bass - I hear it should match my short, sausage like fingers well.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Any advice/encouragement would be especially appreciated. I would particularly like to hear from those who have taken on the bass later in life. Kind of scary but exciting. Thanks.

[MKoby]

Welcome aboard.
Enjoy yourself learning and playing.

Both my sons are lefties but play right handed instruments.
(though one plays guitar, the other bass)

[HosMan]

Welcome to TalkBass!

I think it`s awesome that you are getting into the bass,Lownote! I was 37 when I first started learning bass(12 yrs ago). Have`nt played for 11 or 12 yrs though but now I`m getting back into it all over again. Since you are mature and going to learn to play because you want to,I bet you will progress at a good pace. I`ve got small hands as well(not much bigger than the average woman`s!) but it has`nt stopped me. Besides,so many female bassists so...

You are on the best site for getting answers and knowledge (and support) with learning the bass.TalkBass was pretty much my inspiration all those years ago. PM me some time.

HosMan

[DaLoCo]

I manage a music shop with rooms for lesson....you would be amazed how many older people of your years come in and just stare at the instruments......and then say, "I wish I learned to play the....". Good on you!!!

[Grandad Paul]

You and me both Floyd. I am 63 and I am loving every minute of trying to master this "growler" that has taken over my life. I have a Fender Jazz, that I am secretly in love with. Enjoy your self.
Paul.

[Lownote Floyd]

Gentlemen, your encouragement means a LOT to me because every so often, I still think I am nuts for taking this on. But I am having fun and find my concentration much better at 60 than when I tried to learn the guitar at 16.

I have made one mod - 'instead of the Squier Vintage '70s Jazz bass (left hand model by the way) that is just heavy as all get out for this twice operated back of mine, I have ordered (to compare) a Hofner (Chinese knock-off) short scale Icon Series Left Hand Vintage Violin bass. Paul McCartney, get ready for some competition. It's about half the weight of the Squier and for me, that means a lot. Any thoughts? I will keep the Squier until I receive the Hofner to compare. Rich

Again thank you!

[Bassncadillacs]

NO, you're not out of your mind! If you have a pulse and have something to say emotionally, then Y not choose express it through the bass?!!

I'm 50 and although i have played bass, piano and guitar for years..there's always "something" to learn. I hope to be 60 and still learning. You and I are simply on different points on "the learning curve".

Here's the secret, PRACTICE EVERY DAY...and don't daily or even weekely dwell on the pace of your progress. Then about every 6 months....bask in the realization that you are becoming a PLAYER!!

the key is practice for the long term. it's not a 3 month effort. Yet many students drop after 3 or 4 months when they aren't professional.

:-)

[becker4567]

From one slightly over the hill (58) lefty to another, congratulations! You'll find that the Hofner is alot lighter than the Squire, but requires a little different technique to play. You might try a small bodied short scale from Rondomusic.com. I have one (Jag style) that is fun and light (and inexpensive). And what amp are you using?

[Lownote Floyd]

I decided to keep the Fender Squier LH Jazz Bass after all. The wider fret areas compared to the Hofner are better for my short fat fingers and I seem to play (I use that term loosely) it better than the Hofner knock-off (which really is put together rather cheaply (don't ever sit on it LOL). I am using a Hartke 30 watt practice amp. The real advantage to the Hofner was the weight but I guess I have to make compromises. If I get rally good, I'll look around for something lighter than the Squier and I'll be willing to pay the $piper if I see I'm getting good. But not now. I have a lot of work ahead of me. Yikes. Thanks.

Here's the Squier:

[251]

Originally Posted by Lownote Floyd

Hi. I could never master the folk guitar with my short fat fingers (plus I tried to learn right handed when I am left handed) so at the "advanced" age of 60, I have decided to throw caution to the wind, and try the bass. I just ordered a left hand Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz bass - I hear it should match my short, sausage like fingers well.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Any advice/encouragement would be especially appreciated. I would particularly like to hear from those who have taken on the bass later in life. Kind of scary but exciting. Thanks.

Music will keep you young! Bass Guitar will get you playing with other musicians. Most people won't care about your age.

FWIW, you will learn faster with a teacher or music tutor.

[Lownote Floyd]

251, thanks. As soon as I become a little more familiar with the instrument, learn where the notes are on the fret board, give my fingers a regular everyday workout, yes indeed to lessons. My neighborhood store offers and I plan to sign up. Already I feel I have made progress and I have downloaded a few easy songs to play along with. One question I have is where to play the notes - easier on the hand if I go mid-way down the neck but not sure what the determining factor is. Lots of options for the C, G, D, E notes etc. Forgive my ignorance.

The amp I have is the Hartke B300. I heard for the money, it's a good value but what do I know.

PS: When it's time to change strings, recommendations for a beginner player would be appreciated. Thanks again everyone.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by Lownote Floyd

Hi. I could never master the folk guitar with my short fat fingers (plus I tried to learn right handed when I am left handed) so at the "advanced" age of 60, I have decided to throw caution to the wind, and try the bass. I just ordered a left hand Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz bass - I hear it should match my short, sausage like fingers well.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Any advice/encouragement would be especially appreciated. I would particularly like to hear from those who have taken on the bass later in life. Kind of scary but exciting. Thanks.

(Re) started after a 40 year lay off....will be 60 on next bday.

Think of it as a living project in continuous improvement...

[ducknturtle]

Keep going. You inspire the rest of us.

[dirkdabass]

Learning to play as an adult is different than learning as a teen - at least it was for me. I owned a good bass for a long time before I actually learned to play it. I would pick it up, realize that I did not sound like Jack Casady and put it back in the closet. Repaet this for, say, fifteen years and...you get the idea. The problem was, I already knew what (really) good music should sound like. At fifteen, I either would not have noticed or it would not have bothered me. I was 37 and newly divorced and I got the oppertunity to learn and play but was still under the mistaken impression that I had something to live up to. My breakthrough came when I realized that the definition of a musician is, at its base, one who makes music: I was already a musician! I felt an enormous weight taken from my shoulders - I didn't have to be great: I just had to play. Freed at last from the burden of being good, I simply played. I jammed. I practiced. I got better. I hooked up with a bunch of players who put up with me. I got better. I listened a lot, followed (occaisionally) good advice. I got better.

I have not looked back. I'm now pushing 62 and I'm getting better year by year. My band now has a regular Friday gig at the Jersey Shore(!). I admire your attitude and approach. Keep your ears open. Practice. Have fun. Play, dammit.