Better Late than Never

[Late Boomer]

There's a reason my profile doesn't list my equipment yet: I don't have it, and don't yet know what it will be.

I'll know on Christmas Eve.

This year I asked Santa to bring me a bass. I've got strong indications that, in fact, that's what I'll be getting. My dad retired 4 years ago and took up guitar at the time. He's overjoyed to learn that I'd like to play bass (and I think he's hoping I'll jam with him before too long).

My longer term aspiration is ... well, to be honest I'm not really sure. I've got a wife and three kids, and a day job that's demanding and stressful. I don't aspire to a career in music. I just want to see if playing bass works for me as a creative outlet. From there, who knows?

Took piano lessons as a kid, and hated them. Quit after 4 years. Picked up a little theory that I still remember, and picked up a lot more I've since forgotten. Sang in school and church choirs, and learned more about music from singing than I ever did from my piano lessons. I've always loved harmonizing when singing (and, of course, I'm a baritone, so I sing the bass parts).

I've been interested in learning to play bass guitar since I was 12. A kid in our middle school had, as God is my witness, a Rickenbacker bass guitar. He had it in the band room one day and played a few riffs that I recognized. I absolutely loved the sound of it. Ever since then I've wanted to learn to play, and that was 28 years ago. Now at 40, after a quarter-century absence from making any sort of music, I'm going to take up bass.

So, I've been lurking here for a bit, reading around, and trying to sort out where to start. I'm amazed at the depth of knowledge and the generous spirit of the folks on TB. What a cool online community you've got here. Thanks for opening the doors for total newbs like myself.

[SBassman]

Great post - and welcome.

I applaud you for chasing something you have always been interested in. I am a late bloomer on bass too. I'm 40 something with a family, and I will never be Jaco on bass. But it still gives me an incredible amount of joy.

It's never too late to do this.

If there's anything I can do to help you on your bass journey, feel free to PM me.

[fearceol]

Believe me , there are many new members ( including myself ) in their 40's and 50's taking up the bass for the first time. Best of luck with it and most of all HAVE FUN learning.

[iamoldschool]

I am 44 myself and, though I began playing bass at an early age (16) I laid it down when college and other unimportant things began to take my time. I have rediscovered my passion for music of late and have been playing some old rock and country with buddies with some bluegrass and gospel thrown in for good measure. One thing I have learned is that I still have a lot to learn about playing bass. As a newbie, the first and most important thing you will have to learn is to keep time and recognize upbeats, downbeats, and the time signature (4/4, 3/4, etc). Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way!