Can I still be one of the greats if I started at age 14?

Funkadelic Monk · #1 03-10-2009, 06:19 AM

A lot of [great] bassists have been playing since they were eight or twelve. I personally think that I started off kind of late, at the age of fourteen. Is it still possible to end up being one of the greats? I know that with a little time and effort anything is possible, but what is your take on this?

sevenyearsdown · #2 03-10-2009, 06:31 AM

14 is plenty early enough. I didn't really start bass till I was 17.

PJSShearer · #3 03-10-2009, 06:32 AM

16 for me and I was making a living at 19.

Funkadelic Monk · #4 03-10-2009, 06:37 AM

Thanks guys! Quick answers too. I guess all you really have to do is practice, practice, practice. Haha, I have no social life anyway so it doesn't really matter.

Vakmere · #5 03-10-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkadelic Monk

Thanks guys! Quick answers too. I guess all you really have to do is practice, practice, practice. Haha, I have no social life anyway so it doesn't really matter.

fearceol · #6 03-10-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkadelic Monk

I guess all you really have to do is practice, practice, practice.

Got it in one ! (well.... three

). While starting young is an advantage ( and 14 is young IMO ) it is the amount of constant practice you put in that determines how proficient you will become.

Rumblz · #7 03-10-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vakmere

Haha I didnt quite understand your response till I read the post you quoted. Imagining you sitting in your chair reading his comment just cracked me the hell up.

Well at least he is doing something constructive with his time, nothing wrong with that.

Anyways to answer your question I started on the bass 2 years ago, but abondoned it not too long after picking it up. I just turned 22 last week and just recently started back on my journey to becoming one of the greatest bassists ever! Its never to late to learn something. Also I'm sure you'll be doing a lot more socializing with the ladies when become a famous musician!

Spedracer · #8 03-10-2009, 06:52 AM

I'm pretty sure i read somewhere that the threshold for becoming a great is somewhere around 10 years of age, give or take 3 months. Sorry man.

**Rune Bivrin** · #9 03-10-2009, 07:17 AM

Well, I didn't start until I was 42...

And remember: It's never too late to give up

nightcityburn · #10 03-10-2009, 07:42 AM

I started at 18, not saying I am great, but we all learn and have fun. No you will not be a child prodigy, as you are past the point of being a child, but you can still be great, or good, or terrible, no matter what your age.

mambo4 · #11 03-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Maybe focusing on being competent will serve you better, at first.

I've been playing for over 20 years and I'm still working on it

AlembicPlayer · #12 03-10-2009, 10:03 AM

age (and how long you've been playing) has NOTHING to do with greatness

just sayin..

ronin614 · #13 03-10-2009, 10:04 AM

remember.....contrary to oft quoted phrase...Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes PERMANENT! Perfect practice makes perfect. Not saying you have to be perfect, but practicing the wrong way for hours is worth less than practicing w/precision and concentration for shorter periods. Just my thoughts...and NO, 14 is not too late!!!

**Mark Wilson** · #14 03-10-2009, 10:32 AM

I'm God's gift to bass, and I started when I was 14!

haha just kidding!

I am currently studying bass at a pretty high end school in Toronto though. 14 isn't too young to start!
As long as you have the motivation, drive, and love for music, you're set!

erix · #15 03-10-2009, 10:33 AM

What seems of a critical importance to me is that, as a human being, you start at zero, at least at the beginning.

Everything else is possible.

crayzee · #16 03-10-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkadelic Monk

Is it still possible to end up being one of the greats?

Nope. Sorry. That boat's sailed, minus you.

Just be in the right place at the right time with the right skills and you *might* get lucky. I'd rather spend my time just havin' fun, y'know?

AN0INTD · #17 03-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Well the name Tal Wilkenfeld comes to mind, and she didn't start till she was 17 (she played guitar from age 14). Although not really a GREAT so to speak, she has gotten recognized enough to play with the GREATS. I think that what matters is that you get some good direction. It will be more advantageous if you get the best bassist possible to teach you. That will get rid of bad habits in your playing early on and get you focused on goals that you are able to push yourself to. Sure, you can read up all you want and shed as much as you can, but your advancements will come at a much slower pace than if you had professional guidance. Good luck

OtterOnBass · #18 03-10-2009, 11:38 AM

How do you classify the greats? Usually they're pioneers in some way, right? My take is you either have to be great at making musical arrangements, or do something new.

I read a story from Rage Against The Machine's guitarist, Tom Morello, and he described a moment that changed his mind on playing. He was in a situation where a bunch of guitarists we're playing - I think they were trying out for a lead position in a band. Every single one of them could whip Eddie Van Halen at his own game, a million notes a minutes, tapping up and down, bending and tremoloing everything. He was outgunned and couldn't compete. Then his perspective changed from working on speed and technique to using his ears to make something unique and musical. Now he hits the strings with allen wrenches and gets weird noises from the pickups. He plays solos more like a digital synth. Who else does that? Is he a great? He's been on magazine covers and in guitar-based video games.

ronin614 · #19 03-10-2009, 11:43 AM

go to Esperanza Splading's website and read her bio...some poeple can be great pretty quickly...don't worry about when you started...just put in the work. Look at it this way...if you wait until you're 40 to follow your passion, how much time have you lost? And trust me...it could happen.....just do what you love, ENJOY THE PROCESS and wind up where you may.

cowsgomoo · #20 03-10-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkadelic Monk

A lot of [great] bassists have been playing since they were eight or twelve. I personally think that I started off kind of late, at the age of fourteen. Is it still possible to end up being one of the greats? I know that with a little time and effort anything is possible, but what is your take on this?

I dispute the contention that a lot of great bass players started between the ages of 8 and 12.. where did you get that from?