New player too old?

Maiden_fan · #1 03-03-2007, 03:44 PM

Hello all I have been farting with the bass for a bit and have come to the conclusion that I am too damn old to learn this lol.. I really love trying to play but I am not sure if i should take lessons or theory or both. I am not looking to be a superstar I just want to jam with my friends that play drums and guitar and not sound like I am killing an elephant with a cold. Any ideas on what I should take or consider trying?

David J. · #2 03-03-2007, 03:54 PM

Dude, you're never too old to learn to play!!!!!!
That is crazy talk man!

YES! take lessons and practice every second you can!

saxnbass · #3 03-03-2007, 04:01 PM

We can't make you learn, but I think you can do it. Go for it man. Even if you never become good enough to play out, have fun with it. Find someone that knows how to play and ask him/her for some advice.

bburk · #4 03-03-2007, 04:02 PM

It helps if you start as a child, but you're never too old to learn.

If you are just looking to have a good time with some friends, take lessons and tell the teacher what kind of music you guys like to play. Be upfront about your goals. And of course, practice.

refbassist · #5 03-03-2007, 04:05 PM

Aren't we all having fun?!!!! it's never too late specially when you have passion,go for it

RWP · #6 03-03-2007, 04:16 PM

I agree it is good to start early with any instrument. I think it's because the younger you are the easier it is to like what you hear. However, once you get past the beginning stages of learning bass things start to sound good in a hurry. Try to stick with it until you can play some songs you like. If you get that far you'll be having fun and then it's easy to keep with it.

BadMonk · #7 03-03-2007, 04:21 PM

I dunno. You didn't say how 'old' you are. If yer like 110, then maybe...maybe...it's time to think about learn something a little lighter in weight. I picked up the bass for the first time a little over a year ago and I was 49 at the time. So by my calculations, I figure that I've got about 60 years to figure out how to play it.

fearceol · #8 03-03-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refbassist

it's never too late specially when you have passion,go for it

+1

I dont know how old you are, but I'm 52

and took it up a year ago. I'm taking lessons from a good teacher and getting to grips with some theory. The important thing is to have fun and learn. I know from these forums that there are lots of others of my age that are just starting. Better late than never !! Enjoy

vindy500 · #9 03-03-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden_fan

I really love trying to play

whats the problem?

Bobbo 77" · #10 03-03-2007, 04:28 PM

Yo', I'm giving lesson's to a guy that's 63 yrs. young- straight beginner! But he want's to play, and I love that attitude, no matter what age!
Bobbo 77'

ducknturtle · #11 03-03-2007, 05:33 PM

Age is not important. It's about having fun. If it's fun you should be motivated to practice. Anyone who practices will steadily improve. If you practice you can call yourself a serious musician. Go for it or you'll regret it.

radec52 · #12 03-03-2007, 06:01 PM

Well I'm 54 and while I have played acoustic guitar for a number of years, I started learning bass about a month ago. I have a weekly lesson and absolutely love it! As long as you are passionate about learning and practice, you will improve. I get a great deal of satisfaction just practicing scales and the lesson "homework" my teacher gives me. I would definitely go for it if is something you really want to do no matter what your age.

dave64o · #13 03-03-2007, 06:23 PM

No, you're not too old. You might not learn as quickly as someone who's 12, but you can still learn. I'm 42 now and I started playing bass when I was about 36. That was after not really playing anything for about 15 years (I formerly played drums and guitar).

At my stage of life it's not easy because I have so many demands on my time (a job I spend a lot of hours on, a wife who travels a lot on business, a son who's very active in sports, etc.) but I put in the time that I can. I'm learning, I'm playing and writing some original material with a friend, and I'm beyond the level I ever reached on guitar. And even though there's a chance I might not ever gig on bass and even less of a chance I'll ever sell a CD it doesn't matter. I'm having a great time and I'm sure you can too.

If you love it, don't give it up!

Maiden_fan · #14 03-03-2007, 07:33 PM

I failed to mention I am a 40 year old sorry, and thanks for the posts guy wow you guys are freaking great! I must admit that I have a total blast playing this thing lol and i did learn one song already and have played it with a drummer, Neil Youngs' "Rocking in the free world". I already took all youre advice and am sitting with my bass in my lap after getting some great practice lessons from a sight dave sent me a link to, thanks again guys.

RWP · #15 03-03-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden_fan

I failed to mention I am a 40 year old sorry, and thanks for the posts guy wow you guys are freaking great! I must admit that I have a total blast playing this thing lol and i did learn one song already and have played it with a drummer, Neil Youngs' "Rocking in the free world". I already took all youre advice and am sitting with my bass in my lap after getting some great practice lessons from a sight dave sent me a link to, thanks again guys.

40!!

You're just a kid.

vindy500 · #16 03-03-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden_fan

I must admit that I have a total blast playing this thing

thats all that matters

Bobbo 77" · #17 03-03-2007, 07:56 PM

The hardest thing about excelling or making progress at our " mature" ages is "TIME" As dave64o stated, some folk's have great demand's on their time, and we all got's to eat! But, even 20. minutes of focused, pin-pointed practice at a specific weak spot is much better than 1 hour of "finger-wiggling". Just do it, and above all, enjoy yourself!

Bobbo 77"

Pete C · #18 03-03-2007, 08:00 PM

I haven't been a member of this forum long and I just started at seventeen but the others are right. As long as you really practice and love the instrument then it's something you should keep up. I just started two months ago, and there is a fifteen year old at school that can probably play circles around me, but I keep practicing because I love the instrument and I love the idea of being in a band with my friends.

SBassman · #19 03-03-2007, 08:48 PM

Stop thinking negative thoughts.

Get some books, get a teacher, and go have a blast.

Brass Nut · #20 03-04-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden_fan

Hello all I have been farting with the bass for a bit and have come to the conclusion that I am too damn old to learn this lol.. I really love trying to play but I am not sure if i should take lessons or theory or both. I am not looking to be a superstar I just want to jam with my friends that play drums and guitar and not sound like I am killing an elephant with a cold. Any ideas on what I should take or consider trying?

Sounds like your attitude already has 75% of it licked pretty good to me.
Now all you need is time.
Remembering there's no race or beanies at the end helps.
You got a couple of buddies that want you to participate is a big help too.
Most important lesson of the day,,,, "Just do it!" Keep just doing it and things get better in time. Don't be surprised if you go through a time of no progress,,,, then one day a whole pile of crap comes together and you're scratching your head wondering 'where'd that come from?" It happens.
Also, sometimes "trying too hard is futile."
Bottom line;
Just do it,,,,, and enjoy.