For the +50 guys, when did you start playing

JDHolmes · #1 02-17-2010, 03:03 PM

I'm 51 and just started playing and was curious when you other 50+ guys began playing and why, at 50+ are you still playing. I've not gotten any negative comments on beginning at 50+, though a few "why"s have come out.

I always wanted to play. Started guitar at 12 but never followed through with it and just love music in general, playing it would be fantastic. No dreams of a geriatric band or anything, just the love of the sound.

So why are you/did you start playing?

MKoby · #2 02-17-2010, 03:11 PM

Grats!!
Welcome to the family.
Best possible choice of instruments.

I started at age 14.
I continue to play because I enjoy it.

I have a friend who began playing DB at 51 watching 13yo daughter play. We took lessons together and played in same orchestra.

All the best.

Hint: Get a good teacher.

KJung · #3 02-17-2010, 03:17 PM

Very cool! Never too late to start. Have fun with it.

I'll be 53 in a few weeks, and while I am no longer a full time player, I still take it very seriously, and try to continue to play at a professional level (gets harder and harder without the constant gigging schedule of 300+ nights a year back in the day).

I started on piano when I was 7, and played keys full time when I started playing professionally in high school (by that I mean it was my only job) until 1974 or so, then moved 100% to bass and played full time until around 1988, then 'almost full time' until around 1995.

Enjoy!

GRAHAM JACOBS · #4 02-17-2010, 03:21 PM

Bass was the first stringed instrument I learned to play - I was 16 then, and I'm 57 now. I moved to bass from drums and since then went on to play a range of other instruments. I always came back to bass, though. I've always liked the idea of being at the centre of both the harmony and the rhythm. Guess I also always wanted to play in a band - and I still do. The only difference is that I've moved on from rock to jazz, though I'm still a rocker at heart.

Why no dreams of playing in a band? That's really when the real fun starts, particularly when you're wielding anything with thick strings! In fact, I can't imagine playing bass without the rest of the band!

Enjoy and good luck!

voodoobassist · #5 02-17-2010, 03:25 PM

Congrats on starting, even if it is a bit late. Getting older doesn't mean the end of exploration and fun! When we stop learning, we might as well stop living.

I started playing in 9th grade for a church group, traveled with them for almost 4 years doing revival circuits and the like. Left the religious circle for the low life of rock and roll, and continued to play full time for almost 30 years. I still play just about every week, although I did just take a couple months off for open heart surgery.

My yardstick for recovery was being able to play a full nights gig, which I did last week.

I still play for one reason. I enjoy it. Being able to express myself through music is one of the great joys in life to me. I'm 56, a bit beat up and battered, but few things bring back the feeling of something fresh and new like creating music. I hope it serves you at least half as well as it has me.

**SWRnut** · #6 02-17-2010, 03:30 PM

My dad bought me my first bass on my 13th birthday and I am now 52. I was in a band before I had the bass (primarily as the lead singer, bass was a bonus) and I have never been out of a band since then.
Growing up I played tons of rock and roll, in my 30's switched to variety bands to help pay for kid's braces, car payments,etc.
For the last three years, I have played in a 70's and 80's classic rock band and having the time of my life. I play at several local churches about three Sundays a month as well.
My wife has given up hope of me ever growing up or growing old.
I can't ever think of not playing bass.

Jim Campbell · #7 02-17-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDHolmes

I'm 51 and just started playing and was curious when you other 50+ guys began playing and why, at 50+ are you still playing. I've not gotten any negative comments on beginning at 50+, though a few "why"s have come out.

I always wanted to play. Started guitar at 12 but never followed through with it and just love music in general, playing it would be fantastic. No dreams of a geriatric band or anything, just the love of the sound.

So why are you/did you start playing?

it's fun,and generally speaking i find the other old guy distractions to be a drag.....i quit playing in my twenties and i'm not sure that i'd ever do the band thing again,but i've always been around music.....it's something you can do every day,unlike boats and golf etc......and who knows,some good practice,a hawaiian shirt,fedora,.....maybe you can be in the band at the corner bar

Jim11895 · #8 02-17-2010, 03:38 PM

Hey, I'm 51 and started playing almost two years ago. Played a little way back in high school but gave it up. Like you, always loved music and always wanted to play, so I thought, what the hell?

Playing in a band with a few other guys my age. I'm definitely the slacker in the group because these guys have been playing a while. It's hard work, but sooooo much fun.

Keep rockin.

**Thor** · #9 02-17-2010, 03:46 PM

Started on violin in Kindergarten. Played that because
my older brother had one. Then guitar in 9th grade through college and
started dabbling on bass my junior year. Ending up liking that
a LOT. I am over 50 now and the magic of the rumble has never ceased.

My wife has also given up on me ever quitting, or growing old.
At 40 she said 'When are you going to grow up?'

My response? 'This is as old as I am going to get, from now
on I am counting backwards. Since I am born on Leap Year,
I am really just a big teenager anyway...'

Her response '

**ExaltBass** · #10 02-17-2010, 03:48 PM

I started in '63 at 13. Played semipro and then as a full-time pro from 18 until 28 and only 4-5 days a week for another 6-7 years. Never stopped playing.

My wife recently asked me "when are you going to stop gigging?" I smiled and said, "The real question is when am I going to need to sell all my big stuff and downsize!?!"

That said, the band from the mid 70s is getting together at the end of the month to see if we might want to get back together

shadowtippy · #11 02-17-2010, 03:49 PM

I'm 55 and I started playing bass a year ago. I may never be anywhere near as good as a lot of other players, but I enjoy it as much as any of them (IMO). By the way, my first gig is in 10 days.

Bass Junkie · #12 02-17-2010, 03:56 PM

Soon to be 53, I started on piano at age 5, then started on trumpet at age 11, got braces my high school senior year when I was supposed to be lead chair in our big band and was told I was going to be playing bass. Been on it ever since, played professionally for 25+ years as my sole source of income. Now I just play when I get a gig(anybody got one for me?).

oldrookie · #13 02-17-2010, 03:56 PM

Just over two years ago. Fulfilling a dream of 40 years ago. Getting better, but slowly. Loving every second of it.

Pilgrim · #14 02-17-2010, 03:58 PM

Started on upright bass at 14 in 1964 - played through high school and picked up an electric bass in the process. Parked my gear from 1973 to 1996, when I got it back - took up bass again at age 47.

I'd say the OP has picked a nice time to start!

jumbosilverette · #15 02-17-2010, 04:00 PM

I started at 48/49. I'm now 53 and have been playing for occasional pay the last two years. Never too late. But I could've been a monster player had I started in my teens.

**ExaltBass** · #16 02-17-2010, 04:02 PM

I'm REALLY lovin' all the 'old' guys starting up late and digging it! BRAVO!!! (never too late... never too old)

PDQbass · #17 02-17-2010, 04:16 PM

I'm 68 and played my first gig in 1958 playing Elvis, Jerry Lee, Fats D etc.
I'm now gigging most Fridays and Saturdays with a cover band doing Kings of Leon, Guns 'n Roses, Arctic Monkeys, RHCP etc. Really nothing's changed much, either the music or the enjoyment - still playing as loud as I can and having a great time. Of course I'm way the oldest in the band but apparently considered 'a legend' so when I offer to leave in case they're embarrassed by my age they tell me to shut up and keep playing. Sounds like you've got plenty of time to learn bass, get in a band if you wish and have many good years in music.

vinxbass · #18 02-17-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm 55 and began playing guitar at the age of 12, bass at 19. I've been relatively successful in my playing career having been signed to RCA Records for a number of years back in the early to mid 80's. I've played with all kinds of groups in that time.

Today, I play just because I love it and play with some of my old friends that I've played with for 25+ yrs.

Glad to hear you just started, it's never too late to begin to have a dream come true.

becker4567 · #19 02-17-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm 58, and have been playing off and on (mostly off) since 1966. Sometimes your too young to appreciate and enjoy something like playing bass, but your never, ever too old. Congrats, and welcome to the club!

OnePocket · #20 02-17-2010, 04:25 PM

Started at 61, a little over two years ago. Have been taking lessons for past year. I have played guitar since my twenties. Bought my then 15 yr old drummer son a bass and small amp so he and his friends could jam. Picked it up one day and havent put it down since.
Main drawback is that most guys(and gals) playing rock are a lot younger.
I have played briefly in two startup bands that did not gel for various reasons, and will play in my third this Sat.

Agree with the poster above that it is a whole lot more fun that other "age appropriate" activities

Keep it up and good luck!