Who here got started in their mid-twenties?

Bass-desires · #1 10-24-2009, 09:42 AM

Anyone? And where are you at right now in your playing?

animal52 · #2 10-24-2009, 10:37 AM

Started playing at 24... I still suck

Bricesedge03 · #3 10-24-2009, 10:40 AM

started a little over a year ago at 22 i can play some songs and play a few with a local live band. only thing i hate is im not very good with just jamming and making something up. though the first time i did actually jam with people there was three drummers going at it at the same time. they said i did alright but im not that confident with just jamming.

deaf pea · #4 10-24-2009, 11:07 AM

I started with bass guitar when I was 21 . . . that was 43 years ago! I've had a life full of music and surprizes . . .

good luck with YOUR life . . .

EDIT: I had been a active professional musician for 6 years when I started with the bass guitar . . . played Tuba, contrabass, piano and jazz guitar . . . and was a senior in college, soon to recieve 2 Bachelor of Music degrees . . .

.

shawshank72 · #5 10-24-2009, 11:11 AM

Started when i was about 24. oing on 38 now and i have to say things are great. Had up and down times but it was always fun. Right now were playing out alot, going into the studio and were going to be on the local radio

mizmor · #6 10-24-2009, 11:21 AM

Started at 22 here. I'm almost 24 now.

**garmenteros** · #7 10-24-2009, 11:22 AM

Started when I was about 3 months before my 21st birthday strumming the first four strings of an acoustic guitar that was dads. Just turned 24 3 months ago. Got a bass about 3 4 months later after banging on the acoustic and its been really hard for me to learn, but I'm happy where I am right now. Not thrilled but its been a hard steady battle for me. Sure other people catch on faster and have a better ear for music but considering how hard it was for me to learn and how many times I considered quitting the first year I feel pretty good. I used to hit all the strings with all my fingers when I started playing, so I used to tape all my fingers together so they couldnt move except for indes and middle fingers. After I had that down, I lost the tape and went from there. Then my next big issue was i couldnt get my hands to be not tense... that battle took me a good two years to win. And I still have to focus on being smooth

Stradavus · #8 10-25-2009, 12:08 PM

I started when I was 18, which I always considered to be a late start. I'll be 26 in less than a month.

The fact is, it's never too late to start. Sure, there's a huge difference between someone who's been playing for one year verses five years. But the only difference between someone who's played for 20 years and someone who's played for 25 is the amount of passion and effort they put into it. Go for it.

chondro776 · #9 10-25-2009, 12:20 PM

I picked up a guitar at 13 (if memory serves...).
I switched abruptly to bass at 27. I wouldn't even let myself pick up a guitar for several years.
Now at 33, I am pretty close to being able to get what is in my head to come out of the speakers.

There are two parts of learning your first instrument: learning the actual instrument, and learning music in general. Hopefully, subsequent instruments will be easier, as you have already learned to grasp music.

For me it was helpful to really already have a fretboard map in my head, a solid (for a rocker) sense of theory, etc. All I really have had to learn on bass is technique. Also, learning to play bass and not 'guitar and octave down' was challenging.

Bass-desires · #10 10-25-2009, 02:49 PM

Yeah, I'm really putting the pedal to the floor on my music, it was something I always wanted to do, but never got around to it. Or, rather never got around the people doing it.

Feels like I'm playing catch-up to make up for all that lost time. But I'm digging it, and I am beginning to really understand groove and the role of the bass. Its pretty damn exciting if you ask me. heheh.

I started at 25, been going a year now.

sawgydawg · #11 10-25-2009, 05:11 PM

Its weird to think of as 20's being late. I can't say I started in my twenties (I'm 21) but TB'rs don't make twenty-somes sound late! I'm not old!!!

Stinsok · #12 10-25-2009, 05:15 PM

I got started in my late 30's. I was a drummer and took up the bass on hiatus (I can play some guitar.) I am self taught and play by ear. I am in a 3pc classic rock band that is now gigging pretty steady.

idoru · #13 10-25-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by animal52

Started playing at 24... I still suck

21, and I often feel the same way. In terms of technique, there's tonnes of dudes who bury me, but I like to think I have a good feel.

Theory on the other hand, I am definitely lacking in.

c-

Munjibunga · #14 10-25-2009, 11:33 PM

I started at 29. That was 32 years ago. I suck considerably less now, but I'd say my technique is just adequate for the music I play. I pick songs up much faster now and have excellent meter.

PilbaraBass · #15 10-26-2009, 12:33 AM

I started drums when I was 8...picked up the bass when I was 24 to learn more about the rhythm section (to help my drumming) and was instantly hooked. When I was 30, I got my first acoustic guitar to learn more about the chordal structure (to help my bass playing)...I picked up electric guitar when I was 40, to make my bass lines more melodic.
I'm back to studying drumming again to learn some more rhythmic and groove ideas...

I'm with Munji...I suck less these days...lol

keep growing...

Thunderthumbs73 · #16 10-26-2009, 12:54 AM

21 (not quite mid-twenties), and basically a pro player/musician as I can get without being able to claim that my playing pays for all my bills by itself. I'm happy with where I've gotten to with my ability, but always feeling like I can, or have room to be better. People sometimes tell me "it's too late for me (to pick up, start bass)" but I gently push back and tell them my deal. I didn't start as a 12 year old or high-schooler. And in some ways, I'm glad I didn't.

**pacojas** · #17 10-26-2009, 12:08 PM

started at age 22... 10 months later was gigging with a funk/punk band. within 2 years i was being swamped with opportunities. my love and desire for bass had me practicing and gigging with veteran players who saw my potential. this inspired me further leading to a strict practice regimine,... at least 4 hours a day! eventually i was touring the states enough to help feed a family of four, so keep the faith!!!!
ps: my youngest son is 22 and a year ago he bought a bass for 40 bucks at a garage sale. last month i was so impressed with his phenomenal progress that i bought him a "reggie hamilton" standard jazz bass. if you could hear him, you would not believe he's a beginner!!! ( it must be hereditary ) xD

Spinal Tapper · #18 10-26-2009, 12:37 PM

I didn't pick bass back up until I was 20...until then, I had a bass in my closet for close to 5 years. I was kicked out of a metal band when I was in high school and it crushed my spirits and desire for the instrument (not that I ever had any).

I met a drummer in college and he always wanted to jam. He really inspired me to keep practicing and playing with him and various bands we started. We're still good friends today!

Now I rehearse and gig regularly with my primary band, and am actually in 2 other side projects. Couldn't be better! Although very very busy, not much time for relaxing it watching TV, but it's all about how much time you want to dedicate and how much you want to practice.

It also helps being the only bass player amongst a community of drummers and guitarists.

jumbo_steelie · #19 10-26-2009, 12:45 PM

I was almost 21 when I first started. I really stank back then and I dont stink as much now. I still have a lot to learn but one thing I have come to terms with is the realm I want to be in. I play and love rock music, and that's where I wanna be. As much as I love jaco, victor, and anthony (jackson not michael), I don't feel as intimidated by their playing anymore. It's not the style I like to play. Knowing how far you want to go helps, especially as I get older...

oldrocker · #20 10-26-2009, 07:06 PM

Started at 27 - played 6 years then took many years off - kids, night school ... - picked it up again 5 years ago.

Mediocre but better than I was before my hiatus as I have nmore time for it now. Will never be great, but good enough to pick up songs and play in bands.