How many decade + quitters here?

NickInMesa · #1 02-28-2009, 09:56 PM

I stopped playing at 25, started again at 39.

Long story short: life happened.

I am surprising myself, things are coming back faster than I thought but I get frustrated a lot.

I'd like to hear about your stories!

stflbn · #2 02-28-2009, 09:58 PM

15 years for me. By choice to raise family and career.

NickInMesa · #3 02-28-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

15 years for me. By choice to raise family and career.

Same here.

I picked up bass again as I thought this was something I should never have quitted.

Also playing helps me relax in the evening.

I may very well look for a band when I have improved some more.

GeoffByrne · #4 03-01-2009, 03:19 AM

Stopped playing in '77 when kids started to arrive, took it up again 2002 - 25 years, hardly touched a fretboard.

Was a guitarist initially, took up bass on re-start. Play mostly bass now.

speckledmind · #5 03-01-2009, 05:36 AM

I don't consider myself a quitter, but rather having made a mature and conscience choice.

My decision, I left the music scene some 20 years ago, sold all my gear and focused on raising my family, also kicked it up a notch on the career.

Before calling it quits on music, I played 6 strings mostly, but dabbled with a Clarinet.

I decided to get back into Music last year, to celebrate my 50 Th. B day in December 08, I went all out and crazy and bought new gear, kept it all low end this time around, and I enjoy the fit.

Interesting thing, I forgot everything I knew, but really enjoy getting back into this at a slow pace, I keep it mellow, the slow rhythms and sound of the low end really fits where I am with my life.

One of the first thing I did when I joined the Forum ( apart from paying my dues to support such a great Forum ), was to read all the Threads intended for newbies, I certainly don’t remember everything I read, but these one stuck to me like glue.
TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > General Instruction [BG] Best musical advice you ever got

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

"Keep your ears open and listen to both the sound and your soul"

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

"Play fewer notes and put more soul into each one you play." - Willie Dixon, when he sat in with our band

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappa29

"Less is more."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLake

"Don't play the song...let the song play you."

Last but not least

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montsegour

Practice, Practice, Practice!
By : everyone

Otter · #6 03-01-2009, 01:02 PM

Wow,

Did you start this thread just for me?

Stopped playing in my mid twenties after dealing with some nasty band/roommate politics. Took up mountain biking to fill my free time.

Fast froward to my mid forties now and I have recently started playing in earnest again. One good thing, I managed to keep most of my 'gear, and now most of it's "vintage" or just plain valuable. Who knew a 5 string Wal was anything special then. Hell nobody I played with had ever heard of the company back then.

Otter.

Craig_S · #7 03-01-2009, 04:48 PM

The longest I've been out of it was six years. I supported a family, playing bass. I got out because I was burned out from playing too much. For the six years I didn't gig, I barely even played at home. I was completely done with all of it. I hope I never get to that place again.

Atoz · #8 03-01-2009, 04:54 PM

Started and quit at 22, then started up again at 40. The only reason I started playing again is because some coworkers needed someone to play bass in their band and they asked me to. I'm glad they did.

fretlessguy · #9 03-02-2009, 08:25 PM

When I went through college I played only sparingly due to fact I could get very little playing time in the area. After I graduated and starting teaching, I quit playing altogether.
Thirteen years later (when I was 35) I was sitting in church before it started and a gentleman named Eddie came up and said "I hear you play bass. We need one for our truck stop ministry." I still to this day do not know how he found out, especially since it had been over a decade.
Since that time, I have playing regular the last 15 years, 12 with the same band and I have never had a cross word with anyone. I have also learned to play hand drums, the guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and began home recording.
It's never too late to take up the bass again.

NickInMesa · #10 03-02-2009, 09:21 PM

I propose we create a club, named The Returning Bassists Club (Stumbo's idea for a name, my idea for the club).

Who wants a number?

Stumbo · #11 03-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Played for about 12 years, quit for about 15 (family,job, blah blah blah, played out a bit for a year, kept up with acoustic guitar the whole time, picked up bass a bit over the last year, bought some equipment.

Just getting the timing and loosing of the joints. Always played with a pick back in the day. I mean, I could play with fingers but choose pick to get a cleaner tone. Haven't played with a pick in the last year based on TB advice. Gotta know both. Had a small jam with a guitar player and conga player a couple of months ago. Keeping everything low key.

#2? New thread for club?

NickInMesa · #12 03-02-2009, 10:01 PM

I am waiting to see if I can get the thread retitled, otherwise I will create a new one, but I'd like to keep this one going, as there are some interesting stories here.

Larz48 · #13 03-02-2009, 10:49 PM

Good thread Nick. I quit after playing about 3 years at 21. Life happens. Bought a used bass and new practice amp last year after not playing for 21 years. Oh God, that sounds horrible. I'm having fun though. It's coming back slowly. I just try and play along to whatever I'm listening to. Don't read music, never have, I just listen. 4 Basses later I'm still having fun.

kesslari · #14 03-02-2009, 10:55 PM

15 years off for me after a lot of gigging.
Same story - career and family, plus a detour into serious affair with percussion and Arab and Turkish music.
Glad to be back to the bass.

tycobb73 · #15 03-03-2009, 07:19 AM

took about 10 years off. It took too much of my time at school and grades suffered. So I put it on the shlve and then once I got out of school life got in the way untill about 3 years ago.

toytech · #16 03-03-2009, 11:44 AM

stopped at 18, restarted at 40. tough being a noob in your 40's, the players at my level are my kids age, the ones at my age are over my head

etechstan · #17 03-03-2009, 12:03 PM

Quit in 1982, picked it up again in 2004. Like riding a bicycle.

Menace · #18 03-04-2009, 01:32 PM

I stopped playing regularly in about '92, mainly to raise a family and for the career. I sold all of my equipment, except for an accoustic guitar that I would pick up maybe 3 times a year. Now that my kids are grown, I decided to buy a new bass and a cheap practice amp. I started practicing an hour or two per day, and was having fun. A couple of months later, the bass player for my friends band couldn't make a show. He asked me to come and play a few songs with them. I ended up playing 2 of the 4 sets, and have been hooked ever since. I bought a quality amp and cabinet, found an established band in need of a bass player and have been gigging with them for the last 5 months. I'm meeting alot of new friends and having a blast! Life is good!

I'm 44.

speckledmind · #19 03-04-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I propose we create a club, named The Returning Bassist Club (Stumbo's idea for a name, my idea for the club).
Who wants a number?

Go ahead Nick

start a new Thread called “ The Returning Bassist Club “, I’m going to join and ask for a number

NickInMesa · #20 03-04-2009, 07:14 PM

OK here is the club:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...81#post7071581