Picking up Instruments later in life...

[Madness]

Has anyone here had experience with picking up instruments later in life after playing bass for a long time?

I'm thinking about picking up a Pedal Steel guitar, but it requires a lot of thought, they're really expensive (I'd be looking at spending well over $2,000 for the guitar, accessories, and amp), pretty rare, and hard to learn (from what I hear). Should I give it a shot?

Thanks for your help...

[Taylor Livingston]

I think you could spend less than half of that if you made smart purchases. If you are not positive you want to pursue this, I wouldn't drop such a huge amount just to check it out.

[SelenaBassGirl]

I played the keyboard/piano since I was a kid..then decided I wanted to play the bass.
The steel is a nice sounding instrument. I have a friend who plays in a band. If you have any questions, I'd be more then happy to ask for you...

[Jeff K]

Originally Posted by Madness

Has anyone here had experience with picking up instruments later in life after playing bass for a long time?

I'm thinking about picking up a Pedal Steel guitar, but it requires a lot of thought, they're really expensive (I'd be looking at spending well over $2,000 for the guitar, accessories, and amp), pretty rare, and hard to learn (from what I hear). Should I give it a shot?

Thanks for your help...

It's worth a shot if you feel like you want to do it. A friend of mine has been playing Pedal Steel for about 25 years or more. He's very good, but tells me that sometimes he still feels like a novice. I've never tried it, but it HAS to be difficult! You have your hands, knees, and feet all working at once. But what a sweet sound...

[Taylor Livingston]

Plus, if you think intonation is hard on fretless bass, imagine having the notes 1/2"-1/4" apart at the high end.

[chadds]

It starts when you are a child!
You should have been picking up your toys when you were little.
But no! Your mom did it for you.
So now you're in the studio, a respected bassist, and you can't pick up your instruments.
Later in life. Hmmmph!
I don't know what you should do. Hire someone to come behind you and straighten?
To me this is a bit too personal to put on TB.

[Jools4001]

Originally Posted by Madness

I'm thinking about picking up a Pedal Steel guitar, but it requires a lot of thought

It might be a little heavy for you at your age....I said, it might be a little heavy for you at your age. Just keep a straight back and bend from the knees is my advice

Seriously though, I never used to like pedal steel until I did a stint in a country band where they had a really good pedal steel player. Some of the stuff he played was really cool, especially some of the stuff he used to do with harmonics. It did look fearsomely complex though twin 'necks' with different tunings on each, pedals and knee levers to alter the tuning of certain strings on the fly as well as using the steel (I didn't realise that nearly as much of the tune was played using the pedals and knee levers)...oh and a volume pedal to get those swells going.

The coordination required seemed tremendously complex...a bit like being a drummer but playing real notes and chords at the same time.

Good luck if you decide to do it

[OtterOnBass]

There was a thread recently about an adult student picking up bass extremely fast by reading theory and practicing what the teacher showed her. I think with the right attitude you have a massive advantage on younger students - listening experience. You know what you want to hear from the instrument in thousands of ways. Be ready to learn and don't get discouraged, a little time invested everyday will have a big pay-off.

[countryboy]

Just wondering what you decided, Madness, and how that decision worked out? I'm also thinking about buying and learning to play a pedal steel. (I play electric bass in a country band, and if I don't buy a pedal steel, I'm going to buy a double bass.)

[Phalex]

I decided I wanted to play harmonica a few years back. As it turns out I do suck and blow at the same time, but I'm not very good at it. I still have it in a drawer someplace but I haven't touched it in years.

[nortonrider]

Look Out Robert Randolph.... here comes Madness!

[thumpbass1]

You are too old if that's how you choose to limit yourself in your mind. I say ' GO FOR IT!'

[DudeistMonk]

Look Out Robert Randolph.... here comes Madness!

Damn, you beat me too it!

I haven't listened to "Unclassified" in so long... my ears are happy now.

[Josh Ryan]

Go for it.

I've wanted to play the saxophone for ever, finally took the plunge and got an A901 Yanagisawa. I do not regret it.

[Stumbo]

Maybe you can rent one.