Too old to take lessons?

[Leverus]

Hi all, I'm relatively new to bass and I've been learning on my own so far. I've made some progress, but I feel that I could really benefit from some actual lessons instead of just following a method book.

My problem is, at every music store in my area, all the students I see are about 10 years old, give or take a few years. I've never seen anyone nearly as old as me (almost 23). They say that they teach all ages, but I'd feel very out of place and awkward taking lessons at this age. Is there any merit to my feeling, or am I just being dumb?

[icks]

never too old to get lessons.

[JohnMCA72]

I'm 55, been playing since about 1970. I take lessons.

[Leverus]

Thanks. I know this is a stupid topic, but I'm so socially awkward that I feel out of place at this age. I keep feeling that I should have started many years ago.

[Mike 257]

I started a month ago , Im 49 and I take lessons .

[Ayce]

I restarted playing not long ago as well, and I'm 55 (soon 56) I'm taking lessons online from a link I found here, (Studybass) I was self-taught years ago, and I was in my late 20's then. I learned by rote, for the most part, after getting "thrown in the fire", as it were. Never too late to learn and have fun.

[Boot Soul]

Find a place where and a teacher with whom you can feel comfortable. Lessons happen for players of bass and most other instruments at all ages, at different levels of skill and experience, and with instructors of different levels of skill. Even some pros you may know and admire may be taking lessons from other pros.

I remember that Tom Hamilton said in a Bass Player Mag interview that after Aerosmith hit it big with their first three albums, he decided to take lessons and really commit to learning his instrument much better. And I think a lot of people would agree that he wasn't too bad on those first three records.

[chuck3]

I've been playing bass since 1965. Gigged frequently, then took time off to raise kids, now gigging frequently again. I got serious about upright about 5 years ago and still take lessons on it. Sometimes I go over bass guitar stuff as well. Age has absolutely zero to do with it.

[nashman]

Would and older person who has never driven a car benefit from driver's lessons? You know the answer!

[Joe Nerve]

I thought you were going to say you were 40 or 50, in which case I was going to respond and say you're crazy. Flea started taking lessons a couple of years ago.

If your pride is getting in your way I'd search out craigslist. There are tons of people teaching bass, and it's easy to weed out the ones that ya don't want. Most have a website with their experience, and you can call, talk to them for a while, get a feel for where they're at and whether or not you think they'd be helpful.

IMO, most music stores that give lessons (at least around here) move way to slowly, and bore the crap out of most of their students before they even really learn how to play. A working musician/teacher will probably be able to push you along a lot more quickly, and make things a lot more interesting than the guy that's teaching the 10 yr olds.

If you're not too sure how to choose a teacher, you can start another thread. "What should I look for in a bass teacher?"

Good luck. And I didn't start seriously playing bass until I was about 30. So shut up with the too old crap.

[fourfinger]

I learned by ear, joined my first band at about your age. But I always knew I'd take lessons someday, too. I just didn't know I'd be in my 40s when I did.

Take lessons as soon as possible. Even if you had to learn alongside the ten-year-olds (which won't be required, by the way), it would give the young ones confidence to have you in their group.

[Tat2dHeart]

I'm 47 and take lessons. I started playing bass about 6 months ago after noodling around on my own for a year. It wasn't until I started lessons that I really started making progress.

[Down & Outman]

Most of those young uns are going to have to develope their arm and finger strength. You have an advantage over them. Show them up!

[SBassman]

Go get the lessons. You're gonna enjoy it very much.

23. I have underwear older than you.

[LowDown Hal]

I started at 51.

Motor City Guitar in Waterford, MI has a great Bass Instructor named Ed Kohen

[hdracer]

55 here, my instructor is about half my age. He said he enjoys working with older students.

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Leverus

...I've never seen anyone nearly as old as me (almost 23). ...

I can certainly relate because I felt the same way when I started taking lessons as an adult. My instructor was 20 - and his second oldest student was 15. But, even though I figured out he wasn't the right instructor for me, I still got much farther with him than I had been getting on my own.

Sure, it can feel awkward, but you're there to learn something that you want to learn. At your age I can bet you'll be a lot more consistent and committed than many of the kids who are taking lessons (on mom and dad's dime!) and your teacher would most likely LOVE that. If it's something you want to do, do it. I can guarantee that when you're in your 40's you'll be SO glad you did.

How do I make such a guarantee? Easy. It's because I wish I did that when I was in my 20's. I started lessons when I was double your age - 45!

[UnfortunateTony]

I hear Duff McKagan's taking lessons these days.

Don't worry about it, I've seen 60~ year old guys taking lessons.

[Rockmusician]

Originally Posted by icks

never too old to get lessons.

I agree. I have been playing for 33 years and considering lessons in a different genre than I normally play.

[pica]

Dude, I started taking lessons at 40. Your only too old when your dead.