Starting bass later in life?

[Sean Ormiston]

I hope you guys enjoy sharing the fruits of your sagacity, because I could really use all the advice and insight I can get.

I've played electric bass for three years, in garage rock bands and such. I'm 21 now. I've taken some music classes at my college, some ear training and theory, and I've studied theory on my own the whole time. Among my indie rock peers, I can turn some heads. But I was raised listening to jazz.

I took lessons with a teacher in the winter months of 2006 and he helped me select a double bass. I'm interested equally in both jazz and classical; which, although reflective of my love of music is a further problem because playing arco is a whole artform in itself. I've been sawing away at the simandle book, and no longer have enough dough to continue lessons presently, so I'm on my own right now (hopefully only for a while.) I'm taking a break from college to study music, as there's little I can do at any educational institution as an electric bass player.

Most everyone who becomes a musician, it seems, at least had experience in a high school band, where those musical tendencies can be nurtured and take form. I'm past that. I'm starting the whole shebang at 21, and I intend to go to music school. A lot of experience has to happen between that indeterminable "then" and now.

How do I make it happen? At this age, everyone has hung on to a few bass players they knew in high school who are about now going to or are in conservatories. I'll soon have an ID to prove my legal age, and can go to clubs and see what's up there...but those are professional spots. How can I possibly "learn by doing" this late in the game? I'll never stop studying books and transcribing and listening...

Surely, someone must have had an analogous experience, and came out successful?

- Sean Ormiston

[vier-personen]

if you want it, you can make it, I know bassplayers that started late and are now professionals that make a living out of music. I don´t want to tell the names, but you can believe me.
But if you want to be a professional in jazz, you will have to be very disciplined. get a practice routine, work yourself up to 6-8 hours a day (take your time though, don´t risk injuries). this will be very hard if not impossible without a teacher - getting good technique on the double bass is pretty hard on your own.

[hdiddy]

I partially responded in your other thread, but here's something to remember: Wes Montgomery didn't start til he was about 20-21 as well. He died a jazz guitar legend. There's lots more people who started late or later, but he comes to mind first for me.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I started playing DB at age 35. It's never too late to start doing something you love. The trick is to keep your goals personal and try not compare yourself to anything but where you are as compared to where you once were and on a line toward where you feel you're going. As long as the train is moving forward, it's all good.

[jsbarber]

Chris has given you some sage advice. Clearly you are intending to make bass your career. I strongly urge you to figure out a way to come up with the dough for private lessons. Is there any other career you can think of, requiring a high level of skill to perform, that you would consider self-taught a reasonable approach? I can't. Get some recommendations from some of the folks on this board. There are some great players, and a number live in NYC. One of them might be able to teach you or point you in the direction of a good teacher.

In my mind your age is not the issue, attempting to teach yourself the double bass is not a good idea.

Jim

[tzadik]

It's all good. If you want to do it, you do it.

Search out the jazz jams. Try to find some that are non-suck. Listen a few times. Then start sitting in. Try to find poeple who can kick your arse -- it'll get you playing better, faster.

[damonsmith]

A lot of double bass players start the instrument later just because of the size and expense. I have had students in their 50s and 60s who are now playing in groups.
I played bass in a string ensemble in the 4th grade for a short time and then did not do music until I was 18 (BG), I started double bass just after turning 22. I had some incredible teachers and don't feel like I missed much at all. Get a good teacher who teaches a solid classical method, rather than the slower road and you will be just fine.

[Dudie]

I started again at age 32 ( now 35 ) after 12 years rest from electric bass. I now play with some nice people and have alot of fun. If you`re not marriage and dont have kids you will have a lot of time.

/ Ola

[John Sprague]

Whoa, wait, 21, late in life?! I wish I could be so late! I have a theory about life: if you want it, and have a basic aptitude fueled by enough desire to do the work needed, you can do it. I am 43 (very late in life lol!), I've played rock-n-roll drums since pre-teens. 3 years ago I say hey I want a jazz gig. Didn't know a triplet from a cupcake. So I took some lessons, bought a few books, I practice a lot, I listen alot, I do not consider myself a jazz drummer yet, but I have a paying big band gig every other Friday night, w00t!

90% of life is just showing up. Go for it, Sean! Don't take grief from nay-sayers, narrow down what you're going to learn to the most essential good stuff, and get that gig!

[vier-personen]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

The trick is to keep your goals personal and try not compare yourself to anything but where you are as compared to where you once were and on a line toward where you feel you're going. As long as the train is moving forward, it's all good.

I can´t here that often enough. great advice!

[bassdblr]

Sean,

When you said later in life, I was expecting to hear you were in your 40's/50's. I started playing upright in my 40's, I play in groups, am also going to school to study music.

I have a passion for both jazz and classical, so I study them both. I would really try to find a teacher. This is essential.

Also, what about community colleges? You could get involved in various playing ensembles there, jazz and classical. Big jazz bands are great not only to play jazz with a group, but for working on reading. I also belong to a community orchestra. I also get together weekly at someone's house to work on jazz standards as a quartet. All of these things have gotten me to the next level and I do play out.

I don't think you need to be a virtuoso to go to college to study music. You need to learn what they ask you to learn for the audition, and it is usually listed on their website, you need some music theory, and piano skills cannot hurt either. The fact that you are working on both jazz and classical is a real plus already. There are different types of degrees, differing audition requirements, and there are many fine school besides Berklee that have pro-level staff teaching you to get you where you want to be musically.

Sometimes wish I was in my 20's and had decades in front of me. There's plenty of time for you.

[Sean Ormiston]

I'm extremely grateful for these kind words you've rendered me. Although I certainly didn't expect anyone to say "yup, might as well quit now," I didn't really realize exactly how wide open the years in front of me are.

"Wherever you go, there you are," when I first started perusing these forums, I saw that signature of yours, Chris, and was moved by the grounded logic of it.

The teacher is the thing seems to be the strongest message, certainly. I was thinking of bugging that Marco Panascia chap as soon as I got the dough together. His youtube videos and myspace tracks are jaw dropping and really in my taste.

John Sprague, if you can't tell a triplet from a cupcake, think "three cupcakes."

[John Sprague]

John Sprague, if you can't tell a triplet from a cupcake, think "three cupcakes."
Reply With Quote

Mmmmmmmm............three cupcakes........

[clink]

I want a cupcake and then a nap. That rehearsal last night for a pit orchestra kicked my old butt.
Seriously my bass chops spent more time in storage than you've lived! You think 21 is old?
Starting later in life has the advantage of approaching it from a more mature perspective. You've had more time to listen to more music than younger guys. This can facilitate actually MAKING music rather than regurgitating notes on a page or whatever.

I took over 20 years off and find that I approach music much differently than I did in the past. Where I used to run through a bunch of scales, now I find myself playing less, but trying to make it count. Where would I be with 30 years of dedication to DB? More advanced technically, but beyond that? We have to start where we are and make the best of it.

[philip sirois]

YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER!

I started when I was 45. That's when the thought first crossed my mind.

Just fricking do it!

[00Funk]

I started playing when I was 16. Never got serious. Just in it for the chicks.

I havnt been in a band now in over 20 years. Im 45.

It dosnt bother me though, cause I know, Im fixing to be really good, and within a moments time, I will be traveling everywhere playing bass every nite. I just know it. I feel it in my bones.

At age 45, your really just getting started.

[Munjibunga]

I started playing electric bass when I was 27, but I've been a musician since I was 8.

[Stan Haskins]

Originally Posted by Dudie

If you`re not marriage and dont have kids you will have a lot of time.

/ Ola

Aww, you're killin me here . . . Seriously. I'm married with kids. I didn't pick up DB until the tender age of 20. If you can start earlier, all the better. But if you're going to do it, do it.