Too late to play Orchestral music

[MCT]

Am I too old to start playing DB. I started plaing electric bass when I was 17 and now I want to play the DB and play orchestral songs. I'm now 20 and I'm wondering if it is too late for me to be able to do it. I myself believe that I can do it, but I read somwhere that unless one began playing before the age of 13 one would not be able to play the difficult pieces. I guess I'm just asking to see if anyone has started playing DB as late as I without much prior musical experience and had significant success with it.

[mr.hughes]

Hey MCT -

I've been playing EB since I was 13. Got my first DB at age 20, been playing professionally with it since (not straight away obviously. Recorded a movie soundtrack, toured with it, played with amateur orchestra's, done a lot of theatre shows.

Not blowing my horn here, point just being that I've done a whole lot more since I got one than I would have if I hadn't. I'm by no means an orchestral player, but that's not where I want to be.

You'll get out of it what you put into it. If you want to play with orchestras then do it. Get the DB and get a good teacher. The teacher is as important as the bass!

[jordan oconnor]

Perhaps my response is more existential than you might like, nevertheless, I think what a person does in music is best served by their conviction and enthusiasm. Lots of musicians hit a peak, where they maintain a certain level, but do not progress. Others continually explore and practice trying new things all the time, and thus, even “excellent” players, may wane at a certain point while others continue to grow.

I would like to think the goals of a musician aren’t solely external, that they are internal and the unraveling of ones own path is synonymous with the exploration of ones own voice, as a musician. Yes, I think you can play orchestral songs; get a double bass, join a community orchestra, find helpful people and ignore the unhelpful, and focus on the joy of playing.

As a side note, I once had a DB student who was a professional dancer and he progressed at an unbelievable rate. His secret, he was fearless – incidentally, he started dancing at 17 and began his career as a dancer at 19. It was his nature to dive in and ignore the doubts. You never know man…

PS. I am 34 and on April 1st I will audition to the University of Toronto on Classical Bass with the hopes of staring my undergrad this fall. If you are too old than what the hell am I doing?

Goodluck with it...we only live once, so we should all play bass.

[mr.hughes]

Well said Jordan, and good luck with the audition.

[Cory Palmer]

There are plenty of professionals out there that started playing later than most. The principal bass of the Atlanta Symphony, Ralph Jones, is a prime example. He didn't start playing until he was in college and he has a very successful career.

[Justin K-ski]

There are many examples of very sucessful classical musicians that got a late start. Carter Brey, principal cellist in the New York phil didn't start playing until he was 16. Carlos Klieber, one of the greatest conductors of all time didn't start studying music until he was in his 20's.

[ClassicalBass]

Giovanni Bottesini being a favorite example of mine; he didn't start until he saw a scholarship possibility for Double Bassists. One might go so far as to say if he hadn't started, many of us might not be playing today. At the very least, we would be missing some of the greatest bass literature of all time.

[mcnaire2004]

It's not crazy to think that if you practice your ass off you can go some where playing classical and starting at 20.

[Pete G]

I'll come at it from a slightly different angle.

Do you really want to play classical music? If you do, then do it.

"Too late" is an artificial, self-imposed barrier. It implies the follow-up question, "Too late for what?", but beyond that, it's simply never too late to pursue a love that you know you really want to pursue.

If you work at this and have a teacher who is enthusiastic about working with you, and who knows what s/he is doing, there is virtually no ceiling to how far you can go.

Limits, in my experience, are largely a factor of individual effort, will, and patience.

I can't tell you precisely WHERE your love of music will take you if you start playing, get a teacher, work hard at it, and perservere with good-natured patience. But if you do all that, I will absolutely guarantee you that it will take you some places that you will find wonderful.

[Bass Catcher]

You are not too late to start playing. I did the exact same thing. Started electric at 16 or so. Didn't start upright until 20 - and now I play it professionally.

I too asked the people the same question. "How can I even compete with people who started in 5th grade?" It seemed like I would never catch up with people who started so young. But that point is worthless now. I feel totally caught up with those young starters and I'm only 25. However - that took A LOT of hard focused practice.

I say go for it! Don't let age old you back - you're only as good as you let yourself be.

[MCT]

Thank you guys.

[WalpoleBassMan]

I will cite just 2 examples - I am sure there are many more.
Jim Orleans who plays in the Boston Symphony switched from electric bass to double bass at age 19.
Peter Lloyd formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra and most recently Principal Bass of the Minnesota orchestra also started playing double bass at age 19.
So...since you're a year later than them, you might not make it into the BSO or Philadelphia or Minnesota, but it's worth a shot ;-)

[Stan Haskins]

MCT, we're in the same boat. I'm glad you brought this topic up.

I think that realistically, there's some truth to the idea that we can't compete at a certain level. Competitions, scholarships, festivals, and mock auditions all have age limits, and are designed more to encourage and nurture the young. Bass departments and bass sections are much more competitive now than they used to be, too.

Personally, I can accept the fact that I will never be able to compete at the highest level for major orchestra positions, etc . . .. I'm not even sure how many undergraduate programs exist that I wold be accepted to, were I to apply and audition right now. But I like to think of it this way: We may have maturity and wisdom that younger players lack. We have alot to offer musically, and have our own strengths. And, if you put the time and effort into something over an extended period, some good has to come of it, right?

Wait, I just reread your original post and realized you're 20. You're still pretty young. If you put the time in, and think about what you're doing, and get the right teacher, and cover the right material, you cna certainly do it. Go for it.

[fcleff]

Go for it! I did the same thing: started playing slab at 15 or 16 and picked up the DB around 25! I didn't even get into a college program until I was 29. Do I play in major orchestras? No. Will I ever? No. But I am a far better player and musician because of the path I took. I will NEVER regret it.

[flint]

I'm not a great example, but I can't help but be amazed. If I read right, you are wondering if you are too old at 20?

I started at 34 and am holding down the low end in the local symphony orchestra. No I'm not Edgar Meyer, and I probably won't make it into a paying orchestra gig (BTW there are LOTS of well deserving folks that will never make it into the "professional" orchestra scene- I suggest you read Blair Tindall's book Mozart in the Jungle for a look-see into that world.)

there's a quote on one of my old professors doors that really struck me, and still does-it goes something like "there are two types of people-those who want to 'do' something and those that want to 'be' something. Those who want to do something are always happiest."

[Norwegianwood]

At least over here, there´s plenty of pros who started out about your age. That´s pretty common for double bass, at least compared to violin and chello..

I have played jazz bass for a year, and started lessons on classical two weeks ago. Now I bow three octave scales in all major keys. Not saying it´s beautiful yet, but it is improving rapidly. Oh, and I´m 20 btw.

To me, the concept of "learning faster when you are young" does not apply to music. It´s rather the contrary: As time goes by you grow both as a person and musician. Your practising will probably be more efficient, and you will learn faster. At least that´s my experience - after "learning" to play a bunch of instruments over the years.
So good luck, and start laying out those scales!

[Stan Haskins]

Meta-cognitive abilities may improve with age (the ability to understand how you learn something, and to direct yourself in learning the way you want), and that may help you to learn faster. However, the way children learn when they have good models and good direction and support cannot be matched after puberty. This is true of language acquisition, motor development, and musical performance ability. What children learn in a matter of months between the ages of 3-5 cannot be duplicated as easily or quickly when they are older. Skills are acquired more easily (especially language) when they are developed before puberty.

But you are still allowed to play classical music if you learn late.

[RHayton]

I took up electric bass at age 60; then last fall at age 64 got a DB and an excellent teacher; after seven months I'm well into Simandyl, and am working on the Capuzzi concerto, and not doing too badly, if I do say so.

My goal is to be able to play classical music in the city community orchestra in another year or so.

I was playing the bass guitar in a swing orchestra, have now switched to the DB and that is going great.

Of course, I'm semi-retired and I love to practice--usually get in at least one hour a day and sometimes as many as three. Also, I was a vocal music major in college, so already know music theory, etc. Secret is a good teacher, motivation and consistent practice.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by MCT

Am I too old to start playing DB. I started plaing electric bass when I was 17 and now I want to play the DB and play orchestral songs. I'm now 20 and I'm wondering if it is too late for me to be able to do it.

Are you kidding? You're never too old to play a new instrument. Get a good teacher and you'll be on your way.

Joe

[ClassicalBass]

Originally Posted by RHayton

I took up electric bass at age 60; then last fall at age 64 got a DB and an excellent teacher; after seven months I'm well into Simandyl, and am working on the Capuzzi concerto, and not doing too badly, if I do say so.

My goal is to be able to play classical music in the city community orchestra in another year or so.

I was playing the bass guitar in a swing orchestra, have now switched to the DB and that is going great.

Of course, I'm semi-retired and I love to practice--usually get in at least one hour a day and sometimes as many as three. Also, I was a vocal music major in college, so already know music theory, etc. Secret is a good teacher, motivation and consistent practice.

Wow, that's a great story. Very inspirational. It just goes to show you how far hard work can take you, no matter when you start. I'm very impressed about the Vocal major in college. I don't think enough musicians really appreciate how difficult singing is.