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Am I too late?

N

newstrings86

Oct 26, 2012
5
0
#1
Ok, so here's my deal... I'm 26 years old, and I've been a drummer since I was 13 (Self-taught). Well, I've been playing for my band as a drummer, but recently our back-up singer/keyboardist introduced us to his cousin, who I will admit is a much better drummer then myself.

So, I was asked a month ago to learn to play bass as we have been without a bassist (hope that is the right term?) for some time. I'll admit, I've picked it up a lot quicker then I anticipated, but I guess partly that is because I sang in choirs and played piano for a few years so I have a head start on reading music, and musical theory.

My question though is this, I get highly discouraged when I see other bassists (again, I think that's the right term?), because their hands are much more nimble and flexible then mine. I know I'm not too old to learn, but am I too old to make my hands as flexible as someone who started much earlier in life? I've heard it said that it is encouraged to learn instruments such as guitar/bass at an early age because their hands are still developing, but I don't know if I am too far past that stage to where my hands won't be flexible enough to stretch as many frets as I've seen others do?
 
#3
Hey there, I just started about 3 months ago and have been pretty much practicing bass almost everyday. I'm 19 and will be 20 next month, I thought the same exact thing you did but now I can't believe some things my hand does. So to answer your question I don't think it's too late at all, but I understand your discouragement because I had it as well. Those chromatic 1234 2341 etc. (and other) excercises sure do help as well.
 
#4
Just keep practicing and working your hands. Maybe even find some strength/stretching exercise on and off the bass. I learned when I was much younger, and then was away from it literally for years before recently being able to take it up again. With enough patience and practice, I daresay I'm getting better now than I EVER was back then despite approaching 40. Your dedication and willingness to just dig in will count for a lot.
 
#5
Awesome, thanks. I don't know, it's just kinda disappointing that I seem to have relatively long fingers, but I have one heck of a time just stretching 4 frets and actually having each finger properly behind the fret. And then seeing these other guys who have like insane reach and are stretching over 5 frets and making it look easy. I guess, granted I've only been playing for a month, but I guess I just wasn't sure if there was hope of my hands loosening up since I am kind of learning late.
 
#6
newstrings86 said:
Awesome, thanks. I don't know, it's just kinda disappointing that I seem to have relatively long fingers, but I have one heck of a time just stretching 4 frets and actually having each finger properly behind the fret. And then seeing these other guys who have like insane reach and are stretching over 5 frets and making it look easy. I guess, granted I've only been playing for a month, but I guess I just wasn't sure if there was hope of my hands loosening up since I am kind of learning late.
Click to expand...

First, it is never too late to learn an instrument. There have been similar type "am I too late" threads here over recent times. In them people have admitted to starting out aged fifty and older. Most said they were happy with their progress.


I am a little concerned when you mention about stretching over four frets. Be very careful here, as over stretching on the lower frets can cause injury, especially when you are starting out.

Even seasoned pros find it hard to stretch on frets 1-5. Fact is you don't have to stretch if you use the thumb as a pivot to move the fingers to where they are needed.

Practice putting a finger on each fret, on for example frets 9 - 12. As your hand/fingers adopt, gradually move down the fretboard. Below is a link to safe L/H technique. Hope it helps.


Sorry !! Didn't mean to lecture on something you did not even ask about. I just did not want you developing physical problems at such an early stage.


Best of luck with it, and welcome to the low end. :bassist:


 
#7
Playing bass well is much more about being creative and thoughtful than it is about blistering virtuosity. Chances are you'll never be called upon to solo or playing anything harder than you can learn to play in the first year or two on the instrument. But you'll be a big asset to any band if you can use the bass to support the vocal, add hooks to songs, use space wisely, etc.

It's more of a thinker's role in most (good) bands.


newstrings86 said:
I have one heck of a time just stretching 4 frets and actually having each finger properly behind the fret.
Click to expand...

Your stretch will improve gradually but really you shouldn't be stressing your hand like that for long periods anyway, so if there's stuff you're playing that puts your hands in uncomfortable positions you might want to re-think the way you're playing it. Bear in mind double bassists only cover three 'frets' in most positions on the fingerboard and they get by just fine. You will find that in the majority of your playing you'll only need to cover three as well.
 
#11
Go for it man.

Since u mentioned u played drums, so your sense of rhythm would be better than most people. If you have a good sense of time, half the battle is won already. Plus, you played piano as well so ud understand music theory... ull do fine.

You just need to work on your finger dexterity, its all just muscle memory. Keep practising!
 
#13
Orangeclawhamme said:
I started at 55. I'm progressing slowly, but I'm having fun. Should I burn all my bass stuff?
Click to expand...

NOOO! Keep it up. Same goes for the OP. You can still learn to move your fingers nimbly, it just may take longer because you'll be less "malleable." If it's any encouragement, my mother started learning the piano a couple of years ago. She'd had no previous musical training and is in her 50s. It's taken her a while to get the hang of it - longer than a child, probably - but she can get a tune out of it, and she is improving. Don't give up!
 
#14
Well your pinky and ring finger share the same tendon. Those are the hardest to separate.

Practicing helps a lot obviously. When I used to practice the guitar a lot I could play well, now that I don't practice anything I don't play bass that well but well enough.
 
#15
It's natural to have doubts at first, we hear all kinds of "My hands are too big, my hands are to small" comments. Yes we are all different, but, we all adapt and get the job done. There is always a way.....

Not sure when I started bass, but, I was somewhere in my 70's, I forget the exact date -- LOL.

Relax and have fun.
 
#16
newstrings86 said:
...I was asked a month ago to learn to play bass...

...I get highly discouraged when I see other bassists (again, I think that's the right term?), because their hands are much more nimble and flexible then mine.
Click to expand...

My dad taught private lessons, and he offered a cheap rental program. The term was 3 months, because he found that it took that long for people to decide if they were going to enjoy playing.

You can double that period, if you're not taking regular lessons from a pro.

I would say that the OP should actually be very encouraged. After only 4 weeks, most people are still learning how to coordinate their fretting and plucking hands, not worrying about dexterity.
 
#19
Here's how to get over the initimidation of people being able to do insane things with their fingers:

Think of the best songs you have ever heard of with fantastic, driving, musical bass lines:

Try and find a video of somebody playing that line on the bass and you will see a truer representation of what you should be looking to emulate.

Watching videos of bedroom slappers (pun intended) recording themselves on webcam and posting it on YouTube is a million miles away from making great music. Nobody ever, anywhere in the World, got up dancing to those YouTube vids or put a CD of it on to enjoy.

Be solid, be musical, and enjoy it and leave the acrobatics to the guys who never get beyond the world of YouTube.

PS: As others have said, you will soon to learn to "shift position" with your whole hand rather than risking strain or dislocation by stretching your pinky along the neck.
 

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