Am I too old to get started in this?

[halversp]

Lots of 50-some starters in this thread. I'm another. I borrowed a bass from a musician friend and started to learn last fall, when I was 53. I'm a vocalist (baritone) and trombone player, tried to learn guitar but struggled, decided better to stick with bass clef given I've been reading it for 40 years. Bought my own after a few months, a Squire Vintage Modified Jaguar, inexpensive but I've found it a good starter instrument. After self-study and some formal lessons I'm still pretty clunky, but competent enough that I'm starting to look for opportunities to play outside my practice space.

 

[Low Hertz]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

I have started folks a lot older than you even on upright bass.

 

[Aljimenez67]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

 

[Bobo]

Lots of 50-some starters in this thread. I'm another. I borrowed a bass from a musician friend and started to learn last fall, when I was 53. I'm a vocalist (baritone) and trombone player, tried to learn guitar but struggled, decided better to stick with bass clef given I've been reading it for 40 years. After self-study and some formal lessons I'm still pretty clunky, but competent enough that I'm starting to look for opportunities to play outside my practice space.

Conquering the Universe, one note at a time! Thankfully there are a lot of open mic scenes where you can get a chance to network with other musicians and probably start a group of like-minded players. Google open mics in your area and have a ball!

 

[StatesideRambler]

I talked about this topic at the community orchestra rehearsal last night and a violinist told us about a man he'd played with in the past who had to set aside the oboe in his 50s due to COPD. The guy took up cello and, sometime later, rejoined the orchestra. Never say die!

 

[Xhaxo]

Do it!
I'm a 64-year old bassist and loving it.
I agree with earlier posters that getting a proper setup on any bass can work wonders, and a good teacher. I was self-taught for a while and really started to make progress when I started lessons. For me, it's also a psychological benefit. That regular lesson motivates me to practise more.

 

[Michael135]

First, at 43, you’re young. Wow. Second, I picked the bass again after 38 years of watching it gather dust, and now, at 59, I’m gigging weekly. And loving it. I exercise constant improvement so I’m learning new stuff all the time. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Go for it and have fun.

 

[Osprey]

Get it done! I'm another who started playing late, at 59, when I was getting towards retirement. One of the best things I ever did. You don't want to dedicate your final years to painting the spare room, do you?
I bought a cheap bass, badly advised by the guitarist in the group I was setting out to play with. Promised myself I'd get a nice USA P Bass when I felt I deserved it: got one 8 months later. Added a good Status bass and an Aria Sinsonado too.
When I started I didn't know what a key was. You'll find that a couple of simple riffs will get you going in lots of blues numbers, and as you practice you'll listen to better players and find you can develop what you play to match some of their work. But plenty of blues is best with a simple line so long as you can count and tap your foot. Play with a band as soon as you can. Suddenly you'll find that those other guys aren't impossibly smarter or better than you..
15 years later I've played in blues bands, covers bands, blues-and-folk-and-covers bands. Done some recording. Gigged down in France a few times. Play a bit most days, and I'm learning new songs (my version of their lines) very often. And of course I listen to all those songs I thought I enjoyed in quite a different way: Beatles when you realise you're hearing Macca so much is a revelation! It doesn't dominate my life but it's made a real difference.

 

[Throttlejunky]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

I'm 69 and re-started playing 15 months ago after a 48 year hiatus to raise a family. I'm also retired and can spend as much time as I want practicing. My goal in taking it back up again was to join a band and play gigs, not just practice and play to songs, though that is OK, if it's all you want. If your new to a musical instrument, it's best you take professional lessons until you can reasonably play to songs. Self taught from scratch, while possible, is a much longer haul and may lead to giving it up. The bottom line is that it is never too late to embark on learning a musical instrument, you just have to ask yourself what do you want to achieve. You may like the bass, but remember you can't play by yourself, as with a guitar. Your forever tied to supporting other instruments. I own Fender basses always have always will. Good Luck in what ever you decide.

 

[Dave Neal]

At 43 I would say you are just a puppy... never to old to try something new. There are two things that make me happy in life .. one is the bass and the other is my Audi convertible...go for it dude.

 

[Jerry Ewing]

I played around with a guitar when I was in my early teens, never learning much more than my minor and major chords. Then I took up trombone in freshman band and played in bands until I got married at 21. Then did not really play any music until I turned 63, after talking to one of the guys in a wedding band. Decided to buy a guitar and give it a serious go. Spent about $150 on a Yamaha acoustic. Made a commitment to practice every day, sometimes only 20 minutes, sometimes hours, depending on my life's schedule. About two years ago I realized that I'd be 90 before I was a "really good" lead guitar player, and decided to pick up bass. Around here a bass player that can do a decent job and also sing a little is in demand. I've now been playing guitar/bass for about 5 years. Been in an acoustic duo and now play bass in a blues band. We've played at the National Blues History Museum in St. Louis, opened for a blues festival or two, and played a number of gigs that cost more in travel expense than we got paid, but I'm having a blast and learning more about music than I ever did before. Are you too old? Never! Just be willing to commit to the amount of practice time that it takes to get to the level of artistry you wish to achieve. And, as to the bass to buy, you can buy a pretty decent bass used for $200-$300 and, if you don't mind the weight of the older amps, you can pick up something powerful enough to play at gigs for another couple hundred bucks.

 

[gwreid]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

My thoughts... It's never too late to start anything, I frequently play golf with an 85 year old who didn't start playing until he was 80.

Forget about chords on a bass until after you get grooving down, let guitarists handle the chords.

Start playing along with basic twelve bar blues songs and when you get proficient with that, progress to songs with more complex forms.

Download the bass tabs, they're easy to find.

Bass wise, if you don't want to spend much, buy a good used version of a bass you can't afford new. A used Fender Squier Jazz may be too expensive for you but they have an Affinity model that you can find for about $200.

If you ski, remember pointy end downhill.

 

[Rogers]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

I started playing bass at 55. The biggest hurtle for me was left-hand strength and right-hand callouses. Learn to play with your drummer. Watch and listen especially to the kick and play with it. This is absolutely super boring but get a minute or two working with the metronome. You can't go wrong with an entry-level Fender P Bass. I'm now 69 and still pickin'.

 

[ShortScaleFelix]

I'm just getting back in to playing at age 47. The good news? There is so much good kit out there for really reasonable prices. Less than 200 bucks will buy something cool, fun and built like a truck.

 

[4321Lucky]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

i started last year when i was a spry young 54 year old. i have a squier jaguar from a pawn shop. i think it was made in 2014. had a local luthier do a good set up on it. i love it. also theres lots of people with videos for instruction. i paid more for my amp than i did for the bass. the set up cost around 40 i think. i dont have anyone to play with yet but my music on my phone is always in tune

 

[Aljimenez67]

I started at my local church when I was 45. I played for about 3 years and stopped. I'd practice on and just recently started playing full-time. I'm 52 now, last year I took a risk and posted myself online and I'm playing in a band now. They are way more advanced but we get along, which is important. As far as equipment, I have several high end basses but one day I took my Ibanez tmb100 and they live the sound so that's what I play now. It's never too late, I hope you pick it up again.

 

[Bobo]

I played around with a guitar when I was in my early teens, never learning much more than my minor and major chords. Then I took up trombone in freshman band and played in bands until I got married at 21. Then did not really play any music until I turned 63, after talking to one of the guys in a wedding band. Decided to buy a guitar and give it a serious go. Spent about $150 on a Yamaha acoustic. Made a commitment to practice every day, sometimes only 20 minutes, sometimes hours, depending on my life's schedule. About two years ago I realized that I'd be 90 before I was a "really good" lead guitar player, and decided to pick up bass. Around here a bass player that can do a decent job and also sing a little is in demand. I've now been playing guitar/bass for about 5 years. Been in an acoustic duo and now play bass in a blues band. We've played at the National Blues History Museum in St. Louis, opened for a blues festival or two, and played a number of gigs that cost more in travel expense than we got paid, but I'm having a blast and learning more about music than I ever did before. Are you too old? Never! Just be willing to commit to the amount of practice time that it takes to get to the level of artistry you wish to achieve. And, as to the bass to buy, you can buy a pretty decent bass used for $200-$300 and, if you don't mind the weight of the older amps, you can pick up something powerful enough to play at gigs for another couple hundred bucks.

Well said! ski_rush, you’ve created quite an avalanche with your thread! Did you expect this many silver backs to rally to your cause? keep playing, man...keep playing!

 

[acmeseed]

I played guitar and bass in my teenage into early 20 years, about a 10 year run on and off. I picked up guitar to play in church again some 20+ years later at 56 and 3 years later switched to bass, it was needed since we only had one more bass player and it is my passion. I am still learning at 64 and will play until they have to pry the bass off my cold dead fingers.

You are still a baby!

 

[Dyna LowRider]

I am 43 now. I tried learning the bass 2 years ago. I like it, but I just didn't practice enough and didn't learn more than just a few cords. I had an Ibanez GSR200 that I actually got on Ebay, new for $140 shipped. Unfortunately, I have since sold it.

Over the past 2 years, I was thinking that I want to give it another shot. But, now I'm 43. I jumped on a few forums for beginner bass guitar reviews and see that most folks seem to be teenagers. So, that got me thinking about age

Just wondering if there were other folks out there who started later in life too.

The bass guitars I'm considering is getting another Ibanez GSR 200 or the Dean Custom Zone in Electric Green (I just really like the look of it). Thoughts? I'd like to spend as little as possible since I'm just starting out; under $200 (I know the Dean is $229).

Bro...it's NEVER to late ! Yeah , you're likely not gonna reach Jaco level but get past the initial frustration (maybe , maybe not) and you'll find enjoyment , maybe interact with new & interesting folks , etc . The possibilities and benefits may be myriad and endless . Rock the bottom bro .

 

[HanPogo]

Find some people you like playing with and go for it.

Im with THAT guy. . Find some people to jam/play/learn with... the learning curve when playing with a "gang" is astronomical. .