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Am I too old to get started in this?

#261
ski_rush said:
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).
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Adding years to one's life in not aging. Adding years to your life is a description of "winning".
Follow your heart. Try some basses and find 'the one'. Face to face lessons for a while will get you in a comfort zone. I'm 68 and still noodle playing along with CDs and using headphones for self-amazement. At 43 learning and playing bass will serve you for many, many years to come. Keep winning, my friend, keep winning.
 
#263
I think if you feel up to playing then you should do it. I started bass at 43 in 1996 and love it. I played the drums from age 14 and it was hard on my shoulder and lower back so switched to bass. Not to mention it's good for your brain and thats a fact. Go for it!!
 
#264
Started at 40 because my brother needed a bass player. My 11yr old son on drums. Had a blast! still going strong at 62. Hit bass method really hard in the beginning. Been in several gigging bands about four years into it. Enjoy the ride...
 
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#265
I'd doubt you'd get any comments not to go for it, why would we imply not to go for one of our greatest joy's in life.
Age makes no difference unless you happen to have artitis in your fingers or something then it's maybe not the healthiest choice you can make

And I'm afraid I wont realy break the mold on this one either.

I would caution however (as i do with all my students) on getting started half-arsed.

Get decent gear, a bass can be oh so nice, if it sounds or feels like crap the intrest in getting started is gone within weeks.

Get something reliable and maybe secondhand. Yamaha, ibanez, and squier are often the bigger brands that have good starter basses at reasonable prices.

Ibanez SG 300 is a good starter, couple it with something like a fender rumble 3 - 60w or a roland cube 60. And thats a basic but good sounding cheap-ish rig right there

Spend a day in a musicstore just getting a feel for everything, you dont even have to plug them in, make sure a bass feels good in your hands.. the neckshape, the overall weight, and so on...

And once you get started again, have the patience to actually practice, and find ways to keep the practice fun... learn parts of songs that are simple but are good for learning timing and rhythm, later scales, learn a basic blues pattern, ...

For example if you are just starting out try playing the verses of psychokiller (talking heads) along with the song. Good rhythmical excercise. And... fun!
 
#266
I STARTED ON CELLO AT 45 - IT WAS VERY HARD BUT VERY REWARDING!
GO FOR IT
I completely agree and congrats on the Stick assault! I started on Cello at 45 and it was very hard and even More rewarding! You can't loose if, as bholder says "it's how you want to spend the time you have left"- this is a practical statment and worthy of humour.
 
#267
ski_rush said:
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).
Click to expand...


You are not too old of course. My vote is for an Ibanez TMB100. They are $199.00 new but usually you can find a coupon online for Guitar Center and get 10 or 15% off. They also come in multiple colors, maple or Jatoba necks etc. They are the best "cheap" basses on the market IMO. Then use a drum app for drum beats to play along with. Then practice your butt off and have fun.
 
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#268
I'm almost 55 and still feel like a kid. (I also have an 8 year old daughter, so that helps.) So 43 is still quite young. Obviously you have to go to it. BTW I think Yamaha makes some really nice budget basses. I also have a GSR200 and for the price it's pretty good.
 
#269
Hi. Never too late to start. I started learning bass a year ago at 67. Where do you live ? Here in the UK, we have a great initiative called The Rock Project. It started with the aim of teaching kids to sing or rock instruments and getting them to play rock. Now they've started Rock Project Encore for adults and I joined my local one. Each week we spend an hour with singers, guitars, keyboards, drums and basses in different rooms learning our bit of a song then we get together in turn to form into a band and play it. Its a different song every two weeks. At the end of each term we get together with other RPE groups from the county and play 6 songs each in a concert.

Its great fun, my wife sings and through RPE we've also met and linked up with other local musicians so we get together and jam or play open mic sessions in local pubs. I'm now having proper lessons on theory as well.

So if you are in the UK, search the internet for Rock Project Encore and join a local one. It will help give you the discipline to keep going. Maybe there are similar initiatives in other countries, if not maybe someone could start one !!!
 
#270
Too old at 43! Ha Ha, you must be joking! I'm 62 and still struggling along. Picked up the Bass a year ago (actually, have four of them now), I'll never be a rock star but this is my enjoyment and my form of stress relief!
If you feel a need to groove, go for it! I have found Scotts Bass lessons and Aries Bass Blog/lessons really helpful!
 
#271
ski_rush said:
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).
Click to expand...

2½ years ago, I started Double Bass private lessons at... 67. My bass teacher told me I made great progress. Now, I'm in a band of 4. So, age is of no importance. Motivation and hard work are.
 
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#272
ski_rush said:
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).
Click to expand...

You are not too old. No one is ever too old for music.

But, don't short-change yourself. As a middle-aged adult, you should not feel bad about buying a high-quality instrument. In fact, I recommend beginners start on a used, professional quality, popular model bass.

You'll learn faster, you'll have pride in your instrument, and even if you decide not to stick with it, it will hold its value, and you can sell it for probably the same price you paid for it.

I started on bass guitar in my early 20s, but I was already in a gigging band, first on keys, then on rhythm guitar. My first bass was Fender's most expensive model, purchased new, a 1992 Jazz Bass Plus V Ash, which remained my main bass until 2012.
 
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#275
Pierre Boucher said:
2½ years ago, I started Double Bass private lessons at... 67. My bass teacher told me I made great progress. Now, I'm in a band of 4. So, age is of no importance. Motivation and hard work are.
Click to expand...
When I was starting out in double bass and getting frustrated, I almost threw in the towel. My friend saw Jackie Bayard play with Major Holly on bass in NYC. He asked Major if he had any advice for me. Major Holly said, “Tell him to keep playing.” So, anytime I’ve felt any doubt about my playing, I just repeat the mantra, “just keep playing.”
 
#276
ski_rush said:
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.

It's never too old to learn bass. It's like riding a bike. I gave it up and didn't touch a bass for 40 years, then a group of retired guys needed a bass player, so I bought one and have been okaying gigs with them ever since.
Click to expand...
 
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#278
I am 56 years old. Played guitar for a while but never got that great. It was good enough for me at home but kids could run circles around me. I am switching to bass to learn more about setting the groove of a song. I may never be in a good band, but I love the challenge of trying.
 
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#280
ski_rush said:
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).
Click to expand...
I am 63 and just started back playing music a couple of years ago. Mainly a novice piano and guitar player, I picked up bass because some guys needed a bass player, they had a bass and I wanted to play something.
I am now having the time of my life. It is never to late.
 
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