I'm 55 and started playing bass when I was 48. It's never too late! I kept studying (music theory, reading music) and practicing whenever I could. I'm playing in a band now with three guys who have been playing for years and they say I am the heart and soul of the group. It is the best feeling! Do it! Just remember to keep pushing through, even on those "rough" days.
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Am I too old to get started in this?
- Thread starter ski_rush
- Start date
I can't believe how many young guys are on this site. I've been playing bass for more years than I can count and am currently in a band doing new, old, and classic rock and I'm 74. I don't know how long I can keep it up but It's a blast. One good factor is I hardly have any gray hair. I've also been a decent rhythm guitar player and just began learning lead guitar so...You just need to set your mind to it, pick up the instrument don't get frustrated. The key is practice, practice, practice and you'll soon see improvement. The improvements are the reward and will motivate you.
Never too old my friendI 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).
There is no such thing as too old. Welcome to the club.
I'm 54 and started learning about 1.5 years ago with absolutely no previous experience. I bought a cheap P-bass online ($120) with a tiny practice amp. The bass was good enough to start learning but the neck was uncomfortable, which is probably one of the disadvantages of online shopping. Try it before you buy it if you can. The amp was just barely adequate for practicing. But this got me started. I watched some videos on how to do a setup and learned how to do that. It was significantly easier than I had originally thought. I bought myself a Self-Learn book (Hal Leonard Bass Method Book). With these meager tools I started to enjoy myself. The real game changer for me was getting the software called Rocksmith. With that software practicing became a much more interesting and truly enjoyable experience.
One thing that I learned to do was to schedule no more than 15 minutes a day for practicing 6 days a week. What I found out about myself was that I could barely ever schedule more than that amount of time due to other commitments. However, when I would schedule that time I would end up practicing 30 minutes and sometimes an hour. So that worked to my advantage. I ended up buying a second bass later on, and this one is much better for my hands.
I have a couple of friends that come over about 2 times a month to just jam, and we have a blast.
Good luck with your learning.
I'm 54 and started learning about 1.5 years ago with absolutely no previous experience. I bought a cheap P-bass online ($120) with a tiny practice amp. The bass was good enough to start learning but the neck was uncomfortable, which is probably one of the disadvantages of online shopping. Try it before you buy it if you can. The amp was just barely adequate for practicing. But this got me started. I watched some videos on how to do a setup and learned how to do that. It was significantly easier than I had originally thought. I bought myself a Self-Learn book (Hal Leonard Bass Method Book). With these meager tools I started to enjoy myself. The real game changer for me was getting the software called Rocksmith. With that software practicing became a much more interesting and truly enjoyable experience.
One thing that I learned to do was to schedule no more than 15 minutes a day for practicing 6 days a week. What I found out about myself was that I could barely ever schedule more than that amount of time due to other commitments. However, when I would schedule that time I would end up practicing 30 minutes and sometimes an hour. So that worked to my advantage. I ended up buying a second bass later on, and this one is much better for my hands.
I have a couple of friends that come over about 2 times a month to just jam, and we have a blast.
Good luck with your learning.
Do it man! I didn’t start until I was in my forties and am now in my sixties,and have been blessed with opportunities that were inconceivable to me when I first started. You’ll never regret doing it.The only regret you’ll have is not doing it
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).
First, your 40'ish...treat yourself right in the used market and find a decent 4/5 string Bass, have it professionally set up so you are not fighting it, keep it on a stand and keep it in your hands working it at every opportunity.
This may sound kinda strange, but listen to a track from Greta Van Fleet called "Your the One" as a way to listen to the simplest, easy to hear relationship between the Bass and Drums and work that track by ear and understand the most basic Rock progression there is. Then move out from there with a Major and minor scale and the Circle of Fifths and listen all the time...
A Bass player is always in demand and one that sounds good and locks with a Drummer is appreciated!
Now go talk to your wife and get the green light to your Rock and Roll fantacy!!
Good Luck and enjoy it!!
I started out at age 45. I’d fiddled with guitar as a teen and twenty something but I never seemed to get better. As an empty nester, I picked up bass just jamming with some buddy’s during our lunch hour; they both played guitar and there was an acoustic bass in the office...few weeks later I bought an Ibanez SR200 off craigslist for $200 to see if it was something I really wanted to do...a few weeks later and I started saving for something better...a year later I bought a new Music Man HH, and things have taken off... 5 years later, still going strong. Just picked up a used Ibanez SR755 5 string, big brother to the SR200. Now jamming in a 3 piece and getting ready to start playing out in front of people. Could wish I’d done it earlier, but what’s the point, I’m doing it now and feel it’s keeping me younger.
I just turned 73. Worked on my '66 Corvette today replacing the spark plug wires--big job on these cars--and practiced bass, which I took up two years ago. MUCH harder for me, basically a bad rhythm guitar player, as bass is the same as lead guitar to me--you play every note, no strumming! Plus, small hands, short, bent pinky that doesn't stretch 6 frets, and the old arthritis...but I have always loved bass and wanted to be the bass player in all the bands I was in.
So, I took it up and it is hard and every time I get a song...even a simple one like These Arms of Mine...I really get a kick out of it. Now, if I could do Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I would be very happy, so will try that in a while as well. Tabs help, of course, and being able to read music is a help, but mostly, like the old joke says, practice, practice, practice. When I learn enough songs, I will get with some guys I know who are actually musicians and see how it goes for some fun.
I also bang on the drums some, and am bad at that as well, but enjoy remembering when I could almost play back in the day. Funny, the more I practice, the more I can do. I really wanted to be a musician, but did not get the genes, but I enjoy trying to play as much as I can.
Cheers!
So, I took it up and it is hard and every time I get a song...even a simple one like These Arms of Mine...I really get a kick out of it. Now, if I could do Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I would be very happy, so will try that in a while as well. Tabs help, of course, and being able to read music is a help, but mostly, like the old joke says, practice, practice, practice. When I learn enough songs, I will get with some guys I know who are actually musicians and see how it goes for some fun.
I also bang on the drums some, and am bad at that as well, but enjoy remembering when I could almost play back in the day. Funny, the more I practice, the more I can do. I really wanted to be a musician, but did not get the genes, but I enjoy trying to play as much as I can.
Cheers!
Did you have to lift the engine a little to get to the plugs ( I assume V8 ), or do you have a special wrench, or double-articulating joints?
Huge guess here: Ric Ocaseks's passing recently must have hit you hard?
As a 60's-loving guy that now is friggin-60's myself, I agree - keep playing the bass as long as you can!
( sorry for the derail op - but I am known for that )
Do it. I highly recommend the Ibanez MEEZO bass. I had one and I'm getting another. $299. They are 32" scale and much easier to play then a 34". I'm 67, played since 14 years old. The MEEZO is by far the most fun bass I ever played. Its lightweight and has a fast neck. And yes, it sounds very good, especially at this price point.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 had mine set up for $45 and Fodera ultra light strings installed. I'm getting the Sea Foam Green model. Best of luck.
I started piano at 6, drums at 10 and the love of my life, bass at the ripe old age of 14. Put it down in my early 20's when I left the country for a time. Picked ut back up again late 20's. Through my 40's, I was so wrapped up in my profession i forgot there is music to be played.
Time warp to 53. My wife left (with the dogs) and I found myself needing something to keep me occupied. Picked up a Jackson, Fender Jazz, Ric 4003 and a no name resonator acoustic bass along with a nice assortment of amps (Nah, I ain't got GAS). Just like riding a bike. I play in the evenings instead of TV and whenever the buds want to get together to pick and grin.
The moral....... Never too young...... only too old when rigor sets in,
.......now what were we talking about?
Time warp to 53. My wife left (with the dogs) and I found myself needing something to keep me occupied. Picked up a Jackson, Fender Jazz, Ric 4003 and a no name resonator acoustic bass along with a nice assortment of amps (Nah, I ain't got GAS). Just like riding a bike. I play in the evenings instead of TV and whenever the buds want to get together to pick and grin.
The moral....... Never too young...... only too old when rigor sets in,
.......now what were we talking about?
Did you have to lift the engine a little to get to the plugs ( I assume V8 ), or do you have a special wrench, or double-articulating joints?
Huge guess here: Ric Ocaseks's passing recently must have hit you hard?
As a 60's-loving guy that now is friggin-60's myself, I agree - keep playing the bass as long as you can!
( sorry for the derail op - but I am known for that )
Yes, off topic, but a quick reply. RIP, Rick. Too soon... No on lifting, but I have rare factory A/C and the right side is done from underneath. The left is as well for some of it as there are many places you have to thread the wires through clips and holders and so forth. I have been doing GM A-body cars for years and they are easy except for the A/C cars, but nothing as hard as this. There are also a number of supports and covers that encase the wires, so it is a chore...only doing it once, I hope! To give you an idea what is involved:
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Cheers!
I'm 58 and started Bass lessons last week. As long as your physically able you're never too old.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 58 and started lessons last week. If I can do it so can you.
Nothing personal but that is a ridiculous question. If you are 43 and want to be a running back in the NFL, you may be a little late.If you are 43 and want to be a surgeon, you may be a bit late. No age limit on music sir.Now go get you a Fender Squire. Cheers!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).
Nope, not too late. I began playing bass at 17, gigged a lot through my 20's, and quit playing completely at 30 (for "life reasons", work, family etc). Started playing again at 60, and now, at 67 after lots of study and practice, I play better, read notation better, and have a better overall understanding of music than ever. My advice is to all is to never stop playing, even if you have to take occasional breaks for work or family reasons.
The next band I will start or join, I am going to call it Rust Bucket!
I will add to the get the best bass you can afford. But don't go by looks or brand name try a bunch and buy the one that feels right to you . It does not matter what anyone else thinks about it because you are the one that has to play it so best to be comfortable with it.
