Am I too old to get started in this?

[Bobo]

43? You're still a pup. Look at it this way: the destination you are attempting to reach is the same distance away whether you start walking towards it today, tomorrow or fifty years from now. Just because you didn't start out on the journey last year or thirty years ago doesn't matter. You would have been closer had you started sooner, but if you can walk, the journey is possible. The destination is in the same place in relation to where you are now. Start walking.

You can get feedback from many bassists on their progress. The first few weeks are the hardest (DON'T QUIT!!!), then the first few months. By the time six months rolls around you should be comfortable enough with the instrument to at least get through a basic I-IV-V song without stopping or slowing down. By the end of the first year you should be good enough for a gig with a simple set list. These numbers are dependent on your effort. Sixteen hours of practice a day, every day will accelerate the process significantly as will fifteen minutes of half hearted noodling every other month will result in hardly any progress at all. It depends on you.

Starting now gives you many advantages. There are literally thousands of methods, teachers, videos, open mic jams...networks to help you and encourage and support you. We had a turntable, albums, the radio, and coffeehouses. That was my intro to music. Watching the Beatles and the Stones on Ed Sullivan...that lit a fire is n me that has never gone out. I have friends I made through music that I still play with, stay in touch with and support each other. You are starting at the perfect time for you. Never lose that spark!

 

[Wyvern]

Churches are always looking for Bassists, join one after you learn the basics, I started playing for one only a month after I picked bass back up- first couple weeks were not great, I had to turn down and let the bass track take over, now I'm a lot more comfortable and play 95% of the music- every now and then I will improvise on Hymn stuff- I hate that style of music, it has no beat, no tempo strange progression, blah.

 

[bass-icly me]

Churches are always looking for Bassists, join one after you learn the basics, I started playing for one only a month after I picked bass back up- first couple weeks were not great, I had to turn down and let the bass track take over, now I'm a lot more comfortable and play 95% of the music- every now and then I will improvise on Hymn stuff- I hate that style of music, it has no beat, no tempo strange progression, blah.

Yea, I don't think they were concerned with top 40 hits when they wrote them there Hymns...

 

[Wyvern]

Yea, I don't think they were concerned with top 40 hits when they wrote them there Hymns...

This is how I look when I get the chord sheet for a Hymn

 

[molesworth_2]

Of course you're not too old. And you only have to be as good as makes you happy. Playing is a joy, not a competition. I started at 39, and 24 years later, I like to say I'm a perfectly adequate bass player. Guitarists like to play with me because I can keep a steady rhythm and I don't get in their way, and I have a great time. And that's enough for me.

 

[jamro217]

Starting now gives you many advantages. There are literally thousands of methods, teachers, videos, open mic jams...networks to help you and encourage and support you. We had a turntable, albums, the radio, and coffeehouses. That was my intro to music. Watching the Beatles and the Stones on Ed Sullivan...that lit a fire is n me that has never gone out. I have friends I made through music that I still play with, stay in touch with and support each other. You are starting at the perfect time for you. Never lose that spark!

Well said. I think the initial few weeks or months of trying a new instrument without too much visible progress can be a letdown for many people. Once you're able to play a song or two it gives you the ambition to stick with it. Unless you started playing when you were a kid you probably lament not beginning sooner. Today is still here, though, and how you use it or plan out tomorrow is much more productive than whining about lost yesterdays. The advantages and disadvantages of learning during different technological eras can be debated, but the overall goal doesn't change. Starting out in your forties as opposed to in your childhood means the kids have a thirty year head start. The evidence suggests children learn languages quicker than adults do, so that may slow a musical education down accordingly. Taking all of this into account, every journey still begins with a single step. There is no wrong time to take it, but putting it off won't get you where you want to be.

 

[JGREEN105]

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).

Do it or you will regret it!!
I am 42. I got my first bass when I was 14. After having kids in my 20s I sold all my music gear. One of which was a GSR200! I feel your pain. I started playing again about 4 years ago. I have NEVER been very good at it. BUT, last year I started showing my son how to play a few cool bass licks and since then he has progressed by leaps and bounds beyond my ability. So even if I just sit my bedroom the rest of my life playing Orion or Smoke on the Water, I instilled the magic of music in someone else who was born to play. To me, thats what it's all about.

 

[JGREEN105]

Also, it kind of sounds like you are a bigger fan of instruments than you are a musician (that's ok, I am to). Like other guys said on here, don't worry about the brand. Test drive as many different basses as you can until you find one that feels like it was made for you. I have always been down on Squire gear. But my girlfriend who didn't know any better got me a Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass in natural finish last year and I could not believe how incredible that thing plays. I felt like I actually knew how to play bass when I picked it up. Go for it dude! Good luck.

 

[Bobo]

Well said. I think the initial few weeks or months of trying a new instrument without too much visible progress can be a letdown for many people. Once you're able to play a song or two it gives you the ambition to stick with it. Unless you started playing when you were a kid you probably lament not beginning sooner. Today is still here, though, and how you use it or plan out tomorrow is much more productive than whining about lost yesterdays. The advantages and disadvantages of learning during different technological eras can be debated, but the overall goal doesn't change. Starting out in your forties as opposed to in your childhood means the kids have a thirty year head start. The evidence suggests children learn languages quicker than adults do, so that may slow a musical education down accordingly. Taking all of this into account, every journey still begins with a single step. There is no wrong time to take it, but putting it off won't get you where you want to be.

“putting it off won't get you where you want to be.” Brilliantly said! It applies to so many things in life.

 

[Bobo]

Also, it kind of sounds like you are a bigger fan of instruments than you are a musician (that's ok, I am to). Like other guys said on here, don't worry about the brand. Test drive as many different basses as you can until you find one that feels like it was made for you. I have always been down on Squire gear. But my girlfriend who didn't know any better got me a Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass in natural finish last year and I could not believe how incredible that thing plays. I felt like I actually knew how to play bass when I picked it up. Go for it dude! Good luck.

I love my Squire Pbass. I bought it for $70 in a Goodwill store. feels and sounds like my old ‘64 pbass.

 

[Stumbo]

43? You have a good 40 years to go.

 

[Bobo]

43? You have a good 40 years to go.

Zactly!

 

[Bobo]

43? You have a good 40 years to go.

Bass player, spanning the decades (50 years) and still going strong. I just joined my first bluegrass band with some friends snd I’m learning a whole new genre, history, and a TON of new songs. I’m having a blast! NEVER too old!

 

[Bobo]

View attachment 3545198
I love my Squire Pbass. I bought it for $70 in a Goodwill store. feels and sounds like my old ‘64 pbass.

PS: Bill’s Seafood at the Singin’ Bridge in Westbrook, CT. They’ve been supporting local musicians 6 nights a week for decades! Labor Day 2019 marks my 34th year gigging at Bill’s. Thanks Butch, Mark, Cathy and the bar, wait and kitchen staff and patrons who have become friends over the years for supporting live, local music at the BEST place on Earth!

 

[Bobo]

Starting now gives you many advantages. There are literally thousands of methods, teachers, videos, open mic jams...networks to help you and encourage and support you. We had a turntable, albums, the radio, and coffeehouses. That was my intro to music. Watching the Beatles and the Stones on Ed Sullivan...that lit a fire is n me that has never gone out. I have friends I made through music that I still play with, stay in touch with and support each other. You are starting at the perfect time for you. Never lose that spark!

I played with The Guy Zinda Band yesterday. Johnny Russell, Armand Morgan, Bernie Soroko...we’ve been friends and band mates in various band, for a long, long time. We still enjoy playing songs we grew up with, but also learning new songs that challenge us. Still growing and having fun. We keep the spark going, glowing, growing. Never give up!

 

[Steve-D]

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 just started and I will be 63 next month. Don't think I'll ever get real good, but it is great fun and is satisfying when you actually get something right. The first time you actually play a whole song correctly is a priceless feeling!

 

[bass-icly me]

The first time you actually play a whole song correctly is a priceless feeling!

A big plus one to this.

I got my first bass back on July 10. The other day I finally made it through "Psycho Killer". Not totally correct for sure, not all measures included, but I did it. A step closer to jammin with the Heads live onstage in my home office and the shop....

 

[Wyvern]

A big plus one to this.

I got my first bass back on July 10. The other day I finally made it through "Psycho Killer". Not totally correct for sure, not all measures included, but I did it. A step closer to jammin with the Heads live onstage in my home office and the shop....

Same here, First song I learned was Rush's Animate- easy song but requires "geddy finger" strumming, such a good feeling after the blisters of trial, I was 18, took a good 2 weeks, then I learned Overture and that requires 3 finger galloping- that to me felt like the first real victory since you deploy 3 right hand techniques, 2 left hand techniques, cover a fair amount of the fretboard and play in a few different tempos.

As they say, practice makes perfect, even though I played threw the song, and played the right notes at the right time, I didn't put any "flavor" in it, every time you play and practice, you start to put more or less emphasis on certain notes, more/less attack, cleaner fretting, more or less clank, even when you move with the bass, you put a bit more character in the sound.

Playing for church was fun today, first service went off pretty damn well, I just felt the energy, however, second service was off, I was off, the drummer was off, the keyboardist was off, even the sermon was off- just how it goes, playing live is like one organism, If one person nails it, the others play well, if someone slips, everyone slips. The catalyst today was a missed chorus- that set the whole thing spinning out of control for the rest of the day.

Even then, congregation didn't mind or notice, everyone was still having fun, even though my face was on fire for hitting a low E instead of a high one- buuuh... beeem.... BOOOOOM oooh

 

[RodRy]

Also, it kind of sounds like you are a bigger fan of instruments than you are a musician (that's ok, I am to).

Ditto. I geek out on the specs of the instruments to the point where I forget to practice.

Fully agree that starting late in life should not be a deterrent. I went back to college to get my mechanical engineering degree about 3 years ago, when I turned 50. So far so good.

 

[RodRy]

Churches are always looking for Bassists, join one after you learn the basics, I started playing for one only a month after I picked bass back up- first couple weeks were not great, I had to turn down and let the bass track take over, now I'm a lot more comfortable and play 95% of the music- every now and then I will improvise on Hymn stuff- I hate that style of music, it has no beat, no tempo strange progression, blah.

I've been thinking that I would like to join a semi-regular group, and I've heard others talk about how easy it is to join church bands. I'm not sure how to approach them or what I would need to learn. I avoid sermons religiously, so I'm starting on the wrong foot there. Got any tips?