Am I too old to get started in this?

[LoveJackBruce]

Way too old!!!!
Started at 14, now 67 and still have tons to learn. But I was never the most studious one....Always used the ear after learning the basics. And practiced 100's & 100's of hours a year.

 

[PeteCarlton]

 

[Bobo]

Way too old!!!!
Started at 14, now 67 and still have tons to learn. But I was never the most studious one....Always used the ear after learning the basics. And practiced 100's & 100's of hours a year.

LoveJackBruce! You and I are from the same cloth! Theme for an Imaginary Western author, Jack Bruce! I’m also almost 67 (next week) and started bass at 14. I bet we also had calluses from picking up the record player arm and putting it back to the beginning of the song we were learning. We also had calluses on our ears. Those who followed us into the bass community have a support structure and plethora of learning aids that were not available to us when we first started. One thing we all share, the love of being the foundation of modern music, one half of the rhythm section, and that we all share, is a passion for the bass. Conquering the universe, one note st a time!

 

[LoveJackBruce]

LoveJackBruce! You and I are from the same cloth! Theme for an Imaginary Western author, Jack Bruce! I’m also almost 67 (next week) and started bass at 14. I bet we also had calluses from picking up the record player arm and putting it back to the beginning of the song we were learning. We also had calluses on our ears. Those who followed us into the bass community have a support structure and plethora of learning aids that were not available to us when we first started. One thing we all share, the love of being the foundation of modern music, one half of the rhythm section, and that we all share, is a passion for the bass. Conquering the universe, one note st a time!

Well said! We practiced so hard one night my plucking fingers began to bleed. I went through 3 copies of Wheels of Fire..lolol

 

[bass-icly me]

Those who followed us into the bass community have a support structure and plethora of learning aids that were not available to us when we first started. One thing we all share, the love of being the foundation of modern music, one half of the rhythm section, and that we all share, is a passion for the bass.

A super big plus 1.

 

[RodRy]

It's gotta be so light. Like Strandberg light. For some reason I feel like they probably just used a regular Fender neck on that with a Rosewood board. I think that video was done before people started using Panga Panga and Pau Ferro more instead.

Looking at the video, they made the neck out of cardboard and you can see light all the way through. How did they do that??

 

[Rich67]

This thread brought me off the bleachers as it were, and compelled me to join the forum. First post. Played guitar since 18, but 2 years ago, at the age o' 50, a buddy of mine's bass player quit. He was in a jam and asked if I would learn bass for a gig. 2 years later, I've never been happier. So much more fulfilling, complex, and overall more fun than I ever had playing guitar. And so different, in a good way, than I what I thought.

 

[Bobo]

This thread brought me off the bleachers as it were, and compelled me to join the forum. First post. Played guitar since 18, but 2 years ago, at the age o' 50, a buddy of mine's bass player quit. He was in a jam and asked if I would learn bass for a gig. 2 years later, I've never been happier. So much more fulfilling, complex, and overall more fun than I ever had playing guitar. And so different, in a good way, than I what I thought.

Welcome to the ‘maybe YOU can play the bass’ club! I’ve been in it for 50+ years and still having a blast! Good on you, brother!

 

[Rich67]

Welcome to the ‘maybe YOU can play the bass’ club! I’ve been in it for 50+ years and still having a blast! Good on you, brother!

Thank you!!!

 

[Bobo]

Thank you!!!

You’re quite welcome!

 

[LoveJackBruce]

This thread brought me off the bleachers as it were, and compelled me to join the forum. First post. Played guitar since 18, but 2 years ago, at the age o' 50, a buddy of mine's bass player quit. He was in a jam and asked if I would learn bass for a gig. 2 years later, I've never been happier. So much more fulfilling, complex, and overall more fun than I ever had playing guitar. And so different, in a good way, than I what I thought.

Awesomeness!!!

 

[Bobo]

Awesomeness!!!

...me too...but i still sneak into the basement when nobody is around, plug in my guitar, and turn it up to 11...clears out the cobwebs, and lets me go back. and be the best bass player i can. you know, it goes to 11...it’s one louder...

 

[Rich67]

...me too...but i still sneak into the basement when nobody is around, plug in my guitar, and turn it up to 11...clears out the cobwebs, and lets me go back. and be the best bass player i can. you know, it goes to 11...it’s one louder...

Whenever I try do the six string thing, my daughter usually comes in and asks me to teach her a song from one of her fave bands... She's slowly, but quite confidently, laying claim to all my mostly unused guitar gear.

 

[Bobo]

Whenever I try do the six string thing, my daughter usually comes in and asks me to teach her a song from one of her fave bands... She's slowly, but quite confidently, laying claim to all my mostly unused guitar gear.

Ha! I hear you. It’s great when they seek you out and welcome you to come into their world. I feel they sense how much music means to you and the bond that music provides between you both is priceless. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bobo]

Welcome to the ‘maybe YOU can play the bass’ club! I’ve been in it for 50+ years and still having a blast! Good on you, brother!

My friend Robert Crotty patiently tried teaching me basic guitar chords, and finally said, “why don’t you play the bass parts.” and the rest, as they say, is history. I’m so glad I made that discovery back then. It shaped the rest of my musical career, for sure. I’ve been a very lucky boy, meeting and playing with so many talented musicians over the years who appreciate my talent, but also pushed me to grow and keep expanding my chops. Thanks, Robert!

 

[RyanOh]

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).

Didn't read through all the pages of posts, but I hope you're convinced you're plenty young (not dead yet) to start.

I met a guy two weeks ago who is about 45, he's been playing 3 years and started as a complete beginner with no other music experience whatsoever. He did a rock music school geared for adults, now plays and sings in a paid gigging band, and having a lot of fun. He's not great at bass yet, but he's solid enough to entertain the crowd and knows he'll just keep getting better over time.

Practicing a lot and playing with others will accelerate learning. I'd say do it.

 

[dave64o]

..
He's not great at bass yet, but he's solid enough to entertain the crowd and knows he'll just keep getting better over time.
...

That’s an important aspect of starting late. I know I’ll probably never have the skills of my band mates or the guys who play in the basement jams I’m also playing in. They’ve all been playing for 20 years to over 50 years and at age 55, I’m pretty sure I don’t have 50 years of playing ahead of me. So instead of focusing on that, I work on constant improvement.

As an older player, you’ll probably have a lot of other demands on time that a 12 year old won’t have so progress might be slower than you like. But as long as you keep working, you will keep improving - and over time you will surprise yourself when you see how far you’ve come!

 

[Bobo]

Excellent points. The bottom line: you will keep playing and progressing because you love it.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Are you too old? It's your choice.

 

[Bax2012]

Sincerely hope you're not too old otherwise I might as well pack it all in now! I started a few years ago in my mid-50s after I decided to have a bash at the Fender Jazz that my son left under his bed when he left home.

Now in a band where we play for fun, plus a few gigs where we've gone down pretty well. Bit of a buzz. Nowhere near as accomplished as our lead guitarist in particular, but important thing is not to try and compare and compete (otherwise it would get you down) but keep doing your thing and improving.

Biggest regret is not having started a helluva lot sooner in life. Go for it, I say!