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Double Bass Any Late Bloomers? (DB Forum thread)

thirtyhz

thirtyhz

Apr 5, 2001
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#1
I’m curious how many late bloomers are out there and what level of playing you have been able to achieve (this is mainly for my own selfish inspiration ;)). As a start I might as well give my stats – I’ve been a “multi-instrumentalist” most of my life with a focus on electric bass when it comes to bands. I can play rock, funk etc, but have lately taken a deep dive into jazz. As a part of that I am getting back in to upright. I played for a couple of years and was just ok but am looking to achieve a much higher level this time including some classical and sight reading. Oh yeah, in my late forties.
 
#3
I've played guitar for over 40 years, and tinkered with a number of other instruments (violin, pedal steel, sax, keyboards). I started taking the bass seriously about 2 years ago, age 56, when I bought my first upright. I'm pretty happy with my progress. I'm no Ray Brown, but I'm improving. In my view it's never too late to start. :cool:
 
#4
I'm kind of curious about this question too. I want to learn to play the upright bass and the goal I have in my head is to start learning it by the time I turn 60. (I'm in my mid-fifties now). There are a couple things I want to learn before I take up the upright bass....... I want to get better on the bass guitar and learn more music theory too.

But I'm really just a hobbyist, so I'm not really worried about how good I can get at it. I just want to play it for a fun.
 
#6
I have not really played any instrument before. I learned a little guitar when I was in the 8th grade, made a dulcimer with my dad when I was in the 12th grade then nothing for many years. I tried the guitar again in my forties but didn't make any headway. I can play a few simple things on the shakuhachi.

I have always been interested in the bass but never took the plunge. Last fall at 54 I went for it and am learning a few basic blues lines and will go from there. This instrument just seems to make more sense to me..............or maybe it is the just the one string at a time approach is all I can handle

Tony
 
#9
I think music (or any calling) is a little like falling in love.

Sure, the ideal Hollywood-movie-image is that you do it when you're young. But sorry -- the heart doesn't follow the rules, just cuz you get older! (The heart doesn't waste its time counting birthdays.)

Imho, chronological age doesn't matter; what matters is whether or not you have the passion in you.

If you gotta do it, who/what's gonna stop you?? :^) Go to it!

And focus on the possibilities, not your current limitations.
 
#11
This reminds me of a conversation I was involved in a few months ago. Someone commented they would like to begin working toward their doctorate but would be almost 60 by the time they had finished. They were told "You'll be 60 anyway."

I didn't take up the bass until I was 39. I've been at it for nine years and am far from being a master of the instrument. However, I am far beyond where I would have been if I had never started. I may never be what I could have been had I started at 12 or 18 or even 25 but that's okay. Rather than focus on what I could have been, I prefer to work toward what I can be.

Gandalf the Gray said it well when he remarked "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
 
#12
I started on Bass Guitar 4 years ago - at 54 years old.
I bought a beat up 3/4 Cremona for $200 16 months ago. I've had one lesson and read a lot on technique. It's easier to hurt yourself when your older and harder to build muscle, but don't let that stop you! I play in two bands now: Americana one night a week and early 30's Jazz one night. I rarely play the electric anymore -though playing the upright has made me a much better BG player. Move your feet when you pray!!
 
#13
Steve Killingsworth said:
I didn't take up the bass until I was 39. I've been at it for nine years and am far from being a master of the instrument. However, I am far beyond where I would have been if I had never started. I may never be what I could have been had I started at 12 or 18 or even 25 but that's okay.
Click to expand...


I'm the same as you Steve and I thought about this, when I was reading an interview with the group Led Bib.

So they were talking about a gig they shared and the guy who was talking mentioned how he found the support group to be a bit boring...but his fellow members replied that they could really play though - as in they were virtuoso musicians.

Then they talked about it and concluded that what does it matter, how good a musician you are, if nobody likes the music being made?

I often think that older, more experienced musicians have more to say and have refined their taste - so they have a better idea of what sounds good to an audience and that no amount of sheer technical virtuosity can make up for this - playing good music is more important that showing off your perfect technique..?
 
#14
no matter how old you are or what level you're at, you will steadily improve if you practice![/QUOTE]
This reminds me of a remark made by Pablo Casals when he was in his 90's.
When asked by an interviewer if he still practiced. He replied (and I am paraphrasing from memory):

"Yes. . .and I'm beginning to see some improvement."
 
#16
I started playing almost 4 years ago, 44 now. Never played anything before in my life, had no clue what a major scale was, for all I knew H was the next note after G. ;^)
Took forever to develop any dexterity, but perseverance and desire are finally paying off.
 
#17
Yes, I've played for decades. After blood clots and rehab of my left arm to get it to do again what my brain tells it to do, When I finally was able to get back to playing I decided to add DB for my jazz/dance band along with tuba for my community band and EB in general. It's been a hell of an upslope, not with positions or pitches, but the sheer physicality of the instrument.
 
#18
I'm 63. Started playing bass guitar at 54 with no musical experience, switched to DB pizz 3 years ago, now working on arco. Played bass guitar in rock bands, now in Americana band on DB. I can hold the groove, play lots of fifths, triads, walks, etc.
My mom is 94 and plays organ. Keeps her alive.
I believe it's about where you are in your life. If I had started at 14 or 40 it wouldn't have worked.
 
#19
I'm 51. Played electric bass off and on since I was 19. At 48 I took up DB.

Three years later I am able to play proficiently enough to back a jazz/swing/blues quintet and play with some flair and confidence. (This is just a hobby for me. If I'm lucky I get an average of 1 hour a day practice).

If I'd gotten a good teacher at the start, instead of six months ago, I'd be further ahead. As all on the DB board attest, a good teacher is a must. I've learned so much from just a few lessons that's made a huge improvement in my technique and confidence.

Short answer: it's never too late.
 

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