Double Bass Any Late Bloomers? (DB Forum thread)

[bassist1962]

I am 48 years old. I started on upright as a teenager as my guardian (a jazz bassist) would not finance a bass guitar until I learned the basics on double bass. I played in high school orchestra, and after graduation, concentrated solely on bass guitar. At the age of 43 I inherited the old DB, and have had to relearn some things. People tell me I am good, but my own critique is that I am okay in the lower register, and am starting to gravitate toward thumb position. Doing 'target practice' daily. It is really hit and miss up there for me.

 

[Matt Ides]

Sort of the same boat. Played in HS and a bit in college but never stuck with DB. Starting playing music a few years ago mostly fretless. Now that life has calmed down (steady job and time to practice) I just picked up a DB in October an have a great teacher. Some of the basics are still there but it a journey for sure.

 

[southpaw219]

Man, sometimes I still get a little disappointed that I started at about 23. I guess I don't really have the right for that anymore...

Haha, me too. Guitar, anyway. I just picked up the bass a couple weeks ago, in earnest (I've tinkered before), at 30.

Still, I started playing the drums at 5 and, while I'm terrible at it, I've been playing the piano for the past couple years.

 

[Pcocobass]

I started double bass in college, around 19. I had played electric since I was 14, and decided to attend college for music because I didn't really know what else to do! Needless to say I loved studying music from the first day, and haven't stopped learning since!

I used to feel down about the fact that I didn't start earlier, but now at 31, I'm just enjoying the ride. Everyone's path is different, and I decided a while ago that I would be happy as long as I'm improving!

-Pete

 

[Feral Feline]

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.

Basically I am your twin, sdoow.

A few piano lessons when I was a child, Trombone in junior high and about three chords on guitar in highschool — all forgotten over the years, so I consider myself to have started from scratch.

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

At 40, I was bitten and smitten. I'm 44 now and in a few bands, gigging and jamming regularly with people in a variety of genres.

I intended to be a lot further along by now than I am. I struggle to find time to practice my arco, even though I've found a good teacher and I have plenty of time to practice.

I know I should learn bass guitar as well so I can double or get gigs for BG and/or have a backup should my double bass break, but I'd rather learn guitar, harmonica or ukulele. Well, bass guitar will come eventually, but I feel more at home with a scroll hovering above my left hand.

The cool thing is, that no matter how good I get, I'll still know that I suck and need to work harder to improve. I can't find the quote, but to paraphrase it extremely poorly: "To find success you must choose a goal in life, just make sure it's unattainable". So it is with music. Whatever happens, there's always something new to discover, some way to improve, something to strive for.

 

[alicebc]

I am 55. I started bass guitar 1 1/2 years ago and after two months joined a community jazz band, at the local community college, where I had to get up to speed quickly. Right before Christmas this year, the director of the band asked if I would be willing to learn upright. I said yes and borrowed the college's orange King bass over the holidays. When Jazz band rehearsals started up again in January I found that I really enjoyed playing the upright and the band much preferred the sound. As we readied for our 1950's style concert, I found that I wanted my own upright. I was in Seattle for a wedding and visited BassNw and was able to play three different EUBs. I bought the used Clevinger and it arrived two days ago. I love it! I have had lessons on BG from a bassist and now plan to have more on the Clevinger. I want to learn arco. I have signed up to play the bass book for a community theatre production of The Producers in June. I am excited for the opportunity to be in the pit -- I have always been an actor on stage! I also play the piano and play the clarinet in the community concert band. When I was in college too many years ago, I rented an upright bass for the summer but couldn't figure out how to tune it. So, many years passed until the desire to play the bass came back and my husband surprised me with a used Squier for Christmas. Who knew that the bass was My instrument. It can't be too late!

 

[jazzbill]

I am 56. Started on guitar in 1967 and played trombone in high school. Started EB in
11th grade so I could join a rock band. Started teaching myself jazz in 1996. Took up
double bass 1 year ago this month. Studying with an excellent teacher. Still gigging on electric (blues) but all my practice time is spent on DB. I plan to look for a jazz combo to play with soon and when I get a another few months with the bow, I plan to try out for one of the local community orchestras.

 

[bherman]

Another 55'er here. Started electric when I was 12 (still have the same Precision bass!), started upright when I was in early 20's, got pretty good through lessons and hard practice, kids came along and pretty much stopped playing for 25 years. Started up again 6 months ago on electric and having a blast - in two bands, one R&B/blues, another younger "stoner" band. Sold my upright along the way but am now focused on getting one (will be in Boston next month and planning on spending time at Upton).

Trying to get in an hour a day - and boy, I'm realizing how much I missed playing (also realizing how much I've forgotten...)

Was heading downstairs last night to practice and without thinking said to my wife, "I'm going down for my bass therapy".

Thank god for the bass........

 

[ERIC A]

I started playing electric Bass when I was 18, switched to upright when I turned 40. Now I play about 3 to 5 gigs a week in the Baltimore - Washington D.C. area. I have spent most of my time making sure that I play good time and for that reason (and that reason alone) I seem to have a lot of gigs thrown my way.

 

[johnvic]

I'm 51. I started on Viola when I was 12 and played in the junior high school orchestra. I switched to guitar and took some classical guitar. At one point in my 20's I decided that I wanted to play the bass and played electric since then. I took some lessons from Jerry Jemmott in the mid 80's. I stopped for a while and worked in recording studios as a technician. Around the time I turned 40 I witnessed a jazz session with John Pattitucci on upright, I knew I had to go back to playing and knew that I needed to study jazz. Since then I bought an UB but only played it for a short time, it sits in the corner of my bedroom. Currently I play in a couple of blues/rock bands.

So now I am thinking of being a late bloomer to the upright and studying it for real. My plan is to wait until I settle some personal things ( buying an apartment ), that should take a few months. Then I will find a teacher. Even though I will probably play jazz in the long run I want to start by studying classical because I think it will be the best for technique. I'm not sure if I'll find a teacher who plays jazz but has classical training or find a classical player.

 

[cosmic53]

I am 57. Played guitar for 40 years, studied seriously classical flute for eight years, then a friend calls me and says "we are forming a band, would you play bass?".
I joined with a borrowed Hohner (Steinberger style), then bought a Yamaha and finally in 2006 I bought a custom bass (see it on Link Removed).
Last week I found a second hand Yamaha BBB614F fretless and now I am happily venturing in the realm of perfect fingering and intonation all over the neck. I can say that in one week I am much closer to where I want to be and I just can't stop touching that instrument. I want to sound like Paul Chambers

 

[rascool]

I turn 37 next month.

I started off with music listening to my Dad play the bagpipes in the lounge as a 2 to 3 year old (for the record, they are NOT an indoors instrument, people), and listening to him play the guitar (the first song I ever remember hearing him sing was "If I Had a Hammer", the Peter, Paul and Mary version I think, he had their songbook). then Dad got us going on Ukuleles when we were in primary school, and I learnt 3 chords on them and could play "Click Go the Shears" (don't know if anyone here knows that one ). Then played clarinet through high school (didn't practice anything like enough, though! ), and bought my first guitar in 1998 when I was 23. Kind of noodled around with chords on it for a few years but didn't have much idea about theory, so could learn tunes off tab but that was about it. Was frustrated by the fact that I didn't know how all the chords fitted together. And had no idea about how to do lead breaks or anything like that.

Then came the bass. I started playing the bass in earnest 6 years ago in 2005, when I joined a band playing the bass with a couple of other guys. At first I though it was the instrument for drop-out guitar players but, as I played it I ended up falling in love with it. The skills needed to play it well I found filled in all the areas that my previous musical experiences had lacked, especially in the theory department. It's never been boring. In fact, it just keeps getting more interesting.

So I'm loving it. Playing in bands, theatre shows, church groups, and sitting at home practicing scales, arpeggios, slap, etc for a couple of hours 3 to 4 times a week: it's just great. I have to admit that I do often wish I had taken a more structured approach to practice earlier in life as well on some of those other instruments (as well as having taken up bass earlier!! ), but like someone else was saying in this thread before, I'd rather keep going and see how good I can be now, rather than say to myself "I'm too old" then wake up when I'm 45 and realise how far I would have come had I stuck at it.

I remember when I was 17 thinking that it was too late to start various things because i was "too old". I just look back and shake my head now. I've learned from that...

When I think about how short life is anyway, I can't help but think that nobody is really that old. I was talking with my 77 year old neighbour a couple of Fridays ago and he's just me in an old guy's body. Sums it up really, I thought.

So just keep going is the way I reckon. Music is for us to enjoy no matter how old. Let's do that

 

[wineaux]

I was 51, knew three chords on the guitar and that was it. No reading. No theory. No nothing.

Four years later, I can read a bit, know a little theory and can be dangerous in bluegrass or blues jams. I'm even writing songs and recording demos.

Do I wish I'd started sooner? Sure. But who knows if I would have stuck with it if I did. I certainly wouldn't have been able to afford the toys I can these days!

Don't worry about a number. Start today, get a little bit better tomorrow and build from there.

 

[powerbass]

This thread sounds like an AA meeting. Me, I'm 48, started playing EB 5 years ago, didn't know a thing about reading music, theory etc, got a teacher and started digging in. I also built several EB and an EUB bass - I'm a retired professional furniture maker. I joined my local community music jazz ensemble, got some chops together. Just started on DB 6 months ago. I have a great teacher but man, DB is hard to learn! I'm hooked though,it's a beautiful way to spend my time

 

[Marial]

38 here. I've played BG since 7th grade or so, been performing original music since eighth grade, pretty much completely self-taught. I bought my first double bass this past November and am now playing 90% of my Americana band's set on it. I didn't want to hurt myself so I've taken a series of lessons to get the proper hand positions down and at this point, while my hands still get tired by the end of a show, I'm absolutely loving it. I feel a lot more connected to the music playing the upright, the BG just feels kind of sterile now. My mini-goal is to figure out how to get Abbie Gardner's Do It under my fingers.

 

[Lorenzini]

I've been playing electric bass for like 6 years.
Just started DB 2 months ago. Is that late enough?

 

[nicechuckh]

Been singin my whole life tho I wouldn't get up in front of everyone n sing in Church till I was 5. Started hamonica at 7 guitar and bass at 13, been playing piano, pedal steel, banjo,mandolin etc since then. Had played DB off n on with groups that had one, have had an EUB for a few years, just got a DB a few months ago. I'm 54 tho I only look 47 lol

 

[sonofabass]

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.

Late as all get out....I started on DB (kind of by 'accident') at 35 and now a month away from a senior recital and a degree in classical bass performance form Cal state East bay.

 

[Freddels]

Started music lessons when I was very young, picked up the EB when I was about 16, started on upright while at Berklee. Worked at it real hard for about 1 1/2 yrs and then transferred to NT. After about 1 or 2 yrs at NT, I ended up with the worst TA instructor (for DB). I ended up putting it down and playing just EB. Then stopped playing for about 18 yrs. Started back up with DB about 5 yrs ago but have sort of neglected it for a few years. I'm back at it again and trying to work with the bow for my intonation. Me and the bow have never been friends!

 

[MadAxe59]

I'm almost 52. Started out playing trumpet and a few other brass instruments when I was 7-15. Stopped playing until I picked up first bass in 1982, Gibson Grabber(wish I still had it), played a few years then restarted about 4 years ago. I wanted my son to start playing guitar so I was trying to set an example.