Anyone in their 40's,or later, that started learning to read ?

[hsech]

I'm 65, started playing when I was 15. I started working with Fake Books when I was 18 or so. Not actually reading music, just following a melody line and inserting notes and runs where appropriate.

 

[fearceol]

I'm 58 and after a long absence from playing, took up the bass again about five years ago. I have recently started to learn to read, with the help of this book, which I find very good.

http://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Sight-Reading-Bass-Instruction/dp/0793565189

 

[pathalogical]

Just to mention, another source for instruction/technique books is your local library. It gives you a chance to flip through the material without buying it. I borrowed Jon Liebman's Bass Grooves with CD. Nice book, if I see it in store, I would be more inclined to buy it. Not to mention books on repair, album songbooks, build your own, history of Fender or Gibson, the "...for Dummies" series, etc. Hope this helps...

 

[Marial]

Funny thing this - when I started out there were no tabs so I never used them. When I look at them now they make no sense to me.

All what you are used to I guess...

Tabs don't make any sense to me either.

I'm another former reader who lost the ability due to neglect who's getting back into it. In my case I'm taking private lessons and while reading isn't the focus I'm working on it by necessity.

The hardest part for me is my eyes! Last time I read regularly I was ten years old and had perfect eyesight. Thirty-one years later my peepers aren't nearly as effective. I need big-print music.

 

[RDUB]

I've played since my teens. Learned to read, then never ever used it. 15 years ago, age 45, I was asked to do a theatre show, and had to reinvent my reading chops. Now, approaching age 60, theatre is my main gig. I do anywhere from 6 to a dozen shows a year, all reading, and I love it.