At what age did (or will) you peak?

[Queue]

I am at my peak today, age 59. Tomorrow (God willing) I will be at my new peak.
(I got a late start, maybe ~2001, but not really until 2017 did I start working on playing, before that, I'd pick up a bass if I needed a track...)

 

[ELG60]

As are you, I'm 62. Started playing again after a 20 year layoff about 7 years ago. Folks with whom I play have regularly noted a vast improvement which is probably a result of the many and varied playing situations I experience.

It's a course of continuous improvement which should have me peaking about 5 years after I'm dead.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

When do you feel you peaked as a bassist? Or are you continuing to improve and the peak is yet to come?

I'm 62 and I'm a better bassist today than I have ever been. And continuing to learn. Haven't peaked yet.

12

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I peaked at age 11 but just in general

Ha, beat me

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Usually about 2-4 hours after.

And a quart of orange juice

 

[No Malarky]

When I was 19 I peaked as a packer at the local Pickled Pepper Plant.

 

[Paul New]

It's been a while, but it seems like it was usually about 5 hours in.

I'm peaking right now, man!

 

[Dincrest]

My life has had its ups and downs, and bass along with it. There were lengthy (sometimes a couple years or more) when I wasn't playing at all, until something inspired me to pick up again.

So I feel like I've peaked as a player multiple times and in multiple ways and have more peaks yet to climb. I'm still improving as a bassist and my identity as a bassist is still not solidified yet. No matter how good people say I am, I will never be as good as I should be, and that lights a fire under me to get better.

For reference, I started playing at age 15 and I turn 45 in May.

 

[sid sonic]

oh I like that Paul New KITTY !!...ss

 

[Manticore]

We'll have to wait and see, won't we?

 

[Lo-E]

Any minute now….

 

[Tom Kinter]

Let me say this: at 73 I'm happier with my bassplaying—chops and choices—than I was at 40. so there's that.

 

[perfektspace6]

 

[bherman]

Agree with the consensus, if you take your playing seriously and keep working at it then you havent yet hit your peak. I'm 67, started on bass at 12 yrs old, there were times that I was better at some things but overall a much better player than Ive ever been. As I get older, I have a much better sense of knowing what I don't know yet.

 

[stringthrough]

Silly poll. You can look backwards but not forwards.

Anyway, I'm 67 and am getting better every year.

 

[Five or Six]

As long as you play (gig) you will continue to grow. It's when you quit playing, you've peaked.

 

[db59]

Physically, probably from 20-32, I was gigging a ton(6 nights a week/ 5 hours a night).........I'm 64 now and mentally much more knowledgeable about my bass and enough theory to be able to understand music more and have sensible conversations with most of the guitarists I jam/play with.

 

[Bassman822]

I'm 72 and still learning!!!

 

[J Wilson]

When I finally had enough and walked away, probably about 15 years ago. I'd have been in my early 50's.

I loved to play and I always will, but I can't do another club date and stay out of jail, my patience is gone, there's no way I could stare down a club crowd for 5 sets ever again.

 

[jimmydean]

Can't say for sure , I've peeked a couple of times .