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Beginner Bassist at 47...

Kimberly Munn

Kimberly Munn

Oct 2, 2019
145
516
#1
Hello! I finally made the leap and bought my first bass about 5 months ago. I started taking lessons shortly after I got it. I'm 47 years old and I've never played an instrument in my life but I've always wanted to play bass. I love a good groove. The pluses are that I'm in love with the sound and the instrument and I have great timing. The minuses are a longer list. My fingers just don't want to stretch, my fingers don't always want to behave the way that I want them to and learning to mute unused strings has me frustrated beyond belief. I had a great jam session with my instructor and another student last week but the more I progress, the more I realize how much I still have to learn and work on. I'm trying to stay positive but I'm like a dog chasing my tail at this point. I'm questioning everything that I do and my biggest fear is that my fingers just won't ever stay down or spread out. It's laughable but it's also far from funny currently. I'm hoping to hear that this is normal because the negative voices in my head are really filling me with a doubt that I'm too old and I'll never improve. Help...
 
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#3
I started at 50. Just takes a while for your fingers to do what you want. There are coping mechanisms as well... if I can’t reach, I’ll go for the next string at a different lower fret, if that makes sense. Jazz necks are skinnier up near the nut. There are also shorter scale basses, medium and short, may help with reach issues as well.

I’m also realistic with my goals. I’m an amateur, not doing this 24/7 like The Beatles were. If I can’t pull off a 12 fret glissando in 1/2 a second, so what?

Have fun!!
 
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#4
Awesome! Similar circumstances here... I was about 43-44 when I bought my first instrument which was a starter bass guitar on Craigslist that came with a tuner, cable, practice amp, and a book.

About a year later I made my one and only instrument upgrade (but have acquired 3 amps and 2 cabs in those past 6-7 years.)

By 2 years in I was scouring CL for an intermediate drummer to practice with but instead ended up nailing my very first startup band audition. We've since put out an EP and a full length, and are in process now of demo recording songs for another full length.

Band #2 started up a little over a year ago, and we're now in the mixing stage of our first album. Both bands try to play out once per month :)

It's funny that being in a band wasn't a goal when I first picked up an instrument. I'm 50yo now, and honestly don't know what I'd be doing in life for kicks if I didn't get to make music with these groups.

You're never too old to learn, and probably more disciplined about practicing than when we were young. Your fingers WILL be tamed and trained in time. Learning something like this comes in small steps of progress, and plateaus where you feel like you're not moving forward, but you are.

Enjoy you journey! :bassist:
 
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#5
bholder said:
Perfectly normal. Never to old. Sounds like you maybe need to have more fun with it occasionally. Maybe try playing along to some easy songs you like? I don't know, just a thought...

And Welcome to TB!
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You are so right... I just need to get back to having more fun with it. Which I have been doing up until the last few weeks. I've just been so frustrated with myself that I'm not REALLY GOOD at almost 6 months. Starting from ground zero means knowing nothing. This can be good. I need to stay positive and just keep playing. Thanks for your reply! :)
 
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#6
Coolhandjjl said:
I started at 50. Just takes a while for your fingers to do what you want. There are coping mechanisms as well... if I can’t reach, I’ll go for the next string at a different lower fret, if that makes sense. Jazz necks are skinnier up near the nut. There are also shorter scale basses, medium and short, may help with reach issues as well.

I’m also realistic with my goals. I’m an amateur, not doing this 24/7 like The Beatles were. If I can’t pull off a 12 fret glissando in 1/2 a second, so what?

Have fun!!
Click to expand...
That is so awesome that you started at 50! Good to know that I am not alone! I really thought that at almost 6 months I'd be playing in a band and have it all together! LOL And you are so right, I'm not playing 24/7 so of course it'll take longer. Thanks for the encouragement! :)
 
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#8
catcauphonic said:
Awesome! Similar circumstances here... I was about 43-44 when I bought my first instrument which was a starter bass guitar on Craigslist that came with a tuner, cable, practice amp, and a book.

About a year later I made my one and only instrument upgrade (but have acquired 3 amps and 2 cabs in those past 6-7 years.)

By 2 years in I was scouring CL for an intermediate drummer to practice with but instead ended up nailing my very first startup band audition. We've since put out an EP and a full length, and are in process now of demo recording songs for another full length.

Band #2 started up a little over a year ago, and we're now in the mixing stage of our first album. Both bands try to play out once per month :)

It's funny that being in a band wasn't a goal when I first picked up an instrument. I'm 50yo now, and honestly don't know what I'd be doing in life for kicks if I didn't get to make music with these groups.

You're never too old to learn, and probably more disciplined about practicing than when we were young. Your fingers WILL be tamed and trained in time. Learning something like this comes in small steps of progress, and plateaus where you feel like you're not moving forward, but you are.

Enjoy you journey! :bassist:
Click to expand...
OMG this is sooooo inspiring to read! Way to go!!!! I really want to be in a band at some point and I think that is why I get so terrified that "I'll never improve". I'll keep plugging away and looking for opportunities!!!! Thanks for making me smile and giving me hope! :)
 
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#9
Oddly said:
Welcome!
Yes your problems are completely normal.
Take it slow, and keep it fun.
It's very easy to get bogged down in technique issues so it's important not to get too focused on them.
Step away from that sometimes, and just learn a simple fun groove or two to jam with.
Click to expand...
I do love just grooving! But sometimes the lack of muting is deafening!!!!! It's forcing me to learn how to do it. In the last 2 weeks I'm way too caught up in the technical stuff. My instructor is constantly telling me to relax. He he I just desperately want to be good enough that someone will want to play with me. :)
 
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#11
Welcome.

I'm 67 and have been playing music for nearly six decades but last year I suffered a minor stroke that messed with my entire right side, but especially my right arm and hand. As a result I had 2 days after I was released from the hospital to re-teach my right hand how to play bass for a gig on the third day.

I was able to move my right index and middle fingers sufficiently to pluck strings (sometimes not the right one or too many) but the fine coordination between my hands no longer existed. I practiced a lot and simplified my parts and got through the gig well enough and I've been keeping the gig schedule since...so far.

Now, a few months over a year later, I'm still struggling since no matter how much I practice my brain simply can't control my right side as well as it used to but it is slowly getting better.

Point is...relax, don't worry or overthink it, keep working and you will get better.

One more thing...learn to read music, both bass and treble clef.
 
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#13
mongo2 said:
Welcome.

I'm 67 and have been playing music for nearly six decades but last year I suffered a minor stroke that messed with my entire right side, but especially my right arm and hand. As a result I had 2 days after I was released from the hospital to re-teach my right hand how to play bass for a gig on the third day.

I was able to move my right index and middle fingers sufficiently to pluck strings (sometimes not the right one or too many) but the fine coordination between my hands no longer existed. I practiced a lot and simplified my parts and got through the gig well enough and I've been keeping the gig schedule since...so far.

Now, a few months over a year later, I'm still struggling since no matter how much I practice my brain simply can't control my right side as well as it used to but it is slowly getting better.

Point is...relax, don't worry or overthink it, keep working and you will get better.

One more thing...learn to read music, both bass and treble clef.
Click to expand...
That is so awesome that you are just keeping on task! I definitely want to learn to read music. It's one of the many goals. I appreciate the reminder to relax. I need it! :)
 
#16
Don't give up!! I was a late starter (35) on bass myself. Now at 57 I gig several times a month on bass in several bands, and having the time of my life.

Muting strings is maddening at first (same as guitar), and over time you will get better through focused technique and just plain instinct/experience.
Playing with others is key IMO - it will help you get used to "just keep playing' when you make mistakes (which we all still make...).

If it's not on your practice plan, I highly recommend listening to songs that interest you and figuring out the bass line you hear. THIS was the key to the kingdom for me. It's great skill to acquire (esp for learning songs quickly in a band) and it's REALLY fun and satisfying.

Also learn where the notes are on the fretboard. And then learn the shape of major and minor scales. You'll see that these repeat all over the fretboard. I played guitar for a couple decades without ever knowing where the notes were, except the open strings. But on bass it's a must to know.

Have fun!!!
 
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#18
Kimberly Munn said:
Hello! I finally made the leap and bought my first bass about 5 months ago. I started taking lessons shortly after I got it. I'm 47 years old and I've never played an instrument in my life but I've always wanted to play bass. I love a good groove. The pluses are that I'm in love with the sound and the instrument and I have great timing. The minuses are a longer list. My fingers just don't want to stretch, my fingers don't always want to behave the way that I want them to and learning to mute unused strings has me frustrated beyond belief. I had a great jam session with my instructor and another student last week but the more I progress, the more I realize how much I still have to learn and work on. I'm trying to stay positive but I'm like a dog chasing my tail at this point. I'm questioning everything that I do and my biggest fear is that my fingers just won't ever stay down or spread out. It's laughable but it's also far from funny currently. I'm hoping to hear that this is normal because the negative voices in my head are really filling me with a doubt that I'm too old and I'll never improve. Help...
Click to expand...

great … stick with and have some fun!!!
 

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