• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Can You believe I want to learn bass at 55 years old

Hi Guys....

Thought I would intro myself and tell you about my latest quest. I am 55, getting over 6 way bypass open heart. Live in NJ where I am a big time radio control racer (you can see my 100 plus collection at fastharry.com)..

Anyway, a year ago in California some guy puts a bass in my hands and I felt such a rush it was incredible. Four months ago I had the open heart and let me tell you, everything changes in your life.

I went to see The Kootz a few weeks ago and got inspired to learn bass. Played Piano when I was a kid but other than that no musical training.....

But I want to learn bass BAD!!...I haven't felt this much enthusiasm for anything since I started racing RC's in 1996....

I go to guitar center and meditate with a Fender P bass in my hands....( I got it bad..LOL)

Anyway, I am looking at the Vintage 60's Squire (everyone seems to love that one and the jazz neck feels great...), or I might step up and get the MIM Active P bass...I was going to save and get the American deluxe but I got the itch to play NOW!!!)..

Anyway, any words or thoughts would be appreciated for a noob....

Harry

Never too late to start! Like you I started with piano (an excellent place to start) but never got anywhere (still suck on keys)

But if you think a bass in your hands is a rush, you've got a LOT to learn as a noob! Just a hint, but the rush you get when everything the band does just "clicks" and it has the crowd worshiping at your feet is something that will NEVER let you leave music for the rest of your life!

I'd say that getting started is more important than picking just the "right" bass. As a noob you really aren't experienced enough to know just what it is you'd really like to be playing. So start with something decent (yeah, a Squirer is decent!) and get going.

I would suggest some lessons at first. The reason is that if you want to learn how to do something, the easiest and fastest way is to get someone who already knows how to show you. Someone who knows how can spot your bad habits immediately before they become ingrained and then (like me) you have to spend a lot of time "unlearning" them! Once you've got all the basics down, then you can either go with more lessons or not to taste. By then it's just a matter of practice. But DO get started with good habits! A good teacher will be able to tell if you are doing something wrong without even looking at you!

I don't know that I'd recommend guitar lessons. Trying to learn multiple instruments at once kind of spreads your time around too much (do as I SAY not as I DO... I learned drums and bass at the same time!) Personally I"m starting to learn guitar now after god knows how many years!

And there is nothing more important than what I'm about to tell you right now. When you practice new things, always start SLOWLY so you can play it perfectly. If you try to go too fast too soon you make mistakes and all you do is train yourself to play it WRONG! Start slow and perfect and let speed come as it may!

Good luck and welcome to BASS!
 
Welcome aboard. I'm older'n dirt, and I play bass every week (but I don't do the up-until-3-Sunday-morning gigs any more).:crying:

I play and gig on harmonica, Dobro, electric guitar and bass, and there is something about the bass that is really, really satisfying in a way that the other instruments can't touch. Lately, in fact, other than casual jams, all I play is bass. :hyper:

Don't worry about knowing what chords look like. I still ask if I can't tell if the guitarist is playing a B or and F# (maybe they stand too far away).:D
 
It might not be a popular suggestion, but I would spend some time learning to read music, learning the notes on the fretboard, and learning some basic music theory. There are plenty of bassists that can no doubt play circles around me that can't read music. It certainly isn't a requirement, but it can sure make things easier when comes up. If plan on playing at church, reading music will make it much easier. Not that there is anything wrong with tab, it just isn't always available.
 
Welcome to the fold!

My two cents: A bass player should know as much (or more) about chords, scales, harmony and theory as any guitarist. Think about it this way: the bass is like the foundation and framing of a house. If you don't understand the underpinnings of the structure you're never going to be able to build a good house. That doesn't mean you have to hit every nail, so to speak, but you should know where they are and why they're there.

Enjoy!
 
Anyway, any words or thoughts would be appreciated for a noob...

As others have said, go for it.

I have 20 students in bass, guitar, ukulele, and mandolin. My adults are my stars. Cognitively, you have a few advantages over younger students. My adults learn fast (when they have the time for a healthy practice routine).

I have an adult bass student about your age, he had never played a musical instrument in his life, and after about 18 months he is truly band-worthy.

You will probably surprise yourself and have a richly rewarding hobby. You might even start selling off remote control gear to acquire more bass gear. :)
 
Hi Guys....

Thought I would intro myself and tell you about my latest quest. I am 55, getting over 6 way bypass open heart. Live in NJ where I am a big time radio control racer (you can see my 100 plus collection at fastharry.com)..


Anyway, a year ago in California some guy puts a bass in my hands and I felt such a rush it was incredible. Four months ago I had the open heart and let me tell you, everything changes in your life.

I went to see The Kootz a few weeks ago and got inspired to learn bass. Played Piano when I was a kid but other than that no musical training.....


But I want to learn bass BAD!!...I haven't felt this much enthusiasm for anything since I started racing RC's in 1996....


I go to guitar center and meditate with a Fender P bass in my hands....( I got it bad..LOL)



Anyway, I am looking at the Vintage 60's Squire (everyone seems to love that one and the jazz neck feels great...), or I might step up and get the MIM Active P bass...I was going to save and get the American deluxe but I got the itch to play NOW!!!)..


Anyway, any words or thoughts would be appreciated for a noob....

Sure, I have a few words for you!! First - Congratulations!! You are NEVER too old to learn an instrument!!

Second - The Vintage Squire (IMO) would be an excellent bass to learn on!!

Third - Welcome to the lowend!! Now, have a great time!!! And, as soon as you get your "legs" think about getting with a few guys and start working with them in a band situation....the bass will come alive!!

Best of Luck to you!!!
 
hey welcome to the club. i was 63 when i started playing. i am 65 now and play in two groups. take some lessons and learn to read. you will be surprised, how quickly you progress.
keep the goove.
 
thanks guys for all the great replies...I am a little under the weather today, but I am going to respond to them in the next few days...


I stopped at Guitar center again (those guys are really nice in the Paramus NJ store) and help the MIM Pbass active and the 60's vibe....


I like the way the 60's vibe feels with the jazz neck until I put that MIM pbass in my small hands...


That bass just feels right to me, so I think I am going to wait a week and save a little more and get that one....



One more comment...I like the idea of learning a few chords on a 6 string... Would an inexpensive acoustic be OK, and do you have any recommendations?...



Thanks again for all the nice comments and advice.....


Harry

Mahwah, NJ
 
Yes sir! Geezer Butler..... Juniors eys...... one of the coolest bass riffs ever!

Seriously, I think its great to start playing at any age!

I started way back in the fourth grade, trumpet, then switched to french horn, also played melophone in field band. Started on bass about age 14 or so... played with a few crummy bands, but then put it down for about 30 years or so. I would pick it up occasionaly, maybe 6 times a year. Then a few years ago, I went with my best friend to his inlaws, His FIL has a room ful of guitars , basses drums pianos, horns etc.

He asked me if I wanted to check out "The room"... We ended up playing for about 3 hours that day, me on bass, him with an acoustic guitar.


I was hooked!!!!


Have not been able to put it down since that day, Now mind you..... I still suck.... but I love to put on the digital channels, and just play along, oldies, classic rock, blues, soft rock, 70s channel, anything that strikes me at the time.


I know Im never gonna get the call to sit in with Clapton or anyone... but its really nice to play again!

As far as the GAS? Yep, its gonna happen, I have aquired an Epi EBO... Gibson "money" and a Jack Casady bass within the last 8 months.

This thread aint about me.... and I apologize for my little rant here... but just wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU!!! Your gonna get hooked man!:rollno:
 
Ha! I didn't start playing bass till I was 21... and I thought that was late! :-)

It's never too late! I'm 45 now so I've been playing for about 25 years. I just finally started learning guitar since last summer, and in the last two months, I've bought a drum set and, like another TB'er a mandolin. That is really a fun instrument to play.

Good luck, and may you have many happy returns in the form of smiles when you play.... and maybe earn a few $$$$ too if things go well enough.
 
man, that is really cool...I am a saved Christian and and have known the Lord since I was 17...I now attend Fardale Trinity Church in Mahwah Nj where I also teach 3rd to 6th sunday school and always teach the kids in vacation bible school during the summer..


This morning I prayed that I honor the lord with the new bass and lo and behold I meet some brothers on this site....



Now how do you figure that?...( NO Need to answer, I already know....;)..



Good meeting you guys...

This is an awesome thread! I too am a Christian. I think that is great you are wanting to take up bass and I totally encourage you to do so. Also, my youngest son Zach was born with aortic stenosis and had to have open heart surgery last July to replace his aortic valve. They did a procedure called the Ross procedure on him where they took his pulmonary valve and placed it where his aortic valve is then replaced his pulmonary valve with the jugular vein from a cow. I am also a Christian pastor too so if you ever need to talk, let me know.
God bless,
Jay
 
Go for it harry... and please post some piccys of your new bass.
FWIW, I've been playing bass since '73 (I'm 53 on Monday) and don't play anything else. Sure I can recognise some chord shapes (guitar) but I mainly play by ear (here we go) so I've never really felt the need to learn guitar, or any other instrument for that matter.
 
This is great.
Jump in with both feet and never look back, FastHarry!

I played guitar professionally as a teen/20-something, and always owned a bass but never played it in a band.
Now approaching my 50s I decided to join a band as a bassist for a change and I'm loving the heck out of it.
And TalkBass has been a big help, so you're in good hands.

Good luck, sir.