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For the +50 guys, when did you start playing

#61
I am currently 55 ... I started at 13 ... here's me playing at 18 ...

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Here's me playing at 55 ...

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#64
I'm 54, started piano at 7, switched to bass at 13 with lots of theory under my belt, then learned how to play without looking at the black notes on the page. Great combination, learned a lot from some jazz players, including one guy who played bass with Buddie Rich.(You know who you are, Ron!). Many years, many gigs, mainly semipro, as well as pro audio, I don't play bass, I AM a bassist! Proud of what I do, love my instrument.
It doesn't matter when you start as long as you enjoy what you do, & learn when you're ready.
Keep funkin' the dumb stuff!
 
#67
I've had a guitar since I was 16. Stopped playing regularly at about 28 when I started having kids.
Divorced at 40, got a synth, took piano lessons and started programming music on the idea that while I didn't have to time practice and keep the dexterity in my fingers up I could still create music using computer, midi and samples.

At 50, I went to a "weekend warriors" program where 30+ musos who want to get back into playing get put together into bands. There was a serious shortage of bass players and a major over abundance of guitarists, so I switched to bass and found a teacher. I'm 53 now and still taking lessons. Have been in 2 bands, 1 your standard classic rock covers and the other doing more mellow originals.
 
#68
I'm 53, and when I was in my childhood and early teens, sometimes I'd hear a band playing at a fair or outdoor theatre or something, and that low, deep bass thump was just always really very exciting to me... it's what separated my parent's music from "my music"... that extended low frequency that you could feel as much as hear.

When I was 13 years old, a guy from school asked me to come over to his garage (where his band was practicing) and paint their band's name on their bass drum head. I said, "Sure, why not". Well, as soon as I saw those uber-cool looking guitars and heard that sound again, it was all over for me...I GOTTA DO THAT!!! Never played anything before, but this was the coolest thing I had ever seen, and I wanted to be a part of it in the worst way. Hooked immediately by the sound, the cool red guitars with all the switches and knobs, and the whole exciting vibe.
 
#70
I'm not a guy but guess i can post here anyway. Started playing bass 6 years ago at age 62. I do it because tho I always liked the bass, now that I play it I love it. It always makes me feel good when I play, no matter what kind of music I'm playing. Played other instruments before (piano, organ, guitar) but never felt any passion for them. It's a whole nother story with the bass!

I figure when I get too old to hold the bass I'll get one of those Gracie Stands that hold it for you.
 
#71
Playing guitar since age of 13 . . . bass the last three years.

Play bass in two bands - gig in a classical rock, southern rock, blues, and country music band twice monthly . . . and play bass every Sunday on the church worship team . . . I'm a quick learner and practice two hours everyday! Play 4 and 5 string basses.

Oh . . . I'm 63 . . . ponytail and all . . .
 
#73
I slipped and moved it here from the basses forum by mistake. Since I'm not a mod in this forum, I can't move it again...I've given notice and it should be moved soon.

In the meantime, carry on with my apologies. :)
 
#76
I just started on the bass a few days before I turned 50. Just wanted to see if someone my age could learn something new. My initial goal was to see if I could learn the fretboard, and that seems to be going along all right. Currently I am working on the right hand part, and on managing the dampening of unplayed strings. About 20 years ago, I took it upon myself to learn how to play polyrhythms on piano. So I do have the benefit of knowing some music theory. I have never played out in public but a couple of times and am not going to be playing in any bands or even with anyone else. It's the deep sound that I crave. Learning how to play polyrhythms made it possible for me to improvise, as well as be able to keep on playing though mistakes. I don't think I was ready for bass until now.
 

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