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For the +50 guys, when did you start playing
- Thread starter JDHolmes
- Start date
I've already posted once on this thread, but will do it again as I find it a very interesting thread. Obviously, by definition of the thread theme, a lot of us were influenced by a lot of the same musical things at the same time.
But I wanted to comment on the family aspect that some of you brought up. I am the youngest of four kids in a musical family. Everyone was expected to have basic piano, reading and vocal harmonizing skills. When guitar became the rage in the early '60s, that became a basic skill too. But coming last in age, I never expected to be the one out front. My first instruments were actually drums and piano, then guitar, but bass just fit in very naturally for me.
Now the x factor - besides Paul McCartney's playing on Nowhere Man as someone else mentioned. My dad was a huge jazz fan, and had a great collection of LPs (as they were then called). Piano-bass-drum trios were his favorite format, so I grew up listening to, for example, the Oscar Peterson Trio's albums over and over.
It just put some neural patterns into my brain that won't go away. Now I'm 57, and as previously mentioned I took 20+ years off, after gigging for 20+ years, to raise kids and succeed at my day job. Now that I'm playing again though, it is what it is. I'm not the greatest technically, but I'm solid on music theory, know how to walk in jazz, play with the drummer in rock, and even do that 1-5 thing in bluegrass. I also play BG and upright depending on the situation. So now I have more offers to play than I can handle, with players of all ages, and I'm loving it.
Have bass, can play, will travel!
Easier to get into heaven as a bass player than what I do in my day job.
But I wanted to comment on the family aspect that some of you brought up. I am the youngest of four kids in a musical family. Everyone was expected to have basic piano, reading and vocal harmonizing skills. When guitar became the rage in the early '60s, that became a basic skill too. But coming last in age, I never expected to be the one out front. My first instruments were actually drums and piano, then guitar, but bass just fit in very naturally for me.
Now the x factor - besides Paul McCartney's playing on Nowhere Man as someone else mentioned. My dad was a huge jazz fan, and had a great collection of LPs (as they were then called). Piano-bass-drum trios were his favorite format, so I grew up listening to, for example, the Oscar Peterson Trio's albums over and over.
It just put some neural patterns into my brain that won't go away. Now I'm 57, and as previously mentioned I took 20+ years off, after gigging for 20+ years, to raise kids and succeed at my day job. Now that I'm playing again though, it is what it is. I'm not the greatest technically, but I'm solid on music theory, know how to walk in jazz, play with the drummer in rock, and even do that 1-5 thing in bluegrass. I also play BG and upright depending on the situation. So now I have more offers to play than I can handle, with players of all ages, and I'm loving it.
Have bass, can play, will travel!
Easier to get into heaven as a bass player than what I do in my day job.
I just turned 61 -- started playing bass in 1965. I played trombone in the junior high band beginning at age 13, but my brother played trombone and bass in big bands, so I knew about bass. It didn't hit me till The Beatles on Sullivan -- Feb 9. 1964 -- two days before I turned 15. I taught myself to play bass on my bother's Kay upright by listening to Beatles LPs. The next spring, my mom bought me a singlecut Kay bass outfit with amp from the Spiegel catalog , and we put our band together that summer. Been playing ever since, although I "retired" for almost 15 years at one point after 18 years of playing one nighters six nights a week. Now playing in a church band. I doubt that I'll "retire" again.
I just turned 53 yesterday (Feb 18). Happy birthday to me! 
I first took up the guitar at the age of 16 and, with just me and my acoustic guitar, sang and played through my twenty-something years as a dedicated folkie. Then something happened in 1989 - my first baby! Unfortunately, my musical ambitions had to be set aside temporarily to raise a family (three boys!) and build a career.
Fast forward 17 years...
Three years ago, my middle child, then 14, decided to take up the bass in order to be part of the grade 9 jazz band. That's when I got turned on to the idea of getting back into music, but I wasn't quite ready or willing to go back in time and pick up where I'd left off 17 years before as a folkie. As I watched my son progress quite nicely as a bassist, all of a sudden, the idea came to me about taking up the bass myself. That was just last July, when I acquired my Fender Jazz.
Today at the age of 53, I'm still a bass rookie, trying to learn the basics of laying down solid grooves. And I can tell you the bass was the right choice for me as I'm having a blast with it. Hopefully in the next year or two, I can progress to the point of being a part of the praise and worship band in my church.
I first took up the guitar at the age of 16 and, with just me and my acoustic guitar, sang and played through my twenty-something years as a dedicated folkie. Then something happened in 1989 - my first baby! Unfortunately, my musical ambitions had to be set aside temporarily to raise a family (three boys!) and build a career.
Fast forward 17 years...
Three years ago, my middle child, then 14, decided to take up the bass in order to be part of the grade 9 jazz band. That's when I got turned on to the idea of getting back into music, but I wasn't quite ready or willing to go back in time and pick up where I'd left off 17 years before as a folkie. As I watched my son progress quite nicely as a bassist, all of a sudden, the idea came to me about taking up the bass myself. That was just last July, when I acquired my Fender Jazz.
Today at the age of 53, I'm still a bass rookie, trying to learn the basics of laying down solid grooves. And I can tell you the bass was the right choice for me as I'm having a blast with it. Hopefully in the next year or two, I can progress to the point of being a part of the praise and worship band in my church.
I was 53 on Wednesday, I began when I received an Ibanez copy of a Gibson EBO for Christmas 1970, I was 13.
Dr Funk
"If you ain't appearing then you be disappearing"
I started when someone gave me a Haagstrom bass. It was somewhat jazz bass type and was covered in black vinyl just like they did car tops in the 60s. I haven't stopped playing and learning since. I can't imagine life without bass, It's been therapy, medication and joy my entire life. 
I'm 55 and have only been playing bass guitar for about 8 months, but the seeds were planted many years ago.
I started on piano at age 10 and when school band/orchestra became an option in 6th grade, I opted for string bass - I'd wanted to play drums, but that was vetoed by my parents. According to my parents, I had rocked myself in synchopation to their rocking of me as a baby, so I guess I was craving groove, so bass was my second choice.
That didn't go far, though, because the string program got cut and we didn't own the bass, and I was too clueless to realize there was such a thing as a bass guitar. I did realize my two main goals on string bass, though: I could carry it to school without using any hands, and I could spin it during rests without losing the beat.
Later, I took up harp, got interested in renaissance and baroque music and played early harps professionally for awhile. But with that, I was mostly interested in basso continuo - improvising bass line and accompaniment over a chord progression - and always lusting after the theorbos I was playing with.
A few years ago, I really got interested in blues and related stuff and started playing guitar, mostly fingerstyle country and delta blues. But I had bought a cheap bass for my classroom (I keep instruments on hand for my 5th graders in case they have a need to groove at any point) and last summer, I decided to take it home and do something with it. I took a beginners bass class and have been crazy for bass every since.
I've played in a rock class and a blues ensemble class, play along to my mp3 player all the time, and last night, played out in my first blues jam. It was very cool to just be able to play along with whatever songs the other people were introducing. And, horrible singer that I am, I even lead a song and played a reasonably interesting bass line at the same time ("The One Least in Love" - Jason Ricci).
So, I'd say, it's never too late to start, but it also helps that I've been playing something all my life. I'd love to find a way to gig again, and will keep my eyes and ears open, but I'll be happy to find a group of like-minded people to just jam with. In the meantime, just playing makes me incredibly happy. And I'm making sure that every kid playing string bass in my school knows about bass guitars (and I'm also teaching them how to carry their basses with no hands
I started on piano at age 10 and when school band/orchestra became an option in 6th grade, I opted for string bass - I'd wanted to play drums, but that was vetoed by my parents. According to my parents, I had rocked myself in synchopation to their rocking of me as a baby, so I guess I was craving groove, so bass was my second choice.
That didn't go far, though, because the string program got cut and we didn't own the bass, and I was too clueless to realize there was such a thing as a bass guitar. I did realize my two main goals on string bass, though: I could carry it to school without using any hands, and I could spin it during rests without losing the beat.
Later, I took up harp, got interested in renaissance and baroque music and played early harps professionally for awhile. But with that, I was mostly interested in basso continuo - improvising bass line and accompaniment over a chord progression - and always lusting after the theorbos I was playing with.
A few years ago, I really got interested in blues and related stuff and started playing guitar, mostly fingerstyle country and delta blues. But I had bought a cheap bass for my classroom (I keep instruments on hand for my 5th graders in case they have a need to groove at any point) and last summer, I decided to take it home and do something with it. I took a beginners bass class and have been crazy for bass every since.
I've played in a rock class and a blues ensemble class, play along to my mp3 player all the time, and last night, played out in my first blues jam. It was very cool to just be able to play along with whatever songs the other people were introducing. And, horrible singer that I am, I even lead a song and played a reasonably interesting bass line at the same time ("The One Least in Love" - Jason Ricci).
So, I'd say, it's never too late to start, but it also helps that I've been playing something all my life. I'd love to find a way to gig again, and will keep my eyes and ears open, but I'll be happy to find a group of like-minded people to just jam with. In the meantime, just playing makes me incredibly happy. And I'm making sure that every kid playing string bass in my school knows about bass guitars (and I'm also teaching them how to carry their basses with no hands
I am 51 years old, started playing when I was 15 on harmonica, one day the bassplayer did not show up and I picked up the bass, has played it since. In the 80´s had fair success playing Funk. In the 90's I was in a Punk/Jazz outfit, we did manage to release 8 LP/CD's . in the 00 years I had a break from music, but now I am starting up again with a new band. The morale, is never sell your gear if you have a period with no inspiration to play, I am so glad now I did´nt.
Interesting to read all the similar stories with the over 50 crowd and how many of us saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan as kids and everything changed in music at that point.
As much as The Beatles were the catalyst, my A-HA moment came in March 1965 at the age of 9 when my mother took me and my brother to see a Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars show. It was in Johnstown, PA and the headlining group was Herman Hermits, who I really liked. Right before Herman's Hermits were to go on stage, I left my seat to go to the restroom and then I sneaked up to the front of the stage unbeknownst to my mother who was worried where I was. Since I was a little kid, everybody let me get right up to the front inside the dividing rope. I loved everything about the band and the show and decided at that point that I had to be in a band someday. The next year, I started drum lessons and got a guitar for my 10th birthday.
In 1969, I met another kid who had a band (Purple Inferno) and he played guitar. We started to play guitars together. In May 1970, his band had a graduation party booked and the drummer could not make it. I was asked to play percussion and got paid $2.50 each for my first paying gig at age 13. The next week, they had another graduation party and the bass player could not make it and I was asked to play percussion again. After that I was the "rhythm bassist" in the band meaning that I was playing bass and lead guitar parts on a 6 string guitar. Eventually, the bass player quit and I was moved to be the bass player in 1970 and I have never been out of work since. After many years, the guitar player from my first band and I got back together in 2001 and formed our current band and have been going strong ever since.
As much as The Beatles were the catalyst, my A-HA moment came in March 1965 at the age of 9 when my mother took me and my brother to see a Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars show. It was in Johnstown, PA and the headlining group was Herman Hermits, who I really liked. Right before Herman's Hermits were to go on stage, I left my seat to go to the restroom and then I sneaked up to the front of the stage unbeknownst to my mother who was worried where I was. Since I was a little kid, everybody let me get right up to the front inside the dividing rope. I loved everything about the band and the show and decided at that point that I had to be in a band someday. The next year, I started drum lessons and got a guitar for my 10th birthday.
In 1969, I met another kid who had a band (Purple Inferno) and he played guitar. We started to play guitars together. In May 1970, his band had a graduation party booked and the drummer could not make it. I was asked to play percussion and got paid $2.50 each for my first paying gig at age 13. The next week, they had another graduation party and the bass player could not make it and I was asked to play percussion again. After that I was the "rhythm bassist" in the band meaning that I was playing bass and lead guitar parts on a 6 string guitar. Eventually, the bass player quit and I was moved to be the bass player in 1970 and I have never been out of work since. After many years, the guitar player from my first band and I got back together in 2001 and formed our current band and have been going strong ever since.
51 here. I started playing in 1972. Bass was not my first instrument though. I was playing other stuff before settling on bass.
Here's me at 18. I'm playing a Univox Badass bass.
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Here's me at 50. Playing a Lakland JO5.
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Here's me at 18. I'm playing a Univox Badass bass.
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Here's me at 50. Playing a Lakland JO5.
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I'll be 54 this May and have had a bass in my hands since I was 15. Still have all the amps, guitars and PA equipment I've gathered over the years. Never ever sell any of your gear. It's still a gas, I love playin' live and nothing in the world beats that feeling. I imagine I'll still be on stage when I'm as old as the Stones if not longer LOL.
I don't remember if I've already posted in this thread or not. That's how old I am. Anyhow, I'm too lazy to read through all the posts to find out.
Actually, I'm 69. I started playing bass at age 21 in 1961. Played some guitar and even earlier, steel guitar when I was 9 before taking up bass. I took up bass because there was an opening in a working band that I wanted to join. My first bass was a Danelectro Longhorn that I bought new for $100. Soon replaced that with my first real bass; a 62 P that cost about $325 with the case. Since then I've played through just about everything of note. I've been using GK amps for quite a while now. Also have a Yorkville. Got 4 basses currently, 78 P, Ibanez Artcore (the original 34" longscale), Squier 50s P that I've upgraded with a Vintage Vibe pickup and a Danelectro DC that I bought new when it first came out.
I keep playing because I enjoy it. A few times I've tried to quit but always wound up back at it.
I can't complain. I made a good living as a full time musician starting back in 1961. Don't have to do it any more but I still enjoy it.
I started playing in my first band in 1963. I'm still playing and turning 62 in May. I'm still on the road playing 3 of 4 weeks every month and have been for the last 2 years. My only wish is to die on stage
I'll be 59 in April and, like most my age, grew up on the Beatles. In my case, I was also very influenced by the Stones, who taught me to love R&B and American Blues, which I still play. Also liked the Animals and Chas Chandler on bass and the Searchers too. Bought a Hagstrom and Kay amp in '66 with paperboy money and haven't stopped gigging since.
I will be 55 in August of this year.. I started playing bass while in the Navy in '77 at 22 although I wanted to do it earlier..I just didn't get to it till 22. I got out in June of that year.. and the first thing I did was buy a Fender Jazz Bass, which I still have. I never took lessons.. I got hooked up with a band in N.Y.C. shortly after I got out and gigged with them till 82 or so.. We were doing the usual stuff.. Rick James.. Harold Melvin.. I got like... $15-$60 a night.. we'd do small clubs in Harlem and some college stuff.. for a while we were gigging every weekend. I was more in it for the fun and the music than the money eyebrow:duhhh right...
).
I got married to wife number 1 in 81. I left the band around then but still played around a little with friends.. After my divorce in 86.. I was in a Deadhead band with a buddy from work. we did mostly Dead stuff but also some Eagles, Motown & Dylan.... and I used to sing Huey Louis' "I Want a New Drug" and back ground on some songs. That lasted about 18 months.. but it was in Brooklyn and I lived in the N.E. Bronx.. and it was taxing as all get out there with work and all..
I remarried in 90.. and again the music took a back seat, this time till 2001 when I started playing for my church when we moved from N.Y. to Va.. and I have been playing steadily ever since.. I think in total even though I started playing 33 years ago in 77, I have only been playing around 16 years... and the bulk of that playing in the past decade. I think I learned how to play the bass back in the day.. but I learned and am still learning the bass now. And loving every minute of it. Sometimes when I think of the years I wasted.. I just shake my head
:scowl: and go grab my axe in gratitude.
What great thread!!!
eyebrow:duhhh right...). I got married to wife number 1 in 81. I left the band around then but still played around a little with friends.. After my divorce in 86.. I was in a Deadhead band with a buddy from work. we did mostly Dead stuff but also some Eagles, Motown & Dylan.... and I used to sing Huey Louis' "I Want a New Drug" and back ground on some songs. That lasted about 18 months.. but it was in Brooklyn and I lived in the N.E. Bronx.. and it was taxing as all get out there with work and all..
I remarried in 90.. and again the music took a back seat, this time till 2001 when I started playing for my church when we moved from N.Y. to Va.. and I have been playing steadily ever since.. I think in total even though I started playing 33 years ago in 77, I have only been playing around 16 years... and the bulk of that playing in the past decade. I think I learned how to play the bass back in the day.. but I learned and am still learning the bass now. And loving every minute of it. Sometimes when I think of the years I wasted.. I just shake my head
:scowl: and go grab my axe in gratitude.What great thread!!!
I'm 51.
I started taking guitar lessons when I was 11, in 1969. Myself and some friends started up a band in 1973 (blame the Beatles, lol), with three guitars and a drummer, I being one of the guitars. Back then, playing bass was generally not an appealing instrument in most folks minds. So, at the time being the youngest member, I got tagged to play the bass. I remember being little disappointed at the time because I knew I was a better guitar player then one of the guitar players, and I got stuck playing bass.
Looking back, that was a glorious event that changed my musical life. I get to play the freaking bass and kick tail groovin', THE instrument that gets folks up and moving!
37 years later, I am still thumpin away and still diggin it. Playing the bass, is a reason to be happy.
I started taking guitar lessons when I was 11, in 1969. Myself and some friends started up a band in 1973 (blame the Beatles, lol), with three guitars and a drummer, I being one of the guitars. Back then, playing bass was generally not an appealing instrument in most folks minds. So, at the time being the youngest member, I got tagged to play the bass. I remember being little disappointed at the time because I knew I was a better guitar player then one of the guitar players, and I got stuck playing bass.
Looking back, that was a glorious event that changed my musical life. I get to play the freaking bass and kick tail groovin', THE instrument that gets folks up and moving!
37 years later, I am still thumpin away and still diggin it. Playing the bass, is a reason to be happy.
Soon turning 52.
Started on trombone around age 10. Made the move to bass around age 14. Started playing bar gigs in a rock-n-roll country band around age 16. Gigged heavily in the metal scene through out the eighties. Took a few years off in the early nineties for personal reasons. Currently gigging regularly in a classic/southern rock cover band.
Will continue to play as long as the Lord will let me. (hopefully that will be a long, long time.)
Started on trombone around age 10. Made the move to bass around age 14. Started playing bar gigs in a rock-n-roll country band around age 16. Gigged heavily in the metal scene through out the eighties. Took a few years off in the early nineties for personal reasons. Currently gigging regularly in a classic/southern rock cover band.
Will continue to play as long as the Lord will let me. (hopefully that will be a long, long time.)
I started when I was 20 years old. Before that I was A drummer for 6 years. I 55 years old and still playing gigs on BG and EUB, and having a blast. People ask me when are you going to stop. I tell them, when I stop playing on the wood and start sleeping in it, or I can no longer tell you what it is. Play it as often and as long as you can. It's never tp late to start.
I'm 51 years old onlying been playing 1.5 years always loved the sound of the bass.I'm retired now and needed a hobby and wanted to learn music so I gave it a go I practice 3 hours a day but recently have to take time off do to some tendinitus in my plucking wrist addicted to playing, now 4 basses strong 2 fenders,1 peavey and 1 sx. I still got lots to learn but can hammer out most tunes currently learning to play some fast blues and jazz .
