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How many decade + quitters here?

#5
I don't consider myself a quitter, but rather having made a mature and conscience choice.

My decision, I left the music scene some 20 years ago, sold all my gear and focused on raising my family, also kicked it up a notch on the career.

Before calling it quits on music, I played 6 strings mostly, but dabbled with a Clarinet.

I decided to get back into Music last year, to celebrate my 50 Th. B day in December 08, I went all out and crazy and bought new gear, kept it all low end this time around, and I enjoy the fit.

Interesting thing, I forgot everything I knew, but really enjoy getting back into this at a slow pace, I keep it mellow, the slow rhythms and sound of the low end really fits where I am with my life.

One of the first thing I did when I joined the Forum ( apart from paying my dues to support such a great Forum ), was to read all the Threads intended for newbies, I certainly don’t remember everything I read, but these one stuck to me like glue.
TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > General Instruction [BG] Best musical advice you ever got
fullrangebass said:
"Keep your ears open and listen to both the sound and your soul"
Click to expand...
scottbass said:
"Play fewer notes and put more soul into each one you play." - Willie Dixon, when he sat in with our band
Click to expand...
rappa29 said:
"Less is more."
Click to expand...
BlackLake said:
"Don't play the song...let the song play you."
Click to expand...
Last but not least
Montsegour said:
Practice, Practice, Practice!
By : everyone
Click to expand...
 
#6
Wow,

Did you start this thread just for me?

Stopped playing in my mid twenties after dealing with some nasty band/roommate politics. Took up mountain biking to fill my free time.

Fast froward to my mid forties now and I have recently started playing in earnest again. One good thing, I managed to keep most of my 'gear, and now most of it's "vintage" or just plain valuable. Who knew a 5 string Wal was anything special then. Hell nobody I played with had ever heard of the company back then.

Otter.
 
#7
The longest I've been out of it was six years. I supported a family, playing bass. I got out because I was burned out from playing too much. For the six years I didn't gig, I barely even played at home. I was completely done with all of it. I hope I never get to that place again.
 
#9
When I went through college I played only sparingly due to fact I could get very little playing time in the area. After I graduated and starting teaching, I quit playing altogether.
Thirteen years later (when I was 35) I was sitting in church before it started and a gentleman named Eddie came up and said "I hear you play bass. We need one for our truck stop ministry." I still to this day do not know how he found out, especially since it had been over a decade.
Since that time, I have playing regular the last 15 years, 12 with the same band and I have never had a cross word with anyone. I have also learned to play hand drums, the guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and began home recording.
It's never too late to take up the bass again.
 
#11
Played for about 12 years, quit for about 15 (family,job, blah blah blah, played out a bit for a year, kept up with acoustic guitar the whole time, picked up bass a bit over the last year, bought some equipment.

Just getting the timing and loosing of the joints. Always played with a pick back in the day. I mean, I could play with fingers but choose pick to get a cleaner tone. Haven't played with a pick in the last year based on TB advice. Gotta know both. Had a small jam with a guitar player and conga player a couple of months ago. Keeping everything low key.

#2? New thread for club?
 
#13
Good thread Nick. I quit after playing about 3 years at 21. Life happens. Bought a used bass and new practice amp last year after not playing for 21 years. Oh God, that sounds horrible. I'm having fun though. It's coming back slowly. I just try and play along to whatever I'm listening to. Don't read music, never have, I just listen. 4 Basses later I'm still having fun.
 
#14
15 years off for me after a lot of gigging.
Same story - career and family, plus a detour into serious affair with percussion and Arab and Turkish music.
Glad to be back to the bass.
 
#18
I stopped playing regularly in about '92, mainly to raise a family and for the career. I sold all of my equipment, except for an accoustic guitar that I would pick up maybe 3 times a year. Now that my kids are grown, I decided to buy a new bass and a cheap practice amp. I started practicing an hour or two per day, and was having fun. A couple of months later, the bass player for my friends band couldn't make a show. He asked me to come and play a few songs with them. I ended up playing 2 of the 4 sets, and have been hooked ever since. I bought a quality amp and cabinet, found an established band in need of a bass player and have been gigging with them for the last 5 months. I'm meeting alot of new friends and having a blast! Life is good!

I'm 44.
 

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