How Old Are We

[ERIC A]

58 and gigging since i was 18. Honestly, since I was in my thirties it has felt like a job and still does to this day. I have three sons and a spouse that never worked, so gigs were a necessity never a fun hobby (would have been nice).

 

[1bassplayinfool]

66 and gigging all the time. Love it...

 

[Altitude]

I do! Slap dem young uns with some Huey Lewis Power of Love! Has anyone else noticed that music from the 70’s an 80’s has never gone away?

Off topic, but I have a memory of that song. Had to be '86 or '87, Denis DiBlasio came to my high school to perform. The band director was an old buddy of Denis' and was also the manager of the rock band I was in then, so we got a lot of interaction with Denis' band when they were in town. The bass player, Jeff something, was awesome and used my rig as his backline for his show. I was thrilled.

They came to one of our band's rehearsals. We were covering "Power of Love" at the time, and they decided to play that one at our rehearsal, on our instruments.

That was the moment where I learned the difference between music as playing the correct notes at the correct times, and music as creating something together using artistic voices. I heard a bunch of heavy jazz guys, in my living room, play a very straightforward rock tune, in one chord. But they did it in such a way where every note was a choice, and every note had a reason. I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a bit of what they were laying down, and I've thought differently about music ever since.

Odd story for a Huey Lewis tune, I guess. It was meaningful to me.

 

[thirtyhz]

Poll added after several requests.

 

[Chef]

58.
Still workin’ ;—)

 

[BadSanta1281]

Youngsters listen up!

I thought it was gonna take a lot longer than it did to get old.
Don't hesitate. Don't put it off. Take chances. Seize opportunities. Stay out of debt.

That is all... back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[mikeoso]

69...never wanted the pro music life. Looks like hard work, insecurity, bad hours. Got paid for singing while in HS, took up acoustic guitar in my 30s, bass a little later. Jams are my scene, with the very occasional paid gig.

 

[DrayMiles]

People are concerned with age, sex, color, race, etc. I hope people realize that not enough folks are concerned with determination, talent, accomplishments, modus operandi, conceptual ideas regarding technique. I'm kinda disappointed in a poll on age. Let's have a poll on class, economic standing, etc. Maybe the intent is innocent, but age has nothing to do with musical ability. I know peeps of all ages and sexes that suck at playing bass. But maybe I'm not fully informed... What is the endpoint of this inquiry of the age of bassists? Is it just a youthful curiosity? Are we confirming that only old farts play bass now? I'm curious, why did you want to know the age brackets of bassists? Curiosity?

I'm... Curious.... Why does it matter to you?

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm staring down the barrel of 50... been at it for 30 years now, but playing bass (and dreamin' of Jeannie!) keeps me young.

View attachment 3379309

That’s a gorgeous Alembic!

 

[Ric5]

Im curious, in the area I play I notice a lot of players are on the older side. The stage I was on last night, sitting in, everyone was in their 50’s and 60’s - except me of couse . Another observation is that many older players do it for the joy of it, not caring so much about money. I figure I got 20 more years of playing and learning so why not. Better then sitting my A$$ in front of the tube or becoming a stereotype. Im curious about others observations and attitudes as they get older.

Us older guys have a good day job so we can afford some good equipment

 

[jamro217]

Who're you callin' old, Whippersnapper?!!! Dard burned kids these days...no respect...what was I doin' again?...?...?...that's right, a nap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz….

 

[joker820]

Now I know why the GZR pickup is so popular I’ll see myself out...

 

[bassdrummer]

45 years old. Started playing drums at 10 and bass at 30. The guys I play out with are in their 50's and 60's. I play bass and sing with them. Classic rock and contemporary Christian music. But at my church, we have a 12 year old girl playing drums and she is actually really good! She's the daughter of our lead guitarist, who is 46. His wife (44) sings, and my wife (48) sings and plays keyboard/piano. We have another female vocalist who is in her early 40's. Then we have another guy who rotates on drums or bass who is in his 30's. Our 57 year old pastor sits in occasionally on drums, bass, or guitar.

 

[mikewalker]

"old enough to know better"....

 

[Basvarken]

50. I quit playing in bands three years ago after 34 years. Haven't missed it really. I do pick up the bass regularly. I did sit in with a jam the other day. Felt good.

 

[JMacBass65]

Old enough to know better, young enough not to care.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

 

[okcrum]

Im curious, in the area I play I notice a lot of players are on the older side. The stage I was on last night, sitting in, everyone was in their 50’s and 60’s - except me of couse . Another observation is that many older players do it for the joy of it, not caring so much about money. I figure I got 20 more years of playing and learning so why not. Better then sitting my A$$ in front of the tube or becoming a stereotype. Im curious about others observations and attitudes as they get older.

What I see around here is that EDM and DJs are the preferred mating calls of the under 35 or so set. The venues that use live bands skew towards an older audience because that's who shows up for live music. There are a few exceptions (weddings for one), but there are simply fewer young players around of decent quality. Most of the young people I know prefer to assemble a dance beat on their favorite device than learn an instrument. One of the better (and few) under-thirty bands locally is a classic rock band, for just those reasons.

Then there are the dinner music gigs...

There are places like Denver where there's a jam band scene. That and neofunk look like what a number of young players and listeners are gravitating to. STS9 is what got my son interested in playing bass. Spafford is probably the best known band out of N. AZ, but they realized early there wasn't a big market for them here so they got out.

 

[eJake]

People are concerned with age, sex, color, race, etc. I hope people realize that not enough folks are concerned with determination, talent, accomplishments, modus operandi, conceptual ideas regarding technique. I'm kinda disappointed in a poll on age. Let's have a poll on class, economic standing, etc. Maybe the intent is innocent, but age has nothing to do with musical ability. I know peeps of all ages and sexes that suck at playing bass. But maybe I'm not fully informed... What is the endpoint of this inquiry of the age of bassists? Is it just a youthful curiosity? Are we confirming that only old farts play bass now? I'm curious, why did you want to know the age brackets of bassists? Curiosity?

I'm... Curious.... Why does it matter to you?

I'm curious if you're a troll, or if you just like the vibe under bridges?

 

[Kiril Basso]

Oh man, just turned 22 this March. Been playing for 2 and a half years, but with about 20 or so gigs under my belt. Working towards the dream.