How Old Are We

[Tom Gallo]

I'll be 58, come June. I started playing when I was around 14 in 1975. 44 years.

 

[sspear]

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.

It’s sort of that way in Memphis. It’s because a lot of guys my age who have played through the years are retiring now and have more time to go back to music.

 

[Fun With Dirt]

I started playing guitar lightly at about 10 and then started taking it seriously around 13. I was about 17 when I picked up bass. I actually was in a room with an old friend's bass guitar and there just happened to be a guitar magazine with the bass part to Ramble On transcribed. I figured, "Hey, I will learn that tune." and I was hooked. I was introduced that day to how cool bass could be. I am 43 now.

 

[thirtyhz]

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?

Thanks for the question. I find demographics interesting in general. I am in my 50s and have been playing for 30+ years. My primary reason is that my suspicion has been that fewer young people are taking up musical instruments. Sure a question and poll here is not entirely scientific or accurate for a number of reasons but nonetheless somewhat telling. I hate to see playing music decline for a number of reasons and this is just an informal perk. Also a more comprehensive poll on age, abilty, years playing, heritage, income, education etc would be far more interesting but a single question is allowed on the poll and a thread question would be overly complex and likely diverge.

 

[rodak]

I'm 26, starting playing bass when I was 12, so I've spent more than half my life with a bass in my hand! Don't think I'll ever stop!

How'd you wind up with an Acoustic 370? That's an awesome rig, but kind of unusual for someone your age!

 

[BassGeekJack]

I'm 25. I was surprised to see how few people are in their 20's on here (or maybe they don't vote ). That said, when I'm gigging/touring—which I have been for around 8 years now—I often feel like I'm in a bubble where everyone I see is 21-35. I guess it makes sense, that's when you're old enough to do everything that touring involves and young enough for it not to get too much in the way of life and health.

Even at 25 though, on those long drives to a gig, I often think, what the hell am I doing? And it's after the good ones that I think, oh yeah, I'm doing what I love.

 

[RCH]

I'll be 71 in July. Currently in a 3 piece americana/originals band and a 6 piece classic rock band. Sometimes it feels funny to be still playing songs that I played in my youth when they were new. Not the oldest or the wisest or the most talented on TB, but someday I might make it to the oldest.

 

[Tampabass]

Started at 13, now 57 and playing more than ever. Always have had a day job, but now playing 2 to 4 nights a week with my band and other groups -- upright and bass guitar. Mostly jazz. If we didn't have two kids in college, I'd be very tempted to leave my day job behind. Not gonna happen any time soon.

 

[RustyAxe]

20.
I have noticed that gigging bands tend to have older bassists and drummers. Maybe it's just a rhythm section thing.

Cuz it takes longer for us to get as good as the band needs us to be! Ain’t no hiding in the rhythm section.

 

[DrayMiles]

Thanks for the question. I find demographics interesting in general. I am in my 50s and have been playing for 30+ years. My primary reason is that my suspicion has been that fewer young people are taking up musical instruments. Sure a question and poll here is not entirely scientific or accurate for a number of reasons but nonetheless somewhat telling. I hate to see playing music decline for a number of reasons and this is just an informal perk. Also a more comprehensive poll on age, abilty, years playing, heritage, income, education etc would be far more interesting but a single question is allowed on the poll and a thread question would be overly complex and likely diverge.

Thank you, that’s exactly what I was wondering about.... If you were interested from the perspective of forming a hypothesis or something else... I’ve read a few articles about this. I’ve also wondered about a lot more women playing in multiple genres. The next pertinent question could be “are there any women in the older age bracket playing?” Or what percentage are in pop compared to country etc? In a weekend warrior capacity anyway... I wanted to thoughtfully mull over your perspective. Now I can mull over TB a little more...

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I got it from here! It's in great shape the 370 is from 1970 and the 301 is from 1969!

 

[LBS-bass]

20.
I have noticed that gigging bands tend to have older bassists and drummers. Maybe it's just a rhythm section thing.

There are a lot of older players who are very experienced and still looking for work. For someone who's really looking for top notch talent, that's a vast pool of people who are extremely capable and who know the business well. I'm working with an artist who's in her 30's- all of us in her backing band are in our 60's. Guess what? We do a great job for her. The spotlight is hers; doesn't matter how old we are. It matters that we make her shine.

 

[BishopHastur]

I'm 36 now, been playing off and on (mostly off) since the mid 90s.

 

[Ranger459]

64 and soon to retire. Like several here, I started playing when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan. I asked mom & dad to buy me a guitar so they got me a new 1966 Fender Mustang that I still have. Was never that good of a guitar player so started playing bass in a bar band in the 70's and early 80's. Became a half decent bass player but due to family and job obligations gave it up and rarely played.

In the last 6 months or so, I developed a renewed interest and realize again how much I love playing. No bands in the future but just love to play. What I am most amazed about is the technology available today that we never had in the 70's. I can plug my guitars into my Mac or iPhone, open Amplitude and sample a vast array of amps and stomp pedals that I could never afford in the past. Oh, and I really appreciate the TalkBass community. You guys and gals are great! Thanks to you folks, I will soon be purchasing a Fender Rumble 100.

 

[edro]

61... Still no clue what I want to be when I grow up....

My late big bro once told me "Music is a jealous bitch...You'll see one day..."

Yep.

 

[Paulabass]

Music is the only industry where 60 is a young'un, and 70 is just hitting your stride.

 

[bholder]

I'll have to remember to come back and change my answer in a couple of months.

 

[Constantine]

52 years young

 

[armint]

It's not that this "age-phenomenon" is only existing in the US.
I'm located (and born etc.) in Germany and in my age (56) I'm just about in the "middle age" of bass players - in a certain skill and gigging level.

 

[TBopp]

26 and in Chicago - seems there isnt much middleground in here!