I’ve Played Bass for 30 Years Now!

[Riff Ranger]

(and as you see, I've had my trusty ATK for most of those years)

As we flipped our calendars to June, I realized I started playing bass thirty years ago this month! I recently learned that the teacher who took me on as a twelve-year-old halfway across North America can no longer play due to Parkinson's disease; my current bandmate was in preschool entirely across the continent when I got started. Two marriages, two careers, three cats, and three kids later, I love playing at least as much as I did in the beginning. It seemed like an occasion worth noting. I wish all of us many more years of this kind of joy!

 

[fedenybass]

I just hit the 30 yr mark as well. SO MUCH TO LEARN!!! And so much learned. I think that's part of the joy! Congrats bro!

 

[J Wilson]

Since '77, 40-years plus.

You'd think I'd play better by now . . . . all the woodsheds I've been through, I've used enough wood to build several houses.

 

[pcake]

after reading your post, i realized that i, too, have been playing bass for 30 years this year - and guitar for 25 years before that. where does the time go?

btw, i don't have a single bass or guitar from before the mid-aughts.

 

[Polfuste]

33 years i've started the guitar and 27 years i've switched to bass -after falling in love with it- as my main instrument. I still have my very first acoustic guitar and play it from time to time for the fun.

 

[2saddleslab]

July 4th marks 37 years of playing [professionally, ie getting paid] for me.

Congrats on 3 decades! Hoping more for both of us!

 

[roccobass]

45 years last month and 39 mostly on this old girl. It's been long strange and fun filled journey!

Enjoy the playing, buddy.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Since '77, 40-years plus.

You'd think I'd play better by now . . . . all the woodsheds I've been through, I've used enough wood to build several houses.

Or a few custom guitars?

I started "messing" with a guitar in '77. I started playing for real in '78.

I was dragooned into playing bass in '82.

Played my first gig three weeks after my first rehearsal on the bass. That was a strange night (I was also the singer)!

 

[Geri O]

Good grief….50 years playing bass, off and on for a while…

I was 17 when this was taken…(on the right)

And 64 in this one….

And it's so very true….

Time flies when yer having fun!…

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Congratulations @Riff Ranger!

Impressive beard for a 12-year-old! And for a 42-year-old!

Wishing you many more!

 

[Honkey tonk]

Keep on rocking

 

[tyohars]

And I just turn 30 last month...

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

Took me 30 years just to kick the cans and play over a cabinet. Now that I'm retired, it's gone from hobby to obsession.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Only played 30 years? I'm right at 50 years. Holy , I'm old!

 

[JC BASS 91]

This November will be the 33 year mark for me.

Looking back, I still think of the statement my father made to me when I asked if he would help pay for lessons: "Why? You'll never do anything with it."

I don't know if I was just determined to prove him wrong, or if it was just my love of playing that carried me through two original albums with two different groups, two live bands, playing on the worship teams at three different churches, and numerous other projects that never got out of the garage.

Sadly, my father never got to see me play live, but he did get a copy of each album, but I doubt he ever listened to them (not his kind of music). I do know he listened to the demo CD from the first live band, though.

Its been an amazing ride and I look back with pride of what I have done with my time playing.

To everyone that is a player, keep at it as long as you can!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

View attachment 5081326
View attachment 5081325
(and as you see, I've had my trusty ATK for most of those years)

As we flipped our calendars to June, I realized I started playing bass thirty years ago this month! I recently learned that the teacher who took me on as a twelve-year-old halfway across North America can no longer play due to Parkinson's disease; my current bandmate was in preschool entirely across the continent when I got started. Two marriages, two careers, three cats, and three kids later, I love playing at least as much as I did in the beginning. It seemed like an occasion worth noting. I wish all of us many more years of this kind of joy!

We're old

Really digging on the fact you still have a black ATK

 

[alotabass]

I've been at it 43 years now. There was a period of 10 years where I stopped to get my career going but I came back to it and never stopped since.

 

[Jefenator]

35 years here.
There's that popular story about cellist Pablo Casals getting asked why he kept practicing 4-5 hours a day at the age of 80. "Because I think I am making progress."
I wasn't getting bored with a calendar full of rock, jazz, country, blues, salsa and the occasional theater show. Now the symphony calls me to sub from time to time; that takes me all the way back to school! I got a book with some standard audition passages (so I could maybe full on join) and OMFG - that'll keep me busy pretty much indefinitely.

 

[WG Plum]

I think I'm around 38 years into it, if my math is at all accurate. Hard to believe.

Here's some embarrassing video from when I was seventeen.

 

[Wanker_Joe]

Whoohoo! 30 year club represent!