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Double Bass I'm a straggler, do I stand a chance?

#21
I never touched the upright until I was a senior in high school, and managed to get into a good music school after about a year and a half.

I'm getting ready to graduate and I'm still the king of "oh no! I started too late, I'm doomed!" Don't worry about it, having that thought in my head is what motivates me to keep practicing as much as I can.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to do whatever you have to do to get your hands on a bass and keep playing.

My freshman year of college I had no storage for my bass because I wasn't in the music program yet...so I figured out a way to put my dorm room bed on stilts and keep the bass underneath it. Yea, it weirded a couple people out, but most thought it was cool that I was so determined. Just stay focused and committed, and all will be well!
 
#22
I started playing double bass in my 40's and later went on to attend music school full time. Is is too late for you?? No defnintely not.

One of the best players at my university was a guy in his mid to late 20's who went on to a top grad school and I know he is going to make it because he practices all the time and has the right mindset. And, along the way, he spent a year doing nothing but hitting the practice rooms every morning, all day and practiced. You might consider doing something like this before you go to a university. I just would not see the value of entering a university as a beginner. Better to get your chops developed before you go. Right now, even in high school, you can probably take advantage of the orchestra and jazz bands that are at community colleges as well.
 
#23
Adding to the unanimous "it's totally not too late for you to study double bass," I started playing when I was 20 (played electric before that for a few years). Well I just graduated with a degree in bass performance, and got a full scholarship to continue studying at the Hartt School next year. It's totally a realistic goal and you should pursue it if you feel passionate about it. You'll have to work your ass off though!

I play in a symphony with a guy who started quite late in life (i think in his 60's?). He's been playing for about 7 or 8 years now and he's doing great.

I think a big part of success is finding the right teacher for you though - I witlessly stumbled into a truly great bass teacher by complete happenstance. You should look into it a bit more than I did, and find the teacher that you click with. Also try to find someone who's had a lot of success with beginning students. I went to two state colleges in my undergrad (after flunking out of university of maryland and floating around the community college scene) and found teachers that were great for me. I really do think that community college/state universities are great for someone in your situation, and often have faculty that are very interested in working with motivated students from any experience background. Best of luck!
 
#24
I'd say you're right on time. Almost nobody starts on double bass until they are about your age becuase of the size as noted above. Ray Brown was began late in high school, as I recall, and Rufus Reid played trumpet until he was in the service. I keep pretty busy as an upright bassist but I played only guitar until I was in my late twenties. I found a classical teacher when I was 33 that I clicked with and studied like a mad man.
Go for it!
 
#25
I was in a similar situation in the beginning of grade 9 (i just graduated grade 10 today :D)
Anyways, i have been playing cello for about 9 years before i picked up double bass
The first year wasn't that easy, but after i got used to the instrument, i got a lot better without even trying that much
Like in the beginning, my band teacher doubted if i can play alright in school band and at the end of that year, he's been suggesting me to go pro, which i won't as average musicians in north america makes $20 per hour according to my career councelor's data and although music and art is my bestest (:p) subject, i'm alright in math and science as well
I play cello, double bass, electric bass, and electric guitar and trust me, it is the third easiest of the four that i play
You just have to get used to it, and it seems like you are already a proficient musician, so don't worry! You know how to fit in playing bass, you know how music works, you'll do fine!
Good luck

Edit: seriously, i can play dragonati, lorenziti, ecles, ect (spellings probably off, but oh well..) with ease! i played dragonati for the best amateur orchestra in calgary and it went "very well" according to the conductor and i literally practiced 5 times during lunch recess. since you're a good musician already, it will come easy. trust me.
 
#26
Here's the most important advice I think you should hear:

1) Play for yourself first- life is too short to make it about anything else (I'm serious don't write that one off a cliche)
2)Be your own teacher- you clearly already have musical ability but actualize it by teaching yourself. Teachers can be helpful but they can't learn for you.
3)Learn to use your body in the most efficient way- this one is huge. Learn to play in the most organic way. Start with what feels comfortable and efficient. Don't use any more energy than you need and don't ever force the sound to come out with your bow.
4)Weight/Speed/Placement these are the three components to sound making. Everything comes down to a combination of the 3 as far as sound production goes. Notice how we use the term weight and not pressure. When using a bow, let your arm hang and use that natural weight as your starting point to create sound not by pressing into the string.
5)Don't spend time on TalkBass- Any physical activity is as much about mental approach as it is physical. This website is a place where it is easy to get to caught up in gossip, competition and other people's problems. If you want inspiration stick to YouTube. Check out Bozo Paradzik or Edgar Meyer or newer badasses like Ranaan Meyer or whomever. Start from the source which is the music itself. Don't worry about what other people are doing. There is plenty of information from CD's, DVD's, local musicians and teachers that there's no real reason to get caught up in all the mental clouding that happens on this site.

Keep yourself focused and be your own teacher! I would say good luck but you don't need it, you already have everything you need.
 

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