musical advice to your younger self

[skygzr]

I'm 60-ish, and I think a bunch of us are within a decade of that number. If you're younger, please enjoy yourself responsibly, and hopefully you'll join our club someday ;-)

The title says it all, what would you tell your younger self? Aside from "buy Apple stock when it was cheap" or "stay away from the blonde in the little black dress (yes, THAT one)".

I wish I had understood how to be a better singer back in the day. I wasn't any good at it till I was about forty and I rather enjoy it now. But maybe this is a skill that has to be earned an no amount of advice would have made any difference.

The other thing is: don't wait for permission to try something new. Actually this is a good thought to keep handy at any age.

Be healthy and safe, y'all.

 

[Camaro69]

Start younger
Learn more by ear and less by tabs
get an instructor
That $300 bass is better than your skill level

 

[buldog5151bass]

1. Practice more.
2. Learn to sing backups at least +and work on it).
3. Spend less, save more.

 

[Camaro69]

The other thing is: don't wait for permission to try something new. Actually this is a good thought to keep handy at any age.

This in particular. I heald off starting bass due to first wife. Second wife drove me to the guitar store

 

[bholder]

Start younger
try harder / practice more
learn more theory / jazz

 

[HG1180]

Well Im still young, you fellows have any advice for me before I turn the ripe old age of 20?

 

[Guild B301]

If I could go back and change the only things in the music business that my younger self made me regret - I might be in prison for capital murder.

 

[the_home]

Play regularly with whoever will have you (given it's an enjoyable hang), especially if they're better than you.

 

[EchoEcho]

I would advise my mum to play me jazz and funk when I'm cosy in the womb. I didn't get much else to listen to other than a heartbeat and warring parents.
Early exposure.

 

[mongo2]

Use lighter amps and cabinets.

 

[oldrocker]

Instead of learning to play songs, learn to play the bass.

 

[JW56789]

Learn the fundamentals better (even if you never do a reading gig). I should have known my scales, read better, paid more attention to good practice instead of thinking I was all that and I didn't need it.

Work with an accomplished, degreed, teacher.

Learn to network.

It's NOT that serious: Work hard at it, but HAVE FUN. As Dolly once said, 'come down off that cross, somebody else needs the wood ! ! !'. Don't be so g*******d serious about it !

(I never drank or did drugs so I can skip that one)

Arrange my homelife where it's a help, not a hindrance. Marry the right type of person.

Keep a mix of music . . . . and a life away from it. All gigs and bass, bass, bass, made me a dull boy. You know, there's a whole 'nother wonderful world out there that has NOTHING to do with all this that I exiled myself from for close to twenty years (that I can never get back).

 

[SunByrne]

I would have said to myself "Self, don't wait until you're 49 to start, you dumbass..."

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Learn to play with a pick!
Be prepared for constant failures if you go pro.
The popular guy often gets the gig over the quiet humble dudes.
Music bizz side of things sucks &#^#&#&#.

 

[BobKos]

Take lessons for 2 years minimum and work the lessons faithfully.

 

[Thundar]

Keep those two Peavey 410TX's you bought in 1990...and the first Kramer Spector NS2A you had

 

[TreySonagras]

If I could go back and give my younger self advice it would be, “Do not hesitate to tell people to Eff Off”. This would apply to all aspects of life.

 

[Jhengsman]

Just because you're not in a band isn't a reason to stop. When I started to play music again I should have gone straight to bass instead of being another guitar to play with her.

 

[punchdrunk]

Learn to read right away.

 

[Londo Molari]

Party after rehearsals and gigs. Not before or during.