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Oldest Newbie?

F

Flbandit

Aug 14, 2021
41
63
#1
Hey All,

Flbandit here. I'm just now trying my had at learning to play Bass. I'm 60 years old and never played an instrument at all (well there was a harmonica, but that went nowhere). Anyway, I just picked up a Schecter Omen 4 string and a Fender Rumble amp 25 watt. I also just got a copy of "Bass Guitar for Dummies". Flipping through i found a passage reading, Strapping on your Bass: Strings to the outside! I think I'm going to like this book. I'm also thinking about a live instructor, but need to save up a bit of money first. Strictly a hobby for me. If I can learn to play some bassline people recognize I'll be happy.
 
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#2
Flbandit said:
Hey All,

Flbandit here. I'm just now trying my had at learning to play Bass. I'm 60 years old and never played an instrument at all (well there was a harmonica, but that went nowhere). Anyway, I just picked up a Schecter Omen 4 string and a Fender Rumble amp 25 watt. I also just got a copy of "Bass Guitar for Dummies". Flipping through i found a passage reading, Strapping on your Bass: Strings to the outside! I think I'm going to like this book. I'm also thinking about a live instructor, but need to save up a bit of money first. Strictly a hobby for me. If I can learn to play some bassline people recognize I'll be happy.
Click to expand...
Welcome! You will learn a lot from this group. Lots of us in your age group, too.
 
#8
I started music when I retired in 2000. Played rhythm guitar in one band for 20 years. Finally got to bass about ten years ago when our church needed a bassist. Love praise music on the bass. Enjoy being in the rhythm section and finding a groove with the guys. The guitar, piano, and vocalist take care of the melody and I'm happy with the harmony and rhythm.

Dummies was a great help. Most of what I do today came from dummies. Every band I played for used fake chord sheet music, seems like all the good ole boy bands use fake chord. My point; if you are using tab, break away from tab and follow the chords shown in fake chord. Playing as many of the chord's tones as needed for that groove I spoke of... no one is going to hand you tabbed out sheet music on next week's selections, if you are lucky they will give you some fake chord.

Oldest player-- started at 65 and stopped gigging at 84. I'm now 86 and both the rhythm guitar and bass are out ready to go when I feel the need for some music. The six string gets some dust on it, but, I seldom find dust on the bass.

Happy trails.
 
Last edited:
#9
Flbandit said:
Hey All,

Flbandit here. I'm just now trying my had at learning to play Bass. I'm 60 years old and never played an instrument at all (well there was a harmonica, but that went nowhere). Anyway, I just picked up a Schecter Omen 4 string and a Fender Rumble amp 25 watt. I also just got a copy of "Bass Guitar for Dummies". Flipping through i found a passage reading, Strapping on your Bass: Strings to the outside! I think I'm going to like this book. I'm also thinking about a live instructor, but need to save up a bit of money first. Strictly a hobby for me. If I can learn to play some bassline people recognize I'll be happy.
Click to expand...

Well, you do have me beat, but I'm close to being in the same boat. I'm 53, never played an instrument, and am just beginning to start bass myself. I even picked up the Dummies book!

For me, it's therapeutic. Been dealing with depression and anxiety, pandemic didn't help, so I've been meditating, but I'm really having a hard time. I'm hoping spending time learning an instrument will help. I was going to learn guitar, but what I'm really looking for is something slow and methodic, and that I can feel in my chest.

I would have a bass by now, but I'm left-handed, and damn I feel discriminated against! I'm looking at the low end Ibanez and Sterling basses. Mostly, I just want something with a 38 inch nut width, and a decent brand. But when I compare what I could get if I was right-handed, it kills me.
 
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#10
I'm with you on the therapy part of it. I suffer anxiety issues myself (just now starting a new happy pill). I've seen good reviews on the Sterling Basses and almost bought one myself. Had the sales person been more attentive I probably would have. Then I saw the Schecter Omen online and that was it. I even drove 50 miles to a store that had it in stock. One thing that really helps me playing is looking up the Bass tabs for songs I like and play those. It's cool when it comes together on the fretting, striking and timing, and it actually sounds like the song you like.
 
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#11
Yeah, I've listening to songs for bass, and making playlists of songs i would like to learn. But just taking time to really listen to how a bass operates in some songs only made me want one more.

So I picked up the Dummies book to just start learning lingo and learning a bit more about what I might want.

I'm starting the journey with the tiniest step.
 
#14
Hey all, bout time for a progress report. I'm starting to get a feel for things and I can almost play while looking at the tabs I print out. I don't quite have the finger to string thing worked out yet but I do notice improvement. Unfortunately I've been neglecting my reading, and just playing from the tabs. I think I'll be able to do some lessons after the holidays so looking forward to that.
 

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