Staring too late?

[Lichtaffen]

I had been playing guitar since 17, but switched to bass at 38, now I'm 40. One thing I noticed as far as learning an instrument at 17 and at 38 is that I am way more focused and mature about learning. At 17 you want to be Eddie Van Halen and show off and learn stupid licks, at 38 you realized music is a form of communication (you know, that feeling you got when you jammed with your friends). It's a language just like English. I highly recommend learning to read because I started that about a year ago and the progress is staggering compared to when I learned guitar. Think about how easy it is to learn something by just picking up a book and reading about it. Same with music. It used to take me weeks to learn a song, but now that I'm more proficient at reading, it takes a few days, sometimes less. At first it's frustrating to learn to read, but in the long run it's like having a huge advantage. Plus it will help you understand rhythm, which is more essential than any other aspect of playing bass.

Think of it this way: by the time your baby is old enough to learn to play an instrument, you'll be good enough to teach him/her and eventually you'll have a jamming partner. I recommend buying him/her a drum set when it's time. Then you'll never be without a good rhythm section.

I also recommend getting a good teacher. That in itself will take some time to find, but you could be avoiding years of improper technique, etc. Oh, and make sure you keep reading this forum, it's helped me and countless others immensely.

Good luck.

 

[dsmysterysix]

Do it - I started playing the bass at 35 (to replace a bassist for a band that consisted of a friend and my brother - I played the tuba in HS and was always interested in the bass). I played my first show (10 songs and a Saturday night at a decent club) with only 8 weeks of practice, and it all went great! Now, a year and a half later, we've played 20 or so shows and I enjoy it immensely. Playing the bass has enriched my life greatly.

 

[EagleMoon]

Absolutely, it's never too late and you're still young. If it's something that calls to you, then do it. Nobody said you have to start playing instruments as a child. They are just the ones that get the most notice.

 

[Billnc]

O wow I thought I was late, I am only 18 and really started playing in June. I started playing during my freshman year of HS but stopped after only 6 months of playing and I really regret this. This was mostly because I didn't have anyone to really jam with. Now I just picked bass up again and I am jamming with people and I love it. Really get out and Jam ASAP, you will learn sooooo much even if it is just playing the root notes. The only problem I am having now is getting out of the root note rut and I really want to just listen to some guitar riffs and just think of a good bass line hopefully this will come with time.

Per people smarter than me, you are not too old to start music until around 21, practice 10,000 hours and still reach the highest level possible, period. The issue is having the time, a 12 year old might have the 4 or 5 hours a day to do this before hitting the 'work' years. The caveat is it is study and work, not just jamming. The good news is this means anyone who puts anytime in music at all, with some practice can play. Good playing teachers average 4,000 hours hardcore practice, good players in less technical music less.

 

[slybass3000]

I'm sure a lot of you guys hate these questions, and I know it is different for everyone, but here is my situation. I'm 31 years old, and just had my first child 4 months ago. I work full time and go to school 2 nights a week. I got a bass guitar 3 years ago for Christmas, and have dabbled with it, but nothing more. I know a couple Bob Marley tunes, a few intros to different songs, and some easy blues bass lines. I've been down this same road with other instruments (ie guitar and mandolin), but I'm really starting to get into the idea of buckling down and learning how to play this bass, and hopefully being able to go to some jams. I'll probably only realistically have about 30 minutes 5 nights a week (I don't have time for anything on school nights). My question is, is it realistic to learn to play with this small ammount of practice time? The reason I ask is that while I do enjoy playing by myself, I wouldn't really be interested in it if I knew that I wouldn't be good enough to play out.

Do you want to make a living out of it or just have fun?

From what I understand you just want to have fun so find yourself some buddies in your neighborhood that like the same kind of music of music as you do and learn some songs and play them together. I think it is what you want to do.

I did trained a friend of mine who is a very famous comedian and wanted to learn bass at 40. After few months of lessons with me he did perform a Queen's song in front of 2,000,000 live tv watchers after few months of lessons only. And since then he did perform live on tv or radio a lot. Even if I gave him lessons about scales and arpeggios and stuff like that, the bottom was that he wanted to play songs that he like on bass. And that is the goal. So go for it,play along with records you like. Start with easy songs from bands that you like. Have someone helping you if you don't succeed by yourself. Find a teacher that will understand your goal.

And good luck,

Keep us posted on your progress,

Sly

 

[funkybass4ever]

never too old to start. i am 45 and started 5 years ago and practice as much as i can. started playing mel bay books, now playng Jaco. it will be the most fun you will ever have and it will be your personal achievement

 

[Nivlem]

Go for it -- get a method book if you can't afford or don't have time for lessons.

 

[Jayhawk]

the only time it's too late is if you're dead ...

 

[DarkArwen]

Since no one else can put into words, I will. This is the most fun I can have without going to prison. I am 31 also, with a kid. I squeeze in an hour about 5 days a week, on weeks that I don't have a paper to write or an otherwise burdensome amount of schoolwork. I also take lessons 2x a month. Well worth the money spent imo. Everyone hates on craigslist, but it can be a simple way to find people to jam with. That's what I did. So go for it!!!
Have fun.

 

[john_g]

you should never stare too late...hurts your eyes.

Ahhh cmon..thats funny right there.

 

[Fertscrubs]

I'm 52 years old. I work full time 10 to 12 hours a day. I've been playing guitar but 3 months ago joined a band as a bass player. Never picked one up before. I manage 1/2 hour practice a day at most (more at the weekends) and twice a week rehearsal with the band at night. We're now doing gigs. No problem learning.

 

[fenderfunker]

If you enjoy it, that's what counts. You might have left your run a bit late for international tours and 20 groupies per night, but you can still have fun. As with golf, for example, I'm crap at that, but I have fun. I think people take themselves too seriously, sometimes.

 

[HosMan]

NO WAYYYY! You are still just a young pup(for anything you want to do!)!

I got into bass guitar as just a hobby 10 yrs ago and have`nt played since then.I`m back to square one now(again) and I`m 48.With practice and determination you can be a decent bassplayer in under a year...but it honestly takes a lifetime to even try to master this deceptively simple instrument.

If you can afford/schedule an actual instructor that is the best but if not you can learn VOLUMES from this site,youtube,studybass.com and a cool book I just got:Bass Guitar For Dummies.

Rock On,Mom!
HosMan

 

[fenderfunker]

Yes. I'm staring too late, at the computer screen. Goodnight.