Double Bass Too late for me?..

[jojoUK]

I wonder if Oratorio 'made it there' as he originally posted back in november 2007, would be nice to find out how he got on with his double bass learning journey
talking of not too late,
I am 40 years old, is 40 too late for making it into a professional orchestra? not as a principal, just a tutti double bass?
ps I do work full time and cannot afford to cut my hours down so no I cannot practice 4 hours a day! but I did pick up the bass 8 months ago and with not much practice I am now almost ready for grade 5 exam (ABRSM) and have just joined an amateur orchestra last week for rehearsals (looks like I might be ok to do the concert).

 

[Jack Clark]

You guys are making my 64-year-old heart hurt.

Good thing that, as a beginner at my age, I have no aspirations of playing professionally.

Have at it, youngster!

 

[Andrew McGregor]

I wonder if Oratorio 'made it there' as he originally posted back in november 2007, would be nice to find out how he got on with his double bass learning journey
talking of not too late,
I am 40 years old, is 40 too late for making it into a professional orchestra? not as a principal, just a tutti double bass?
ps I do work full time and cannot afford to cut my hours down so no I cannot practice 4 hours a day! but I did pick up the bass 8 months ago and with not much practice I am now almost ready for grade 5 exam (ABRSM) and have just joined an amateur orchestra last week for rehearsals (looks like I might be ok to do the concert).

At that rate, you'll probably be able to get in to a minor pro orchestra in 4 or 5 years time... so, not too late, keep it up. The advantage of being 40 is you're much better at time management and learning *efficiently*.

 

[jojoUK]

At that rate, you'll probably be able to get in to a minor pro orchestra in 4 or 5 years time... so, not too late, keep it up. The advantage of being 40 is you're much better at time management and learning *efficiently*.

thank you, I like your positive attitude, however my teacher says it's impossible to make it into a professional orchestra starting at the age I have done....
I guess the best is to just keep going, enjoying it and if and when I am really good at the bass I could always 'give it a go' expecting a big fat NO, or maybe not even a reply to my application and if I do get invited to an audition or get a place somewhere then all the best, but I will not spend my time relying on being able to do it if that makes any sense. I know I can still have fun in a good amateur orchestra, it would have been nice for it to be 'my job' but I guess I can do it in the next life?

 

[Fletcher Lanning]

Any teacher who tells you that there are limits to your potential is not the teacher that you want to be working with.

There are plenty of people that start working in at least a semi-professional orchestra while they're still in COLLEGE. And no one can tell me that you don't have just as much short term potential as a college student.

If you spend time working and honing your craft there is nothing that you can't do.

My vote, get a teacher who believes in you.

 

[ekspain]

Hi. I started when I was 18, and I'm playing professionally right now, in an orchestra, and studied at well known schools and conservatories, along with some of the greatest teachers out there today. I still study, and try to evolve. I think it is possible at 20.
I've heard some great players started at that age as well.
It depends on how you work, practice.
I believe one of the things that can get you on par with other players is gaining facility in the left hand. And mastering the bow.
So make a point of devoting time to working on your left hand technique, playing scales- using the Rabbath method is the best... that is play each scale 5 times, the first time thinking about left hand,them the bow, then combine both, then vibrato, then just listen- repeate faster, etc..
another thing to remember is that, when producing sound, a straight bow always sounds best...tracking... also work on strokin'
furthermore always stretch and keep the arms and hands and body in good shape...
just a few general ideas..

 

[basspirate777]

This question has caused me so much emotional stress and depression for the past couple years. I've bitched about it thoroughly is some other threads. But, after several near mental breakdowns, I realize that it's just about getting to work and having a solid practice schedule. What else can you do?

I was already a professional EBer before taking up DB, working for a small record label in Nashville as a session player, a ten year regional/national touring career, gigs with some "big-time" country artists, a jazz/funk trio with a small record deal and all that good stuff. I decided though that it was time to pursue my degree at 23 (now 25) as a husband, step-dad and soon-to-be father-father.

Still though, when I picked up the double bass almost three years ago I KNEW that I just wanted to be a section bass player in a couple minor pro orchestras. The first time I really paid attention to an orchestra was seeing a rehearsal of the Nashville symphony playing Bach's toccatta and fugue. I was bloody hooked, bad. But, in this field you are just set up to have that mentality that unless you are starting fresh out of the womb you won't ever have a chance to do anything. Not to mention that a lot of stuff you'll read on the 'net on sites like doublebassblog pretty much tell you that it's not worth the effort and that you'll never 'make it'. My teacher even told me that as a great bassist, I still probably have a better chance of winning the lottery or landing a role in a major hollywood film than getting into a major orchestra. Discouraging, but probably true...

For many people, this could be true, you might be too late...for me it could be true, I don't know yet. I have only taken sevem lessons and have spent the past couple years really working on getting my intonation and basic techniques as solid as possible. My teacher says I'm like swiss cheese; I'm really talented, but I have some holes that need filled in.

So, all this blathering is just to let other people in this situation know that you're not alone. I think it's worth it to try. I know that for me, not trying and not taking the risk would eat at me more than knowing I gave it my all and waiting a few more years to pursue a different career path after my education is complete.

I think that if you're reading this you also have a huge resource that can help you greatly. Reading the DB forums on TB has given me LOADS of info. At any rate, I wish everyone tons of luck--don't forget to enjoy yourself in the first place...even if it's hard to do so with scratchy bow sounds and out of tune notes!