Too late to learn to play?

[History Buff]

Hello all,
New here. I thought I would ask the Forum the following:
I'm going into semi-retirement. I wanted to take some time to try again to learn an instrument. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which does affect my hands, fingers and wrists. I have considered the mandolin, the bass ukulele and the double bass. Knowing myself and now my limitations, I want something simple to play at a low cost. The bass ukulele and the electric double bass look promising. I have no plans to play in a group or without an amp. This attempt to learn an instrument is to let me focus on something and personal growth.

Any opinions from the spectrum of users on this forum.

Thank you,

 

[Txpigdog]

I was 58 and didn’t know how to play, 64 now. I learned a few songs and went to jams and played them. Started lessons where the finger exercises and learning sing medleys got me up to speed more. I can now play a lot of songs and wing ‘‘em a bit if I don’t know them. I’m having fun and I’ll learning.

 

[Bassmike62]

Welcome to TB .

Do it. I came to bass playing in my early forties and fell in love with it, after playing guitar since the age of 14. Bass is now my main instrument and I often wondered why the heck I didn't give into it before. Now in my early 60s, still in love with it.

 

[bholder]

Never too late as long as you have realistic expectations. You might not make it to Carnegie Hall, but if that's not among your goals, you're good to go.

 

[bass12]

Definitely go ahead with taking up a new instrument. It’ll be fun and it will be good for your brain (and probably your arthritis).

 

[Ed Goode]

Never too late as long as you have realistic expectations.

Exactly this ^^^

Learning to play bass is a relatively inexpensive hobby, assuming you don’t get caught up in the bass-buying frenzy that is seemingly a TalkBass badge of honor. Issues with arthritis would not bode well for playing a double bass, but bass guitar should be something you can work around.

 

[Sparky Mark]

Hello all,
New here. I thought I would ask the Forum the following:
I'm going into semi-retirement. I wanted to take some time to try again to learn an instrument. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which does affect my hands, fingers and wrists. I have considered the mandolin, the bass ukulele and the double bass. Knowing myself and now my limitations, I want something simple to play at a low cost. The bass ukulele and the electric double bass look promising. I have no plans to play in a group or without an amp. This attempt to learn an instrument is to let me focus on something and personal growth.

Any opinions from the spectrum of users on this forum.

Thank you,

Welcome to the low end! I would think that a full scale electric double bass might be physically much harder to play if you have conditions such as arthritis than a bass ukulele. I would recommend starting with either a bass ukulele and/or a short scale electric bass guitar such as a Mustang or the many other shorties from Ibanez for example. Fretted instruments may also help you progress a bit quicker too. I find solid body ukes more comfortable to play than the acoustic style.

 

[salmon256]

Hell no it is not.
I'm 22, don't let that scare you that, I felt exactly like you.
While I am very happy and love seeing it, even at my age and generation I feel like I started late. My HS was a mix between borderline poor low-income students like myself and extremely rich house on the beach, new car for their 18 birthday kids. Many of the more rich kids could afford lessons, nice gear etc. I had a Ibanez Mikro and felt lost, also these days a lot people start younger on things like bass which is awesome but can be scary to some I know! The school was also strict on getting involved with music if you didn't start in elementary school, you couldn't get involve (So stupid to me, thankfully a lot of HS, out West in the US at least have Rock classes or light music classes which is awesome!) I started playing Bass guitar in HS around 11th grade, more towards the end. Didn't put a lot of practice till really college and learn the theory. Upright I also learnt in college but I haven't had time nor the funds to really go hardcore but once I do...! (I truly do wish my HS had a rock band club or something, those clubs really do encourage all music levels!)

I feel like for me personally on here and r/bass there are tons I mean tons of late starters on the upright, I mean these days younger and younger people are playing these instruments but do not let that scare you. On this form I feel the average starting time for Upright is for sure 30s to 70s and even older! So do not feel pressure or bad at all, also IMO (I'm gonna get tons and I mean tons of slack for saying this) Upright and Bass guitar aren't the hardest, no instrument is easy by any means but even upright just playing pizzicato you can get a decent tone forms the start, and bass guitar sounds in tune from the start.

Anyway I have so much more to say, in my long ramble, I just felt I could shine in a question. I know you said you just want to play for you, and that is an amazing goal and great goal. Setting small goals for yourself is key, I would set insanely high goals for myself and it messed me up, the key is to enjoy it, it's a life journey, and to let you know you for sure can join a community orchestra, community concert band or any bands that may need a bassist guitar or upright. Also just want to share it seems starting later on bass is a common theme of the past, Jim Stinnett (RIP) said in an interview he didn't start playing bass guitar or learning to read music until his first year of college, he played 6 string guitar by ear in his HS which he said didn't have the best program. Linda May Han Oh started playing Bass guitar in her HS then Upright in college I read. Steve Koscica started playing Upright in college. There was also two other bassist who started playing upright from scratch in college and are famous and one is actually with Steve I think. OK the point should be you do not need to be famous to be a great player, an awesome musicians and I can go on for hours I just used these players as examples. Here are some other forms when I felt like I was in your shoes. Good luck, its not late at all friend IMO bass is one of the best to start with because if you work hard at it within a year I even say on bass guitar you can be playing in groups especially rock and blues!!! I may add more to my post, I am writing it in a rush, I have so many more players I can name but there are tons of daily, typically average people who play bass and started late in all fields. Also I know you don't wanna play crazy or high level I just wanted to share these to motivated.


https://www.talkbass.com/threads/am-i-too-old-to-get-into-an-upright-bass-double-bass.1465581/

Also tons of the "Am I too old to learn Upright or Bass guitar" all on this form but I always love giving fresh opinions and motivation. Have an amazing day!

 

[DrBnz]

Just babbling out loud here. Playing bass is a physical task. For the first year I found my body adjusting (painful) to the art of bass. Its important to learn perfect form here. But there was wrist pain mostly. Now once your body adjusts, that all subsides. At which point I have to believe that it would be healthy to play as your circulation, muscle tone and dexterity all improve. Your brain function is constantly tasked (important as you retire to have things to tie up the brain). Plus its a never ending study. Meaning you're never really "finished". All things considered I'd look to a short or medium scale bass just because the fret spacing is closer. A used $400 Short Scale Stingray would fit the bill nicely. But no... you're not too old. I didn't really get started til I retired either.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

It's never too late and there are people (even here) who will work with you and walk you through the early stages.

If you have questions/need help, feel free to get hold of me.

Good luck.

 

[themickster]

Hello all,
New here. I thought I would ask the Forum the following:
I'm going into semi-retirement. I wanted to take some time to try again to learn an instrument. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which does affect my hands, fingers and wrists. I have considered the mandolin, the bass ukulele and the double bass. Knowing myself and now my limitations, I want something simple to play at a low cost. The bass ukulele and the electric double bass look promising. I have no plans to play in a group or without an amp. This attempt to learn an instrument is to let me focus on something and personal growth.

Any opinions from the spectrum of users on this forum.

Thank you,

Get on with it

 

[Williethump]

Don't hesitate, music will add so much to your life. I'm 72 and picked up the bass in 2017. I'm arthritic too though it's the osteo type. I'm heavy into Physical Therapy, movement and the paleo diet to keep it in check. Especially hand stretches and elbow/shoulder work.
Having tried uke basses, acoustic types and many electric basses, I have found either short scale or standard 34 inch electric basses to be the most ergonomic for me.
Uke basses tend to be cramped for me and take special plucking and fingering techniques to not sound screechy and thin. Fretting needs concentration because the space is so limited.
Acoustic bass guitars are hard to play as well, hard to see the fretboard, awkward, again special techniques needed. Every body is different so try to play before buying if possible.
I'd recommend a standard or short scale 4-string Yamaha, Ibanez, Epiphone, Squir or Mexican Precision bass etc. Most instruments these days come from similar CNC machinery and are mostly good, new or used.
I liked my Roland Cube Bass amp with all the drum tracks and sounds and still use it for drums. Small, ac/dc, good sound for a student amp. And the effects, vintage amp modeling, and drum tracks keep practice interesting.
If you have more to spend I recommend the Orange Crush 50watt amp. Great, rather than good sound and it will make you sound better, at around $350usd.
For a textbook I use blues based Progressive Bass, by White but there are many good online sites and YouTube channels that are often free and very helpful. I got stuck on I-IV-V 12-bar blues and can't read music. So I'm a TAB slave but plenty of sources include TAB. You are lucky you found music, even if you're never chosen to be the replacement bassist for the Sex Pistols, it brings joy to play. Start slow, take some lessons (though I never did), listen to your body and change habits if you start to hurt. You are doing repetitive stress. This site is another great source. Good luck. Soon you will need bass

every day.

 

[mrcbass]

Hello all,
New here. I thought I would ask the Forum the following:
I'm going into semi-retirement. I wanted to take some time to try again to learn an instrument. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which does affect my hands, fingers and wrists. I have considered the mandolin, the bass ukulele and the double bass. Knowing myself and now my limitations, I want something simple to play at a low cost. The bass ukulele and the electric double bass look promising. I have no plans to play in a group or without an amp. This attempt to learn an instrument is to let me focus on something and personal growth.

Any opinions from the spectrum of users on this forum.

Thank you,

Never too late too learn. I would be concerned about arthritis - bass is very difficult to play with sore hand joints. You might want to talk with your doctor regarding how the arthritis will affect your grip strength and dexterity. Not trying to discourage you, but learning to play any stringed instrument with pain in my hands would be undesirable to me.

 

[Killing Floor]

Never too late.
Welcome to TB.

Cannot speak for your hands but the scale of electric bass is suitable for folks who may not play well in tight spacings like a violin. Plus you can go from 0 to playing a few recognizable songs very quickly.

You got this.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

As a guy who also has rheumatoid arthritis, I'd highly recommend against anything double bass. Mine sat in the corner for 20 years, I finally sold it this year.
There are all kinds of bass guitars with approachable action and shorter scale.
Go to GC and play every bass they have.
And take lessons. Proper technique goes a long way to healthy happy hands.

 

[logdrum]

Motion is lotion. I got gout on my foot at a young age of 52. Reversed by cycling again and adding running 2-3 x a week AND Tart cherry juice.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

With some light strings and low action you should be able to play just fine with your arthritis. Age isn't a factor - playing music is a wonderful part of life, never too late to start.

I'd check first with your doctor though. Take it slow and stop if you begin to feel any discomfort. A few lessons wouldn't hurt either to learn correct technique and help avoid injury.

 

[BassyBill]

Never too late to learn. But whatever you decide to do regarding bass, I’d also recommend a basic keyboard instrument to support your learning. Keyboard knowledge and skills, whilst not absolutely essential, can be invaluable to anyone learning music, in my opinion.

 

[andruca]

It's never too late. Also, bass players keep at it longer than other instruments' players. One way to interpret this is that bass hooks people the most

Try as many basses as you can to find the one/s that feel more ergonomic to you. I'm sure there's basses that will match you. Explore and understand different scale lengths and neck profiles (lots of info just using TalkBass' search function). Welcome!

 

[Neil Folkard]

Absolutely not too late! I started at 50, and I'm now in five bands and having a great time and even getting compliments at gigs (that seem legit, haha). If you want to learn and get better, you most certainly will.

And music is very rewarding and as others have said, will likely help with your condition.