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Too late to learn to play?
- Thread starter History Buff
- Start date
Do it! Bass is a very approachable instrument: it's possible to sound really good really quickly with a rudimentary bass line. Country, folk, and blues can all be played adequately with very simple bass lines that a beginner can learn. And I think you can find plenty of music on YouTube mixed without bass so you can play along (I can't recommend any, I'm too busy learning songs by some people I play with to go looking for those).
And set yourself a goal of playing with others. Go to open mics, listen, check out the scene, meet people. Chat with the performers who don't already have a bass player and find out who would like to work with a beginner. That's more or less how I got back into playing after taking a hiatus to raise my young children. Bass is a lot of fun to play in an ensemble.
I sympathise with your RA problem - I'm dealing with the same thing. I have to work around a few minor limitations, and I'm thinking of switching to short scale, but I'm still gigging.
Learning (anything) will help you live longer and enjoy life more.
I hope to read your account of your first open mic performance within, say, six months
And set yourself a goal of playing with others. Go to open mics, listen, check out the scene, meet people. Chat with the performers who don't already have a bass player and find out who would like to work with a beginner. That's more or less how I got back into playing after taking a hiatus to raise my young children. Bass is a lot of fun to play in an ensemble.
I sympathise with your RA problem - I'm dealing with the same thing. I have to work around a few minor limitations, and I'm thinking of switching to short scale, but I'm still gigging.
Learning (anything) will help you live longer and enjoy life more.
I hope to read your account of your first open mic performance within, say, six months
Go for it.
67 here, arthritis in fretting (left) hand from work repetitive stress. Tried a guitar a couple of years back, and my wrist hurt so damn much I was dropping things.
Electric bass, low action, lighter gauge strings with short and standard scale lengths haven't aggravated it at all.
As mentioned here already, it's good to challenge the brain with learning something new. But man, it does seem to take a lot longer to make things stick than when you're young.
(This fact empirically proven by Science.)
The good thing is, there is a greater availability of good, affordable instruments than probably ever before.
I would add to those suggested, a Glarry (I got the jazz and made a few mods) or Ibanez TMB30.
And, opportunities for instruction, online, that's one good thing about the internet.
It will add to your life, it's a good time to start.
67 here, arthritis in fretting (left) hand from work repetitive stress. Tried a guitar a couple of years back, and my wrist hurt so damn much I was dropping things.
Electric bass, low action, lighter gauge strings with short and standard scale lengths haven't aggravated it at all.
As mentioned here already, it's good to challenge the brain with learning something new. But man, it does seem to take a lot longer to make things stick than when you're young.
(This fact empirically proven by Science.)
The good thing is, there is a greater availability of good, affordable instruments than probably ever before.
I would add to those suggested, a Glarry (I got the jazz and made a few mods) or Ibanez TMB30.
And, opportunities for instruction, online, that's one good thing about the internet.
It will add to your life, it's a good time to start.
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Started 10 years ago when I was 53, not including a little stint back in ‘80.
Never too old.
And....if you haven't stumbled across this yet....dang...I don't think there was anything like this resource around for people learning, before the internet and forums like Talkbass. Again, it's a good time to start.
https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/learn...players/?redirect=learning-links-for-all-tbrs
https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/learn...players/?redirect=learning-links-for-all-tbrs
You'll live longer. Because....music, that's why.
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It is never too late. I started at a young age and I am ready to retire; but I made a couple of friends at shows a few years back who were interested about playing bass, and now are very proficient.
Relative to the type of instrument, I'd say a short scale electric bass should be fine but I guess that depends on your height, hand size, physcal condition, etc.
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Relative to the type of instrument, I'd say a short scale electric bass should be fine but I guess that depends on your height, hand size, physcal condition, etc.
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Re: age, I think it depends if how well you learn new things. Some people learn everything they will ever learn in school, others are life-long learners. As you age, it is harder but not impossible to learn fundamentally new things. Given your interest, you are likely the life-long learner type.
Re: body, I would suggest either something smaller, or learning how to shift your hand position (e.g. thumb-pivot) to avoid big stretches.
Re: body, I would suggest either something smaller, or learning how to shift your hand position (e.g. thumb-pivot) to avoid big stretches.
I say do it. And have fun with it. Do not, I repeat, do not take it serious to the point where it stops being fun. Have fun first.
Respectfully, this is what I mean with taking it too seriously. Have fun first. Take it from there.
Respectfully, this is what I mean with taking it too seriously. Have fun first. Take it from there.
I was taught a lesson years ago and it’s this: in 10 years you’ll be 10 years older, but if you start learning a skill now, you’ll be 10 years into that skill. In other words, say in 10 years I’m so glad I started learning bass 10 years ago! And getting an inexpensive keyboard and learning that at the same time might be a big help. Absolutely do it, you’ll be glad you did.
I’m 50y/o and I have been playing music most of my life trumpet/bass/guitar. Right now I also have both arthritis and carpal tunnel issues. Playing is becoming difficult and the more I play the more it hurts later. Just beware of what you wish for.
i'm 66 with arthritis, and i'd recommend a short scale bass ahead of a uke bass for one reason - uke bass strings are thicker (otherwise they'd be too floppy). but if you try one, you might like them. i use d'addario super light short scale strings on short scale basses for a low tension, pain-free playing experience. regular light strings can hurt my fingers, btw.
i'd recommend you check out an ibanez mikro bass (which is an extra short scale) or a squier bronco or maybe a squier or fender mustang.
hope you go for it. playing an instrument can be so satisfying.
i'd recommend you check out an ibanez mikro bass (which is an extra short scale) or a squier bronco or maybe a squier or fender mustang.
hope you go for it. playing an instrument can be so satisfying.
enjoy some music by playing some of it while growing personally, win/win/win! good luck --- welcome to TB!
Never too late to learn! I feel like the bass uke and really flexible strings might be the best bet given the issues you mention, however, absolutely try the electric upright or anything else you want to play.
Go for it!
I'm 67, retired and started bass only a couple years ago. Full scale, one-finger-per-fret playing wasn't comfortable on the five old sausages at the end of my hands. Things got better when I switched to short and medium scale bass while using the Simandl method. My expectations aren't grand. For the most part, I play along with songs at home cuz my wife likes when I play (she must be tone deaf with no sense of timing...LOL). It's been fun! Oh, and then there's GAS...
I'm 67, retired and started bass only a couple years ago. Full scale, one-finger-per-fret playing wasn't comfortable on the five old sausages at the end of my hands. Things got better when I switched to short and medium scale bass while using the Simandl method. My expectations aren't grand. For the most part, I play along with songs at home cuz my wife likes when I play (she must be tone deaf with no sense of timing...LOL). It's been fun! Oh, and then there's GAS...
I'm 71 and I retired 12 years ago. I've play music since I was 9 when my parents started me on accordion lessons in 1961. I later added piano, guitar, electric bass and upright. I've played pretty much continuously since in various bands and by myself. I was basically a weekend warrior all that time, not making any money but having a blast playing.
I can empathisize with your issues having suffered a minor stroke a little over 5 years ago which effected my right side which deprived me of my ability to play guitar, piano and upright as effectively as I used to. I had been playing mostly electric bass at the time of the stroke. Afterwards I had issues coordinating my right and left hands but a lot of practice over a couple of days and simplifying my parts allowed me to play a show two days after I was released from the hospital. I told that to my neurologist during a follow up visit and his jaw dropped and simply didn't beleive it.
Things have since imprved but, playing-wise, I'm still only about 80% of where I was before the stroke.
I currently play only electric bass and instruments I've modified or DIY'd to be easier for me to play.
If I may I'd like to suggest that a lightweight shortscale electric bass of about 28.5" or 30" scale might be easier for your condition. I find an offset waist body works best for me since I have to sit when I play and the offset moves the fingerboard to the left a couple ofinches making it easier for me to play.
I make good use of a Hofner Ignition Club bass which is very light at under 5 lbs but not offset. It happens to be a hollowbody so it has a "upright reminsicent" tone.
Good luck in your quest.
I can empathisize with your issues having suffered a minor stroke a little over 5 years ago which effected my right side which deprived me of my ability to play guitar, piano and upright as effectively as I used to. I had been playing mostly electric bass at the time of the stroke. Afterwards I had issues coordinating my right and left hands but a lot of practice over a couple of days and simplifying my parts allowed me to play a show two days after I was released from the hospital. I told that to my neurologist during a follow up visit and his jaw dropped and simply didn't beleive it.
Things have since imprved but, playing-wise, I'm still only about 80% of where I was before the stroke.
I currently play only electric bass and instruments I've modified or DIY'd to be easier for me to play.
If I may I'd like to suggest that a lightweight shortscale electric bass of about 28.5" or 30" scale might be easier for your condition. I find an offset waist body works best for me since I have to sit when I play and the offset moves the fingerboard to the left a couple ofinches making it easier for me to play.
I make good use of a Hofner Ignition Club bass which is very light at under 5 lbs but not offset. It happens to be a hollowbody so it has a "upright reminsicent" tone.
Good luck in your quest.
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You are focusing on the instrument part. It sounds like you would also be taking up an additional hobby: learning how music works, and how the bass functions within standard structures. Learning about music goes hand in hand with learning how to play bass. Can't really do one without the other!
IMHO An electric EUB is a lot of work to learn on physically.
A short scale bass will be easier.
A short scale bass will be easier.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Are you breathing? If so, the answer is nope, not too late.
