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Double Bass Too old to take the plunge?

#21
do it and keep your mind on small accomplishments.. that's the hardest drill there.
The playing will start to happen and will make you very very happy every time you score a small victory or licks come together. I write a diary, a practice log, to keep my focus with practicing. I also have an intense IT job working all hours,, but I figured I am able to put in almost 10 hours weekly on a good week into music.
It can be tough to keep on keeping on in a small way like that, but it does work! Go for it!
 
#25
I'm 49 and started electric with no prev experience at 39. Never thought I'd play with anyone but my iPod or anywhere outside my home....now I'm having a ball with a cover band. IMHO you only live once, and not much happens after that.....I say go for it BUT make your only expectation to improve from 1 month to the next, and make the journey the goal. Oh yeah-and try and find a teacher who'll understand your situation and do 2 lessons/month.
 
#26
I'm 33, started 4 years ago, no experience prior, got into a band with 6 months of playing and 2 years after that formed a pretty decent working cover band. I too have a jazz obsession, and quit the cover band to focus on that( one of many reasons) I work 56- 72 hours a week and have two small children, but I do fit at least an hour a day in. I usually get about 1 one hour session with my bass teacher a month, sometimes more, but even with the sporadic lessons, I feel it's worth my advancement. I too would like to get a DB some day, and hope my theory of the BG will transfer easily, so the only thing I would have to worry about is the technique end of it. In your case....do it, you only live once.
 
#29
I'm a busy businessman and father and started at 50 when my son got his first guitar.

It is a much more practical hobby than most because you can enjoy it at home in short periods of time....and jazz is perfect for mellow solo work after a long day at the office.

I think part of the key to enjoying hobbies of all kinds is to find the fun even in the beginning stages. If an activity is not enjoyable to do as a beginner, maybe its not your thing. If it is, getting better is optional and not a chore.

One way I keep things low pressure is to schedule lessons one or two at a time (aiming for 2-4 per year) and mostly do self study. A more regular routine would add stress to my life and suck the joy out of the music.

My son read somewhere that the key to getting better is to keep it fun - because you will keep coming back and picking up the guitar. I think thats right. I have gear ready to go in three rooms in the house because it encourages me to pick up and play more often.

I have some trouble with my hands. That helps me keep the balance in my life. I can't practice for very long before the pain kicks in.

Go for it...geezers rule!
 
#30
If you've got the passion and an hour a day, DO IT!!!

Just have some patience. Playing the double bass (and jazz) takes a lot more time. You have to put in a lot of work before you reap the full rewards! I started in my late 20s, I've found that taking the challenge has brought enormous joy into my life (joy that is proportional to the work invested).

You're never too old to start, but you can get too old to put it off!
 
#31
I'm 66 and I began playing my odd bass only a couple of years ago. I, too, have a passion for jazz, but I'll probably never play it except with play-alongs, which is fun in itself.

But last year I joined an amateur bluegrass band and we practice together regularly and I practice in between. It's not jazz, but I'm finding ways to connect Is, IVs and Vs in some interesting ways, influenced by jazz. It's a gas and I intend to expand on it. I think I've got another 10 or 15 years of playing in me, and that'll be fun.

So, just do it.
 
#33
Here are the pros and cons based on what I have done. I never switched to double bass but did get in to playing jazz after years of rock and blues.

Pro - Double bass players are fairly rare so you should be able to get a gig.

Pro - Jazz musicians who aren't part of the rhythm section are even more self obsessed and egotistical than your typical rock lead guitarist. This means as long as you are banging out a four in the bar walking bass line they are happy because they can solo all over it which is all most of them are interested in.

Pro - You have a love of the music and learning jazz bass will increase that enjoyment.

Con - Jazz musicians are (agan, only in my experience) deeply scathing of 'outsiders' and people who aren't already steeped in jazz theory. For some reason they seem reluctant to share their passion with others who want to learn and all the kudos is on it being an exclusive club.

Con - Double bass is limited in its applications in popular music beyond jazz so you really would be zoning in and investing in a specialist field.

Con - Learning to read can take a lot of time and it is expected in most jazz circles.

All just based on my own experience but I hope it helps.

Oh, and don't worry about walking bass lines, just get hold of Ed Friedland's excellent book.
 
#34
Con - Jazz musicians are (agan, only in my experience) deeply scathing of 'outsiders' and people who aren't already steeped in jazz theory. For some reason they seem reluctant to share their passion with others who want to learn and all the kudos is on it being an exclusive club.



Sorry you've had this experience! May I recommend [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] ? We're a group of jazz pros (and conservatoire teachers) dedicated to spreading jazz knowledge. This weekend we have a Bass Festival where you can come and learn from Steve Watts, Peter Ind and Neville Malcolm. Scathing banned!
 
#36
davidjackson said:
Con - Jazz musicians are (agan, only in my experience) deeply scathing of 'outsiders' and people who aren't already steeped in jazz theory. For some reason they seem reluctant to share their passion with others who want to learn and all the kudos is on it being an exclusive club.
Click to expand...

Ain't gonna touch this with a ten foot pole!


davidjackson said:
Con - Double bass is limited in its applications in popular music beyond jazz so you really would be zoning in and investing in a specialist field.
Click to expand...

Absolutely not true. There is significant demand for talented creative musicians playing upright bass in almost every genre, from hip hop to funk, rock to world music and beyond. What you bring to the table as a musician is what is important; not the instrument.
 
#37
Cacklingjackyl said:
Yeah. I did. I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I'm going for it. You only live once, and I don't want to regret not trying. Appreciate the kick in the pants!
Click to expand...

Good for you! When you get some time in I'd recommend the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp in Louisville, KY. There are many other opportunities around the US to participate in Jazz Classes and Camps for players of all ages. Here in Nashville we have the Nashville Jazz Workshop and the majority of students are Older Professionals (Doctors, Lawyers, IT Folk, etc.) who love learning about and playing Jazz.
www.jajazz.com
www.nashvillejazz.org
 
#38
BASSDROID said:
Absolutely not true. There is significant demand for talented creative musicians playing upright bass in almost every genre, from hip hop to funk, rock to world music and beyond. What you bring to the table as a musician is what is important; not the instrument.
Click to expand...

Absolutely not true. There is no "significant demand" for upright bass players in hip hop, funk, rock or even world music (though you are stretching the definition of 'popular music' there anyway). You get in touch with 100 people working in any of those genres and offer your services as a double bass player. How many "yes, we are interested" responses do you think you would get? My guess is less than 1 in 100 - hardly signifcant.

Limited supply does not equal signifcant demand. Hip hop artists would also struggle to get hold of talented hammered dulcimer players but that doesn't mean they are looking for them...
 
#40
davidjackson said:
Absolutely not true. There is no "significant demand" for upright bass players in hip hop, funk, rock or even world music (though you are stretching the definition of 'popular music' there anyway). You get in touch with 100 people working in any of those genres and offer your services as a double bass player. How many "yes, we are interested" responses do you think you would get? My guess is less than 1 in 100 - hardly signifcant.

Limited supply does not equal signifcant demand. Hip hop artists would also struggle to get hold of talented hammered dulcimer players but that doesn't mean they are looking for them...
Click to expand...


I get a lot of 'yes we are interested' responses - I just don't get any phone calls saying that my services are needed. I am the only double bassist listed in the area - still no phone calls.
 

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