I'm 46 and thinking about coming back to playing bass. Only Double Bass this time insted of electric. What's the oldest anyone has heard of a person starting new on double bass? Trying to decide if I'm to old to do this.
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Double Bass Whats the oldest someone has started double bass?
- Thread starter icehead
- Start date
I don't know what the oldest would be but I'll say this: You're not too old. Not by a long shot. Have at it and enjoy!
I'm just 2 years behind you (44), and it's not stopping me from starting my quest. After all, we have the rest of our lives to figure it out.
I played some double in the 70's and just started playing electric again 4 years ago. I plan to take up Double Bass when I retire at 65. i am 63 know and barely have enough time to keep up to my bass guitar!!!
You're still young.
I play with an 87 year old fiddler that recently suggested I show him how to play bass if he helps me with the fiddle. I think he was serious, but he's so busy fiddling, hiking, and doing community volunteer jobs that he might not get around to learning to play bass until he's 95. The guy acts like he's 25!
I play with an 87 year old fiddler that recently suggested I show him how to play bass if he helps me with the fiddle. I think he was serious, but he's so busy fiddling, hiking, and doing community volunteer jobs that he might not get around to learning to play bass until he's 95. The guy acts like he's 25!
You're looking for feedback, so I'll go out on a limb and ask you back: What does it matter how old anyone else was when they started?
"Trying to decide if I'm to old to do this."
Well unless you have health problems that prevent you from physically dealing with the instrument, what would your age have to do with it?
The only questions I can think of are:
- Do you want to do it bad enough to work at it some and
- Can you get a hold of a playable double bass.
Answer those and you're decision's made.
We're all going to be dead a _l-o-o-n-g_ time. So enjoy now!
Nice to see the positive replies here, I'm 51 and think about getting a double bass every day.
I barely have time for my electric bass and have only gotten back into playing recently just for fun. I don't plan on ever becoming a successful performer, but most of the fun for me comes from learning anyway.
I know double bass is far more physically demanding, but I don't see why someone couldn't learn and have fun with it.
Hope the one I'm eyeballing is still for sale when I get ready
I barely have time for my electric bass and have only gotten back into playing recently just for fun. I don't plan on ever becoming a successful performer, but most of the fun for me comes from learning anyway.
I know double bass is far more physically demanding, but I don't see why someone couldn't learn and have fun with it.
Hope the one I'm eyeballing is still for sale when I get ready
I'll be 51 in August and I am thinking about doing it. I don't think you are ever too old to learn something new.
Oh, there I did itI used a smiley.I don't know about double bass, but I'm 46 and just picked up the electric bass. I wondered if I was too old to still learn, but it's something that I always wanted to learn and I decided to stop waitin around. I think we all get to the point in life that we realize that all of those things that "I'm gonna do someday" will never get accomplished without jumping in with both feet and some commitment.
Best of luck to ya!
Best of luck to ya!
I'm 50, and have been messing with an Eminence (semi-acoustic db from G. Edward Lutherie/Gary E. Bartig) for a couple of years.
I've done a few gigs on it. These instruments come with a quite playable setup. I think set-up is really important, especially for electric bass players who are a bit intimidated with the physical shift to DB strings and overall mechanics. Of course there's an adjustment; but a well-setup DB is not such a bear, once you get a few weeks and months of experience.
I'm getting ready to order up a New Standard Cleveland (large-ish, high-quality plywood DB). I can't wait to make an acoustic sound that's more akin to the classic jazz recordings that I love!
I couldn't care less about my age, or anyone else's. I just want to make that sound.
I've done a few gigs on it. These instruments come with a quite playable setup. I think set-up is really important, especially for electric bass players who are a bit intimidated with the physical shift to DB strings and overall mechanics. Of course there's an adjustment; but a well-setup DB is not such a bear, once you get a few weeks and months of experience.
I'm getting ready to order up a New Standard Cleveland (large-ish, high-quality plywood DB). I can't wait to make an acoustic sound that's more akin to the classic jazz recordings that I love!
I couldn't care less about my age, or anyone else's. I just want to make that sound.
The oldest record of a person taking up double bass was a 102 year old man who lived in India. He posted on an early format of TalkBass and asked if he should get a Thomann or wait and save his money for something more reputable. Then he asked if it would be possible to teach himself to play because he played electric bass for 84 year and was quickly told to find a teacher.
Sorry, once you get past 34 years 5 months old, you're too old to learn double bass. It just won't work. Scientific studies have confirmed this fact.
Only kidding.
I would have been in my mid forties when I started and it's been great.
Things to consider:
P.S the other DB player in my orchestra is over 70 and he just started learning euphonium for fun!! Never too old!
Only kidding.
I would have been in my mid forties when I started and it's been great.
Things to consider:
- Do you want to play jazz/folk etc (pizz styles) or orchestral (arco style)? This affects your choice and setup of gear.
- I personally wouldn't recommend an Electric Upright Bass because to me they sound like electrics not real uprights, and if I want that sound a fretless is easier. Besides, nothing better than holding that great big upright body
- Good technique is quite different on DB from electric. I'd recommend getting some lessons, and even if you are not going orchestral I would probably study the "proper" orchestral method (by a guy called Simandl) since it is the most efficient way I can think of to get a good technical grounding.
- YMMV but for me it was hard at first to go from being a competent paid player to a noob, particularly in orchestra where there was a steep learning curve. Be prepared for that, but don't let it put you off....climbing that curve turns out to be a LOT of fun.
P.S the other DB player in my orchestra is over 70 and he just started learning euphonium for fun!! Never too old!
