When you hit your 40's and 50's...

[lunarpollen]

What wife and kids? You mean two Persian cats? I'm almost 48 and the only thing keeping me from playing more bass is the size and layout of my apartment (i.e., way too small and poorly designed). But these past couple years I've been playing bass in bands more than ever... I just wish I could play more at home...

 

[gsmonks]

I enjoy reading all your replies. As seasoned players we have the chops, just need to find time and motivation to keep putting in the effort. Reading your stance on things and the experience you guys have being in a family but also being a bassist is seriously nice and something I can very much relate to. Thanks so much for sharing!

I am a very noisy and busy person. The wife is happy to finally be alone for a while when I am off for my bass lessons (started taking lessons after 30 years of playing can you believe it?) on tuesday nights and band rehearsals on thursday nights.

Still I am craving for more music in my life...
And ... My 13 year old daughter just informed me she really wants to learn to play the bass guitar!

HOW GOOD IS THAT?

Technique has come so far since we were young that'll she'll probably pass you in no time

 

[Renegade bass]

Played 6 string in a cover band turn of century, girlfriends, fiancee, wedding, mortgage, kids meant that six stringed shenanigans took a back seat.

Fast forward to 2017, separated, moved out, divorce. Met some good friends and started jamming. Lost my job but, severance pay meant I could add a bass and amp to the collection. Jams turned into rehearsals, gear was sold, upgraded and, just before lock down we were getting ready to gig.

Still waiting. But plenty of time now to perfect the set and write our own stuff.

 

[Renegade bass]

The current setup, just waiting for another chance to give it some...

 

[RodneyMac]

I just turned 60...still woodshedding and shredding (when I can find an hour or so in the day). When Covid is over I hope to be back out playing live.

 

[Johnny Crab]

65 now.
When children were still at home, being in a cubicle most of the day AND having learned severe time management early on....

1) Put every song(band list or otherwise) that you want to learn on an mp3 player or your "smart" phone. Listen to that 24/7, while driving, etc.
2) Got a Behringer V-Amp 3(prefer it to Line 6 bean or the Behringer bass bean), Altec Lansing system in the cubicle, and a set of SONY MDR7506 headphones. Use either.
3) The same setup can be used at home when others can't be disturbed by your practice. With children grown and moved out, at home I practice with a Helix + small mixer run into some full range gear. Wife knows our songs or songs I'm learning.....sometimes starts singing along with them from the other room.
4) Enjoy and HAVE FUN!

At work:

At play, Exploring Exercise