Are You Too Old To Play Bass?

I get a lot of questions from people wondering if they're past the magical cutoff to start learning bass (or any other instrument). My short answer is NO!!! Play bass! It's fun! There's no age cutoff! I've had a number of students in their 60's and they all have a good time and make progress. Go for it.

[taino]

Five years ago I bought my first bass when I was 58 years old. It took a few years but now me and a couple of other senior guitarists get together to jam every Sunday afternoon for a few hours and we're having the time of our lives.

[ivanbourrage]

I'm also 62 years young and bought a Yamaha bass last xmas and have a love of the instrument and love the sound of the bass I also think Marcus Miller is Awesome but understand he has his own unique sound as well as Stanley Clarke love your channel keep me motivated

[Alberts_Stuff]

I just bought my dad a bass starter kit for his 73rd birthday, he's never played an instrument before and is gonna go balls deep with it 👌🏼

[kal]

For my 35th birthday I purchased a bass guitar. I still have no idea what I am doing, but when I sit down with it - I don't care. It feels right. It makes me smile. Even if I never manage to piece it all together in a traditional manner -- I'll have tried! :-)

[sweetjohnny]

I wasn't going to comment, but Mr. Fossgreen asked nicely. I'm 41 and was thinking how I really wanted to play bass growing up but never did. Then I realized I'm an adult and the only thing stopping me now were excuses. I sound like doodoo but I'm having a blast. Big thanks to Josh and BassBuzz, the best info for a beginner I've found.

[garywall]

As a 69 yr old I just got my first bass guitar, i did think that I was to old but hey im also learning to roller blade!!! Thankyou for this video, im a great beleiver that age is a mental thing, in my mind im 40 just don't look in the mirror to often 😅 I started learning acoustic guitar at 64, at 65 I had a quadruple bypass so had to slow down a bit. Ive no intention of sitting around waiting to pop off!! If you fancy doing something then just jolly well do it. We have but one life this is not a rehearsal for the next. Go for it. Thankyou again you are an inspirational young man. Best wishes to you. Gary.

[karlschraml]

I started playing at 15. I gave it up at 24. Started again at 45....Loving it! I have missed it for years. YouTube has helped me so much in last few months.... I am a better player now than I was before.

[NelsonMontana]

They say you have to start very young but what people don't realize is that adults learn at a much faster rate than children. The big difference, of course, is that adults don't have as much free time. Wes Montgomery didn't start playing until his 20's and had to practice after work. Beethoven didn't bloom until his 30's. Van Gogh started painting 10 years before he died. Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn at 49. It ain't over till they close that box. Do it.

[dozerhd]

I’m 59 and learning the bass. I’ve been playing for about 5 months now and love it! Josh has been helping me since Christmas with his course. I’m not trying to sell his course at all. I’m just saying that’s how I’m learning. Good luck to everyone and bass on!!

[bluxseven]

I am 74 and just started TRYING to play bass (at 73). Never played an instrument before although I did buy a bass in 2001 but never had time to learn.
For some people it may possibly be too late but NOT for me!

[leannehardy]

I'm almost 40 and bought a ukulele in May, which is so much fun. Now I want a bass! When I get one, I'll be back to this channel to start learning. Playing an instrument is a great stress reliever for me and keeps my attention focused in a positive way. Found this channel when looking for Ian Dury bass tutorials.

[Ddog]

49 year old learner here. Started about a year ago. Progression is hard and occasionally frustrating, but well worth the effort and loads of fun too!

[yesmissjane]

Thanks Josh, I really appreciated this. I am 44. I started playing bass last year. I'm still an absolute beginner, but I am loving it.

[stevenwalker]

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I always wanted to play bass but thought I was too old. Being bored at home because of covid. At 55yrs old I decided to buy my first bass 3 weeks ago.

[thomasmcnamara]

Love the topic. Had this elderly woman coming to our gigs and she said she wanted to learn 2 play bass at her church. I thought this was way 2 cool. I ended up giving her an old beater bass I had, and a couple of lessons, and now she plays at her church. NEVER TOO OLD!

[matthewortiz]

thanks Josh...Just retired at 55yrs old...and made bass my first instrument I ever picked up...enjoying it to...

[waltholly]

I started playing bass at 71, with no prior string instrument experience.   I have sung bass in choirs since high school, and enjoy the bass contribution.    I am now 74, play regularly with people who play a banjo, keyboard, recorder, flute, guitar, and strummed dulcimer. We play for sr.centers, churches, festivals, and nursing homes an average of twice/month and   My appreciation for the structure and performance of music improves daily.  
 I also play weekly in an open-mic cafe. with whomever asks me.   
So,  even at the root-3rd-5th level, learning bass late in life is a great experience for me.

[rayrhodes]

great topic Josh - I am 59 - I started photography 6 years ago and love creativity - and now through inspiration from my children I am now a beginner bass player - my fingers are starting to respond to my wishes - even at my age you will gain lots of muscle memory and even more incredible is how your mind responds - learning new things keeps your mind alive
When my daughter gets home from music school this summer we are going to play a song together - I can hardly wait  
So anyone thinking of starting down the path of music - no matter what your age just
DO IT

[cookiemobers]

I'm 56, just bought my Schecter Stiletto, I'm dead beginner, but I fucking LOVE IT! There are so many different options available these days, without having to have 'real' lessons. Youtube is wonderful, and the availability of bass tabs on the internet, is amazing. I want to learn bass lines for Japanese rock songs that I love, I don't care if I ever perform in front of anyone. So let's hear it for us older folks that have decided to learn something new!

[timkearns]

Awesome---thanks, Josh. I'm 73.  I started playing upright bass at age 10 in the school orchestra.  I kept playing and loved jazz.  I sold my bass for the money when I got married (50 years ago) but still played every time I got my hands on a bass---with decades in between.  Now, I want Music back in my life.  I set myself up with an electric upright, figuring it's easier to manage than an acoustic.  The music's in my head but---ooppps---I don't know where the sounds are anymore.  Oh, and this time it's been 35 years since I played last.  After weathering a fleeting sense of loss, I got a bass guitar and looked online for lessons, and by God I'm going to teach myself to play bass again.  I want to get the bass I play in my head OUTSIDE so I can go outside and play!  Thanks for the encouragement. Right On!!