I answered the Ad - terrified - having the best time of my life

21

Way to go YOU!!!
A friend from way back saw I was learning bass and sent back “why did the bass player miss her second lesson? Because she had a gig!”
It’s kinda true and I’m so happy for you!

I’ve been a classical french horn player forever - losing my chops and always wanted to play bass so here I am at almost 60. Not a whole lot translates between these two instruments so it’s breaking my brain but is it, as you say, SO MUCH FUN!!!

10 Likes
22

Welcome @lyric.kinard ! Greetings from France. Since you played the “french” horn, you might as well say that you’re learning how to play the “guitare basse”! SO MUCH FUN is spot on! You’ll enjoy your time here.

5 Likes
23

Welcome to the forum @lyric.kinard

I played piano as a kid and mallet instruments in HS, so I’ve always read music through the lens of a keyboard layout. The fretboard has definitely been a challenge for my brain!

3 Likes
24

I was a piano player for most of my life as well. Is your fingerboard issue the same as mine was - seeming weird to go lower on the neck (on a higher string) to get a higher note? For me it was like “no, if i’m on a note on the fifth fret, going up a third should be a higher fret, not a lower one!”

2 Likes
25

What a great story to start my day! Congratulations @cheveedodd ! Try to post a video when you feel comfortable.

3 Likes
26

What an awesome story! Congratulations!

3 Likes
27

That is awesome! Not only for you, but it is a good lesson for the rest of us on here. Thanks for sharing!

3 Likes
28

That’s awesome! Must feel great to be back out there playing again! Pretty soon it will be gigs.

3 Likes
29

What a great story! Thanks for sharing.

3 Likes
30

Hahaha - it’s a lot easier to find the time to practice bass, there are simply more available hours to practice, it doesn’t need to be played as loud and you can use headphones for anytime practice.

1 Like
31

This is so cool & inspiring! Nice job putting yourself out there.

2 Likes
32

Thanks @allisonbru and welcome to the community!

1 Like
33

Good for you! Getting out of our comfort zone is the only way to improve and learn.

3 Likes
34

Congrats, thanks for sharing your story! That takes major courage to answer a JAZZ ad without a jazz background.

If I may butt in on the low Eb issue…

  • Jazz was established as an idiom with upright bass initially, so in most contexts it is totally legit to play a standard tuned 4 string bass and NOT have access to a low Eb.
  • I have played hundreds of jazz gigs on a 4 string, and you can too (if you want to :slight_smile: )
  • The Hipshot D-tuner is a great solution if you’re like me and don’t like 5 strings!
9 Likes
35

Thank you! We’ve had 8 rehearsals now and I find myself staying in second position more than I expected. Using the Eb on the A string is just fine. Maybe some day I’ll try a 5, but I’ve adjusted my thinking.

I do venture up to first position sometimes just to hear those thumps. :smiley:

10 Likes
36

I just got messaged by a drummer on Bandmix looking to start up a shoegaze / dream pop thing. I am the only bassist in Denver (on Bandmix) that had any of those keywords in my profile. He’s early 50s, so I don’t have to worry about being almost 50 myself and playing with kids younger than my daughters. Pretty excited. Kinda scared shitless. It’s almost time to do the thing though.

17 Likes
37

Yes. Do it…and keep us posted.

2 Likes
38

Hey congrats, that was awesome to read!

And thanks a lot for sharing this great, inspiring and heart warming story.

It really motivates me to keep learning and improving.

Thxs and keep grooving :love_you_gesture:

4 Likes
39

Getting the job done.

Only thing that matters, only that slice of time.

Phrase by phrase, section by section, to the complete song.

Good job.

2 Likes
40

Wow, this is truly inspirational and heartwarming! I’m in the same boat, but you have 1 year on me in age. Thank you for sharing :slight_smile:

4 Likes