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

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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!!!

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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.

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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!

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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!”

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

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What an awesome story! Congratulations!

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

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

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What a great story! Thanks for sharing.

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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.

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

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Thanks @allisonbru and welcome to the community!

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

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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!
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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:

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