I am 67 years old, and I decided that I wanted to play the Bass
I have played an Acoustic guitar for over 40 years, well, when I say play, I know about 6 chords and am not bad at strumming, and my singing covers up a great deal
So after watching Josh on a few YouTube vids, I invested in a cheap learner Bass. It came with everything that I needed to get started, and surprisingly, after I had it professionally set up, it plays like a dream and was not as expensive as I thought it would be.
Following Josh on YouTube was easy, so I thought that I would purchase the Bass2Badass course, which, as it turns out, was probably the best thing I’ve ever done.
I am just starting Module 4, and I am very happy with the amount that I have learned in a short time. I can go at my own pace and not feel like I am being judged if I go wrong or if it takes me a few tries to master something, and Josh is a fine tutor
I love my Bass, and Josh makes learning fun.
I know things are going to get harder as I progress, but the way Josh teaches is exactly what I need. He makes things understandable and uses humor to get the best out of me.
Thank you for taking the time to read my first post, and as I progress, I hope to share more of my adventure into playing the Bass guitar
Yup, me 2 --Hi, I’ve been wanting to learn to play (reasonably well) for like 30 years. I’m 65. Never to late… I guess I’ll find out. I bought a 2017 Fender P Bass about 3 weeks ago. Setup and ready to go. got a few more items to pick up and then… who knows; but I’m gonna try. my best to all !
Hi,
Thank you for your reply! It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one over 60 trying to learn the bass. If you haven’t considered it yet, I would recommend the Beginner 2 Badass course. Wishing you all the best! Please keep in touch and let me know how you’re progressing.
I kept a diary on here regarding my progress and challenges i faced.
If nothing else, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep your own diary, then you have something to look back on when or if you rerun the course.
Also a late beginner -68! Played acoustic guitar for years - a 3 major and a minor chord guitarist. Started taking proper guitar lessons 2 years ago, and started singing a Cappella - I sing bass, so the next step was to learn bass guitar. Started 6 months ago with B2B, and recently got a private tutor as well. Josh’s lessons have set me up well - I now know how to play roots, fifths, octaves, and am continuing- up to module 12. I LOVE playing bass!
I wanted to express my gratitude to those who took the time to share their comments. This is my first experience using a forum, so please forgive me if I’m not able to reach out personally to thank everyone, as I’m unsure how to do that!
Module 4 is a bit more challenging, but I am determined to learn the notes on the fretboard and finally understand how to read real music. I hope you are all enjoying learning the bass as much as I am.
Keep up the good work! I would love to hear how you’re all progressing, so please feel free to reach out and let me know!
I’m guessing you’re familiar with the fretboard and a few scales, so if you’re anxious to learn your first song, here you go.
Only one note, but it’s all about 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 that note.
Nice song for working on your timing, too.
I’m in module 12 and there are some challenging lessons. I will just say don’t get discouraged, it is not a linear challenge increase. There were a couple of lessons where I thought, geez, if I am struggling with this bassline already I’m going to be dead before the end. That is not the case. You might find one lesson really difficult and the next lesson a lot easier. There were a couple that I printed out the bassline and practiced it for a couple of days before doing the workouts, but as Josh says repeatedly, even if you have a hard time nailing one, keep going.
My plan is to finish and the start it all over from the beginning. This course has been my passion project for a few months now and I’m having a great time.
I’m in module 12, too. I just went back to try Billie Jean again, and it was… easy?
So, all those more experienced Bassbuzzers who keep saying “try Billie Jean again when you get near the end of the course, you’ll be amazed!” are so right!
I haven’t gone back to it yet, I should do that soon. When I got to it I tried for a few minutes and then just laughed and said “this isn’t happening yet,maybe next time through the course”
I am quite surprised at the number of people who have responded to my post, and also humbled you guys are so full of good tips, and you are very encouraging to a new player like myself. This has helped me almost as much as B2B its like I am in a class with other students. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to add to the post, and I hope that you will continue to impart your experience with the course and any issues that you are having.
Reading all your comments is just amazing and you are all helping me to continue plodding along I am enjoying learning to play and its nice to know that you are all out there willing to help a newbie with your encouragement
I am a few modules on from the last time I posted and your right some lessons are challenging and then you get an easy one that to me is just great as I dont now worrie if I will be able to finish the course and all your comments help a great deal
Do continue to add to this post as i am interested in how you all getting along and even if you are having a difficult time with somthing I am sure that there are people out there who also struggled at the some point like yourself and letting others know will get a responce with some good advice and help you get over the hill you are climing
Personally I am having some problems as I have a broken ring finger on my left hand so I somtimes have to use another finger to play the note but I do try to use it and I can definitely feel it getting stronger and perhaps it will not be a problem in the future.
I wonder if anyone out there has any tips about getting more strenght into the left hand and when oh when will the burn as Josh puts it will go away LOL
Hello @cardiac010 and welcome! It’s never too late to start learning to play an instrument. And it keeps the brain young. Music activates both sides of the brain, and creates new connections. It is a good idea to challenge oneself.
I started learning bass some months ago. In the beginning, my fingers hurt afterwards. In part because playing was new to me, and also because I was fretting too hard. Josh tells in the course we should use the minimal amount of pressure needed while fretting. When we find that sweet spot, when we are not pressing too much nor too little, just enough, we save ourselves a lot of trouble.
In the beginning if you feel pain, listen to your body and give your hands a day or more of rest between lessons. Your fingers will get stronger with time, little by little. When I started sometimes I had to use pain-relief gel and had to be careful to not overdo it. But now I can practice for hours. Endurance builds itself slowly.
Is your broken finger an old injury? If it’s healed, you can practice with it, with care. Or you can play with the other fingers.
I just wanted to say to everyone who posted for me that I really appreciated it…
I have had a rather bad year, so this is the first time that I have managed to get on the forum and, indeed, the first time I have been able to play my bass this year.
I am still very keen to learn, but I have decided to restart the course from the beginning, so I hope that you will still post to me and let me know how you have all progressed, your probably all in bands by now lol.
Anyhow, thanks for all the support you have given me, and I look forward to chatting to you all again real soon.
For sure not lol. I do play at church, though. I’ve been playing since 2019 but didn’t take the course until 2023 or 24 and knew next to nothing about playing an instrument. I’ve progressed, albeit slowly.
I hope you have a better year - I’ve been there. Music is a great way to distract from things, and a really good way to stretch your brain and learn new things. Good luck and have fun with the course!
