Space Chick Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I have always loved bass lines to music and always loved the sound of the bass. Following a few dramatic events (my heart problems, family illnesses, neighbour dying etc etc) I decided life was too short, and following a rather timely bit of unexpected cash I have taken the plunge and bought an electric bass guitar and amp I had my first lesson today and I LOVED it My teacher said that in 30 years of teaching the bass, he had never had a grown woman ask for lessons He was pleased with me, told me I put men to shame and I can already do a mean 12 bar blues I'm so excited by it all, I had to share. I'm only ever going to play for my own pleasure (it's certainly not next stop, world tour in a rock band ) but after a jamming session with OH (who dabbles with the normal guitar) I know I am going to have fun So any other Omleteers that picked up an instrument as an adult? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Well done you - that sounds great! I started having singing lessons about four years ago in my late forties, and it's one of the best things I've ever done. I'm not going to be booking the Albert Hall, but my voice has improved beyond my expectations, I took and passed Grade VI Singing last year, and I just love my lessons. Music is a really important part of my life and I think everyone should have access to some way of making it. The only downside is turning up to Grade exams and being the oldest person in the room apart from the examiner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 My teacher mentioned exams to me Olly don't know about that yet Great about your singing Music is great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I just want to say well done you! I have found the older I get the harder it is for new information (like music notes) to stay in my brain. I keep meaning to teach myself keyboard though. My ED taught herself normal guitar (she was 13 mind) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Good on you, sounds fab. Sounds to me as if you have a natural talent for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Just wanted to say well done too, I think everyone should try and do something they really want to do, for me it's anything to do with animals, have had some wonderful interactions, one of the most memorable being walking with a tame lioness. At one point she lay down, rolled over and just looked into my eyes, I will remember that moment forever. Hope you really enjoy your music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 OMG I'd LOVE to walk with a tame lioness I have a mini panther (well an all black moggie with ideas above her station!) at home though.....she's 7 parts affectionate, 3 parts wild only today she decided she'd play rough whilst I was smoothing her I have the bite marks and a big smile to prove it She hasn't been impressed with my bass playing, although her son (the cute but dim tabby) is far more accepting of my new found hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Brilliant Spacechick! Well done you, I love the sound of a bass guitar! I have thought about learning the sax, but don't seem to have time for anything nowadays! Always something going on! I started doing musicals at school and after watching one rather cringe-worthy video of a show I was in, I starting having singing lessons.I loved it and would go every week for around 6 years! I reached grade 7 in my exams, but haven't sung properly for years. I would really like to join a choir, but with my shift pattern, getting every Tuesday, etc would be tricky. Make a recording of your practise sessions and file them away for future reference. It is amazing how quickly you improve with practice. (my singing teacher recorded my first ever lesson without telling me and gave me the cassette 6 months on - shocking)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 A few years ago I went to some drumming classes. Apparently I'm rather good at it & women are better at drumming than men Then I gave it up because of this & that... When I was teenager my mum forced me to do cello. I hated it & she finally let me give it up when I threatened to throw the cello down the stairs (spike irst ). Now I regret it, but hey ho, I was never going to be Jacquelaine Du Pre... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Well done Debs Rosie is learning electric guitar but not the bass, so you could play with her when you're both up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Good for you SpaceChick! Sounds like you are totally loving it I have just ordered a ukulele with the intention of trying to learn to play! I played the clarinet in my youth and intend to go back to it one day but fancied a new challenge and also (hopefully) to get my children used to seeing and hearing musical instruments - however badly played! I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands three years ago and I'm really starting to feel it which worries me as I'm a mere 33 years old (but have the joints of someone twice my age I reckon!) so I'm trying to keep my fingers busy and moving. Keep us updated with your progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Mollyripkin Did you know that the Wolf Conservation Trust near Reading does walks with wolves - I used to be a member when I lived nearby. Yvonne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 My OH played the clarinet as a youngster and so did our ED. OH has hired or bought quite a few instruments over the years but hasn't got the time or patience so hasn't got much beyond the James Bond theme on the guitar, DS can do a mean 7 Nation Army on the guitar but not a lot else. YD is a good singer, I keep trying to persuade her to have lessons at school. As for me well I love music of most genre, but have no natural rhythm and can't sing for toffee. My OH bought me a keyboard for my birthday 6 years ago and it is still sitting unused. It is a lovely thing just one actave short of a full paino keyboard, and has a grand piano sound, i just haven't had the time, it is still on my list of things to do though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Well done Debs Rosie is learning electric guitar but not the bass, so you could play with her when you're both up to it. I can just see it now A rock gig at Tasha's field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Yeah, why not! She's just started the clarinet too but isn't up to much with that yet - the local Ed auth has an initiative where you get on on free loan and free lessons to encourage children to take up a wind instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Well done Debs! I think music affects us on a very emotional level - even more so as we get older, so often learning a musical instrument as a child can be very frustrating as the emotion isn't yet there. I learnt recorder as a child, so at least I had a grasp of how to read music, but that was it. In my 30's I bought a second hand clarinet, did a bit of teach yourself and had a few lessons. Invested in a lovely wooden clarinet and started to play in our church music group about 10 years ago now. I love it! I love music but can't sing for toffee so this is my way of really appreciating a good tune! Never did any exams, and have taught myself to transpose and harmonise. It takes on a whole new level when you start to play along with a group - that feeling of being in time with the others and weaving your part of the tune in and out of theirs is absolutely amazing (especially when it all goes right and you don't play any duff notes ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Well done Debs I used to play the piano and did my exams but then teenage stroppiness kicked in and I stopped. Same with singing in the choir My singing voice is horrendous now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Nice one! I have 2 sons learning drums & guitar which they love - both making rapid progress thanks to lots of practice and enlightened teachers who help them learn by playing the music the lads like (ES is running through American Idiot and Smells Like Teen Spirit with his drum teacher as I type). I played piano as a littlun, moved on to cello & voice later. I always fancied a go on bass but it looks like ES may beat me to it. He already plays in 2 bands, one traditional school wind band and a rock band - they write and record their own material already (they're all 12 and 13). I got so much out of music and still do, and am so pleased to see my boys enjoying it the same way. The only downside of having drummers is that I am now demoted to being their roadie ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Wow Yvonne thank you do much for that, definitely off to research that as Reading is not too far for us, went to Mauritius for the the lioness so Reading is a doddle! For my birthday hubby treated me to an encounter with lemurs and also red pandas which were so cute. I have even done one with snow leopards which are so rare, the female even licked my hand, which I got told off for because of infection. Like I was going to be able to stop her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 (edited) Link to walking with wolves... click Hope this works Y Edited May 22, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I took up playing the piano just a few years ago and love it. I can now play simple pieces of music that don't have' Really Easy' before the name! I have a lovely teacher called Ken who puts up with my shift pattern ( he calls me his timetable nomad........I take the cancellation slots!) Mr W plays ukulele ( he has two Ukes), he is off to a weekend course at Benslow Music school next weekend. he only took up the Uke a couple of years ago. My piano teacher says he prefers adult pupils 'cause they do their homework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Well done from me too I think it's much harder to do new things as an adult, esp when it comes to lessons. Keep it up & have fun. Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
