Jon Liebman
October 5, 2026
You still love the music. So give yourself a chance to play it.
Have you ever wondered whether you’re too old to play bass?
Maybe you’ve never played before. Maybe you’re thinking about picking it up again after years away. Either way, it’s easy to let that question keep you from getting started.
In this week’s video, I share a funny halftime-show moment that made me realize I might be getting older—and why I wish you could meet some of my students in their 70s, 80s, even 90s.
Getting older can bring real challenges. But thinking about what you’d actually like to play gives you something specific to work toward. I’ve got a simple suggestion to help you take the first step.
Have you started or returned to bass later in life? Leave a comment below and tell me your story.
I picked up my first ever instrument, a ukulele, at age 72. Very soon, after watching “Get Back” at least 5 times, I realized what I really wanted was to play BASS! I still play ukulele, but now, 5 years later I am the official bassplayer for my ukulele group – and someone tells me every time how much they appreciate me being there…they don’t know or care if I’m just playing root notes, 1-5, 1-4-5, whatever, as long as I lay down the groove and keep everybody in time, which I can do!
Great story, Jeanne, thanks. BTW, there’s not a thing wrong with playing “only” 1-5 and 1-4-5. That’s a big — and very important — part of being a bass player. Keep layin’ it down! 😀