As you might have read in my other posts about finding a cheap double bass to start learning on (I think I might be getting an Antoni from a place in Peckham!), I am a more than a bit keen on becoming a double bass player. I would love to play professionally which may seem quite a wild idea to some at present. I'm a fair pianist (diploma standard), have a good ear, and have been studying jazz harmony via the Tim Richards books for a while, which I recommend by the way. And have even found someone to teach me double bass, locally which was like finding a needle in a haystack. I couldn't afford to study full time for years anyway but there seem several jazz orchestras at the City Lit and Morley College which would be great to gain experience with. My question is do you think it is possible to become a professional musician at 40 and without going through music college? (If anyone thinks this is a mid life crisis thing, it isn't, I've always wanted to be a musician.) Would be interested to know if anyone knows of any folk who have done this.

The bass is probably the instrument that gives you the best chance of achieving it. It has a more natural playing position than the upper strings and the competition is slightly less fierce, presumably because many people are put off by the transport difficulties. Many modern hatch-backs convert sufficiently to accommodate a bass, but a large estate (I have an old Volvo 940) is easier, and means you can take passengers too.

I came to the conclusion recently that jazz double bass is just about the coolest instrument. We horn players like to think we're the cool ones, but to be honest, there are just too many sax players for that to be true. I was at a gig when I came to this conclusion and the bass player was pretty much dancing with her bass as partner - it was fantastic.

Good luck with it - I think there are plenty of playing opportunities around for bass players in London. I know the summer school I was on recently could have handled a couple more.

Thank you both for your replies. If I end up becoming cool for once into the bargain, even better!!

TSax, which summer school did you attend please?

Best Wishes.
V

Details at www.mehrclef.com - highly recommended

I have to aggree with TSax, the double bass simply stands out. Bass guitars....forget it, the bonus now is that their are so many nice carved double basses coming out of the far east and eBay is good too, i've seen a few sell quite cheaply at around £150. Check out thomann.de and gear4music.com and you'll be able to pick up a laminate bass new for around £300, double that and you get a fully carved solid wood one with all the ebony fittings and finger board!