Munnlos - Posted - 07/09/2012:  00:05:22

Started playing when I was 16. I didn't know there were people this old on the internet :|

Edit: when I was 14, not 16

Edited by - Munnlos on 07/09/2012 00:07:11

Bupahe - Posted - 07/09/2012:  01:32:57

Don't be cheeky young man :) after reading loads of Sci Fi books nearly 60 years ago I personally find the new technology GREAT , things that I read about as a kid are now here.

And why wouldn't someone of my age want to embrace the new technology ?

Also a lot of my generation just didn't have the opportunity or money to do all the things that you kids do now so we do have a lot of catching up to do and why not ?

markjr - Posted - 07/09/2012:  08:34:08

yeah, I remember when I thought 30 was old!

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/09/2012:  09:13:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by Munnlos

Started playing when I was 16. I didn't know there were people this old on the internet :|

Edit: when I was 14, not 16

---

 The older you get the bolder you get!!! And playing banjo athe our ages is very bold and makes a statement---which is WHAT IS AGE ??  I don't feel my age-- playing banjo makes me feel young and recycled!

minstrelmike - Posted - 07/09/2012:  12:45:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by Munnlos

Started playing when I was 14. I didn't know there were people this old on the internet :|

---

 There's an old, old, old New Yorker cartoon from last century that says it all:

On the internet, no one knows you are a dog.

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/09/2012:  13:49:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by minstrelmike

quote:

---

Originally posted by Munnlos

Started playing when I was 14. I didn't know there were people this old on the internet :|

---

 There's an old, old, old New Yorker cartoon from last century that says it all:

On the internet, no one knows you are a dog.

---

 How true!!  I've been in the dog house alot!

Edited by - Hankon5 on 07/09/2012 13:50:09

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/09/2012:  13:51:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bupahe

Don't be cheeky young man :) after reading loads of Sci Fi books nearly 60 years ago I personally find the new technology GREAT , things that I read about as a kid are now here.



And why wouldn't someone of my age want to embrace the new technology ?



Also a lot of my generation just didn't have the opportunity or money to do all the things that you kids do now so we do have a lot of catching up to do and why not ?

---

 Here, Here!!!

Frostymama - Posted - 07/09/2012:  20:31:33

What a great thread. I always wanted to play the banjo, and lessons were my Christmas present to me in 2009. I'm now 40. My kids think I'm awesome on the banjo.

jmfedgchin - Posted - 07/11/2012:  05:27:07

I'm 62 and just starting. I have wanted to play the banjo for many years and just put it off. My better half encouraged me to do it. I figure the mental exercise may help the on set of "old timers" disease.Anyway i am enjoying it.

softmax - Posted - 07/11/2012:  07:28:53

Started last night @ age 60. Decided I would quit work to do it full time. My wife thinks I may be a bit premature. 

Anybody want to buy me health insurance until Medicare kicks in?

softmax - Posted - 07/11/2012:  07:38:34

Excuse me.

Whose generation came up with the internet?

---

Originally posted by Munnlos

Started playing when I was 16. I didn't know there were people this old on the internet :|

Edit: when I was 14, not 16

---

Edited by - softmax on 07/11/2012 07:40:31

Munnlos - Posted - 07/11/2012:  08:22:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bupahe

Don't be cheeky young man :) after reading loads of Sci Fi books nearly 60 years ago I personally find the new technology GREAT , things that I read about as a kid are now here.



And why wouldn't someone of my age want to embrace the new technology ?



Also a lot of my generation just didn't have the opportunity or money to do all the things that you kids do now so we do have a lot of catching up to do and why not ?

---

I never said that you shouldn't  embrace the new technology, I think it's great that older people uses the internet, I'm just bewildered to encounter so many of them at the same place. I guess there aren't that many aged people playing video games is why I haven't met you lot before

SWCooper - Posted - 07/11/2012:  09:22:42

You'd be surprised. I was part of the first civilian wave to hit the internet, in the mid Eighties, when I was in my twenties. The people who were already there using it as a social medium were all up near retirement age. They built the thing, after all. Dang, could they play a mean round of online Trivial Pursuit.

Video games, sadly, require the reflexes of a young 'un for multiplayer. I've had my old gray head handed to me many's a time by young whippersnappers.

Munnlos - Posted - 07/11/2012:  12:52:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by SWCooper

You'd be surprised. I was part of the first civilian wave to hit the internet, in the mid Eighties, when I was in my twenties. The people who were already there using it as a social medium were all up near retirement age. They built the thing, after all. Dang, could they play a mean round of online Trivial Pursuit.

Video games, sadly, require the reflexes of a young 'un for multiplayer. I've had my old gray head handed to me many's a time by young whippersnappers.

---

Don't say that, this 66 year old enjoys video games just as much as any teenager. And judging by the footage, he isn't playing too bad either, so don't say your head is turning grey and that you haven't got the reflexes for it. 

Bupahe - Posted - 07/11/2012:  15:50:39

Hi Munnlos, I guess us.... aged ......people, just prefer to practice banjo rather than play video games : )

minstrelmike - Posted - 07/11/2012:  16:39:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by Munnlos

I never said that you shouldn't  embrace the new technology, I think it's great that older people uses the internet, I'm just bewildered to encounter so many of them at the same place. I guess there aren't that many aged people playing video games is why I haven't met you lot before

---

I've been playing video games since 1972.

A lot of this 'new' technology isn't that new. More like a paint job instead of a new building.

hemack - Posted - 07/11/2012:  21:44:41

Guess I'll  have to chime in here.  The little woman gave me an open back for my 82nd birthday (never touched one before).  I'll turn 87 next week, been trying to teach myself and I think I do pretty good for an old buzzard and so does the great-grandchildren............Eugene

cqpayne33 - Posted - 07/19/2012:  00:27:34

WOW, I thought I got started late in life until I read this thread! I am 37 and am pleased to see that many of you are starting no matter your age. Live your dreams and do something for you! I started about a month ago and love every minute I get to play, right now I am at sea on a US Navy ship (19 years on active duty and retire in August of 2013) and I get about 2 hours a day in, all though in various times of the day and anywhere between 10-40 minutes at a time depending on what is going on!

I am probably going to take some lessons through SKYPE soon just to make sure I am not picking up bad habits that will hinder progress but up to this point have used DVDs to learn what I already know.

Good luck to you all in your endeavor and happy PICKIN!

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/19/2012:  16:53:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by softmax

Started last night @ age 60. Decided I would quit work to do it full time. My wife thinks I may be a bit premature. 

Anybody want to buy me health insurance until Medicare kicks in?

 

---

 Funny!  But there is some truth to that.  I had no insurance for 3 years after I was forced to retire--But thank the Lord I am a veteran abd recieved VA medical attention during this period --I just turned 65 so no I am on SS and Medicare!! Oh boy--fixed income--Yikes!

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/19/2012:  16:55:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by cqpayne33

WOW, I thought I got started late in life until I read this thread! I am 37 and am pleased to see that many of you are starting no matter your age. Live your dreams and do something for you! I started about a month ago and love every minute I get to play, right now I am at sea on a US Navy ship (19 years on active duty and retire in August of 2013) and I get about 2 hours a day in, all though in various times of the day and anywhere between 10-40 minutes at a time depending on what is going on!



I am probably going to take some lessons through SKYPE soon just to make sure I am not picking up bad habits that will hinder progress but up to this point have used DVDs to learn what I already know.



Good luck to you all in your endeavor and happy PICKIN!

---

 Thanks for  your service to America my friend!!!

Kemo Sabe - Posted - 07/19/2012:  17:22:45

I retired (CPA) @ age 62 ... started 'playing' banjo (first and only musical instrument) @ age 64 .... Decided I wanted to know something about Theory so went back to college and took a course in Music Fundamentals @ age 66.  I love music and the banjo in particular.  Phil

bturn - Posted - 07/19/2012:  17:46:00

At age 70 I'm picking banjo again for the second time. I played Bluegrass through the 70's and 80's. Then I suffered a severe hearing loss.After much frustration I left my Gibson RB 250 go for a little bit of nothing. I played nothing for about 25 years. Now with the help of two very serious hearing aids, I am able to play again. Found an import in a hock shop about a year ago that got me started. Traded it on a Deering Sierra and am now totally absorbed. I have a lot of trouble trying to figure things out by ear becaus I cant hear evrything. Thats why I am so grateful to all the BHO tab writers. If I live long enough I think I'll be a decent banjo player but Ill probably always be a porch picker. Am now working on John Hickmans Sally Good'n and loving it. No such thing as too late in life.

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/19/2012:  20:23:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by bturn

At age 70 I'm picking banjo again for the second time. I played Bluegrass through the 70's and 80's. Then I suffered a severe hearing loss.After much frustration I left my Gibson RB 250 go for a little bit of nothing. I played nothing for about 25 years. Now with the help of two very serious hearing aids, I am able to play again. Found an import in a hock shop about a year ago that got me started. Traded it on a Deering Sierra and am now totally absorbed. I have a lot of trouble trying to figure things out by ear becaus I cant hear evrything. Thats why I am so grateful to all the BHO tab writers. If I live long enough I think I'll be a decent banjo player but Ill probably always be a porch picker. Am now working on John Hickmans Sally Good'n and loving it. No such thing as too late in life.

---

 Great personal story bturn!!!  The passion is there!

BorderlineJim - Posted - 07/19/2012:  20:57:45

I think learning new things keeps you young.

Age does not matter at all.

If you're inspired at 62 isn't that better than being bored with lessons at 16?

I don't think I play guitar any slower or with impairment now than I did when I was 25.

So now I'm learning banjo- and age doesn't figure into the equation. I'm not concerned with playing sports or distracted by dating possibilities like when I was young so maybe being older is an advantage!

DoubleG - Posted - 07/19/2012:  21:59:23

It does. It means more because you have less time to enjoy it! So you work harder at it.

tassiespirit - Posted - 07/20/2012:  01:24:21

The older your are, the better work ethic you have, because you have had to do things the hard way ( without the technology). The younger generation ( in general), I find, want things now or they just drop it and move on to something new. These days too you see lots and lots of people head down bowing over their Ipad /Ipod / Eye strainer lol and not participating in the natural world so much. Nothing wrong with the technology , just remember to look up and smell the roses and play that dare banjo.

OldTimeGal - Posted - 07/20/2012:  03:29:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by OldTimeGal

quote:

---

Originally posted by tassiespirit

The older your are, the better work ethic you have, because you have had to do things the hard way ( without the technology). The younger generation ( in general), I find, want things now or they just drop it and move on to something new. These days too you see lots and lots of people head down bowing over their Ipad /Ipod / Eye strainer lol and not participating in the natural world so much. Nothing wrong with the technology , just remember to look up and smell the roses and play that dare banjo.

---

So true. And the more one bows to his or her ipad, the more loss of critical thinking and mechanical skills. In the 1980's when I was in my twenties, if the technology broke down I would just take it apart and rebuild it. As human beings, we learn by using all of our senses. If learning only through technology, and using only some of our senses, then missing many important skills. For example, when reading a non-ebook, the physical hand action of turning the page is a part of the learning process - the sense of touch and rhythm of movement. Same with communication - much of what is expressed in communication comes from our facial expression and body language - which is stripped out of texting and emails. If I don't have the right tool, I just build a new one. The new generation is missing some major tools from their tool box. I frequently use new technological tools - but also know how to switch to other tools when needed - use Google for some research, alternate databases for specialized research, and for the best expertise: a human being who has over twenty years of real time experience. A person can learn new skills at any point in their lifetime - just takes determination. And BHO. Keep on pickin' :-D

---

COBOB - Posted - 07/20/2012:  06:20:34

It looks like I am in good company here. Turned 65 in March. I have wanted to play the banjo most of my life. I retired from 25 years in the Army and had to get a job and support a wife and 2 kids. When they were gone (wife and kids) I was too busy working. Then last month I realized I should get started. I bought a banjo and have had one lesson. It seems like the lesson was counterproductive to the way I have learned things all of my life. I started with Bluegrass but am really interested in the sound of Clawhammer. Call me confused and I don't know where I am going. But wherever it is, it is with a banjo. I am hooked.

OldTimeGal - Posted - 07/20/2012:  06:58:33

Welcome, Cobob:-). Go with what feels natural to you. You'll find a lot of support here in any direction you take.

rpmilius - Posted - 07/20/2012:  09:03:55

I'm 56 and mark my starting point a year and half ago.



I bought a banjo back when I was in college, and tried to learn from Earl's book, but never got anywhere. Sold it after a few years of collecting dust. Then about 10 years later, a friend gave me an old Harmony Resotone with a bakelite pot and I messed around with that for a bit and learned a couple of very easy bluegrass 3-finger tunes on it, albeit slowly. Mostly, it collected dust under my bed.



Then about a year and half ago when I was 54, I picked it up again. This time I decided to learn clawhammer with Ken Perlman's book and dvd. This time it stuck. I think four things were key.



First was that I found a style that really connected with me. Something about old-time music that touches me deeply... especially the slower and more melancholy tunes.



Second was the dvd. It was great to see and hear how the lessons should be played.



Third, finding local people with similar interests. Before this, I wasn't aware of any community of old-time music and so I never participated. I started taking lessons a couple of months ago and found a local saturday morning OT jam and have met a few folks. I bring my banjo to the jam, but am still trying to learn to recognize chord changes and quietly frail along in the background. My goal is to learn how to "play nice with others." :)



Finally, a feeling of time running out and knowing there are more years behind me than in front of me. And knowing it's not going to get easier as I get older.



I'm having a hard time with some aspects of learning at this age.  My left hand is not as flexible and nimble as it was when I was youngster (arthritis setting in?). E.g., although I can make a full F and D chord in G tuning, I can't do either one quickly and fluidly enough to do it in a song without a pause despite the exercises I've been doing, and not sure if I ever will. But that's okay. The saving grace is that I've found very few cases where either one is used in OT music (Perlman's arrangement of Red-Haired Boy). On the other hand it's pretty important in scruggs style.



I'm now 56 and I view my return to banjo a year and half ago as my real starting point with this instrument. Since then I've upgraded to a better banjo and now understand the real dangers of BAS - LOL! I'm getting a lot of enjoyment out of it and kick myself for not starting early with real instruction and getting involved in an OT community back then.



-bob

 

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/20/2012:  09:37:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by tassiespirit

The older your are, the better work ethic you have, because you have had to do things the hard way ( without the technology). The younger generation ( in general), I find, want things now or they just drop it and move on to something new. These days too you see lots and lots of people head down bowing over their Ipad /Ipod / Eye strainer lol and not participating in the natural world so much. Nothing wrong with the technology , just remember to look up and smell the roses and play that dare banjo.

---

 You hit the nail right on the head!

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/20/2012:  13:37:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by rpmilius

I'm 56 and mark my starting point a year and half ago.



I bought a banjo back when I was in college, and tried to learn from Earl's book, but never got anywhere. Sold it after a few years of collecting dust. Then about 10 years later, a friend gave me an old Harmony Resotone with a bakelite pot and I messed around with that for a bit and learned a couple of very easy bluegrass 3-finger tunes on it, albeit slowly. Mostly, it collected dust under my bed.



Then about a year and half ago when I was 54, I picked it up again. This time I decided to learn clawhammer with Ken Perlman's book and dvd. This time it stuck. I think four things were key.



First was that I found a style that really connected with me. Something about old-time music that touches me deeply... especially the slower and more melancholy tunes.



Second was the dvd. It was great to see and hear how the lessons should be played.



Third, finding local people with similar interests. Before this, I wasn't aware of any community of old-time music and so I never participated. I started taking lessons a couple of months ago and found a local saturday morning OT jam and have met a few folks. I bring my banjo to the jam, but am still trying to learn to recognize chord changes and quietly frail along in the background. My goal is to learn how to "play nice with others." :)



Finally, a feeling of time running out and knowing there are more years behind me than in front of me. And knowing it's not going to get easier as I get older.



I'm having a hard time with some aspects of learning at this age.  My left hand is not as flexible and nimble as it was when I was youngster (arthritis setting in?). E.g., although I can make a full F and D chord in G tuning, I can't do either one quickly and fluidly enough to do it in a song without a pause despite the exercises I've been doing, and not sure if I ever will. But that's okay. The saving grace is that I've found very few cases where either one is used in OT music (Perlman's arrangement of Red-Haired Boy). On the other hand it's pretty important in scruggs style.



I'm now 56 and I view my return to banjo a year and half ago as my real starting point with this instrument. Since then I've upgraded to a better banjo and now understand the real dangers of BAS - LOL! I'm getting a lot of enjoyment out of it and kick myself for not starting early with real instruction and getting involved in an OT community back then.



-bob

 

---

 Bob- nice personal story. Wish you the best and VERY happy pickin'! God Bless!

OldTimeGal - Posted - 07/29/2012:  09:50:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by rpmilius

I'm 56 and mark my starting point a year and half ago.



I'm now 56 and I view my return to banjo a year and half ago as my real starting point with this instrument. Since then I've upgraded to a better banjo and now understand the real dangers of BAS - LOL! I'm getting a lot of enjoyment out of it and kick myself for not starting early with real instruction and getting involved in an OT community back then.



-bob

 

---

Bob - I don't consider 56 to be old at all - may Mother nature grace you with many more Banjo playing years

OldTimeGal - Posted - 07/30/2012:  06:51:42

Bob, I didn't even notice you were in the Twin Cities, that's so funny! Found a great place for the beginner's jam, it will be low key:-)

rpmilius - Posted - 07/30/2012:  07:41:34

Small world! See you next week.

quote:

---

Originally posted by OldTimeGal



Bob, I didn't even notice you were in the Twin Cities, that's so funny! Found a great place for the beginner's jam, it will be low key:-)

---

Matthew Wyatt - Posted - 07/30/2012:  19:49:32

I started at 26. I don't know how late that in life that is for others, but I sure wish I could have started at 10,11,or12.

Judd Covington - Posted - 07/31/2012:  21:10:38

 Also wish I would have started earlier but 55 crept up pretty fast WoW I love this banjer thing !!!

cottontop - Posted - 07/31/2012:  21:23:33

I started at 55. I am 61 now. I should be better. I don't practice enough.

cottontop

Hankon5 - Posted - 07/31/2012:  21:24:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by Byron Rutland

 Also wish I would have started earlier but 55 crept up pretty fast WoW I love this banjer thing !!!

---

 Welcome!!! It WILL get better and funner!

Kilted Viking - Posted - 08/01/2012:  09:44:15

Well, I consider myself starting "late" in life and I'm only 41. It is inspiring to see those of you that are a decade or more older than me picking up the instrument and learning it. It affirms that I am not too old to learn a new trick.

OldTimeGal - Posted - 08/03/2012:  04:17:11

I'm 53, and I think these are the best of years - plenty of wisdom gained from the previous chapters of life, which will only make us better players - perfect time to pick up a new instrument:-)

Marv - Posted - 08/04/2012:  11:51:25

I been pickin' on the guitar since I wuz around 13 or 14. I'm hoping that someday I'll learn to play the durn thang. Picked up a banjo for one of my granddaughters in December of 2011 and picked around on it until Christmas. I hit 64 in February of this year and saved up enough money to buy myself a nice Gold Tone and I love it.

I retired twice so my day now consists of:

• 
  Wake up


• 
  Shave & Shower


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Drink a little coffee


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Eat a sandwich


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Watch a little TV or read the paper


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Have supper


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Watch a little TV


• 
  Go to bed

Yeah, I know it's a busy day, but I enjoy it.

Marv - Posted - 08/04/2012:  12:45:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kilted Viking

Well, I consider myself starting "late" in life and I'm only 41. It is inspiring to see those of you that are a decade or more older than me picking up the instrument and learning it. It affirms that I am not too old to learn a new trick.

---

 41? Late in life? I've got socks older than that.  :)

Hankon5 - Posted - 08/04/2012:  13:27:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marv

I been pickin' on the guitar since I wuz around 13 or 14. I'm hoping that someday I'll learn to play the durn thang. Picked up a banjo for one of my granddaughters in December of 2011 and picked around on it until Christmas. I hit 64 in February of this year and saved up enough money to buy myself a nice Gold Tone and I love it.

I retired twice so my day now consists of:

• 
  Wake up


• 
  Shave & Shower


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Drink a little coffee


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Eat a sandwich


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Watch a little TV or read the paper


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Have supper


• 
  Pick on the banjo or guitar for and hour or two


• 
  Take a nap


• 
  Watch a little TV


• 
  Go to bed

Yeah, I know it's a busy day, but I enjoy it.

---

 What's the key repetative  pharases here!!

Banjoukegirl - Posted - 08/04/2012:  20:28:13

Hi, all,
I started playing claw hammer at 67, six months ago, and having a great time learning it. I found it, surprisingly, more difficult than I had thought it would be. I have played oldtime fiddle for 2 years, guitar for about 5 years, and started on the mountain dulcimer first, about 6 years ago. It's been a real challenge. Keeps the old brain searching for reason and logic, I guess.

I think I like the "rowdiness" of the banjo. Does anyone else admit to this? I love the banjo jokes that come up everywhere, too. Have you run across some, lately, that you like? How about the one where "How can a banjo player help you tell whether the floor is level or not?" Answer: "when drool is coming out of both sides of the mouth." Argh. But banjos (and accordions) lead to a lot of humorous interactions that other instruments don't. Let me hear your banjo jokes from around the world. We need more humor, and if it's at my expense, that's ok with me. :)

Crimjo - Posted - 08/07/2012:  22:56:38

I'm 26 and always wanted to play an instrument, I'm glad banjo was the first I picked up. Obviously it would have been nice to start at an earlier age like the little guy from Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, but there just isn't a whole lot of banjer pickin going on in Minnesota ;)

Mirek Patek - Posted - 08/08/2012:  00:55:48

  I've read the title of this thread as:

How many started playing late this life?

Marv - Posted - 08/08/2012:  06:18:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mirek Patek

  I've read the title of this thread as:

How many started playing late this life?

---

 In my last life I did have a musical nose, I could pick it or blow it.

pickn5 - Posted - 08/08/2012:  10:11:10

I received a Hondo HB 35 a couple of years ago from my brother in law at 60. I finally retired and started self learning 8 months ago at 62. It's a slow process practicing 5 to 7 days a week. The wife doesn't like it much but I love it. At times it seems like one step forward and two backwards. You can't beat the feeling on those step forward days. I"ll keep pickin with a grin on my face. I plan on taking lessons soon.