LeftyBassist.com

Hello all, I finally registered here. I've been lurking for about a year and have been unsure about registering. I took up bass playing not for the typical reasons and have been playing, twice a day, for about 18mos. I have some permanent physical problems stemming from having broken my neck-twice- in my lifetime. The first time I was 16yo in the early 70's. The second time, was in 2000.
The second time left me with some neurological problems making it a task to make my hands and feet respond to what my brain asks. I also have arthritis in both hands. I have to think about what I'm doing rather than it being automatic. Due to that, I wasn't sure how I would fit in here since many of you are pro or semi-pro players or in bands.
So then, it's pretty unlikely I'll ever make any money playing bass in a band or even play in front of an audience. But I love playing my bass and rarely miss a day doing so. I plug my bass in, put on a tutorial, play along with some songs on my mp3, or simply do exercises, or play riffs. I can tell a difference in how my muscle memory responds since taking up the bass. It's the same as working out- use it or lose it.
That said, I'm glad to be here and am pretty good at searching for answers so it's not likely I'll be swamping the forum with rookie questions. Sometimes though, I may ask a question I can't find the answer to so, "Thanks in advance" to anyone who takes the time to respond.

Oh shoot! I've just notice I started a thread rather than adding to the introduction thread for new members as I intended. If a mod would be so kind as to move it to that thread I would appreciate it.
Thanks, Milo.

Sounds like you had some "tough breaks" in your life! Welcome to the forums... taking up the bass sounds like not only good therapy for getting your brain to create new pathways, but I'm sure you'll agree, playing bass is a helluva-a-lot of fun! Hope you get a chance to sit in and jam with other musicians sometime soon, as there's nothing like playing and jamming in a live setting; whether it be in someone's house, or in a club... Aloha!

Welcome aboard Milo!
Everyone is welcome here, professional or not, glad you decided to de-lurk and join in the conversation.
I think that it is a great thing that you are getting real, therapeutic value from playing your bass and I hope that you continue to gain benefits from your playing.

You love playing your bass. That's all it takes to fit in here, so welcome!

Thanks for the welcome. Learning to play bass, for me, has not only had a positive effect on my motor skills but even more valuable, it's kept my mind active as well. I'm the type of guy that once interested in something I go all in. Haha-within reason.
One thing I've discovered since taking up playing is that we Leftys pretty much get cr@ppd on in choice of instrument, how much we pay, sale prices, pretty much everything a righty doesn't ever think about. Never before have I seen such blatant discrimination. Sure, we've all had to shop alittle harder for that left handed ball glove or had to flip the fishing reel crank around but adjusting to a right handed world has always been easy enough and caused little, if any, pain to the wallet.
One example, for me, was my first trip to a guitar shop 3 weeks ago. I live 50miles from the nearest one and I don't travel well. Up to now, I've made all of my bass related purchases on line, based on reviews, pictures, descriptions and price. I see my neuro doc twice a year and this last visit had the chance to stop at a Guitar Center. LOL! I had visions of being able to see, hold, and perhaps even play instruments I've only seen pics of. My main things were to check out a lefty G&L 2000, as well as try to determine the difference between my Fender MIM jazz and a USA model. I must've taken too much medication to be so naive! There wasn't 1, not 1, left handed bass in the store. And they don't carry G&L. The sales guy was great though, he told me that any bass I wanted to check out I could hold upside down to see how it feels, balances, etc.! Still, it was great checking the place out but won't waste my time again.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm preaching to the choir. Please pardon me my ranting. Now that I've had my rant it won't happen again, til the next time anyway!

A very warm welcome, Milo. As Andrew mentioned, your love of playing bass is all that really matters here. Remember: not a single bassist on this forum came out of the womb a master on their instrument, we all have to start somewhere, and we all have to develop at our own pace/interest level. Based on your story and dedication I'd say you're on the right track. So no need to be intimidated, since nobody here can do what you do better than you: be yourself.

Well said, and Thank you.

Welcome. Where in the Deep South are you located? I'm a Detroit transplant living here.

Welcome Milo! All the members on this forum share at least two things with you: your passion for bass playing and your frustration with finding lefty instruments. My two cents: The small size of this community makes this forum the most enjoyable place to discuss and share (not only for lefty stuff) bass knowledge between civilised individuals.

Matt, I'm in a small town in south Mississippi and am also a transplant. I was raised in Seattle and have been in the South since the early 80's. I lived in Mobile, Al for quite a few years before moving to MS. Huntsville, isn't that where the band Alabama Shakes started?

Frenchy-Lefty I absolutely agree. The same night I registered here I also registered @ Talkbass. Although they have a huge data base and hundreds of thousands of registered members I don't anticipate posting much there. After reading posts here for months, it seems more laid back and a tighter knit community. I'm looking forward to getting to know all you guys and learning from you.
Again, Thank you everyone for the warm welcome, taking the time to post, and making the effort to make this newbie feel relaxed and comfortable. A class gesture nicely done.

The Shakes are actually from Athens, but it's between here and the Shoals.

Welcome!!!

Lots of really cool people here... post a lot; it's fun!

Thanks Addison.

Welcome aboard, this is agreat place to hang.

Hi Milo, welcome to the board . Don't worry about ability - it's possible that I could be the least-skilled bass-wielder here (much better at taking them apart and fiddling with them than actually playing with them), and yet the fine folks on this forum don't judge. They are always ready to help. You may get some good-natured humorous comments if you post a question that's been answered elsewhere, but it's nothing like TB.. it's actually fun to hang out here

Cheers mate.

Milo, welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story.

It's exactly what I needed to hear today. A reminder to not take anything for granted and to be grateful for what I have. And to play music simply for the love of... playing music.

Geoff

Careful, don't get mcarp555 started on this topic again!

How true. There's always someone who is worse off.
The second time I broke my neck I lost use of my left arm for about a week. I was very lucky it came back and even though it didn't come back all the way (40%) it was back and I could build on that. Being paralyzed is my biggest fear. Seeing those that are makes me appreciate what's left. 40% was 13yrs ago. I think it's more than that now and a large part of that is from playing my bass as often as I can.

Thanks again to everyone's warm welcome.

Just logged on today after a few days away. Welcome to the forum, Milo! No need to be self-conscious here in regard to ability. I have found that there is a wide spectrum of left hand players here, all willing to help! Thanks for sharing what you have been going through.
Good to see another LEFTY signed on!
I know what you are saying about talkbass! There is a lot of info there, but it is SO big, it is easy to get lost in there!

Thanks offhand