What Keeps You In The Game ?

[Bluewine]

This probably is more for you guys that are over 60 but not necessarily limited to that range.

 

I'm 71 and most of the musicians I grew up with and started playing with are no longer gigging and have zero interest in it.

 

Share your thoughts and position on why you're still gigging and why you think some guys lose interest.

 

Daryl

[Len_derby]

Well, I’ll start off with a quote I first heard many years ago and still holds true.

”playing music with other people is about the best fun you can have with your clothes still on”.

I’m just about to turn 67, actively gigging in two bands and getting involved with new musical ventures where I can. I don’t plan to stop until I have to.

[Bluewine]

12 minutes ago, Len_derby said:

Well, I’ll start off with a quote I first heard many years ago and still holds true.

”playing music with other people is about the best fun you can have with your clothes still on”.

I’m just about to turn 67, actively gigging in two bands and getting involved with new musical ventures where I can. I don’t plan to stop until I have to.

 

Great perspective Len.

 

I realize that I have a pretty sweet thing going for me with Maple Road. Fantastic bandmates,  for the most part  decent gigs and good money.

 

Daryl

Edited 12 hours ago by Bluewine

[jezzaboy]

I usually enjoy the gigs but it`s all the associated guff that surrounds many bands that folk decide that it isn`t worth the payback of gigging. If it wasn`t for the fact that 2 out of the 4 I play alongside I really care for, I could happily knock it on the head.

Edited 12 hours ago by jezzaboy

[Merton]

@Bluewine you are looking marvellous for 71. I reckon playing music is helping! I hope I am still playing in my 70s

[Len_derby]

6 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

Great perspective Len.

 

I realize that I have a pretty sweet thing going for me with Maple Road. Fantastic bandmates,  for the most part with decent gigs and good money.

 

Daryl

I think the realisation you have there, Daryl, is a good one. If we’ve got good band situations going it’s important to nurture them. Be reliable, not a drama-queen etc. As you get older it gets harder to start over.

As to why guys (and gals) give in, my experience is often physical aging. The driving, parking, gear loading, standing playing for a couple of hours etc. gets harder. Luckily, I’ve been blessed so far with good health, but I don’t take it for granted.

I also have a drummer friend who now has carer responsibilities for his disabled wife. I try to cut him plenty of slack, as he did many years ago when I became the father of twins!

[warwickhunt]

Yep, playing music with others to receptive audiences is what it is about for me!  

 

I hated the Covid period because I couldn't create music (even covers) with others.  I've also stopped doing gigs where it is 'paid rehearsals', I'm less/not bothered about financial gain as I am to how much I've enjoyed the gig/reception.   

[Beedster]

I play music because I love playing music. I hope that never changes 👍

[Beedster]

2 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

I'm less/not bothered about financial gain as I am to how much I've enjoyed the gig/reception.   

 

Too many musicians get this wrong, that is 100% the deal 👍

[Bluewine]

20 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

I'm less/not bothered about financial gain as I am to how much I've enjoyed the gig/reception.   

 

Unfortunately that's not an option for me. I need the money. And  for me I'm not sure it's a gain. It's money to survive and pay bills.

 

Daryl

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Bluewine

[Bluewine]

25 minutes ago, Len_derby said:

I think the realisation you have there, Daryl, is a good one. If we’ve got good band situations going it’s important to nurture them. Be reliable, not a drama-queen etc. As you get older it gets harder to start over.

As to why guys (and gals) give in, my experience is often physical aging. The driving, parking, gear loading, standing playing for a couple of hours etc. gets harder. Luckily, I’ve been blessed so far with good health, but I don’t take it for granted.

I also have a drummer friend who now has carer responsibilities for his disabled wife. I try to cut him plenty of slack, as he did many years ago when I became the father of twins!

 

So true Len.

 

When I arrive at a gig my mindset is, what can I do to make this gig fun for my bandmates.  Not argue over the set list, lighting,  monitor mix, weather , how loud someone is, ect...

 

Daryl

[warwickhunt]

7 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

Unfortunately that's not an option for me. I need the money. And  for me I'm not sure it's a gain. It's money to survive and pay bills.

 

Daryl

 

It has been a consideration at various times in my life; it was my sole income for 4 years of my later life when I went to university as a mature student but I'm lucky that at this point in my life I am playing music for 'me'!

[msb]

I’m 73 , I’ve been playing in local bands since the mid 70’s. Mostly blues bands , years ago I decided to stop travelling , and today I mostly stay in town. We were caring for my 99 year old mother-in-law for some years and I did cut back on the gigs I was taking , she has passed , I’m available to do more now but I’m not looking , if things pick up , they pick up. I’m retired , I’m not dependant on the money. If I don’t feel there’s going to be some fun , I decline. 
Still do a weekly blues jam every Sunday , I’ve been in the house band for around 27 years now in the main blues dive downtown. A good Sunday gig has both extremes , some absolute misery , some absolute joy. I still love that feeling when things are working. I still practice every day. Some days I even think I’m improving. All the reason to keep at it. 
Never thought I’d be still at it at this point , still capable of feeling absolute joy playing. Still nerdy about gear. 

[ezbass]

Like @msb, I’ve been gigging since the mid ‘70s. What keeps me at it? Force of habit certainly has something to do with it. If I didn’t play with others, what else would I do? I’m not sure I’d actually keep playing much at all. Maybe that’s it, I keep playing because I play.

[msb]

Most of the players that were around when I started are no longer playing, but there are some still at it. One of my mentors is still gigging with grace and dignity , he’s also a deadly bassist , so I still harbour the hope that I have some years left. Many had health issues , arthritic hands , bad hips and knees , playing involved pain , and was in some cases simply impossible. Some developed substance issues. Some just got tired of the late nights and early mornings. Some were disillusioned , and became sour. Some developed mobility issues. Our market is not large , most musicians need a day gig to get by. It can be a juggling act. Some spouses simply said no more. It can be a tough go. 
Things changed with the COVID shutdowns  , some have yet to get back to how things were. Venues were lost. For many today things are tight. As many get older they’re less inclined to go out. We geezers have a unique perspective on the business , but things today are not like they once were.

I’m still happy to load up the car and run the gear downtown. No big star , just a blue collar musician playing the local bars. I’m perfectly ok with that. 

[mikebass456]

It's a social thing as much as anything these days.

I play in three different bands - I'm just shy of my 60's , and have been playing in bands since I was 17.

The rehearsals are a chance to kick back, make some noise, and off-load from the previous week's happenings.

Also, I usually meet up with the singer from one of the bands for breakfast on a Sunday - again just to put the world to rights as much as anything.

If It wasn't for the bands, I don't think I'd meet up with anyone on a regular basis any more.....

[msb]

I’m accustomed to playing rooms where I know many of the regulars by name. And when I do venture beyond the comfort zone downtown usually see people I know at a gig. I enjoy the social part. I’m sometimes referred to as an institution. And at every gig I wind up yacking with people for the first time. 
It’s all part of the job. It can be enjoyable. If I get cornered by someone I find obnoxious I have the disengage down to an art.  

[Lozz196]

I just love playing music, if I’m honest I don’t really like all that comes with a gig anymore, but playing I just love. I’d be happy to only rehearse and record nowadays.

[Jackroadkill]

What keeps me in the game?  I'm aching to get back in the game, to be frank.  My last band ended abruptly (and I still thin unnecessarily, but there you go....) and I'm trying hard to chalk it up to experience, learn what I can from the process and get back on the horse.  I have a guitarist, but that's it in terms of musicians.  I need at least a drummer and a singer, but when they're found I'm really looking forward to getting back in the saddle.  I'm never going to be a great (or probably even good) musician, but I don't care too much about that, I just really enjoy gigging and helping people to enjoy themselves.

[msb]

35 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I just love playing music, if I’m honest I don’t really like all that comes with a gig anymore, but playing I just love. I’d be happy to only rehearse and record nowadays.

There’s joy that an appreciative audience brings to the gig. On a great night you almost feel the entire floor lift. And we’re coming into the season where things get hot and sweaty. 
There’s nothing quite like playing in a great room to a great crowd. 

[chriswareham]

I've been playing bass in bands for 33 years. I didn't know I was autistic when I started playing, I just knew that I struggled in social situations and being in a band was a conscious effort to overcome my fears as I'd been reading a lot about confrontational therapy. Being in a band also meant I had a way of appearing somewhat outgoing, but I could distance myself from people if I needed to by disappearing backstage. That social anxiety and general confusion also meant I also gravitated to quite aggressive music, emulating bands like Joy Division, Amebix and New Model Army. Cut to the current day, and I still have the same motivation albeit informed by an eventual diagnosis of having Asperger's Syndrome. So every concert I play is still a mix of exhilaration and terror - amazing myself at being able to overcome my fears and get up on stage, but always at the edge of panic.

[Boodang]

I'm 63 and still loving it. As I've got older I've adopted the no @rsehole rule when it comes to bands. It means I'm more picky about the bands I'm in but it does mean they're more enjoyable. And to keep it fresh I also play drums, which has helped my bass playing as well. 

[Bluewine]

5 hours ago, msb said:

Most of the players that were around when I started are no longer playing, but there are some still at it. One of my mentors is still gigging with grace and dignity , he’s also a deadly bassist , so I still harbour the hope that I have some years left. Many had health issues , arthritic hands , bad hips and knees , playing involved pain , and was in some cases simply impossible. Some developed substance issues. Some just got tired of the late nights and early mornings. Some were disillusioned , and became sour. Some developed mobility issues. Our market is not large , most musicians need a day gig to get by. It can be a juggling act. Some spouses simply said no more. It can be a tough go. 
Things changed with the COVID shutdowns  , some have yet to get back to how things were. Venues were lost. For many today things are tight. As many get older they’re less inclined to go out. We geezers have a unique perspective on the business , but things today are not like they once were.

I’m still happy to load up the car and run the gear downtown. No big star , just a blue collar musician playing the local bars. I’m perfectly ok with that. 

 

I like where your head is at.

 

When I think of the guys I played with as a teen I think some lost interest, some had awful tragedies in their lives that hit them so hard they stopped playing. And some I think we're  never really into it.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

5 hours ago, msb said:

I’m accustomed to playing rooms where I know many of the regulars by name. And when I do venture beyond the comfort zone downtown usually see people I know at a gig. I enjoy the social part. I’m sometimes referred to as an institution. And at every gig I wind up yacking with people for the first time. 
It’s all part of the job. It can be enjoyable. If I get cornered by someone I find obnoxious I have the disengage down to an art.  

 

When talking to random people at a gig always have a good exit plan.

 

Daryl

[Boodang]

Thinking about this, one of the things that’s keeping it fresh is recording technology. Thanks to our xr18, L20 and Tascam Models, we’re able to record and work on ideas all the time in our own small shed studios, rather than it be limited to occasional and expensive trips to big studios. We’re recording our gigs easier and getting a great live sound. This plus excellent microphones, all relatively cheap, keeps the creative juices flowing.