Anyone else done a hard reset?

[iainbass]

It was kind of decided for me. Increasing problems with my ears have meant Ive pretty much given up playing live. Even playing my cello without significant muting is difficult, tho it comes and goes. Seems yrs of loud music has basically destroyed them, and the weird thing is it creeps up on you without you even realising.

[Woodinblack]

I gave up all music for a long time between 96 and the mid 2000s, but came back to it afterwards a lot more full on. I don't gig for the momey, I have a job that pays fine, I do it for the enjoyment of doing it and i will continue all the time the enjoyment is higher than the hassle. I can see a point in the near future where that might be happening, but I think if I get to that point I may just quit my main group and do something different.

[Roger2611]

I gave up playing for about 6 years 25 years ago, I had been on the verge of "making it" in the music industry on a couple of occasions but fate had always dealt that killer blow, I sold my kit and didn't pick up a bass or guitar for years, I felt that they had let me down, or that I had let them down! I enjoyed the break, the removal of that desperation to "succeed"

 

I was eventually tempted back into the fold with a band that again was striving to "make it" in the music industry but, to be fair we were already too old to even be considered as a new band...that still hurts because it was a bloody good band getting plenty of radio play and some bloody good gigs! But with that final acceptance that I was never going to "make it" in the music industry I have played and am still playing many of the venues my heroes played, I have played and still play some fantastic festivals, I am still playing in an original 1976 Punk band, I am enjoying playing for the fun of playing without any chance of "making it" in the music industry now!......Oh, and by the way, what exactly is the definition of "making it" in the music industry?   

[Lozz196]

Does seem to be a bit of a theme in this thread, we get a bit older, stop trying to make it and play for the enjoyment of playing, lo & behold we have more fun and get more from it.

[bassist_lewis]

It's been interesting reading everyone's experiences. All a little different, but also very similar. Certainly helps me feel more comfortable taking time off, and hopeful about the outcome.

[BigRedX]

9 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Does seem to be a bit of a theme in this thread, we get a bit older, stop trying to make it and play for the enjoyment of playing, lo & behold we have more fun and get more from it.

 

Not only that, but IME once I stopped trying so hard, the bands I have been in have been more popular and more successful at a grass-roots level.

[Dan Dare]

13 hours ago, Roger2611 said:

Oh, and by the way, what exactly is the definition of "making it" in the music industry?   

 

Earning a decent living from music.

[BigRedX]

For me it would be having what I make from music as my primary source of income.

[fretmeister]

I've had a few breaks. 

 

I quit my last band about 14 months ago as it was becoming very stale - I couldn't influence it was organised by the local educational music trust. The new arrangements were dull and kind of were a reflection on the band leader rather than what everyone actually wanted to play. It started to kill my desire to play at all so I knew I had to go.

 

I didn't play at all for at least 3 months, didn't even get a bass out of a gigbag.

 

Then I started noodling a bit and playing along to CDs but that wasn't really doing it for me either. But now I find myself writing original stuff again and that is definitely flexing a different set of mental muscles. I play bass, guitar, a bit of sax and I can sing (although painfully out of practice) so I'm doing that.

 

I have no desire to gig at the moment, but I'm enjoying the creative process. My favourite band format is the power trio, or maybe the usual guitar,bass,drums with a singer who can occasionally join in with another instrument so I'm writing with that approach. I like the space and the easy dynamic changes that come from having fewer instruments.

 

A change has definitely been as good as a rest for me.

[christhammer666]

i stopped playing 2 years ago when my dad died. it wasnt an intentional reset but it happened and i had my first jam a couple of weeks ago. my forearm was sore for days but i thoroughly enjoyed it

[Roger2611]

3 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

 

Earning a decent living from music.

We managed to earn enough off Spotify plays in one year to take the whole band out for a pizza, that, for me was as close to making it as I am ever going to get 😂