Retire from playing bass?

jdwinva · #1 07-01-2010, 08:21 AM

So I just turned 45 and have been doing the cover band thing for 15 years as a hobby. I have been reasonably successful (as much as you can be in a local cover band) and have had lots of fun. The current band is quite good and we all seem to get along for the most part.

Here's the thing. I'm starting to remember a promise I made to myself a long time ago. I swore I'd never be "that sad 50 year old band dude." I saw the Doobie Brothers play last night and it really drove this home (they are more like 60+). With all due respect, they need to take up golf.

To add to the decision is the fact that I'm sore and tired at 3:00 am after a gig. It takes a toll on you. And then there are the drunk fans. Don't get me started. It is all starting to seem silly to me. I had a drunk girl ask my a question on stage a week ago and she started out with "Excuse me sir...". For F%$&s sake!

Is there ever a time to say it's time to hang it up and get a new age-appropriate hobby?

JMBassist · #2 07-01-2010, 08:32 AM

GOD..!!! I hope not!

I like too much playing to leave the stages so far...and I'm 45 too.

I know what you mean, but the fans can call me whatever they want, I'll keep playing until i cannot move my fingers, and even if that time reaches, I'll try to play with my teeth.

cbrophy · #3 07-01-2010, 08:33 AM

Ummmm....I'm 48...just picked it up at 45...Agreed, I have no plans to be gigging until 3am...but there are plenty of ways to keep playing and being creative without the standard "Club gig, bar band, cover stuff". If you want to keep playing without all the nonsense...you'll figure it out! :^)

bigtiny · #4 07-01-2010, 08:34 AM

sounds to me like you need to consider changing the context in which you play the bass, not give up the bass entirely....

bigtiny

LarkinLondon · #5 07-01-2010, 08:36 AM

The guys in Dinosaur Jr are 45 and still going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiiWxhGnYJU
"You're never to old old old, to rock and roll roll roll, if you're too young to die!!"
-Jethro Tull

jdwinva · #6 07-01-2010, 08:37 AM

All good feedback! Thanks. Maybe I should reconsider the material / genre and club dates and stick with playing bass in a more approriate setting (maybe jazz?).....

jdwinva · #7 07-01-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarkinLondon

The guys in Dinosaur Jr are 45 and still going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiiWxhGnYJU
"You're never to old old old, to rock and roll roll roll, if you're too young to die!!"
-Jethro Tull

And no, I cannot do ANY of those skateboard or bike tricks in the video.

WJGreer · #8 07-01-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwinva

I swore I'd never be "that sad 50 year old band dude."

I'm sore and tired at 3:00 am after a gig. It takes a toll on you.

And then there are the drunk fans. Don't get me started. It is all starting to seem silly to me.

These are the things in your post that resonate most with me. I'm 39 and not far behind you. I also have a wonderful family with two young daughters who need more and not less of my time as the years pass. I pay my wife in blood for every minute I spend playing music, so I try to pack as much quality into the time as I can.

I love to play music, and love to play in front of people even more. I hate packing up at 3 AM, dealing with the inebriated proletariat, and driving home exhausted, only to wake up at 7 AM the next morning.

But I still have to do it in some way. My solution has been to find an original project instead of a cover band. The money stinks - no doubt I pay more into it than I pull out. But:

We play less, and the shows we play are more like "concerts" and less like "gigs"
We usually play one set or maybe two, and I find myself done an hour or two earlier than I did in cover bands
Something about the artisan quality of original music makes it easier to age gracefully while doing it.

That's been my solution. We do choose some cover tunes in order to perk up the audience and the venue managers, but we do so carefully avoiding wedding band tripe and instead choosing songs with timeless appeal that represent inspiration for our original stuff. It gives us a modicum of employability without sacrificing the integrity of being a primarily original outfit.

onlyafterdark · #9 07-01-2010, 08:56 AM

Hey
I haven’t had that much experience with gigging yet and im about half your age so this is really just my opinion but I don’t really see 50+ dudes on stage as being sad. As long as im enjoying the gig and their rocking my socks off ill enjoy it whatever their age. With regards to how you retiring I think it depends on how much you still enjoy the gigs your doing, if it’s not fun anymore and you don’t enjoy it then thers not much point. However perhaps you could try playing in different styles of band to different crowds or learn a new instrument to keep yourself interested. Even if you simply took a break for a while you might realize how much you miss it!

As I said this is an inexperienced opinion and never heard you play but it’s a shame to loose any gigging musicians, especially experienced ones.

jdwinva · #10 07-01-2010, 08:58 AM

Will - I hear you! I actually have booked two wedding gigs in the fall and am dreading it. And yes, we will be playing "Brick House" - god give me strength! Maybe I need to explore an original project.

jdwinva · #11 07-01-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyafterdark

Hey
I haven’t had that much experience with gigging yet and im about half your age so this is really just my opinion but I don’t really see 50+ dudes on stage as being sad. As long as im enjoying the gig and their rocking my socks off ill enjoy it whatever their age. With regards to how you retiring I think it depends on how much you still enjoy the gigs your doing, if it’s not fun anymore and you don’t enjoy it then thers not much point. However perhaps you could try playing in different styles of band to different crowds or learn a new instrument to keep yourself interested. Even if you simply took a break for a while you might realize how much you miss it!

As I said this is an inexperienced opinion and never heard you play but it’s a shame to loose any gigging musicians, especially experienced ones.

A break might do the trick for sure!

Grandad Paul · #12 07-01-2010, 09:00 AM

I am 63 and just starting out doing the "gig" thing. Please dont tell me you have to retire.
I thought that was someting you did at work when you did'nt enjoy it anymore.
Grandad Paul.

SteveC · #13 07-01-2010, 09:14 AM

I'm 44. I play with guys ranging from 21 - 30ish. My wife is 30. I teach high school music.I'm around younger than me all day. No issues at all. We don't generally play the 3 am type gigs. Once in. A while, but we're all married and most of us have a couple kids so we try to plan gigs accordingly. It can be done.

**ExaltBass** · #14 07-01-2010, 09:16 AM

I'll be 60 in August and have been playing since '63. I have NO INTENTION of quitting anytime soon. I don't care that I'm looking more like my dad did, than I feel in my head

I still get a buzz from playing well with other musicians.

BTW, I suck at golf! Why would I want to spend time doing something I don't love? Besides, I think it's cool that so many of the musicians and bands I grew up with (Paul McCartney, Stones, Eagles, James Taylor, etc.) are still going!

If you want to be inspired all you've got to do is look to one of my heros... Leland Sklar (yeah, he looks a bit older, but who cares? HE"S STILL COOL!

stflbn · #15 07-01-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwinva

I swore I'd never be "that sad 50 year old band dude."

So don't be sad... people perceive you as you allow them to. As long as you're not trying to nail 21 year old chicks it's not an issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwinva

I'm sore and tired at 3:00 am after a gig. It takes a toll on you.

Reduce equipment size... book earlier gigs... do things to make it easier on you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwinva

And then there are the drunk fans. Don't get me started. It is all starting to seem silly to me.

Would sober fans react as you expect or be as much fun to play to? Likely not. Often non-drinking fans result in comments of "man, I'm not digging playing if the fans are not into it".

.

scott123 · #16 07-01-2010, 09:27 AM

I am 41 and still playing metal live. I may switch to a different genre someday but will never hang it up...

tjmdetroit · #17 07-01-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwinva

Is there ever a time to say it's time to hang it up and get a new age-appropriate hobby?

- I'm 63, played drums in clubs form 18 to 26. Took up guitar at 26. Took up bass at 60. I got a good deal on a MTD KZ6 and got it modded with Nordy dual coils and a Bart pre and a Hipshot bridge and tuners and a ramp.... just the way I like it... I can rip 16th notes like Roco and scales like Jaco. I use thumb, index and middle fingers mostly sometimes add the ring finger. I rarely play out but I play daily with my drum machine...gonna lay down some tracks and add some other instruments with my GR-20 guitar synth.
- It sounds to me like you play bass just for the attention you get by playing in the band.....not for the love of making music... After all, isn't it the primary reason we all took up an instrument...to get babes? But... some of us really dug it and pursued it futher....the chicks became the icing on the cake...lol

-Take a break, put it down for 6 months.... if it doesn't bother you... kewl, your done. If you really miss it.... become a solo bassist. Play gigs at your own discretion. God gave you a gift. The ability to make music and you say you can do it pretty good. If you ain't gonna use it, give it back, maybe God will give to a young gun who is praying for it...

Some folks are like that.... they don't appreciate the gifts and blessings they have.....ummmm
Peace

tjm

WJGreer · #18 07-01-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

I'll be 60 in August and have been playing since '63. I have NO INTENTION of quitting anytime soon. I don't care that I'm looking more like my dad did, than I feel in my head

I still get a buzz from playing well with other musicians.

BTW, I suck at golf! Why would I want to spend time doing something I don't love? Besides, I think it's cool that so many of the musicians and bands I grew up with (Paul McCartney, Stones, Eagles, James Taylor, etc.) are still going!

If you want to be inspired all you've got to do is look to one of my heros... Leland Sklar (yeah, he looks a bit older, but who cares? HE"S STILL COOL!

Lee IS still cool...but then again he has looked just like that for at least 30 years!

pasta4lnch · #19 07-01-2010, 09:39 AM

i'll be making music until I die. PERIOD. professionally or not - in fact I can truthfully say that if I stop making music I'd probably lose my mind and be dead anyway . . .

mix it up, keep it fresh, try something that scares the

outta you - but keep playing!

jdwinva · #20 07-01-2010, 09:42 AM

That picture of Lee Sklar is kinda old meets new with that georgeous Dingwall.