If You are Over 55 & Want Back in The Game

[bluewine]

As you know I'm 56 and decided to get back with a band gigging 2-3 times a month.

For me, I wanted back into Pop/Rock, it wasn't easy, but I am back and have been doing shows again for the past 3 months.

I am still in the learning stage and evolving. However I am willing to share ideas with any of you older guys that are thinking about playing out in a band again. before it's too late.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bluewine

As you know I'm 56 and decided to get back with a band gigging 2-3 times a month.

For me, I wanted back into Pop/Rock, it wasn't easy, but I am back and have been doing shows again for the past 3 months.

I am still in the learning stage and evolving. However I am willing to share ideas with any of you older guys that are thinking about playing out in a band again. before it's too late.

Blue,

Not there (yet) but i know of your struggles to get a group. Congrads, Rock on enjoy it while we got it!

[chuck3]

funny about this age 56 stuff ... I just turned 57 but a year ago, at 56, I decided to make my "comeback" when the youngest of our 3 kids went off to college. I had taken 20+ years off from performing, or even playing much, while we raised our kids.

But from about age 12 to age 32 I was constantly gigging in one band or another, and really wanted to get back to it, and now I have. I play in two groups up in the Hudson Valley, one a rock band and the other bluegrass, and am gigging once or twice a month with one or the other. I also play jazz a few times per month with some guys in Brooklyn, but that's for fun as they are not into playing out (for whatever reason - I would).

For me the key to playing a lot has been versatility - I play both BG and DB and try to cover just about every style. For some reason that approach just appeals to me - a bass player for every occasion. That's one reason I really like this website - EVERYTHING is covered here!

[Kenny Allyn]

I was maybe 50 when I "got back into it" that was 5 years ago ...

Weekend gigs mostly, but now looks like it's going to kick up a notch or two maybe to full time! The drummer is 63 by the way, the guitar player is 35. I find several factors work to my advantage to keep working. Being in the Blues genre age can actually help as some of the younger guys seek out "the real thing" for backup bands and it helps being in what is considered a "music town" it's a target rich enviroment as it were.

At Work



... It's great playing now actually better than when I was younger!

[stflbn]

I'm only 44, but I can give my input based on taking 15+ years off until a couple years ago.

1. Being as fit, and in shape as possible helps a lot if you're dealing with younger musicians.

2. Depending on your genre of choice, find a middle ground between dressing your age and looking silly dressing like a 21 year old. Having control of #1 above helps you to pull this off a little easier.

3. Go into it not expecting everything to be how you may remember it. Stay open and enjoy the new opportunities.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by bluewine

As you know I'm 56 and decided to get back with a band gigging 2-3 times a month.

For me, I wanted back into Pop/Rock, it wasn't easy, but I am back and have been doing shows again for the past 3 months.

I am still in the learning stage and evolving. However I am willing to share ideas with any of you older guys that are thinking about playing out in a band again. before it's too late.

maybe post that vid and set list,what works/doesn't work

[S.B.]

I am 55y and have played since age 13y. I got back into it regularly about 10 years ago. I am lucky to have band of members around the same age. We have stuck to our roots, Classic Rock and Blues. IMHO some of the best music is from our era and am amazed how many people of all ages love the classics (Stones etc.) To me I have to be authentic, true to myself. I like some newer stuff, but even then we pick songs that are R & B flavor. Personally, I would feel and probably look foolish trying to "be something Im not". I hope to play until I can't anymore !!

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by chuck3

funny about this age 56 stuff ... I just turned 57 but a year ago, at 56, I decided to make my "comeback" when the youngest of our 3 kids went off to college. I had taken 20+ years off from performing, or even playing much, while we raised our kids.

But from about age 12 to age 32 I was constantly gigging in one band or another, and really wanted to get back to it, and now I have. I play in two groups up in the Hudson Valley, one a rock band and the other bluegrass, and am gigging once or twice a month with one or the other. I also play jazz a few times per month with some guys in Brooklyn, but that's for fun as they are not into playing out (for whatever reason - I would).

For me the key to playing a lot has been versatility - I play both BG and DB and try to cover just about every style. For some reason that approach just appeals to me - a bass player for every occasion. That's one reason I really like this website - EVERYTHING is covered here!

Nice, my story is not much diferent.Thing with me was I was alway out at shows watching others.Until I could not stand it anymore and decided to come up with a plan to get back up on stage.I wanted to play, not watch others play.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by bluewine

As you know I'm 56 and decided to get back with a band gigging 2-3 times a month.

For me, I wanted back into Pop/Rock, it wasn't easy, but I am back and have been doing shows again for the past 3 months.

I am still in the learning stage and evolving. However I am willing to share ideas with any of you older guys that are thinking about playing out in a band again. before it's too late.

Glad to hear your still "in play" or back in anyhow. I'm 54 and still gigging, sometimes not as often as I'd like, but for the most part, as often as practical.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

I was maybe 50 when I "got back into it" that was 5 years ago ...

Weekend gigs mostly, but now looks like it's going to kick up a notch or two maybe to full time! The drummer is 63 by the way, the guitar player is 35. I find several factors work to my advantage to keep working. Being in the Blues genre age can actually help as some of the younger guys seek out "the real thing" for backup bands and it helps being in what is considered a "music town" it's a target rich enviroment as it were.

At Work



... It's great playing now actually better than when I was younger!

Simply awesome story,playing for me is different too and yes better. I just have a better sense about everything.

I notice us older guys are still staying true to our Fender basses, I have 2.

[doktorfeelgood]

I'm 60 and have been playing bass since I was 18. My first instrument was drums and I started them at age 10. My parents were musicians, my brother was also, and my sister is as well. Never been a time where I ever remotely entertained giving it up.Always loved blues the most but when I first started playing, I would play Rock, Classic Rock, Rock 'N' roll, and of course Blues gigs. Now for the last 25 years it's been all Blues. The only time I've ever taken completely off was to have a couple of surgeries and subsequent re-habs. I'll stop when I can't move my own gear anymore...or I can't pay roadies...lol Playing is truly my life's blood and among other things, it's kept me out of therapy. But not drinking alcohol at all, eating right, drinking plenty of water and getting 8 hours of sleep a night allow me to do this. I long ago gave up the notion of playing just to have another excuse to drink. It's always been about the music. )=(

[standupright]

bluewine.....you look better at 56 than i do at 35

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by stflbn

I'm only 44, but I can give my input based on taking 15+ years off until a couple years ago.

1. Being as fit, and in shape as possible helps a lot if you're dealing with younger musicians.

2. Depending on your genre of choice, find a middle ground between dressing your age and looking silly dressing like a 21 year old. Having control of #1 above helps you to pull this off a little easier.

3. Go into it not expecting everything to be how you may remember it. Stay open and enjoy the new opportunities.

Excellent commentary.

Alot of older guys get back into this for the wrong reasons;

Women ( which definately aint gonna be the way it was in 72)
Drugs ( just a bad idea)
Booze (just a bad idea)

I back in it cause it's what I'm supose to be doing.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

maybe post that vid and set list,what works/doesn't work

I guess there is some stuff up on Youtube.But it will take a while.As I watch the DVDs, I look stiff and slow.

[Ric5]

Being over 55 doesn't bother these bass players ...

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by steve bailey

I am 55y and have played since age 13y. I got back into it regularly about 10 years ago. I am lucky to have band of members around the same age. We have stuck to our roots, Classic Rock and Blues. IMHO some of the best music is from our era and am amazed how many people of all ages love the classics (Stones etc.) To me I have to be authentic, true to myself. I like some newer stuff, but even then we pick songs that are R & B flavor. Personally, I would feel and probably look foolish trying to "be something Im not". I hope to play until I can't anymore !!

Cool, means we were both born in 1954 an awesome year. I think we all got hit hard with the music bug after we saw The beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964 I was 11. They were great and at the time it seemed like the only way to get girls.

Also I think our generation was when most of us started playing at 12&13.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by steve bailey

I am 55y and have played since age 13y. I got back into it regularly about 10 years ago. I am lucky to have band of members around the same age. We have stuck to our roots, Classic Rock and Blues. IMHO some of the best music is from our era and am amazed how many people of all ages love the classics (Stones etc.) To me I have to be authentic, true to myself. I like some newer stuff, but even then we pick songs that are R & B flavor. Personally, I would feel and probably look foolish trying to "be something Im not". I hope to play until I can't anymore !!

My first paying gig, was a country 50's rock n roll band when I was 19. The rest of the band was 32 (guitar player vocalist), 50 (rhythm/vocals) 52 (steel guitar player) and 42 (drummer). We got on famously and stayed in touch for years. After I got out of the service (28 yo)I played in a jazz/R&B/Pop band with a 65 year old guitar player, a 60 year old piano player vocalist and a 45 year old drummer. Age didn't make a difference, but music did.

Now a days I don't gig as much, but I play mostly blues based rock with guys within 10 years of my age, except for a keyboard/vocalist who is just 30.

Your never too old (or young) to rock n roll.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by doktorfeelgood

I'm 60 and have been playing bass since I was 18. My first instrument was drums and I started them at age 10. My parents were musicians, my brother was also, and my sister is as well. Never been a time where I ever remotely entertained giving it up.Always loved blues the most but when I first started playing, I would play Rock, Classic Rock, Rock 'N' roll, and of course Blues gigs. Now for the last 25 years it's been all Blues. The only time I've ever taken completely off was to have a couple of surgeries and subsequent re-habs. I'll stop when I can't move my own gear anymore...or I can't pay roadies...lol Playing is truly my life's blood and among other things, it's kept me out of therapy. But not drinking alcohol at all, eating right, drinking plenty of water and getting 8 hours of sleep a night allow me to do this. I long ago gave up the notion of playing just to have another excuse to drink. It's always been about the music. )=(

Awesome, I hear you. I was not a saint back in the day,Being on time and playing straight is great. Back in the day, my judgement was in a bottle and a cloud of smoke. I actually know whats going now.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by standupright

bluewine.....you look better at 56 than i do at 35

Thanks,but you have not seen any close ups, I'm old. LOL

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Being over 55 doesn't bother these bass players ...

Nice and Thanks! Looks like were in good company.