Age-related Performance Accommodation

[Mannyinnewyork]

I am 72. Basically the same height and weight for the last 55 years (145 lbs and 5'7"). I've had a few motorcycle accidents that put my back into the danger zone (first one when I was 17) and as I got older, my body complained more and more. I no longer play out and don't think I would enjoy it (although I probably could do the job). For me, the enjoyment factor is the determining factor - if you're enjoyment level exceeds your pita level then play on.

 

[GretschWretch]

Probably a silly question but what does it mean to "enroll in Medicare"? Is that American for "retirement" or something? We have the OAP (Old Age Pension) for Canadians over a certain age, not sure if similar...

And keep the advice coming gentleman. I will need it in a few years.

Once one attains the age of 65, enrollment in Medicare Part A is required. Enrollment in Part B is mandatory before one retires. In some cases Medicare will be the secondary coverage while another, say BlueCrossBlueshield, is the primary. And upon retirement things flip: Medicare A & B become the primary insurers with another company taking up the slack.

 

[TheDirtyLowDown]

Thanks to everyone who posted on this -- it helps me have hope for the future! I just turned 60, and gratefully ditched my heavy gear for a Quilter amp and Barefaced BB2 pre-Covid. Couldn't be happier not hauling my old GK 4x10 and rack case around! For me the challenge is standing through long gigs.

In my banjo-playing days I was used to wearing a 12 lb instrument at long gigs, so at first my 9lb bass felt SO much easier. But over the last decade it's easy to have a sore back after one set and sore hands. I am trying to work on my core fitness, and do more stretching. Only a couple of gigs recently, both of which were about 90mins more-or-less, and no real soreness, so that's a win.

One piece of advice a musician friend gave me which I'll pass along is that I take some ibuprofen an hour or so before load-in for a gig or long practice, and that helps a lot. Maybe it's mostly in my head, but I feel less back and joint pain when I do that.

Rock on and thanks again -- if I'm lucky enough to live that long I hope to be the loudest guy in the nursing home!

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Great thread. Eye opener. Im 60 overweight but very lucky at this point. Did have a back incident so am aware of what can happen. As previously said never too late to get off my butt. Mesa tt800 and revsound cabs, 2x10 and 1x10 stacked. Not going to get much lighter than that. Those gigs where we bring sound and lights are killers. Pre gig workout thoughts....

 

[2cooltoolz]

 

[Gluvhand]

Probably a silly question but what does it mean to "enroll in Medicare"? Is that American for "retirement" or something? We have the OAP (Old Age Pension) for Canadians over a certain age, not sure if similar...

And keep the advice coming gentleman. I will need it in a few years.

Medicare is federal healthcare usually for people 65 and over and for younger disabled people.

 

[Rib 13]

1. weight of instruments - from 8 to 12 lbs or so
2. instrument configurations - Js, PJ, and MM HH, roudwounds (new)....although Im a lifetime finger/slap/tap variety/dance/funk bassist, I currently use a pick playing heavy music
3. weight of amplifiers - Peavey MiniMega 1000 Class D, two SWR Cabs
4. physical accommodations - so far, in my best health Ive ever been in including my 20s. Considering my age, I take no medications, BPs are between Systolic 115 - 130. My LDLs are a little elevated at 130 but, considering they were 170 before I started working out and jogging (see #5), Im hoping they will continue to trend down before seeking a -statin medication
5. physical maintenance - Jog 2 miles per day, non-stop. Going to raise it to 2.5 miles soon. Takes about 20-25 minutes. Weight training but no longer for build - just maintenence. I count calories and stay <1800 per day with an occasional 'splurge day' once or twice a month. Lean meats. Recently adding some keto dieting to meals although its easy to fall off of that after a few days and restart - but even if not religous about it, it still helps

I am on the higher side of 50s, pushing 60. I am told I look early 40s but that could just be folks being nice

 

[jallenbass]

a good slathering of hemp cream on my hands and knees. I used to use lidocaine but this stuff seems to work just as well.

@redwood - what brand are you using?

 

[biobass]

So far, I am lucky. I am coming up on the septuagenarian birthday in a couple of months. My only real complaints are that my equipment is stored in the attic and it takes me a couple of trips to the car to get it loaded. I could keep stuff in the barn for a first floor carrying experience, but the barn roof has begun to leak, and my wife, who wants to move (so do I), says it's the next guy's responsibility to fix. I use the old Berg HT112, EX112 mini stack coupled with Genz Shuttle 6.0 or NeoPak 3.5. Not really very heavy, nor hard to move. I use a Rock N' Roller cart. As of now, I can easily stand a whole night with any of my basses, the heaviest being the one I use most, Roscoe Beck V. I do, generally, sit when playing upright, an old 1939 Kay, but that is more for ease in bowing than anything else. I do sit while playing in pit orchestras. I enjoy playing musical theater more than anything else. Not only for the challenge, but the fact that I'm usually finished by 10 -10:30 PM, and only have to pack up at the end of the run. I'm really losing interest in playing bar gigs that don't finish until 1:00AM. I don't relish driving home late at night. The biggest age-related thing I've noticed, so far, is that I tend to sleep in the morning after a gig, and don't get a lot accomplished the next day. I used to be able to get up the morning after even a late gig and not think anything of it. I have been reading from charts and scores for decades. I don't really know if my ability to memorize has been compromised. I keep fairly active, and bicycle about 2000 miles per year, but now keep to bike trails and the canal path after a real close call being hit by a car driver on an early Sunday morning bike ride in Napa a few years ago.

 

[fhm555]

Up until 5~7 years ago I stayed as busy as I wanted, but my fingers on my left hand started drawing up and I couldn't stop them. I kept thinking I'd push through but it just got worse and by the time I went and had my left elbow and wrist opened up and entrapped nerves freed up, permanent damage was done and i'd lost my ability to cover four frets with four fingers when my pinky became to weak to fret if my ring finger was being used to fret. I've made the switch to short scale and i'm still working on trying to adapt but i'm still only back to about half of my former ability. It's frustrating, but it's my only chance at this point.

 

[GreyBeard]

I'm 71 and here is what I do. Get one of these: Gator Frameworks GFW-GTRSTOOL Guitar Stool with Integrated Guitar Stand Don't lift anything heavy without help. I've been taking glucosamine chondroitin tabs for several years now and they do help with the joint pain. I've cut back on alcohol too.

 

[bobba66]

I can still hold my poop in. Mostly.

 

[mdlewis]

Probably a silly question but what does it mean to "enroll in Medicare"? Is that American for "retirement" or something? We have the OAP (Old Age Pension) for Canadians over a certain age, not sure if similar...

Sorry about that - for those outside of the US, Medicare is the national US Healthcare payment system for folks 65 or over, or with special disabilities. Before you are eligible, US folks have to buy private health insurance. We don't have anything like the the nationalized health services of most other countries. I don't know anything about the Canadian Old Age Pension, but is seems more closely similar to what we call Social Security, which is more or less income.

Enrolling in Medicare is synonymous for turning 65 which is when you start to be referred to here as a "Senior Citizen".

 

[Stewie]

62, but had to retire as a carpenter at 60 due to shoulder wear. I mostly play upright, but still carry a Precision just in case. I just sold all my big Ampeg stuff and my heavy PA head. My brand new Rocket Bass 210 is a one hand carry, and sounds great. The guys used to have to help on the stairs. Now they don't

 

[Runnerman]

60 this year. Made several changes over the past 5 years...
- no basses over 9 lbs., wide padded straps....no scrimping on straps!
- in-ears to control volume....I have about 20% loss and want to keep what I have left, no wedges to tote
- ampless, have given up perfect tone chasing, Sansamp is a lot lighter
- digital mixer...old 100lb+ board is long gone
- neo subs and speakers
- stool to sit on between sets and when the guitar player is switching guitars

 

[electracoyote]

I'm 62 and in relatively good shape. Still keeping up with players half my age and very active on stage. I'll gig every weekend if I can, and I have to stay active in three bands at the moment to scratch that itch. Shoulder still in great shape, I actually prefer heavier guitars and basses. The one thing I am noticing is a mental and physical disdain for heavy lifting. I've done that long enough, and I just don't feel like it any longer, especially before showtime. Recovery from physical exertion is noticeably longer these days. Fortunately, for the past decade or so, I have been playing in bands with roadies and sound techs, ultra light gear for my personal rig is no problem, and I have come to fully appreciate the joys of IEMs and how to get the most from them. At this pace I might be able to literally rock 'til I drop. I do need to watch my weight, it's unbelievable at this age how easy it is to put on enough that my cool pants and stage wear no longer fit right, and how much time and discipline it takes to lose it.

 

[roswell1965]

I'm ready to try anything that helps.

See #15

 

[GWGuitar]

I haven't played out for around five years. When I did, I just sat in with a singer-somgwriter friend playing banjitar, mandolin, and resonator guitar. He didn't need bass for his thing. In those gigs, I just played through a mic because I did so many instrument changes. It was nice because I could travel light. When I played my own music, which is primarily ambient guitar, it was a lot: two or three guitars, two amps for a stereo mix, pedal board and my rack. Too much to drag around unless the gig paid a lot. I play, teach, and record at home when I'm not at school teaching history. I also taught Judo for many years and my body is paying the price at age 62. My basses are light viola basses except for an SX jazz bass, which weighs 10 pounds. I sit to play at home. Overall, I play acoustic six-string and twelve-string very little anymore, preferring the lower string tension of the bass and banjitars.

 

[joelns]

I'm still on the younger side at almost 54. Joint deterioration I'm quite familiar with. Mostly because I've broken about 50 bones, including a shoulder blade, 2 vertebrae, most of the bones in my hands and fingers, ribs, and others. I'm most sensitive to the weight of my bass hanging over my shoulder. My current 5'er weighs in at just over 7 pounds. Honestly, that was a good part of why I bought it. Turns out I absolutely love playing it. My J-bass is too heavy unless I'm sitting down, and it's only 9 1/2 pounds. My G&L is still possible, but it's a little over 8.

Amp weighs 7 pounds and the Mesa Subway cabs aren't too bad to move. A dolly is still nice.

Can't remember crap after 6 concussions and a TBI. Either have a book of charts, tablet, or notes printed out and taped to the floor. Depends on the situation.

Gettin old ain't so easy. But I do the best I can to manage the constant pain.

 

[fdeck]

I'm 57, but I've simply never been a very strong person. That's a combination of genetics and lack of upper body exercise when I was younger. I've never given up hauling super heavy gear, because I couldn't really ever haul it in the first place. So I've had to make some accommodations for a long time.

1. Lightweight gear? Check. I do play upright, but I'm not supporting its weight while I'm actually playing. I'm quite careful when I move it around. I've got a KC Strings Bass Buggie for it.

2. Attention to good playing technique that minimizes stress injuries. Though I know it's not the only game in town, good old Simandl technique is reliable, and by sticking with one system, I can critique and refine my approach. Due to being extremely conscious of my technique, I can still play a long bebop gig on upright without pain.

3. I actually prefer standing, since my day job involves sitting.

4. A special eyeglass prescription for music reading. Good music stand and light.

5. I realize that I don't strictly need the musical income, so I focus more on playing non commercial music and supporting the scene.

6. Exercise: About 45 to 60 minutes daily on my bike, more if I take long weekend rides. Walking and hiking. Cross country skiing. I want to add some upper body workout.

Advice to younger bassists:

1. Pay more attention to upper body strength when you're young and can still build muscle readily. My favorite exercise activity, cycling, doesn't do much in that department. I think you will be healthier when you get older, if you do some moderate strength training, though I would not recommend anything that could damage your joints.

2. Take care of your ears!

3. There are different schools of thought on "correct" technique, but each system is intended to minimize the risk of stress injuries. Choose a system. Make it a habit.

4. Our brains do age. Learn as much -- book learning, technique, ear training -- as you can when you're young.

5. Pay attention to safety and ergonomics in your day job. If you work at a computer all day, your posture probably sucks, and you're probably asking for wrist and neck / back problems in the future if you don't develop better habits.