Bass playing and aging?

[J Wilson]

At 70, strangely enough it would get tiring to stand there for five sets asI did hundreds of times, and the strap seems to bother me which is different, never did before. I also know I'm WAY too vain to play sitting down on stage.

As far as my hands, save for the rust they've accumulated in these years since I quit gigging, no real problems and they'd come back if I were inclined to woodshed seriously to get back in playing shape

 

[sawzalot]

I'm 56, and after gigging for over 35 years I'm in the best band I've ever been in, I'm gigging more than I ever have, at the best venues in the area, and I'm playing better than I ever have. And yet....for the first time I'm starting to feel tired of it all. Even at the best venues, once you hit the top of the club circuit it's rinse/repeat, and it's starting to feel like a grind. I don't drink and the bar atmosphere isn't my thing. I own/carry the IEM rig for the band and it's a lot to lift/transport. Somehow I'm feeling unfulfilled. I used to feel like I'd do this for free, but now even the money doesn't seem to do it for me. Not sure what's going on, whether it's getting bored with it, needing a different outlet, or just ready to do something different entirely. Time will tell.

 

[Nuisance]

At 63 I’m feeling it. My playing is fine, but my back has difficulty even supporting the lightest bases over a four set gig. The late hours suck. And the bar scene doesn’t appeal to me the way it once did as a young man.

I’m thinking I have no more than 5 years left (if that). After that I’ll find something else to do with my free time.

 

[enzodm]

Perhaps because I have never been a good player, I am better than 30 years ago - maybe even faster, but because I was always relatively slow. The experience accumulated in years is somewhat paying in terms of partially overcoming some of my defects. However, no gigs, always played only for fun with friends.
Regarding general health, I am light and fit (runner, some gym), so no back pain, not easily physically tired , etc. Mentally tired sometimes, but playing is a medicine for that.

 

[pfschim]

68 here and playing pro/semi-pro for 50+ years.
I'm still gigging steadily in largely original music projects (3 of them currently), subbing and doing sessions.

My chops are fine, no noticeable issues with speed, dexterity or articulation on a variety of musical styles. Of course, I'm not playing any speed metal or crazy chops oriented jazz/fusion stuff anymore either, but I feel like I can keep up as I always have in the past.

Load-in/out is definitely getting more taxing, and while I can easily handle standing up and performing on a 3hr gig, if I do any back-to-backs, I definitely feel it the next day. I also have to really watch my hydration in outdoor, high heat situations, or I run out of gas pretty quickly. Easily managed, but I never really had to consider that very much in the past.

My hearing is really getting to be an issue. I've lost a lot of highs and high-mids (per audiology tests) and also have pretty serious tinnitus. I'm good playing in purely live settings, but I have found I definitely have some old-guy hearing challenges in those situations where I end up playing to backing tracks .... I have difficulty distinguishing the tracks from the other live sounds on stage. This a pretty "normal" part of age related hearing issues, but it does get frustrating.

all of this will not stop me from playing and live work. Its just my reward for staying alive

 

[Norm Nelson]

Yeah, I'm better now than I ever was, but certainly not as fast.

 

[WayneP]

I just turned 70 last month. I’ve never been a fast player, so “slowing down” isn't an issue for me; my favorite quote about my playing is, “I’m not a flashy player, but hopefully I make up for it with good taste.”

As long as I can remember the lines, I'll keep playing. So far no arthritis in the hands issues, at least none affecting my playing. Knock on tonewood.

But, being a skinny guy I was never muscular, and that’s one thing I am noticing lately: I’ll pick up one of my basses in the hardshell case, and it’s like, “Man, when did this thing get so heavy?”

It’s good that my old age coincided with the advent of lightweight amplifiers and cabinets! I feel for the poor guys who aged out in the ’80s and ’90s...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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[Smooth_bass88]

Shoot, I've been aging since the day I was born.

 

[BassicJazzy]

About to turn 71. Have not slowed down, but endurance is a major factor. I can pretty much play at full pace for about 20 minutes at a time now. Arthritis is the main issue, in my fretting hand. The other thing that limits my endurance is that unlike in my youth I just don't build callous like I used to. My pads and tips of both fretting and plucking fingers get sore. I get about 2 hours of playing in each day, usually in 15 minute sessions. Grateful for still being able to play, kicking myself for quitting for 25 years back when I was younger anymore able, before arthritis.

 

[jTrolt]

I will throw out there that I've accepted my Chiro's advice to take a (spendy!) glucosamine supplement, as he states we need it for joint health, but our body's natural output decreases as we age (right when we need it most!). Also, fish oil. It's like a shot of WD40 to the joints. Always encourages me to do a second dose before bed if I've been particularly active. Don't know if it's "the key", but given the strenuous, repetitive work I do by day, it sure seems to be helping, as I only feel the pain of sore muscles after the crazy days. Man, I hope it lasts...

 

[red_rhino]

Is there stuff you could when you were younger, but can't now?

Yes, and that’s a good thing.

 

[Pep]

I know we have all gotten wiser and more thoughtful in our playing as we aged, but for the actual physical part, do you feel yourself slowing down like we would in a sport?
Is there stuff you could when you were younger, but can't now?


Got me thinking of this video of the late great Victor Bailey.


Even during his illness, he is still as fast as hell.

I’m be 77 next month, playing a minimum of one gig per week and as many as 4 per week, all standing for the entire performance. I’m playing better than ever, laying in the pocket, locking with the drummer and bouncing out for an occasional solo.
Yes, I have some arthritis and my legs get stiff, but other than that I’m still lovin’ it and have no plans to slow down anytime soon.

 

[dune]

I'm 63, and think I'm playing better than ever, though I've always felt like gigging 6 nights a week did something for my chops above and beyond what I've ever gotten from just practicing. I have been feeling more discomfort in my hands on occasion, especially my right plucking/slapping hand, and have recently taken to using these: Cold Therapy Mittens. They seem to be helping considerably in reducing the discomfort and making my hands feel, well... less old. I definitely feel like it was $20 well-spent.

 

[TTA]

I know we have all gotten wiser and more thoughtful in our playing as we aged, but for the actual physical part, do you feel yourself slowing down like we would in a sport?
Is there stuff you could when you were younger, but can't now?


Got me thinking of this video of the late great Victor Bailey.


Even during his illness, he is still as fast as hell.

i am not that old but carpal tunnel has been my issue.

 

[TTA]

I’m be 77 next month, playing a minimum of once gig per week and as many as 4 per week, all standing for the entire performance. I’m playing better than ever, laying in the pocket, locking with the drummer and bouncing out for an occasional solo.
Yes, I have some arthritis and my legs get stiff, but other than that I’m still lovin’ it and have no plans to slow down anytime soon.
View attachment 7341394

i used to have an urge 2 bass in blue. sold it to a guy in france and got a fireglo ric (no regrets). but it was a nice bass. too good really.

 

[Pep]

i used to have an urge 2 bass in blue. sold it to a guy in france and got a fireglo ric (no regrets). but it was a nice bass. too good really.

They’re great basses. Mine’s the original Urge with a 32” scale neck. Love it.

 

[bassicmike]

I'm more aware of energy conservation.

I sit for rehearsals, rest whenever possible during setup and soundcheck. Even so far as a restful nap between soundcheck and showtime.

Once on stage, I tend to forget I'm 68 years old because I'm having too much fun. So it all helps.

I don't think I could do a bar band gig anymore, tho. 4 sets, done at 1am? No thanks.

 

[RicheyLather]

I’m 62. Been playing guitar (except when I started out - you have a bass and rig? You’re in!) pro, and many semi-pro bands for 45 years. Towards the end (Covid days, but we still managed to get a bar or party gig a couple times a month) I was sitting down. It was a slow process, but am now in a wheelchair (have done a few gigs since, but it was still hard on me even with everyone pitching in for load-in and out). So now I likely play more than ever (just retired my day gig). Picked up a bass after not owning one for 30 years, and am having a blast. Only have GarageBand, the bass program sounds good, but impossible to get the same feel as a real bass, so I got my lil bass, strung with flats (was ALWAYS using Rotosound rounds when I was playing bass in the early days) and composing, and am on a JPJ, Jameson, and Dee Murray learning adventure. Those guys are just too epic not to try and learn their stuff. God if we’d had YouTube back in the 70’s and 80’s, no telling where my musical path would have taken me. I do miss the extra income (last band usually got $100-$150 a man. Never worried about groceries).

Thanks for letting me share, 1st time divulging my health status on a forum. Feels good. Thinking about picking up a bass gig with a couple of local churches P/W groups. They have chair-accessible vehicles, and I have a tiny amp (new Hartke combo) it’s small but would be perfect for a monitor, put on the Caline Wine Cellar and go direct with that. We’ll see….rock on everybody!

 

[Ostie]

I can’t stay up till the wee hours anymore. I can’t lug around a 2x15 or a 4x10 anymore. I don’t put up with fools or cheaters anymore. Otherwise, I’m still up for a gig.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

After having to give up upright for more than 5 years due to rotator cuff blowing out, with 2 years of minimal playing before that due to sprained ligament in my fingering hand,I'm finally healed enough to get back on one. I play more, varied music with more groups than ever, but the body is def. fragile and I have low tension instruments and light weight gear. The last few years I became a decent bass keyboard player, out of necessity. After 50 healing takes twice as long, even longer if you spent 35 years of your life touring full time (which is basically the same as moving furniture whilst partying). I can't do two handed tapping like I used to, but I'm not really looking to- I feel like I have a better understanding of what and when to play, than ever before. No more jumping around on stage, either. Hell, I sit while playing mostly these days. Once I get some spinal fusions, I'll start standing again......