Bass playing and aging?

[KenSmithFan]

Anthony Worthington has some fantastic book recommendations on his site that deal with learning. I read a half dozen of them this year and they completely changed my approach to practice. One of them talked about the effects of aging on performance and found that even as you lose dexterity in other areas, if you continue your regular practice regimen then you won’t loss dexterity in your playing. Of course, that doesn’t apply if you have actual physical ailments like arthritis, tendinitis, and injuries.

I’m 67 and frankly I’m playing better than I have my entire life.

 

[roccobass]

Just turned 65 here. I know long jams and standing for long periods of time are in my rear view mirror.

Yeah, the fingers have been feeling the mileage. Of course, I’ve taken steps to prolong my playing lifespan. Stopped playing upright, switched to medium light gauge strings in my electrics, bought a stool, rubber mat, better shoes and having been consciously not trying to lead foot it every time I play.

That last part is hard because digging in is part of my bass voice. Trying to find a happy medium. Oh yes, then there’s the mileage on my ears. Been protecting what’s left with some good earplugs.

 

[Polfuste]

i'm "only" 53; but aging is starting to act negatively. A shoulder problem i'm still investigating has prevented me to play my acoustic bass and guitars due to shoulder position with body thickness to avoid pain. I turned it into shortscale bass and discovered an entire new world that will help me to continue on this aging path: it's way more confortable to play in any position for my shoulders, hands (which are slowly starting to hurt sometimes) than all instrument i've had before. I play few gigs a year so i don't fed up with; even if loading/unloading the car is a bit more hard than before. Everything seems to be heavier with time, even if my cab is a NEO one, and i don't have a lot of gear to load/unload. (basses, amp, stuff, some small lights .. )

 

[BassicJazzy]

i'm "only" 53; but aging is starting to act negatively. A shoulder problem i'm still investigating has prevented me to play my acoustic bass and guitars due to shoulder position with body thickness to avoid pain. I turned it into shortscale bass and discovered an entire new world that will help me to continue on this aging path: it's way more confortable to play in any position for my shoulders, hands (which are slowly starting to hurt sometimes) than all instrument i've had before. I play few gigs a year so i don't fed up with; even if loading/unloading the car is a bit more hard than before. Everything seems to be heavier with time, even if my cab is a NEO one, and i don't have a lot of gear to load/unload. (basses, amp, stuff, some small lights .. )

If you haven't tried fretless, perhaps give it a try. Based on what you describe, an Ibanez SR would go a long way to alleviating your discomfort. Very light, and slim, capable of very low set-ups and light action playing. Something like this?

 

[Polfuste]

Thank you for the advice; but i tried the fretless by the past and this is not my thing. My hands are well yet. I just have some small pain from time to time, upcoming osteoarthritis for my future (mainly heritage from my mother). The U5 has saved my actual playing for my shoudler problem. And i discovered by playing it that it was the easier bass i never played, and more comfortable for my hands too.
But i keep your advice in my memory for the future if hands situation becomes bad. I didn't imagine that fretless could make left hand playing more comfy but that's totally make sense. And even if fretless is not my thing; if one day i've to switch to be able to play, i sure will.

 

[StyleOverShow]

I’m 75 and have been out for the last month with a UTI. Thought it was simply dehydration as I gigged evening concerts in near 100F temps. The day after the weekends were spent shivering under piles of blankets, retching up colors not found in nature bile and sleeping round the clock. I’d treat the symptoms and get better. Finally I went to Urgent Care and they hung a couple of IV bags, reran some tests and shot me up with a powerful antibiotic, gave me some anti emetics and a RX for some $92 antibiotics. They suspected a UTI.

I’ve missed the sept/Oct gigs. I haven’t unloaded my car from our last trip in mid Sept. I’m up to getting out at least once a day, feel better but not well. Lost ten pounds, only positive of the mess.

So in another thread someone mentioned how you age out of gigs. You just don’t get the calls anymore. I think that’s where I’m at. Last year I did a bar band, guitar player was great, band had all the right players but 4 hour gigs with sound and lights load in and outs were just too much. I’m in a small market where the Saturday Market gig is fought over. Thinking I’m at the end of a long career, been fun but I’m exhausted and right now in no shape to perform.

Seems like responding to posts on TB is my main activity rn!