How Old Are We

[two fingers]

Im curious, in the area I play I notice a lot of players are on the older side. The stage I was on last night, sitting in, everyone was in their 50’s and 60’s - except me of couse . Another observation is that many older players do it for the joy of it, not caring so much about money. I figure I got 20 more years of playing and learning so why not. Better then sitting my A$$ in front of the tube or becoming a stereotype. Im curious about others observations and attitudes as they get older.

I have noticed the same. The problem in my area is that the poor old farts get LAZY. They show up.in cargo shorts with no lights and do half @$$ versions of the music. It's as if they aren't even trying. I don't mind your being old. But ACTING old is no fun.

By the way, I'm pushing 50. But you wouldn't know it when I step on stage.

My point is, it becomes ONLY about the joy of the musicians. There is ZERO effort to make it about what the AUDOENCE might want.

"I wanna play. So screw you. I'm gonna play in my fat pants. I'm gonna play the 4 chord version of a 10 chord song. Lights??? Are you kidn???? I'm doing it the easy way. If you don't like it you can suck it".

That's the attitude of anyone over 40 in my area. It's kind of depressing really. They mostly suck and really don't care. It's ONLY about "their joy". Everyone else can go to h....

 

[Mike JV]

I started playing at age 42. I'm now 45.

At this point in my life, I sometimes find it easier to buy new gear rather than learning how to play what I have. I've been working on tamping that down quite a bit lately. I can usually fit 2-3 hours of practice per day now. Practice really does cure GAS to an extent.

I admit I fell into the GAS rut a number of years ago. Once I had time to stop and think about it I realized all I was doing was trying to fill a void in my life. (I was working 12 hours a night. All I did was work and sleep Monday through Friday for 13 years). What a waste of money. Last year I had to buy a few, needed guitar orientated things to play at church, but by and large the big GAS is over and I couldn't be happier. Told myself if I ever want something that's fairly expensive again I'm selling or trading.

Trying to do what Frank Zappa once said. "Learn to make music with what you've got." Wish I would have listened to that years ago.

 

[dfoehr]

Less people playing instruments with each generation.

 

[dennis james]

Just turned 63. Played in working weekend warrior bands thru the 70's and into the 80's. None of us had any illusions about being rock stars and we all had full time day jobs. I'm recently retired from the phone co. and am talking with some of the other old guys about getting together again to drink some beers and play for fun in some ones basement. You would have to hold me at gun point to get me to strap on a 9 1/2 lb bass and play a 4-5 hour gig. I have all the great memories from those days, but I know better than to think we could recapture that as old men. As dirty Harry once said, "a mans got to know his limitations".
I also feel sorry for you younger guys out there because you have nowhere near as many opportunities to find paying gigs as we did. Everybody wanted live music back then.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

This could have been a great poll.

 

[TomB]

This could have been a great poll.

Still could

 

[Liam Wald]

I am 66. Been playing bass for 53 years. Icon photo was promo shot for the band Security Council. I am standing far left at age 14 with my Vox bass.

 

[JtSD619]

32 years young, and it’s never been about the money.

 

[TomB]

I am 66. Been playing bass for 53 years. Icon photo was promo shot for the band Security Council. I am standing far left at age 14 with my Vox bass.

Cool! In '66 I had a red Vox Panther. I played it in my first gigging band (at the high school cafeteria)!

 

[JamesAG]

54, just started playing bass (my first instrument) about 7 months ago. I should have started 30 years ago - I would be so much better today!

 

[micguy]

I’m 61,and this weekend I was the 3rd oldest on stage at church. 7 people (including 5 singers) younger than me.

 

[Acoop]

I was in the room when they invented dirt.

 

[Liam Wald]

Cool! In '66 I had a red Vox Panther. I played it in my first gigging band (at the high school cafeteria)!

Very cool! My Vox was a natural finish Cougar. Before that I had a candy apple red Teisco Del Ray. The Teisco wasn't all that great but I wish I still had the Vox!

 

[NathOBX]

Started at 14, I am now 40.

 

[Blake Bass]

52 ..been playing bass full time since I was 20.

 

[burgerdj]

41 years, playing non-pro for 24 years. Never for the money. In fact I have probably only cleared about enough to cover my studio times, various equipment and bass purchases through the years. I call that a win

 

[Copperhead]

Another OTD. Haven't been in a band for some time.
Would be happy doing week end jams for fun. All my old band mates live way far away.

 

[dan1952]

Starting playing gigs at 14 in 1964, will be 69 next week.

Considering retiring from performing at 70, been a long time coming. Knees are killing me, demands of touring life aren’t for seniors IMO. Dunno, trying PT/conditioning and weight loss to help out. By September last year my legs were rubber.

On a related note, yes plenty of ‘grandad’ bands out there, too many for my tastes. I don’t want to go out that way, playing covers at car shows...

Yeah, it would be horrible playing great songs for people who like cool cars...

 

[micguy]

I was in the room when they invented dirt.

..but you're still above it.

 

[leftyjohn]

72 here. Started in 1970. Mostly got nowhere but had fun.....in the beginning. Stopped playing for a long time because the fun left. Finally got an idea of which way to go musically and started again.

It is really difficult to find people who actually want to play bad enough that they will show up for practice. Right now all I got is a drummer who is 20 but really likes pounding on his drum set. My main guitar guy quit to go work construction......he my age......CONSTRUCTION!!!!!! Really....oh well.

72 going on 29 is my official age. Think young, play young, and walk a lot.