Im 34 & don't have a gig, so your all still ahead of me!
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Poll: Gigging and over 50 - When to quit?
- Thread starter stringthrough
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When I drop dead, hopefully on stage for maximum dramatic effect.
I’m 67 and gig ~50-60 times/yr as a hobbyist. I’ve been playing bass since I was 15 or 16 and played trombone from 6th -11th grade. Music has always been a big part of my life and I’ll only stop when I physically can’t do it anymore. I always set up with a portable stool and sit/stand depending on tunes. I play almost exclusively using real book charts or other charts, so my aging brain doesn’t have to remember lots of tunes/changes. My basses are 8lbs or less and my amps/cabs lightweight. I’m definitely “the old man” in most of the ensembles I’m in, but I like to think it keeps me young ...I’ll continue to play as long as others put up with me. My life is in a different orbit than the very young folks I play with, but music unites us.
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I'll be 66 Wed. I currently play about 45 weeks a year at churches, 35-40 shows a year in my main band, host 50 open stages a year, and sub in other bands about 15-20 shows a year. Most non church gigs are 3-4 hour shows. I've reduced my gear to about the lightest it can be considering most of my main band's shows are outdoor festivals and the like. 800 watt amp head weighs 4 pounds, 1200 watt cab weighs 37 pounds and rolls. I'm fortunate in that all our sound is contracted with pro sound companies, and I don't have to move any of it. That being said, I have sore back issues sometimes, and I'm usually going nonstop from Thursday through Sunday, so Mondays are generally total R and R days for me.
Interesting thread, enjoyed seeing all the posts and pics so far. I just turned 60 and I've been doing 120 - 200 gigs a year for the last 5 years. Nearly all of it is in a 3-piece. Speaking personally, here's my feelings:
1. If we are using our own lights, PA, lug, then come Monday morning, I'm really pretty beat.
2. If we are using venue PA, light etc, I could easy gig 7 nights a week, easy.
3. The constant circuit of traveling and playing the same venues around and around kinda takes its toll
4. I'm surprised how increasingly little gear I take to a gig.
I often think I've had enough and I could give it away, maybe look for something once or twice a month. But I'm pretty confident if that happened I'd be bored and antsy, so I dunno. For now I'm just gonna roll with it, pending physical issues of course.
Since this has morphed into a photo thread, you're welcome:
1. If we are using our own lights, PA, lug, then come Monday morning, I'm really pretty beat.
2. If we are using venue PA, light etc, I could easy gig 7 nights a week, easy.
3. The constant circuit of traveling and playing the same venues around and around kinda takes its toll
4. I'm surprised how increasingly little gear I take to a gig.
I often think I've had enough and I could give it away, maybe look for something once or twice a month. But I'm pretty confident if that happened I'd be bored and antsy, so I dunno. For now I'm just gonna roll with it, pending physical issues of course.
Since this has morphed into a photo thread, you're welcome:
Singers have a shelf life - their voice goes warbly in their later years. Bass players go on forever.
Well I only started gigging regularly at the age of 64 so not sure how to answer your question really
I'll be turning 42 this year and I'm already worried about becoming old and not having people want to book me anymore. Aside from the kids and the wife, music is the one thing which really interests me. I'll keep on doing it until it stops being fun.
Our drummer just quit a couple weeks back. He's a monster at the kit, so it's a great loss. He said his wife and daughter wanted him to quit for "health reasons". Sounds to me like he is now interested in becoming an old man.
Do young guy things, stay young. Do old guy things, get old.
Do young guy things, stay young. Do old guy things, get old.
Tell that to Keith Richards.
When you feel old, just take a look at the "Stones"!! Or Not!!
52 here. Been playing a lot the past two years (2 gigs a month on average) after an extended hiatus.
I voted "once I am physically unable to".
That said, I really don't enjoy gigging out all that much. The nights are too late, there is often time just far too much down time for me which I do not enjoy, I am really not really into "the hang" all that much as for me down time means wasted time and with some of the bands I play in down time = party time.
I do enjoy playing however, and these days it seems like all anyone wants to do is be on a stage playing in front of people so that's what I am stuck with.
Quite frankly I'd often times rather be in a studio making more quality music with folks who are more interested in making music that sounds good and less interested in being in front of a crowd.
When they carry me off in a box. I’m about to turn 70 in October.
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