Pretty sure My Gigging Days are Over...

[friskinator]

I stopped playing a couple years ago after my previous cover band fizzled out. I’d been growing tired of music and gigging in general for a few years before that, and the band coming to an end was the final straw for me.

I don’t miss it at all, and I don’t even play at home anymore. Which I’m also fine with. I’ve still got a couple basses and a small combo, but they haven’t been touched in a long time. I can honestly say that I don’t plan on ever getting back into it, which seems to confuse some people. But if the interest is gone, why force it?

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Well you can as you have been and it's apparently what you do? (Well, I might add..)
I'm 64, not day job retired and have gigs Thurs /Fri Sat this week. The pain of them is self inflicted as I booked them all.
There's no logic to it except the financial logic of making more money.

Not retired from my day job either. The "pain" is getting home at night and making 9 trips to the basement to store all the gear. Luckily it's not like the old days where gigs were 9pm-1am and I was doing that at 2:30 or 3 am when I got home. Long story not needed but the last gig we played I had to ask the other two bandmembers to haul the gear and I arrived with just my bass/amp/pedalboard. That sure got me thinking the extra loadout was a real pain.

But we all justify it our own way. You say the logic is making more money, fair enough. For me it's those moments during the night when things hit right with the audience and you're all having fun. As long as those moments occur I'll probably keep at it until I can't.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Everyone else added their war stories. I'll add mine. I did the full-on professional touring gig thru the 80's. I stopped in 1991 when my son was born and put all my bass toys aside to raise a family and start a business. Kids grew and I pulled the toys back out of the attic and now play occasionally when asked and every Sunday in my church. I am a happy over the hill player. There is life after the lights and admiration of the stage and everyone is different.... If I was asked to go tour full time again, I would have to put a curfew on gigs these days! You do what feels right and if that means hanging it up, then enjoy the memories. My wife built me a scrapbook of my bands glory days, and it always brings me a smile when I pull it out.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Well you can as you have been and it's apparently what you do? (Well, I might add..)
I'm 64, not day job retired and have gigs Thurs /Fri Sat this week. The pain of them is self inflicted as I booked them all.
There's no logic to it except the financial logic of making more money.

I'm going to be retiring early next year and just working a little - part time. My goal was to use the extra time in retirement to play more, but after this weekend, I'm not sure what "more" even means.

Definitely want to find something that is still doable, but also enjoyable as I don't care as much about playing paid gigs any longer. So what I want to do is more in "my control" and less dependent on club owners or audience expectations. If I'm to continue, it's gotta be more on my terms. This impromptu wedding gig made things a little more clear as to what I want and definitely don't want, as well as what my limitations are. It had been a while since the last time I was onstage, so this last weekend was kind of an eye opener.

The problem (if there is one) is finding like-minded musicians. This area is not the cornucopia of an endless supply of musicians who are seeking the same thing. Where I live most everyone is either too young or still stuck in cover band hell.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Not retired from my day job either. The "pain" is getting home at night and making 9 trips to the basement to store all the gear. Luckily it's not like the old days where gigs were 9pm-1am and I was doing that at 2:30 or 3 am when I got home. Long story not needed but the last gig we played I had to ask the other two bandmembers to haul the gear and I arrived with just my bass/amp/pedalboard. That sure got me thinking the extra loadout was a real pain.

But we all justify it our own way. You say the logic is making more money, fair enough. For me it's those moments during the night when things hit right with the audience and you're all having fun. As long as those moments occur I'll probably keep at it until I can't.

There is just something magical going on, when the band is playing tight together, without even thinking about it and the groove is too intense to ignore. When the energy and vibe of the whole venue is in sync with it. Those are the moments I play "live" for that just playing by myself cannot replace.

I've had so many moments, even entire gigs like that over the years...it's just too strong a feeling to just throw out at least one more opportunity to experience that again.

It's possible that is another reason this past weekend was a bummer. The drummer had a hard time keeping the beat right and there was no good groove happening between us (playing-wise). For whatever reason I can put up with a lot of things when the drummer and I can lock into a great groove.

 

[laklandplayer]

There just aren't the number of gigs around as there used to be, especially since Covid 19 changed and screwed the musical landscape.
Gone is my regular paid church orchestra gig of 30 years, then the bandleader I worked for, 35 years (and made a lot of money with) retired and there aren't those last minutes pick up gigs or small parties like there used to be. Freelance recording sessions like demos, record dates and jingles have totally evaporated. I sort went through the same business erosion in LA back in the 80's when synthesizers took away our TV, Movie and Jingle dates. I went from making a very comfortable living to zilch over a 6 month period and finally moved back home.
I'm now 70 and fortunately I don't look it or act it and I simply keep my age to myself. I'm in good health and am actually playing better than I ever have, but my fear of "aging out" is very real none the less. I felt it coming and changed course a few years ago by playing pit gigs and musicals, it literally saved my career as a bass player. The, fun, musical challenge and pressure to be perfect every single time is there.
The great thing is it doesn't matter your age as along as you can play the part and I find that younger musicians respect their older peers.
If you are an experienced player, work on your reading, or learn to read music and start networking to find theatre/pit gigs.
There are a lot of community theatres, high schools and colleges who hire older professional players for their shows, and do you know why? Young players can't cut it and they aren't interested in doing the work.
Aging out doesn't mean you have to quit, it's just a matter of rethinking and adapting your abilities and finding new pathways for your EXPERIENCE, talent and skill.
Don't talk yourself into being old or washed up, if you aren't playing for people, play for yourself and remember why we all started playing in the first place, besides meeting chicks.

 

[Freight Train]

You make me realize how blessed I am. Next year will mark my 60th year playing bass, at which point I'll be 73. I'm now playing in an original blues band with the best musicians I've ever played with, the next oldest member being 30 years younger than me, the youngest is 40 years younger than me. Our band won Best Blues Act in this year's Dallas Entertainment Awards. We don't play the kind of blues you'd sit down to play. I've told myself if it ever gets to the point where I've got to sit to play, that's when I'll hang it up. Just to further buck trends for my age, 11 years ago I switched to all tube rigs, and the inconvenience is more than worth it to me. At this stage I want to play and sound the best I ever have. And in order to put off the sitting down thing as long as I can I've lost 40 pounds over the past 7 months. Just my opinion, it is mostly mental attitude. I'm fortunate in that I have no infirmaries or injuries so there's nothing preventing me from doing it aside from convincing myself I can't.

 

[Aberdumbie]

why we all started playing in the first place, besides meeting chicks.

You mean…… This wasn’t the reason???

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

You mean…… This wasn’t the reason???

Wife wouldn't approve, but it does kind of provide some incentive!

 

[zubrycky]

After 45 years of playing and taking a brief hiatus, I've been working towards playing some light, short, early gigs again. A bunch of my old friends and bandmates (of various bands through the years) got together to play a wedding for one of them over the weekend.

I was only going to play about 4 or 5 songs. I only had to bring one of my basses and it was just to play some ZZ Top, SRV and a couple of loose blues jams. So I brought my 4 string P/J bass. I had a stool to sit on as standing (especially in the 90+ degree heat) was not good for me, But at the last minute a mandolin player took it as a stand for his little amp. The bass player had a nice upright and a killer Rickenbacker 4003S and played through a little Bergantino amp and 110 cab. Of course his URB didn't need much additional volume and his Rick was strung with flats so his tone controls were set flat or very bright with little to no low end dialed in.

My Precision is strung with bright roundwounds and it a very bright sounding bass, so when I first started playing my bass sounded so anemic and irritatingly bright (and I had little chance to dial in anything even remotely tolerable). Ugh. I sounded like total crap through his amp (no FOH support). I had to quickly roll my tone control all the way back, turn down the highs and boost the lows a lot just to get by. I know Berg's are great amps and cabs, but this one totally sucked tonewise (as dialed in anyway).

I was already having a bad day physically, but mentally, after talking with so many old friends and bandmates it was really depressing. 3 of my 4 old bandmates are dying of cancer. Others are are just in really bad shape (far worse than me) so I had nothing complain about (and didn't want to). But it was just so sad. We should have called the impromptu band, the "Rest Home Rockers". My right plucking hand was giving me a hard time with my nerves and tendonitis. My (fingertips were numb and limiting my ability to play). But you know the old saying,.. "The show must go on". I played the tunes and everyone said it sounded great (friends in the crowd and bandmates) but I can only assume everyone is deaf as well. LOL.

I've spent the past couple of days contemplating what to do. I can't see myself playing an entire gig at this point. I'm still not convinced I can't play and I'm not giving up without giving it everything I have. The drummer's whole body is riddled with cancer and he was actually inspiring as he said he was going to keep playing drums until someone pulls him off his stool. If he ain't quitting I'm sure not going to.

But unless the perfect situation and opportunity presents itself, I'm pretty much done gigging. This entire last weekend should have been a very good time, but it was just plain depressing and I'm still having a hard time dealing with it.

Vent/rant over.

Well, bad and less than ideal gigs happens with everyone, regardless of their age or musical experience.


I'm sorry about your bandmates and I can relate with your pain, but... Don't let a bad day ruin your life and decide the end of your gigging days. Our existence here is short and play is a blessing. Keep playing, learn new things, play as long as you can and soon better gigs will appear.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Well, bad and less than ideal gigs happens with everyone, regardless of their age or musical experience.


I'm sorry about your bandmates and I can relate with your pain, but... Don't let a bad day ruin your life and decide the end of your gigging days. Our existence here is short and play is a blessing. Keep playing, learn new things, play as long as you can and soon better gigs will appear.

Thanks. And thanks to everyone who replied...it's been therapeutic.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Yeah...I played full time on the road in my 20's and early 30's as a gigging musician and made my living at it. Then, like many, I got married, had kids, got a "normal" job, but played out almost every weekend. I did that for another 20 years. I enjoyed all of it and the experiences it gave to my life.

I love the feeling and energy of performing live. It fulfills me in a way that writing/playing and recording in my studio does not, though I also enjoy that part of playing. I imagine what an athlete goes through, no longer being able to play sports any longer.

Perhaps it is time to coach others in the craft? We always need new teachers, or just mentors, to help guide young players or prospective players. I know a pro athlete (woman's cycling, world class) who is going through this right now and that is the path she chose, to coach younger athletes, now that she can no longer perform at top levels.

 

[zubrycky]

Thanks. And thanks to everyone who replied...it's been therapeutic.

You're welcome!

Here's something to cheer you up! Keep playin'!

 

[roccobass]

Nothing I can really add here. You've got the light Rumble at 22lbs. My lightest is my Markbass Minimark at 19 lbs, but I only have a couple of gigs where I'm lucky enough to play through that. A stool will help with your knee. Regarding your hands, perhaps switching back to a 4 string might help? That and a short scale one too. I dunno. Good luck. I'm with with you on the knee dept. Just put my brace back on.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Perhaps it is time to coach others in the craft? We always need new teachers, or just mentors, to help guide young players or prospective players. I know a pro athlete (woman's cycling, world class) who is going through this right now and that is the path she chose, to coach younger athletes, now that she can no longer perform at top levels.

Hmmm...I had thought about offering lessons too.

Or I could try what Gene Simmons did and have people pay me for the privilege of being my roadie.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Nothing I can really add here. You've got the light Rumble at 22lbs. My lightest is my Markbass Minimark at 19 lbs, but I only have a couple of gigs where I'm lucky enough to play through that. A stool will help with your knee. Regarding your hands, perhaps switching back to a 4 string might help? That and a short scale one too. I dunno. Good luck. I'm with with you on the knee dept. Just put my brace back on.

Actually every note on my 4 string can be played between the 5th and 12th fret of my six string.

Now that is a short scale!!!

 

[rylie]

at 73, decided I would rather be entertained than be the entertainer
have no regrets

 

[GazzBass]

“If you think you are too old to rock ’n roll, then you are”

Lemmy

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I think it's time to go back to playing my Ibanez GSR206 exclusively. Don't get me wrong, my 4 string Precision plays beautifully, but as far as comfort in playing (as well as eliminating pain) my 6 string handles it all with a much shorter reach in both directions.

I do have some physical limitations due to injuries where there are still some lingering issues (mostly in my right, plucking elbow/wrist/hand) and sometimes my shoulders (both of which I've separated in falls). I also have some balance/nerve issues stemming from a nasty concussion, in addition to a practically useless right knee. Then there are the degenerative discs in my lower back and also my neck (around the C5 location). Needless to say, even with all the therapy I've received (and continue to), I'm actively dealing with limitations having nothing to do with age (not that age doesn't play a factor, but I don't believe age has anything to do with it...it's a state of mind, IMO).

I could (and a lot of players do) go with a short scale 4 string bass, but every note on my 4 string Precision can be found and played on my 6 string playing between the 5th and 12th frets exclusively. This a very limited range of motion needed...

I quit playing a few years back (long before these issues became a problem) mostly because I just got tired of the grind of playing boring rock covers every weekend. So I came back to playing bass with a different idea of what I wanted to do.

My goal was (and still is) to form or join a band to play mostly originals with an eclectic mix of genres, or to redo covers in a new way. I also want to play less often, shorter sets and earlier gigs. My thoughts were more along the lines of a duet/trio/quartet in a more "MTV Unplugged" style of gig. Lower volume with no FOH PA, where amps alone carry the venue (perhaps a vocal monitor) kind of gig. I abhor IEM's (can't wear anything inserted in my ear, not even custom fitted ones).

So, while this last weekend was kind of a bummer, it was also an eye opening experience that that really drove the point home about what my goals really are, and I was losing sight of those goals. I think I was just growing impatient with what I really wanted and it not happening.

So yeah...the traditional cover/dance band gigs are a thing of the past, but still feel the need and desire for the energy of stage performance in some limited fashion.

I really appreciate everyone's support and sharing their own stories. Keep them coming. Those who are still doing it are an inspiration!

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I quit playing for a while mostly because I got tired of the cover band routine and the music I once played was no longer relevant to my lifestyle. Being 60 years old with kids and grandkids, music about girls and partying lost it's appeal. I just wanted something different, but not knowing what.

Subsequent injuries caused some heath issues during my time away. I do have some lingering difficult physical limitations and you are right, it required some different kind of bass and techniques to get around. I do play a 6 string bass that is so much easier to play as I can stay in the middle of the neck without reaching too far in either direction. It's actually a much shorter reach than even a short scale bass. I also have extremely lightweight gear with the heaviest being my Fender Rumble 100's (22 lbs.).

I'm still holding out hope that some kind of workable situation becomes a worthwhile opportunity I can do. But I do know the typical gigs I used to play are NOT an option any longer.

Sucks. But I get it. I get tired of the many routines of a cover band, but that seems to melt away- at least for a time- looking out across the crowd and realizing how happy I make people when I do something. That and... maybe they like beer. Late, loud, long and well, a lot of things... are the seeming stock and trade of MANY gigs. It might be a time to think about different genres, venues, and dynamics to the extent they exist in your area, and maybe a bit of reboot as well.

Occasionally I go to a brewery that has "acoustic nights" and "jam nights". On such possibilities in your area, maybe you become the standing bass player for something like this on a weekly or bi-monthly opportunity to play some but also share the stage where other players can play too. My experience with such things is that it's everything a bar gig ISN'T: Not late. Not loud. Not long. And well, there's still BEER. And if there's not such a thing in your area, be the guy to partner with a brewery or venue and build the band and opportunity! I'd love to do that, but honestly being in three gigging bands, I have no time to be a fixture and point person anywhere for any such thing. But some day that may change.

I have the Rumble 500 (it's actually 350 watts) and 38 pounds makes my gigging life much easier.