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Retirement

F

FenderBassist

The P & Me
Oct 28, 2005
820
628
#1
Moved to Arizona in '99. Been through a long series of cover bands. Alcoholics, hobbyists, uncommitted "career" players, all the stereotypes.

Fortunately had a lot of gigs come my way. Unfortunately have seen a steady rise in stage and room volumes and reduction in sound quality.

Finally, found a band with the best players I've seen in a long time. Regrettably, they run full stacks and full PA (including drum mics) in a living room...after a few rehearsals i couldn't take it (even with foam earplugs). Apparently this was a non-negotiable point when I discussed it.

So, I have officially "retired" from the cover band scene.

The interesting thing about this is that I now enjoy music more than I have in a while. I have an extensive cd collection and been spending lots of time learning material for the enjoyment of playing.

I can hear everything clearly, the "others" always know their parts, always show up and like the same music I do lol.

It's like having the excitement of being a serious music student again, just like in the old days.
 
#3
FenderBassist said:
Moved to Arizona in '99. Been through a long series of cover bands. Alcoholics, hobbyists, uncommitted "career" players, all the stereotypes.

Fortunately had a lot of gigs come my way. Unfortunately have seen a steady rise in stage and room volumes and reduction in sound quality.

Finally, found a band with the best players I've seen in a long time. Regrettably, they run full stacks and full PA (including drum mics) in a living room...after a few rehearsals i couldn't take it (even with foam earplugs). Apparently this was a non-negotiable point when I discussed it.

So, I have officially "retired" from the cover band scene.

The interesting thing about this is that I now enjoy music more than I have in a while. I have an extensive cd collection and been spending lots of time learning material for the enjoyment of playing.

I can hear everything clearly, the "others" always know their parts, always show up and like the same music I do lol.

It's like having the excitement of being a serious music student again, just like in the old days.
Click to expand...

If you can find the right band gigging cn be fun. I was lucky. About 2 years ago I found an established working cover band without Alcoholics, hobbyists, uncommitted "career" players, or any of the stereotypes.

blue
 
#8
Being a long-time player, I more or less "retired" from the music scene in the 80's. I just could not take it. I was in a drug infested cover band and opted for a day job and new career. Totally understand what the OP is saying.

But, of course, I came back to music about 10 years later, but in a new way. I tried a rock band, but that did not seem right. Then, shortly after that broke up, in 1999, someone called me up and asked me to join a jazz band. Said I had no experience, but loved the music, and gave it a try. Perfect fit. Then I moved on to a Latin pop type of band for several years and ended up taking up upright bass and immersed myself in that, both jazz and classical.

There was a time when I totally enjoyed the Marshall's and playing what is now classic rock, but right now I am content playing in jazz and Latin bands, and am now looking for some low key duo work. I have some great custom fit earplugs that seem to make it even easier to hear myself and the other band members, but do not even always have to use them at rehearsals and gigs.

Maybe time to take a look at other genres of music.
 
#12
Man... I'm looking forward to retiring from the day job in a couple of years so that I can accept more gigs! I don't know about the OP, but having a non music income means that I can be more selective about who I work with.

After almost 40 years of playing, the one thing I know for sure is that even the best bands break up, some of the best gigs go south, but there are always more good people out there to work with.
 
#13
I hear ya. Going through the same thing only I retired in the mid 90's, took a 15 year break from all playing and now I am enjoying jamming along with CD's and YouTube concerts. Also, doing a bit of recording my own stuff. Having a great time with it. Glad to hear that you are too.
 
#15
carl h. said:
No, this is a "you don't need to put up with too loud dumb@$$e$ to enjoy playing music" thread.
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ALLRIGHTY then.

I agree, if the band cannot understand dynamics, and appropriate conduct, that is NOT a band I would be interested in.

But I also wouldn't throw in the towel on playing live music with bands.

Just not THAT band.

That kind of thing was O.K. when I was young, but as I grow older my level of tolerance for B.S. decreases in an exponential manner with each passing year.
 
#17
For better or worse, a huge part of music is interaction with outher humans...musicians in your group, and the people listening.

In your basement studio alone you get neither. But if you don't care about that part of making music, should work fine for you.
 
#19
DWBass said:
To the OP, I feel you and am heading in the same direction! I am completely burned out! My last gig with current band is 6/29 and I can't wait to take some time off! I don't want to see another band, hear another band or listen to music in general! Will be listening to Talk Radio for a while...LOL!
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Talk Radio....the reason why my 400+ cds are collecting dust. The only time I listen to music is when I practice or on my ipod at the gym.
 
#20
While I am now playing in a cover band that I enjoy for the most part, I can see the draw of not playing in a band. It can become far more work then reward. I have recently hit a few open mikes with a guitarist friend and in a lot of ways I am being drawn by the idea of a duo. Acoustic guitar and bass work well together and cuts struggles exponentially. The OP might consider an option like this because having stopped playing years ago only to return now I realize that it is harder to get back into the scene when you have been gone awhile. The players you knew have either moved on or quit playing all together, and the younger players don't view you as relevant or cool.
 

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