Thinking about hanging it up.

[tb-player]

I've been playing music a long time... pretty much all my life. It's a part of who I am. But when it comes to playing out, it has become more of a hassle than a joy. When something loses its joy, that's when it's time to reevaluate its worth.

With that in mind, I think it may be time for me to take a nice, long break from playing bass in bands. My enjoyment of local gigs and such has been gone for a while. And what I call my 'megachurch gig' has become more of a chore than anything else. I still enjoy studio sessions, but that's getting more and more infrequent as my business continues to grow and my calendar continues to fill.

I have a few pieces of gear for sale right now, here and Reverb. I'm thinking about eventually selling everything and buying one nice, overpriced vintage jazz to go alongside my nice, overpriced vintage precision. J with rounds and a P with flats. That just feels right, doesn't it?

I still have a couple of acoustic guitars, a keyboard and my DAW. Those have mostly been for my personal enjoyment. Maybe it's time for the bass to fit into that category. Or maybe it's time to refocus on songwriting & home recording... you know, reignite a simpler passion.

This is something I've been thinking about for a year or so. And I've already begun scaling back. I think the timing may finally be right to call it quits.

Obviously, you guys/gals don't know my life, so I'm not asking if I should or shouldn't. But I am curious if anyone else here has recently done something similar. What was your experience? Did it last? Or did you just need a break?

 

[Jazzdogg]

Since I retired I only play occasionally. I miss playing music with others, but I don't miss the music industry at all.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

But I am curious if anyone else here has recently done something similar. What was your experience? Did it last? Or did you just need a break?

I did something similar in leaving behind the "standard" bass/guitar/drums band and moved to guitar/bass/cajon lineup. Just a different direction was enough for me.

We all sing, don't duplicate any of the songs from the other band and have been enjoying it alot. We just came off the busiest month we've ever had and had to turn down more gigs for the summer than we could take. Easier setup, less gear, easier for me to run the sound, we all sing, lots of fun regardless of some of the comments on here from time to time.

But like you also said, we know nothing about each other's lives.

 

[turf3]

Try another genre. If, like many here, you've just assumed all music was rock and roll, why not try some bluegrass, or real country, or trad jazz, or join the local community concert band? Take classical guitar lessons. You know, something different.

 

[Passinwind]

I've been playing music a long time... pretty much all my life. It's a part of who I am. But when it comes to playing out, it has become more of a hassle than a joy. When something loses its joy, that's when it's time to reevaluate its worth.

With that in mind, I think it may be time for me to take a nice, long break from playing bass in bands. My enjoyment of local gigs and such has been gone for a while. And what I call my 'megachurch gig' has become more of a chore than anything else. I still enjoy studio sessions, but that's getting more and more infrequent as my business continues to grow and my calendar continues to fill.

I have a few pieces of gear for sale right now, here and Reverb. I'm thinking about eventually selling everything and buying one nice, overpriced vintage jazz to go alongside my nice, overpriced vintage precision. J with rounds and a P with flats. That just feels right, doesn't it?

I still have a couple of acoustic guitars, a keyboard and my DAW. Those have mostly been for my personal enjoyment. Maybe it's time for the bass to fit into that category. Or maybe it's time to refocus on songwriting & home recording... you know, reignite a simpler passion.

This is something I've been thinking about for a year or so. And I've already begun scaling back. I think the timing may finally be right to call it quits.

Obviously, you guys/gals don't know my life, so I'm not asking if I should or shouldn't. But I am curious if anyone else here has recently done something similar. What was your experience? Did it last? Or did you just need a break?

Yep, I retired from all gigging in 2018 and don’t regret it whatsoever.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If you think it is time, it is time.
I have always said I would continue to gig as long as it is fun.
I am starting to think maybe it isn't fun anymore myself, but I'm not sure. I don't want to quit my bands and then realize I miss it after a while.

 

[knumbskull]

i don't gig anymore. still love playing though.

 

[smeet]

It’s a personal decision each of us must make. I’m in the process of slow retirement from my day job, and I see it as my opportunity to start playing more than I’ve been able to. I’m hoping this will be a new creative phase of my life. Right now I can’t imagine not wanting to play with people, but who knows how long my body and mind will be up to it…

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

Sometimes allowing yourself to quit has just the opposite effect. Plus there are different chapters in our playing lives. For some reason, after a long period of mostly preparing for and playing gigs, I've rediscovered the joy of just heading to the practice room and working on learning tunes. Actually the reason is, is that I've taken on some talented and enthusiastic students and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. It's a kick!

 

[friskinator]

I’m basically there myself. My cover band did maybe a half dozen gigs last year, and we’re at one so far for this year.

I lost the interest and passion a long time ago, but the only reason I haven’t officially called it quits with my band is due to the frequency of our gigs. It seems silly to “quit” when we basically never gig. But if the BL called tomorrow and said “I’m done,” I wouldn’t care one bit.

 

[BAG]

Unless your living depends on earning money from gigs then why do it if you're not enjoying it.
For the most part, I don't enjoy gigging. Too much work for too little $$$$'s and rarely is the stage sound great.
I'm lucky that I have a decent studio which helps in attracting people who want to just play music together in a comfortable environment with great sound.
I'll only accept a gig these days if PA and sound person is supplied which is pretty rare around here, and pretty much only do them to keep the rest of the band happy.
My ego and bank balance don't crave the experience of playing live like when I was younger.

 

[2112]

Lately been gigging around 4x per month, and it's kind of on the upswing. Can't see me ever giving it up, I really love it. But, it'll never be my day job.

 

[bherman]

There's two parts to your question. The first part is about paring down your gear to the essentials. This totally makes sense, lets be honest, most musicians really only need a good instrument or two to fullfill their needs.

The second part is about whether to keep playing. As you note, only you can answer that question. Is it the type of gigs/playing out that leaves you cold, or is that the case for any and all gigs? I'm well into my 60s and have decided to only focus on stuff that I like to do. I love the band that I'm in now, mostly because we work hard to be good at what we do. And it helps that the drummer is excellent. L'm also in the early stages of a small brazilian/jazz project. So as others have said, maybe you need to find more creative musical outlets. I know for me, there's no way that I'd want to play regularly in a "megachurch" gig.

 

[CallMeAl]

Yeah I’m on a break from gigging. The pandemic hassles started taking the fun out of it, I was already spread thin with work and family, and a second kid in 2022 was the last straw.

Now I focus primarily on guitar (a weaker instrument so there’s more room for growth, and it’s just more fun to play alone) and I jam with dad buddies on bass 2 times a month. It’s a fun outlet with no hassle of gigging and all that noise. I also make backing tracks for my guitar lessons. Just what I needed right now. I’m thoroughly enjoying the break from the grind; no plans to go back soon, maybe when the kids are older and I get bored.

As for gear, it’s really squashed the GAS and I’ve even been selling a few things off. I’m pretty minimalist and I’m enjoy the simplicity.

 

[Paul New]

I’m glad all you guys are quitting! Maybe I can get a gig now!

 

[Five or Six]

I've been playing since about 68. I toured for roughly 4 years. Road life got pretty rough. Travel, hotels, no sleep and a lousy diet. I loved the people I played with and the music but, the grind got to me. It really started to mess with my health at a young age! I got out at an opportune time, if there was one? I was asked to stay by management but opted out, I was burnt!

So, I took a year off which was refreshing. Later on I went to watch a band in my state. I knew most of the folks and the drummer was a friend. I got up and played 3 songs with them at the drummer's insistence. Jeez, I got the bug!

I joined a band that sought me out by request of the drummer I just mentioned. It was an excellent band but, then it happened. They were starting the planning phase of a tour gig at managements request. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I stayed with them until a replacement could be found. Seemed like forever! There is more after this and I'm playing to date. But it's only in my home state. I will give it up when I'm ready for good this time. No Touring!

 

[arbiterusa]

But I am curious if anyone else here has recently done something similar.

Doing it right now. Playing a gig July 1. It probably won’t be the last one I ever play, but we’ve been playing for seven years straight. Six to eight gigs a month, every month. I am tired.

My dog is getting old and so is my wife and so am I, and I’m tired of missing weekends with them, so I am done. There are other petty reasons but the core of it is this.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Nope, gonna keep gigging as I enjoy the challenge behind-the-scenes:

*I do all the charts and these guys operate on any number of tiers when it comes to musicianship.

*I've always admonished others to hook-up with better musicians to hone their craft. Well, guess what...Tim and I are the better musicians and we've got a couple of new, talented guys on board who have the potential to be great performers. Just need to cook a little longer.

Riis

 

[LBS-bass]

I have taken a couple of long breaks from playing. One was in the early 90's and the last one was through most of the 2000's. During this time I sang in an originals band and recorded a couple of records with them, worked in a music store, but didn't play any music or look for any opportunities to play until about six years ago when I retired from my job and jumped back in.

If music needs you, it will find you. I sometimes think about getting out yet again, because there is so much about doing music that is not pleasant for me. But I know that I will miss it, so I have to work harder to make the opportunities I accept count the most.

You'll figure it out.

 

[sawzalot]

I’m not sure I’m ready to quit playing gigs but I am definitely not interested in hauling the PA etc. I got spoiled in my last band by playing venues with house sound and it was great. Not sure I can go back after that.