When is it time to hang it up?

[Vitamin D]

Don't hang it up. Just find a new way to do it.

• Get into a new genre like jazz or something you've previously overlooked. That could re-engage your attention for years to come.
• Compose and record your own stuff for a while.
• If you find you just like to make music with people and don't need the performance aspect you can get online with JamKazam and find tons of ad hoc groups to create with. It doesn't have be a gigging band.

I love the bass (and music) too much to just leave it behind, but I completely understand losing some momentum. I just don't think the answer is to stop, it's to turn.

 

[DirtDog]

I'm a hobbyist. Played in a band and in church. I took a big pause last spring. My band came to a screeching halt so did church. To keep busy, I bought a lap steel and put in a little time, but got bored or distracted with other things like riding my motorcycle when I was supposed to be locked down. Then with all the politics, I dumped facebook entirely since last June. I couldn't take the mask/no mask or political debates. I didn't like seeing others out playing. People posting photos of "great times" while my kids are duking it out constantly. So I cut myself off completely but didn't delete the account.

Band got back together just to rehearse/jam, and I go through the motions some nights. We're really not worthy of playing out many nights. I don't feel like chasing gigs, I don't feel like going to the few open mics that have opened just to sit around all night for 15 minutes of playing.

I need something to light my fire again (new people, new tunes, new gear? etc) but I'll roll with this till it collapses entirely...one guy still wants to gig out. Let him close the deal.

I have not done nearly what you all have done, but I realize, I was chasing something that's not right for me right now. When the kids are going and the world is more stable, I'll look for something else. I envy you all that have a network of friends that play music. I have who I know on FB and met at the jams, but not tight with any of them.

Im with you on all that. Should have mentioned that I retired in 2018 after a 10 year run with that band. Haven’t missed gigging for a nanosecond.

I did a lot of motorcycling last summer as well. No commuting, just fun rides. Mostly solo, sometimes with my daughter on the back and a small handful of times with a couple of buddies. Never went too far afield, though. Just day trips and never stopped anywhere except for fuel. Great social distancing activity!

 

[JW56789]

I'm sorry for all of you who've had the rug yanked out from under you with the COVID disruptions to so many parts of life. I live in Nashville, and believe me, I see an entire industry on HOLD.

I walked away and really never looked back once playing, which I enjoyed enough to have done it for free, began to be a hugely dis-satisfying and disappointing experience, due to the usual reasons: Machiavellian ego problems and band dramas always, the varying states of abuse of the usual substances all 'round me, always being in bars, etc., you know the 'usual suspects'. It just began to feel hugely negative, onerous to my emotional health, and ultimately just something I no longer wanted to be a part of.

So I walked away.

I found there's a whole 'nother world out there, I had loads of interests that had been put aside for years that I could now pursue, people I could now be with who would have never come to clubs.

So I still play around the house when the notion strikes me, I'm a lot happier, and I don't miss it the pile of negatives it had become. I don't miss it at all.

 

[DaveDeVille]

... wow , at 65 years of age , i'm still gigging fairly steady .
at least four gigs per month , blues /blues/rock .
nowhere near ready to slow down or give it up .

i play in several bands and we are all in our 50's and 60's ...
i feel very blessed .

we do wear masks while mingling with crowds , or not performing on stage .
from this past weekend ...

 

[sawzalot]

All I can say is the OP isn't alone. I was watching one of Joe Bonamassa's interviews the other day and he noted that nobody is really playing. I've certainly been on hiatus for over a year from gigs and I've learned a lot. I needed to revamp certain aspects of my playing; I spend too much time chasing the perfect set of gear; I needed a way to play higher-pitched notes so I started learning [gasp] guitar and I spent much more time with it than I did with bass. And also, that I'm a bassist at heart and I really love to play music. But for a while there, I felt like I had very little interest in playing bass and only recently have I sort of rediscovered my passion for the instrument. I'll get out there again, and I suspect the live music scene will come roaring back once a majority of people get vaccinated and get some experience feeling safe again.

 

[3Liter]

I did a lot of motorcycling last summer as well. No commuting, just fun rides. Mostly solo, sometimes with my daughter on the back and a small handful of times with a couple of buddies. Never went too far afield, though. Just day trips and never stopped anywhere except for fuel. Great social distancing activity!

Yeah I put on a lot of miles last summer and logged a lot of gas receipts.

I ask myself the same thing every time I get home from a practice or gig (even before Covid). I'm 54, and have been playing since I was a teenager. I have zero patience anymore for band member drama, so if I find myself in a project where that starts rearing its head, I'm out pretty fast. .

Define drama? My band has no drug, drink, women or real interpersonal conflict.

We have plenty of timing, scheduling, pitch and not doing homework issues.

 

[3Liter]

All I can say is the OP isn't alone. I was watching one of Joe Bonamassa's interviews the other day and he noted that nobody is really playing. I've certainly been on hiatus for over a year from gigs and I've learned a lot. I needed to revamp certain aspects of my playing; I spend too much time chasing the perfect set of gear; I needed a way to play higher-pitched notes so I started learning [gasp] guitar and I spent much more time with it than I did with bass. And also, that I'm a bassist at heart and I really love to play music. But for a while there, I felt like I had very little interest in playing bass and only recently have I sort of rediscovered my passion for the instrument. I'll get out there again, and I suspect the live music scene will come roaring back once a majority of people get vaccinated and get some experience feeling safe again.

I'm really a guitar player. So I don't know how you all play bass alone or with no other players. Like drummers, how do you keep motivated on your own. I have a bunch of bassist, but they don't get used much.

 

[2saddleslab]

This 4th of July will mark 35 years as a working musician. The COVID break is the longest I've gone without a gig. Recently booked gigs for this summer and can't believe what a difference it's made in my mindset. Can't wait to get back in the saddle.

 

[DirtDog]

I'm really a guitar player. So I don't know how you all play bass alone or with no other players. Like drummers, how do you keep motivated on your own. I have a bunch of bassist, but they don't get used much.

When I'm not working on something specific, I spin the iTunes and play along with whatever comes up. I find that easier to do on bass than with guitar or keys.

 

[Scarysharkface]

A serious question that I'm pondering...when is it time to hang it up.

I've been playing bass for 25 years, and for 20 of those years, I've been playing in bands on stages and in clubs. In the last band I was in, we came screeching to a halt as COVID shutdowns cancelled our last show mid-March of last year.

Since then, I've simply found other activities that I enjoy as much as playing bass. But, the past year has also basically laid the band I was in to rest, with some members being too freaked out to play out (especially in our state where mandates got relaxed, even before vaccines were taking off and across the board, many folks don't follow any sort of protocol once alcohol is involved).

I've gone through droughts before, but this somehow feels different. The pool of folks who I know to team up with keeps getting smaller and smaller and at this point, I'm not sure who I'd start a new project with. I'm also not sure what the end goal would be. I've really enjoyed entertaining crowds and music has been front and center of many of my friendships. It was never about making any money at it, and Lord knows we didn't. But, I'm hitting an age where I reflect a lot more and I think about what a show or set might look like and I'm just not feeling the balance in enthusiasm versus what you generally put up with in taking on live gigs.

I've witnessed a number of my friends that still perform, share surveys among their audiences about comfort levels of going out to see live music soon, and none of the findings seem re-assuring.

I suppose I'm answering my own question, but I really am asking for some additional perspective. Am I the only one feeling this? I have really enjoyed playing and it's sort of defined me throughout my late teens and most of my adult life. I'll still sit and strum a little acoustic guitar for my wife and dog every now and then, but throughout the past year, we've been more likely to find enjoyment in other stuff.

I'm hoping that, now that we know what a precious commodity a gig is, the people I usually play with will be amenable to doing something more meaningful than just playing other peoples' songs. Maybe we'll actually put some stuff together that suits our musicality a bit better than cover tunes.

John

 

[SLPimp]

When there's no room on the floor.

 

[RedMoses]

Now is a great time to take that 25 years of experience and learn how to record/mix at home, you will still get to play your bass and some guitar, keys... Ive been channeling my lack of playing in a band into production at home, its not the same but you will still get to create music you can be proud of and share it with folks. Once live music is back you can put together a band to play all those tunes you wrote and recorded.

 

[CallMeAl]

I sympathize. It does feel different than other droughts, and I’ve wondered how aggressive I will be in my return.

My 2 bands are pretty gung-ho about returning. Bandleader (leads both bands) just got second shot Saturday and we have enough vaccinated members in our talent pool to start some prelim rehearsals in a few weeks. I’ve told them I’m ok with outdoor gigs but not comfortable with indoors yet. So I’m kinda riding the wave and seeing what happens, but definitely not pushing and being clear with my boundaries.

I took up electric guitar this winter, started some blues lessons. I’ve found that incredibly fun and enriching, and some days it’s really hard to pick up a bass. My whole attraction to bass involves playing with others and being part of a whole.

So I’m just trying to sit with the uncertainty. Be ok with not knowing. I’m mentally preparing myself for the ride to fizzle out and might not pursue anything else, or have to step away if our collective goals don’t align. This too shall pass.

 

[Sixgunn]

It's time to hang it up when you don't want to do it anymore.

 

[Sixgunn]

I'm in the opposite position. I was away from music for many years, and am now itching to get back in the game. Old band mates pestered me to Get The Band Back Together. I'm doing things musically that I never did in the past. I can actually afford decent gear now.

I'm a bit concerned that venues are getting hit hard, and reopening won't be like hitting a light switch. Plus, we do instrumentals and obscure covers, which is always a big draw. But I am remaining optimistic and getting a little excited to get back into it. I'm hoping that audiences will also be hungry for live music.

Is it safe to assume that was sarcasm?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Enjoy yourself however you can at this time, and think about music when national tours can happen again. Hopefully it's something that can be considered by this fall. Until then...

 

[overit]

Life’s too short. I’ve learned everything in life comes full circle. Everything I do now, I did 30-40 years ago as a kid, because it was fun - bass, bikes, boards primarily. Right now I’m riding bikes a lot more and playing way less. I still enjoy playing for fun but know I probably won’t be jamming or gigging anytime soon. I’ve kept all my stuff though cause I know I’ll return to it.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

A serious question that I'm pondering...when is it time to hang it up.

I've been playing bass for 25 years, and for 20 of those years, I've been playing in bands on stages and in clubs. In the last band I was in, we came screeching to a halt as COVID shutdowns cancelled our last show mid-March of last year.

Since then, I've simply found other activities that I enjoy as much as playing bass. But, the past year has also basically laid the band I was in to rest, with some members being too freaked out to play out (especially in our state where mandates got relaxed, even before vaccines were taking off and across the board, many folks don't follow any sort of protocol once alcohol is involved).

I've gone through droughts before, but this somehow feels different. The pool of folks who I know to team up with keeps getting smaller and smaller and at this point, I'm not sure who I'd start a new project with. I'm also not sure what the end goal would be. I've really enjoyed entertaining crowds and music has been front and center of many of my friendships. It was never about making any money at it, and Lord knows we didn't. But, I'm hitting an age where I reflect a lot more and I think about what a show or set might look like and I'm just not feeling the balance in enthusiasm versus what you generally put up with in taking on live gigs.

I've witnessed a number of my friends that still perform, share surveys among their audiences about comfort levels of going out to see live music soon, and none of the findings seem re-assuring.

I suppose I'm answering my own question, but I really am asking for some additional perspective. Am I the only one feeling this? I have really enjoyed playing and it's sort of defined me throughout my late teens and most of my adult life. I'll still sit and strum a little acoustic guitar for my wife and dog every now and then, but throughout the past year, we've been more likely to find enjoyment in other stuff.

I understand where you're at. Unfortunately, the "music" and desire to play it will NEVER permanently dissolve. So, I guess what I would do is take a hiatus from the music, enjoy/appreciate other areas of interest... BUT DON'T SELL YOU BASSES AND EQUIPMENT! That "itch" is going to re-surface, eventually. And when it does, you'll be ready to go.

 

[BobDeRosa]

We got a last-minute call for an outdoor gig last Sunday because of unexpectedly nice weather. Really nice audience turnout and it was a blast. Almost like old times, and enough to renew my faltering spirit.

 

[Ric5]

A serious question that I'm pondering...when is it time to hang it up.

I've been playing bass for 25 years, and for 20 of those years, I've been playing in bands on stages and in clubs. In the last band I was in, we came screeching to a halt as COVID shutdowns cancelled our last show mid-March of last year.

Since then, I've simply found other activities that I enjoy as much as playing bass. But, the past year has also basically laid the band I was in to rest, with some members being too freaked out to play out (especially in our state where mandates got relaxed, even before vaccines were taking off and across the board, many folks don't follow any sort of protocol once alcohol is involved).

I've gone through droughts before, but this somehow feels different. The pool of folks who I know to team up with keeps getting smaller and smaller and at this point, I'm not sure who I'd start a new project with. I'm also not sure what the end goal would be. I've really enjoyed entertaining crowds and music has been front and center of many of my friendships. It was never about making any money at it, and Lord knows we didn't. But, I'm hitting an age where I reflect a lot more and I think about what a show or set might look like and I'm just not feeling the balance in enthusiasm versus what you generally put up with in taking on live gigs.

I've witnessed a number of my friends that still perform, share surveys among their audiences about comfort levels of going out to see live music soon, and none of the findings seem re-assuring.

I suppose I'm answering my own question, but I really am asking for some additional perspective. Am I the only one feeling this? I have really enjoyed playing and it's sort of defined me throughout my late teens and most of my adult life. I'll still sit and strum a little acoustic guitar for my wife and dog every now and then, but throughout the past year, we've been more likely to find enjoyment in other stuff.

I started playing in 1968 ... I took a break a few times ... I was in 2 bands a year ago ... then covid hit

Now I am still looking to play music, but I am not excited about gigging because I know the money that was bad will be worse.