are my playing days over?

Brian Krashpad said:
To me, all those things you list pale (to the point of invisibility) compared to playing in a band.
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I feel similarly. As odd as it may sound, one of the key things for me is when the band is doing the load-in. Teamwork shown during load-in and set up sets a good vibe within the band for the show...at least for me. Working together helps the band gel and develop trust.
 
ibmorjamn said:
.. I kind of do what PLX is doing ..
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I think the toughest thing for me has been learning to program drum software to make the drums do what I want, in the context of a track.

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I haven't played in a group since 2001. I do miss it from time to time... but they never wanted to help me with my own songs either, which is my key motivation... not just to play, but to build my own songs even if seldom heard by others... which stay stowed in a beat-up notebook. Have only written a couple new numbers since RiffMasters last year, so I'm slowing way down. Noodling less too. I think it's because I have other creative outlets that scratch my itches.

Forced myself into the gear grotto recently not for the joy of music, but to roll some backing tracks in a two hour test of a prototype strap build. I did forget it was a test and lost myself pretty quickly in, which was great even if the chops are terrible rusty. Left hand was pretty achey the next day, and my hip too. Got the old TV Cameraman Disease, the back is alright, but a bad right hip if I push it to hard.

I guess if your motivation and joy to play is to play in a group for others, you either have to find a way to get back in there, modify why you play, or just put it aside. I can't see myself ever quitting outright, but many of us are aging out on these forums and it's interesting to watch how the later stages of the guitar journey plays out for all of us individually.
 
Ok - I went on to Fiver, and am hiring a drummer to professionally track three of my demos. If that goes well, I'll expand that to include hired vocals, and really, whatever else I need. If those go well, I have two more songs about ready to go. I have Audition to mix with.

When finished, I'll have five new songs for posting, and possibly as seeds for a live project. This could be interesting. I feel better moving ahead. I've never worked this way before, but it's good to get out of my comfort zone.

The three in progress: No Music (ballad), Fathom (surfy) and Easter Island (Indy)
 
human123 said:
Ok - I went on to Fiver, and am hiring a drummer to professionally track three of my demos. If that goes well, I'll expand that to include hired vocals, and really, whatever else I need. If those go well, I have two more songs about ready to go. I have Audition to mix with.

When finished, I'll have five new songs for posting, and possibly as seeds for a live project. This could be interesting. I feel better moving ahead. I've never worked this way before, but it's good to get out of my comfort zone.

The three in progress: No Music (ballad), Fathom (surfy) and Easter Island (Indy)
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This is entertaining. Thanks for taking my suggestion, and I'll be curious to see how you get on!
 
dmatthews said:
This is entertaining. Thanks for taking my suggestion, and I'll be curious to see how you get on!
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You're welcome! I was contemplating something like that, you pushed me over the edge. Thanks!

What Fiver really opens up is choice, instead of having to channel all the songs through the same people you just happen to hook up with. These tunes are really a shotgun of styles, so getting an appropriate singer for each track will really help. An example is No Music (On The Moon); a ballad, acoustic guitar, light drums, maybe a little bass. With a harmonica solo during the break.

No Music

I don't know what to do
I don't know what to say
I'll just drift off into the shadows
And fade away

Didn't plan for things to be like this
Guess I didn't plan at all
Didn't think the puzzle pieces would
Fit like this at all

Hey stranger
Tell me what d'ya know
There's no music on the moon.

Sitting on the edge of a crater
Kicking up the Lunar dust
Came here to make my fortune
Hah! That was a bust

Maybe I could jump a freighter
And travel to a Jovian moon
But I think that all my troubles would
Be catching up with soon

Hey space man
Tell me what do you know
There's no music on the moon.

break

They say the Earth is round
But it sure looks flat from here
I hope Luna Park is open I could
Use another beer

Hey bartender
Tell me what do you know
There's no music on the moon.
 
Brian Krashpad said:
And I'm pretty much 180° from you!

To me, all those things you list pale (to the point of invisibility) compared to playing in a band. I suppose at some point, if I am no longer mobile or develop more serious health issues (as it is, I've had cancer twice, and have lifelong health issues as a result of the various chemo, radiation, and surgeries undergone) that impede playing, or interfere more generally with getting around, then I will of course look into other options.

But meanwhile, no.

I do agree with your opinion that there's never been a better timeline to be a guitar player. The playability level of affordable gear is incredible these days, and modes for learning, recording, and networking with others and discovering new music is beyond what was imaginable a few decades ago.

I'm super fortunate (or blessed, if you do the whole Divine Providence/Greater Power thing) to live in a college town with a local music scene that's basically off the charts, with an extremely high muso-to-normies ratio. To the point that it's actually had not one, but two books chronicling its band/music history (I know that two books ain't so much for some big music mecca like LA, NYC, Chi, or Nashville, but it is for a small Southern town).

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I (and my bands) even got a couple passing mentions in the second one above.

NGL, I've always been a band guy. The total (excluding guesting live or on record), over the years, is 19 bands; I'm currently in my main band (since 1996) and two side bands (one new, one since 2015 that had been on a 3-year hiatus until a few weeks back). Not including a couple long-term volunteer church gigs, the last of which ended about 7 years back.

I turned 67 a couple weeks back. Still working (self-employed) as close to full-time as possible.

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Good luck Human123! I'll stop rockin' when they throw dirt in my face.
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Kind of same boat. Haven't gigged as much lately at all, but for me , that is the reason I have my stuff primarily - it's to gig it. Drummer retires next summer that will open up gigs more.
As for the politics, no. If it gets too much, I do his for fun. Not worth it.
 
Jethro Rocker said:
Kind of same boat. Haven't gigged as much lately at all, but for me , that is the reason I have my stuff primarily - it's to gig it. Drummer retires next summer that will open up gigs more.
As for the politics, no. If it gets too much, I do his for fun. Not worth it.
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Yeah, the politics are something I've avoided like the plague. That's mostly why I'm negative towards adding more players past us four.
 
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