s-s-s-seventy six here. Down to 11 contracted gigs per month, plus the occasional country club banquet or private party. I look forward to, and appreciate most everyone of them and never expected to be playing out at this age.
Eddie

My chronological age is amplified by medical issues that make me have reservations about continuing to gig. I've had someone helping me with equipment lately but that's not always available. The age of my music, and shrinking core audience that appreciates it, is right now the biggest deterrent to continuing. I have no desire to learn anything current; we all have our opinions on "today's" music. I don't have the enthusiasm to perform as I once did and that's not fair to my audience; I do however feed off of them and their response enhances mine. Also, as I get older, friends and family have passed away taking the wind out of my sails often. At this point I am hesitant to continue doing what I'm not happy doing 100%. I'm sliding into grumpy old man mode ( a qualification for membership to Old Fogeys Brigade) And I've got about a week to make up my mind to continue booking or let it go..

Sometimes you just have to let the music and the magic make you happy inside, forget about everybody else, forget about gigging, forget about everything in the past, just remember the good times and keep going, let the magic of playing music make you happy in your heart and soul... all things come to an end but you can start another Direction and make yourself happy in many ways musically good luck to you...

I think you mean 'membership to SYNTHZONE' .

Sparky, so much of what you said in your post applies to me as well (except that I've already given it up - medical reasons, but not me personally). What rings especially true is " no desire to learn anything current". I find myself playing all the old familiar stuff (jazz standards mostly) over and over, sometimes not even bothering to vary it, just like hearing it.

Physically, sometimes my fingers betray me, thanks to arthritis and declining reflexes, but mostly it's my leg (pedals), arms (playing a second tier keybed), and back (sitting hours with no back support). Oh well, as everybody says, 'getting old ain't for wimps' , boy is that ever true.

chas

I heard a story of a man, who was mostly paralyzed, and restricted to bed. His wife requested viagra for him, and when the doctors asked "why?" she answered ... so he won't fall out of bed!

Whats the difference between Niagara and Viagra? Niagara Falls.

Well the good old gags are creeping out of the wood work .

I saw an old timer in the gents toilets on one of my little gigs pour 3 bottles of beer into the urinal …..I said after he poured out the contents of each bottle "that's a waste " the old timer looked at me straight in the face and said "no it will save me having to get up during the night to go to the toilet "

I did not read anything on purpose but i would say like wine because its Always getting better your love feeling and understanding grows and thats very cool atleast thats how i feel ;)))) thank you @ll my Friends greetings Rico

Getting back on track, I'm going to follow chas' thoughts ...

quote=cgiles We don't always like to talk about it but getting older affects almost everything we do. But sticking strictly to music, how has your life as a musician changed since you've gotten older, especially if you're, let's say, over 65. I stopped gigging several years ago and age was definitely one of the considerations. I also stopped riding motorcycles and flying small planes (general aviation). I may also give up porn (not immediately) . But seriously, I have noticed the following changes in my musical life that are most likely related to age.

Issues with my back (which I am currently taking PT for) have slowed me down considerably, as well as some pretty bad arthritis in my hands. I have always enjoyed doing my own landscaping and yard work, but tomorrow I am going to pay a guy $275.00 to clear the first wave of leaves from the lawn and back yard. Fortunately, 3 gigs will cover that.

1. I'm much less excited about new gear.

Me also. My current KB provides me with everything I need for the clientele I play for - 90% IL/AL/NH gigs. While I find the thought of Don's Pa1000 very interesting, I ask myself 'Do I really NEED it?" and the answer is NO !

2. I spend much less time in my studio (and more watching football).

I don't have a 'studio" but my KB is always set up and far more often than not it is the first thing I go to when I come down to the family room

3. My stamina, especially playing organ, is greatly diminished.

Well, yes, at the age of 77 my stamina overall has diminished considerably, but that's primarily because I've gotten too damned lazy to get my ass to the gym !!! I have to do it though because December is a 'wild ride' gig wise for me.

4. I have much less enthusiasm for rehearsals and find that me and my equally old friends spend more time BS'ing than playing .

Unfortunately, the guys I gigged with for 26 years live too far away to get together to rehearse or play gigs with often. But my enthusiasm for playing different tunes - not necessarily 'new' tunes still remains.

5. I find it harder to memorize new songs (and forget them quicker as well).

Thank goodness for tablets, etc. eliminating the need for those monstrous books.

6. Just the idea of tearing down and setting up makes me nauseous.

Yeah, I hear you. Often when I'm packing for a gig I wonder why I'm still doing this, but then I play the gig and get my answer. I still get excited about new gigs. In fact one really nice Independent Living venue just gave me a monthly gig. This will help keep me inspired because I know i will have to have a new playlist every month.

7. I buy all my gear now with no consideration for weight or size. That's because I have no plans to move it .

I'm not buying any new gear unless it helps me 'downsize'.

8. AND THE BIGGIE...I am much less creative; ie. I find it harder and harder to come up with good solos...so far, comping is no problem, perhaps because it is so second nature.

I never had the training for taking really good solos (see below), and I guess I always relied more on my vocals that instrumentals.

I often regret that I did not get better trained when I was younger. When I look at the playing skill of some of the younger players today, I often think 'I could have been that good if only I'd been more dedicated'. As it turned out, college and the military soaked up that development time. I'd like to say "No Regrets", but that would be disingenuous. What about you?

Planning to get married at a young age led me to get my military service behind me, which in turn led me away from the 'music education' environment. So I do regret never having that training. But I still thank God for the talent I was given, which allows me to continue entertaining people at my 'advanced' age. I read the newspaper every day and look through all the 'obits', and just feel so fortunate to be doing all that I still can do, while so many people much younger than I have passed from this life.
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it ... now I will have another Grey Goose martini and watch some football ...
And, GO PACKERS !!! (Sorry Steve )
Thanks for asking, chas
tony
chas

Hehe Rico, just wait and see when you grow older .... LOL
I'm not playing R&R anymore, too fast, now it's only slow ballads,
slower and slower for each year that passes away ...