Wow! I would have never believed this would happen to me again. It has been over a week since I sat at any of my keyboards and I don't miss it at all! This morning I tried again with the same results -boooing! After 2 songs I turned it off and went walking. I'm not sure I will continue with my live gigs or not. Only time will tell.

In the 1960's through the 1970's I played with many major big bands, was a studio musician, played with the Dallas and Ft. Worth symphonies. Was on call for urgent fast fill-ins for big time traveling bands. Then one New Years Eve I told the band leader I was playing with at the time that it would be my last time to play. I was just tired of all the travel and responsibility that went with it. Plus, I also had a main job. Well, that was 1978 and I did not play a single note of music again until 2006 when I bought a Yamaha PSR3000. That happened after my wife and I came home from a cruise on which we saw a guy playing a Kurzwiel 88 and I was fascinated with all the sounds being produced.

I have had a great run since 2006 fully enjoying and being very proud to bring some great music to the residents of over 130 senior living venues. It was always inspiring and humbling when someone approached me and commented about a song that I played that they danced to at their wedding or on a first date or that was a favorite of a deceased spouse or when they talked about the memories my music brought back to them. You see, that is what made it worth while.

It is strange that being at home with absolutely nothing to do or places to be would cause someone to rethink the way you want to lead the rest of your life. Many factors enter into all of this. Funny, but the last 2 months I have felt better than I have for 3 years. Never exhausted - never anxious - never worried about anything. You all have heard the expression "be careful what you ask for". Well, I got what I thought I wanted - gigs nearly every day, new equipment anytime I wanted, not needed, it - all paid for from my gigs. But I never realized the over-all effect this was having on my life. You see, I still have my wonderful wife of 57 years. We have been together since 1959. It has been wonderful to be with her every day all day and remember the things that brought us together 60 years ago. At the tender age of 80 I intend to live a full blessed life doing nothing I don't want to do - just for money or any other reason.

I have notified my clients I would honor all my scheduled dates with them in 2020, provided the places even open in 2020, but don't know if I will return in 2021. We will see.

Deane

Deane, It certainly sounds like you’ve had a wonderful music career. If it’s time to sit back and smell the roses...you’ve earned it.
Congratulations,
Mitch

Deane, Life certainly has it's own way of directing us ...
I wish you well in your decisions ...
Personally, if anything, I am becoming more lethargic not having gigs to prepare for, stores to go to, etc. etc. ... I will force myself to get out to walk, so I at least get SOME exercise, and while I haven't been playing the KB everyday, I at least use entertaining our one year old great granddaughter as a reason to play a few days a week ...

I also have been wondering what I'm going to do as far as returning to gigs ... Honestly, while I was getting jealous watching Dave entertain 'LIVE' on Thursday, I feel a little hesitant about getting out there myself ... I'll just have to wait and see how things unfold ...

BTW, we have some things in common - I am 79 years of age (I REFUSE to say OLD), been married for over 56 years, and went through a period of not playing professionally for 7 years after relocating to RI ...
Again, I wish you the best in your decisions ...
God Bless

When I read your post it was like looking into a mirror. Even though I did not have all these wonderful musical experiences as you had, I stayed busy working full time and playing piano whenever I could. After retirement did the nursing and retirement home circuit with my wife of 60 years of marriage on vocals and a Yamaha arranger keyboard. Had a lot of satisfying gigs and was paid for having fun. Now at 82 I too sit down at the keyboard and it does not give me any satisfaction anymore. It has been said that music will lengthen your life. May be I should give it a rest for a while and come back to the keyboard and explore all the wonderful things it can do, but never did have the time or the desire. May be reading the manual will get me motivated to find out what more my arranger keyboard can do.I just don't want to give up music. It is good for the soul!

AMEN !!!

I ain't ready yet, but I can foresee the day when I will be. Right now I can't wait to get back in harness.
They still aren't letting restaurants open here, except for take out and delivery.
Got two jobs booked at private functions in June if nothing happens before then. Both are outdoors and one is in Texas and the other in Oklahoma. Both of these states have looser restrictions already.
Deane, I wish you the best in whatever you decide. You are just a little older than I am but you are in better physical shape. Maybe you'll get to make another trip to England when conditions allow.

i've been dealing with this too since 2007. i only played at the christmas /new years eve party here at my community . so in 12 years i've played no more than maybe 4 hours total. other than jamming in my little office studio, i dont play. i lost my voice due to not performing (use to be a decent singer).
one thing i noticed is when i changed over to arranger playing, it seems that i became a better one man band / duo musician as far as sounding like a full band. but my musician skills went down hill. i became lazy ,let the arranger do the bass lines instead of me playing bass pedals . my left hand bass/chording skills got weaker. now dont get me wrong , i'm not blaming the arranger. i became robotic in playing, lost my passion. i never really care for playing front of people , i use to love studio work and creating stuff. but now after years of playing i feel the same. just cant get into it. funny thing is that i'm always looking for equipment to buy that i wont ever play after i get it.
so here's my thinking, im leaving my stuff set up so i can play for that song or two. then i decided that i'm not going to feel guilty for not wanting to play anymore. at my age (73) i'm not going to stress about it like i use to. so go buy that motorcycle,bike,boat,or just let it go and go do something thats different , its OK at my age.

Deane

I certainly see where you are coming from,but for my part,I had a full timr job that would allow me to play out only on weekends until 1997 when I retired. Therefore,I haven't been through the mill like many of you. I feel like I had to defer my real love,which is performing music. At 79,I am not guaranteed anything,but I'll give her a go until I can't any longer. Luckily,my wife is a music lover,and is right behind me(or ahead of me).

Deane,...I know the feeling very well after so long on stage.
But I will never have a loss of interest for playing music
in one way or the other...it's part of me and will
always be my passion. Good luck in what ever you decide.

Stay safe

Deane
Interesting thoughts. I've become lazy too. I get motivated by preparing for the next job but who knows when that will be. I do enjoy just playing for myself on piano, knowing that I will probably never get that dream gig of just doing a laid back piano/ vocal thing. When I sit at the piano too long I start feeling guilty that I should be at The Arranger working on something. Weird. Many years of habit.
Whatever happens you've had an enviable ride so do what you like. Myself, as others have said, hope the musical fire never burns out. Keeps the mind working.

Deane, it is a new season, and this virus is intensifying that change. Once you accept the change, the new season, your ability to succeed, as you have done in the past, can be used again, but differently.

It was not easy to accept that I will no longer be able to do the things I loved most in my life, but there is more. You now have the wisdom and experience that younger men do not have. You now have a different type of freedom, but you will not experience that freedom until you let go of the things you loved to do – and enter onto your new season.

Music and my keyboard:
I have three lists, about 135 songs in each; they are programed in my iPad, computer, and my keyboard. They are in lyric and note form. I am editing them, they look 50% better, and I they are displayed them on my 23” monitor, just above my keyboard. I do not have to worry that they cannot see my face any longer. I am also editing styles for the Sx900. I always enjoyed setting up my music and keyboard for a job, now I set my music for me – different songs, styles, and tempos.

I came to music because I loved music, I still do. A kind friend sent me a video of three tenors singing My Way, Frank Sinatra was in the audience, front row. Oh, how I love that music, many of that type of music will be going into my song list. If I do not do what I am doing, music will no longer exist in my life--- and it will be me who destroyed it.

Another direction I have chosen is to share my wisdom and experiences with those who are struggling. It is time to give back.

Dean, move on, there is more, John C.

Deane, Give it a break for a while do all the other things,,,,,and see what happens.
Lee

I echo Bill Lewis, getting ready for the next gig motivates me ... looks like it may be a while before the next gig. The restaurant that I work(ed) at for 21 years may not have me back until business is at the same level as pre-COVID, and that may a long time. I had a wedding gig that was cancelled in March and rescheduled for mid June. Looks like the summer festivals are also in jeopardy.
Ciao,
Jerry

Its ok to say "I'm tired!". Its ok to want to relax rather than load up and go,unload etc. Its ok to have your fill of working to please the crowd, owners,directors etc. Some guys want it to go on forever, some guys need it to go on forever. It doesn't make anyone any less the performer, musician, or person because they don't want to do it anymore. Dying at your desk, or your keyboard, doesn't impress anybody...or at least me.

Of course, Sparky, everyone has to do what suits him/her best ...

Bill Lewis said it best for me. In my 60's I set a goal of 75 before I thought I would have to quit. That was 3 yrs ago and, while my playing ability is ok, my voice is failing. At this point, if the calls come in again, i'm not sure what I am going to do. I'm not going to go out on top. My top was years ago.

I've lost strength, stamina, patience...but not desire yet. And I feel like I can play and sing as well or better than ever before, not that that's saying much. Some songs I've had to drop a step or two, but I can reach a step or two lower than before, so that's a washout. Now, I've noticed that I am not as pretty as I once was, but in the dark with my coat and hat on it's not so bad. HEE HEE.
I bought a new set of scales and was surprised to see that I have not gained any weight during all this inactivity.
My "stuff" is all ready to set up in the yard tomorrow if the wind lets up and the warm temp comes back.
Monday I will ship a couple of long-past-due packages (John C.), and shop for a newer vehicle.
The batteries on my bass boat are charged, and my golf clubs are clean and shiny. The Sheriff gave me a large supply of face masks and promised to have my patrol vehicle sanitized. Kicking myself in the butt and rejoining society here!

Don, "BE CAREFUL OUT THERE !!!"

God Bless

Deane,

YOu said it yourself really : " Funny, but the last 2 months I have felt better than I have for 3 years. Never exhausted - never anxious - never worried about anything ".
Seems to me that this road which you were kind of forced upon by the Corona crisis is very worthwhile pursuing in time to come.
At your age and with your career why not sit back and enjoy the little things in life and play the keyboard if and when the desire rears its inviting head. I know I would.....
YOu and I have been a member of this great forum for almost the same amount of time and it has always been a pleasure to communicate with you. Shame we failed to meet years ago when you were in Amsterdam for a river cruise in Europe.
Being 80 ( when exactly is your birthday ?) ,having had the pleasure of a lovely wife for nigh on sixty years now and having spent most of your years in good health ( I know you had serious surgery in later years) and having this great hobby, you are a blessed man, and I wish you and your wife all that is good in life !

take care,
John

P.S. sent you an email.

Interesting comments. Surprisingly honest but not surprising. I have not lost interest in music but I HAVE mostly lost interest in the ever-advancing technology that in many cases has replaced or substituted for musicianship, talent, and basic music fundamentals. Currently, almost anybody with a rudimentary knowledge of the available technology, can create something that passes for music....and we give them a big 'attaboy' for it. Hopefully, we're praising their effort and love of music, not the ummm, less than stellar, performances they're posting. We have grown up in a world of 'instant gratification', where 'good enough' is good enough, and only the most serious and most dedicated are willing to put in the hours of study and practice necessary to become REAL musicians.

I have been pilloried and poo-poo'd in the past for saying that I would not allow MY child to start their musical education on an arranger keyboard. I've just always felt that the creative aspect in most arranger music was tilted heavily towards the STYLE CREATOR, and not the style user. Some may disagree but that's MY thinking. Also, the (playing) techniques learned with, lets say, piano lessons, can be transferred to an arranger keyboard; the opposite is not true. Then, there is the obvious pleasure of being able to create something musically interesting on an acoustic instrument (such as piano or guitar) when there is no one around to impress with the full orchestrations provided by today's modern arrangers. I may be veering off topic here but I don't think so. As reflected in some of the comments here (and in some previous posts), one of the main reasons for 'loss of interest' as well as the frequent and non-ending quest for a newer and better arranger, is the 'boredom' that is going to accompany anything that has defined limits on parts of the creative process. You've heard many members express the joy and pleasure they derive from just sitting down at their acoustic or digital piano, sans accompaniment, and just 'doodle' (playing whatever the spirit tells them ). No pressure to make your playing 'fit' what the arranger is playing (or visa versa). Very relaxing, very satisfying (assuming you can play piano).

I still think the arranger is an excellent 'sketch' tool for songwriters and music arrangers, and even has an important role in the OMB scene (given today's economics). It can also function as a home entertainment gadget, in the spirit of X-box or Playstation (just dedicated and wayyyy more expensive ).

Now of course this is not the only reason for losing interest in music or performing, or maybe not even a major reason, but I do think it may be a contributor. I have 4 arrangers, 3 in my studio and a BK7m in my rehearsal room which serves as a drum machine for my organ, but I spend 90-95% of my 'playing' time on my organ or my Rhodes clone (SEVEN). I haven't lost interest in either although I must confess that I spend much less time playing music than I did just a few short years ago. Age and stamina has a lot to do with that, along with strong interests in other things these days. Just some thoughts.

chas

so it's the loss of desire to play due to the arranger(for whatever reason we think) . i've been looking a a 76 note digital piano. i've been using my pa600 as a piano and bass pedals more than its arranger features lately. it might explain some of the thinking i'm going thru. hmmmmmmmm.

Haters will be Haters .....
Music lovers will be Music lovers !!
no matter what shape or form it comes in.
An arranger kb is a IMO fantastic tool to create music
Great sounds, super styles if needed, smf player, mp3 player,
vocal harmony, sequencer, etc,.. in an all in one unit.
That said, you only have to use the on board features
needed for YOUR musical needs. I can go on but it's mothers day.

Gee Donny, just because someone doesn't agree with YOU, doesn't make them a 'Hater'. Besides, it's very difficult to agree with you on ANYTHING since your position on practically everything seems to change on a daily basis. One day you're done with arranger keyboards, next day, "I changed my mind" and the buying/returning cycle starts anew. My advice, save your opinions until you actually have one. Your desire to be the center of the universe shouldn't allow you to try to suppress of disparage any opinion that didn't emanate from you. Maybe if you stopped posting long enough to actually read what you're responding to, your posts might have some semblance of validity. Again, JMO.

chas

Haters never change, ...just sayin'..

i still love listening to others playing , its just im bored with me playing. actually about listening to music ,i take that back. im actually listening to talk radio, tv, and computer stuff more than music. so as i write this i'm thinking more of a loss of passion/ desire for music. and thats ok. it is what it is
and you are right about the arrangers , i do turn off the arranger features.in fact my setup right now is the most flexible setup i've ever had

Best wishes Deane, perhaps after a break you will have a change of heart. If not, you have had a great career. One thing is for sure, you have to have a strong desire to play music because there will be many obstacles along the way. You might even say it has to be a calling of sorts. I got to the point where I was only motivated about 50 percent of the time and that wasn't enough so I got out.

+1

lol of course how predictable....

Thank you Deane for starting this thread. I too have been losing the interest I once had in music in general. I don't spend hardly any time listening to new or old stuff and it's harder and harder to get myself up to setting down at the kb to play at all. Part of the cause may be the age factor. I'm only 76 and in fairly decent health but still as I reflect back it seems like forever ago when I retired from the Army in 92. A year after retirement I moved from Maryland to Arkansas and th opportunities for gigging disappeared so I got into other things. A couple years ago got back into the forums here and PSRTutorial and got interested in playing for seniors, so started getting my stuff together to do a gig. Then, I fell out of bed, broke 4 ribs, & got laid up in the hospital for 6 weeks. After recoving from that I got the flu and back in the hospital for a couple more weeks. So, two years later & I'm really not much closer to doing a gig and now covid 19 shuts everything down! Oh well, it'll all end soon enough & I'll be be back putting together a decent book.

First thanks to everyone who responded to my post. It is hard to throw away something that has been part of my life for nearly 75 years. There is a back story here. When world war II ended I was still only 5 years old. During that time and the following 5 years my mother was the director of the USO in Belleville, Illinois - the home of Scott Field Air Force Base. During that time I got to see and hear the countries most famous singers and bands when they played at the Belleville USO. I often sat on the stage with them. You see, in the 1930's my mother and father travelled with one of the top vaudeville troops. They played next to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and many others from that time. Because of their relationship with these people they would come to the Belleville USO and stayed at our house on the visit. Of course I was to young to understand what all this meant and who these people were. Later my mother provided me with the best of teachers for piano and voice until I gradated from high school.
That was my intro to professional music. At age 12 I got to go to the Hollywood Canteen with my Mother. They had a special weekend for all the USO directors. By this time I knew who was who and all I can say is wow! At age 14 I started playing live gigs playing piano and singing at small dinner places until the Musicians Union in St. Louis raised a fuss because I was not a member. I bet some here remember the days when the Musicians union ran everything. But all turned out ok.

Today is Mothers Day and I could not pass it by without remembering how much she, and my father, did to provide me with a musical upbringing. Every time I play certain songs from the 30's and 40's my mind wonders back to some very special memories of my Mother and how much I appreciate all she, and my father, did to make sure my life would be a good one.


Wow - sorry for the vent. Again I appreciate the responses to my post.

Deane

Sorry?...I can read 'vents' like that 50 times a day. What a rich, rich early life. You are very lucky to have been blessed with the parents you had. Those memories are precious, believe me, I know. Good luck in your future endeavors.

chas

Deane, yes, you have been blessed in many ways ... my mom was my musical influence also, although not nearly to the same extent ... but she did ingrain in me the appreciation of all genres of music ...

At 16 years of age I was booked for a party with a friend of mine - both on accordion - we told the client that we were not in the union, but she booked us any way ... sure enough the union delegate came in and said if we didn't stop playing he was going to pull all the wait staff, bartenders and two bands that were playing in other rooms out ... the client paid us for the gig, and had us stay for the dinner, so we made out ok ...

Best of luck to you ...

Been thinking of not going back to playing live after the virus is gone.

Still into the score business, but there's something sad about giving up something I started in 1955, with 9 weeks off (until
recently).

Already taken on a huge writing job that will last two years, so I was looking for something to drop.

We'll see.

R.

Russ
I and many others are amazed at the schedule you have kept for many years,and very successfully,I may add. No one has more of a reason than you,IMO.

Bernie

Ah! The Musician's union ... joined in 1957. There wasn't any question at that time, if you played music, you had to join the union.

Oh,yes, as soon as they let us we were in ...

In the 60's I was hired to play with a band in Wildwood, NJ. First night on the job a union official came in and told me in order to play there I had to join the union. So I joined a NJ local. Then I was told I owed travel dues because Wildwood, NJ was in the Philadelphia, PA jurisdiction. The union did not enforce scale on that job, so it wasn't very profitable.

Nothing but bad experiences with the union here. It was an "old-boy" group and they never did anything to help me, but they were always there with their hand out at the end of the week. Twice when I needed them they sided with the club owners, so I quit. They gave all the jobs to the "insiders".
By then they didn't have any power as it was a "right to work" state.
They are still trying to get me to join again. I tell them I don't need them and they say but we need YOU. Right, they need my money. By not standing by me, and believe me I was in the right, they cost themselves 35 years of work dues.
Still makes me mad to think about it, but it's sort of a long story.

You could respond without being a jerk, ...just sayin'..

Maybe you need to reread http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread..._civ#Post312926

Nigel when people disrespect my craft I consider it hating
not childish. I will apologize for my statement but my feelings
won't change. I guess this virus has everyone in different mood.

stay safe

Deane, it has been more than 2 years since heath issues forced me to retire. At first, I hated every minute that I missed being on stage and entertaining the masses. Now, I rarely turn on the keyboard, and after just a couple of minutes, I turn it off and do other things. And, those other things include just doing nothing at all, during which time I tend to fall asleep in the recliner. Ironically, in years past, there was no way I could sleep sitting in a chair, even a recliner. Now, it's an almost daily occurrence. Ironically, there always seems to be a song playing in the cobwebs of my aging mind.

Like many here, I've had an incredible musical career, one that last more than 30 years. It was absolutely the best job I ever had in my nearly 80 years on planet Earth. In my case, I relied heavily on my vocal abilities and my playing skills were no where near the level of the vast majority of members on this forum. Pulmonary fibrosis took away my ability to sing, which I believe caused my loss of interest in playing the arranger keyboard, and any other musical instrument.

Good luck old friend,

Gary

Gary still has not given up his interest in and knowledge of the Yamaha arrangers. I recently ran into a, here to fore, problem with my S 970. One call to Gary and he was on the case. The interesting part, before we could make any adjustments to settings, the problem went away and everything worked like it should. Gary is the Arranger Whisperer.

While you disagree with some opinions "Hater" is a totally inappropriate response. Try to learn some socially acceptable etiquette to express your opinion rather than being antagonistic.

Hello all from SW Missouri.

Thx for this post Deane.

After we moved here, I set up my Genos but have rarely touched it. I have an almost new Roland RD 2000 setting in a case that hasn’t seen the light of day in 2020.

Can’t say I have missed playing.

My cousin in ND said he has lost well over 60 gigs to this Coronacrazy situation and since his main business is nursing/assisted living, he’s not if/when it will ever start up again.

On a brighter note, this part of Missouri is slowly opening up. That helps.

To stay in touch during the shutdown, we have learned to use FaceTime and Zoom a bit more.

Take care all.

Rog Lee

Understood...I apologize for my statement.