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