Playing ability leaving you??

Harry Williams · Post by **Harry Williams** » 17 Mar 2004 4:47 pm

One thing we have got going for us is that we all play MUSIC. With the baby boomers getting older there is a LOT of discussion out there about keeping the brain active and alert, and playing and learning MUSIC is invariably one of the most highly recommended activities of all.

Personally I get a huge amount of satisfaction out of learning something new, even if I'm a long way from being a pro. So, as Billy said, get out there and learn something new. Hmmm maybe a Robert Randolph lick......

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[This message was edited by Harry Williams on 17 March 2004 at 04:49 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 17 Mar 2004 5:44 pm

Old age may not be a good thing, but it sure beats the alternative!

Dear readers:

My Dad used to have a saying..."To a beggar, a nickel is a fortune!" We're all "beginners" to some, and "masters" to someone else. Remember...no matter how you badly you think you play, there's always someone, somewhere, who would really like to hear you. There's always someone who would like to do what you can do. There's always someone who would like to sit and listen to your "old stories". And lastly, there's always someone out there you could inspire to eventually be all that you could not be!

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 17 Mar 2004 6:22 pm

Remember this: You ain't old til yer cold!!!

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 17 Mar 2004 6:41 pm

Bob,
I think your problem is that, you're playing way too much 6 string and not enough 10 string. But,that's the nature of the situation you're in. In my main band, I switch from my steel to my Tele with a B-string bender, for a couple of tunes. I love playing the Tele, but I realy, really love playing my steel. And, I always had a small mental lapse for about a 1/2 song, to get reset on the steel. I think that's natural, though. Also, try learning some new steel songs, instead of playing the same old ones for 5 years. Even some classics will get stale if you keep playing them long enough.Remember, if you keep your mind musically active, your reflexes will eventually follow suit. Good Luck, and don't worry so much !!!

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 17 Mar 2004 7:19 pm

Playing a gig does'nt count! You're just playing things you already know. New inventive exercises keep the mind tuned and the fingers lubricated. HJ

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 17 Mar 2004 7:30 pm

After 40 years of playing music, the fire has pretty much burned out. Can't say why exactly. It was not an easy passing. Lots of infighting with yourself. Arguments with he who was and he who I am now. We still dicker on occasion.

He calls me lazy, un-intrested in that passion that drove us to give up nearly everything except the music.

Somewhat sadly, I agree. Still, it is over. We argue through the night till we both fall asleep.

The morning sun greets me on a carpet of freshly mown grass with birds singing and the crisp air filling my nostrils. It's 6AM and I feel alive and strong and happy. He's still asleep and likely to wake up with a slight hangover; plodding through the day till he takes a nap before his gig.

Oh, we'll argue again untill I stop listening, if that day ever comes.

But now, he's not here and I feel good. I pull the driver from my bag and smack the ball into the sun.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 17 Mar 2004 8:20 pm

Bob. At 50 I can relate to most of what you've written.

Two things: One, a person that plays with any band "ties" himself "spiritually" to them. This is for better, or in most of these cases, for the worse. It is like being able to successfuly play along with Raisin the Dickens, or go over Satin Doll, Hitchin a Ride, or the instrumental to Right or Wrong, and BANG, your at the gig doing "Sweet Home ALabama" "Keep your Hands to Yourself" and when they finally do play 'Silver Wings" the tags are wrong, they rush, drag, and can't agree on the ending. You'll leave those gigs feeling no better of musically competent than the worst bozo in the band.

I am fortunate enough to play in an area that has many bands to choose from, compared to say Central Oregon, or other "rural areas".

In my case, most of the bands I work with have bad arrangements, or song selections. I do my best to give them what they expect me to play. SOmetimes it works GREAT. SOmetimes not so great.

Mainly, I don't have ONE group of people whose musical spirituality, I'm locked in with.

At that point, I MUST force myself to practice on my own, and have a certain set of songs that I am trying to perfect, a certain couple chops that I remember the speed of, and keep trying to increase. ( Though it seems to be a sin to some)". Also a couple new ones in mind, and a catalog of four or five standards to go through. That seems to break my "bond" with these "bands" sufficiently when my day job allows me to inbetween gigs.

Now. Number Two.

People are all different. We are all born with different Cycles set in our makeup.

Some, like Mr Franklin, or Emmons get "up" at an early age, and "stay there". Some start at an early age, lie dormant for decades, and flower. I guess like the difference between the Tiger Woods' and the Lee Trevinos. Some start early burn out, and never get up again. Some start late, burn out and yet flower again. Some people's lives are a relentless excersize in giving up. Some are profiles in tenacity.

That's one of God's miracles of our lives. We really never know, and one person is almost always different from another.

In studies of astrology, this is explained by the aspects made in ones' birth chart by slow moving, or fast moving planets, and aspects that will culminate early, late, or not at all. Have somebody schooled in it do a progressed natal chart and have them explain it to you. Don't worry about going to hell for it. God made the planets and their influences, and they do as surely as the moon changes the tides.

You're not alone in this feeling, thats for sure from reading the responses.

Myself, I have been so swamped in my new day job working deep sewer line construction and driving 105,500 trucks around close in residential neighborhoods, that I haven't plugged it in this week. I've been more attentive to getting more gigs lined up and working enough overtime to get my Marrs rebuild paid for way in advance.

I am in the process RIGHT NOW of pluggin in my stuff and putting an hour or two of drills in like I should have earlier in the week. I've worked to get most of the weekends filled so far till august, and one and a half five niters for next month besides the weekends so far. Four different bands.

Keep at it. That's for sure.

EJL

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 18 Mar 2004 7:50 am

Learning is key to keeping the mind and abilities sharp, or as sharp as is practical for aging codgers like me.

Hey, my mom started up on computers in her seventies by buying a rudimentary Radio Shack DOS-only laptop maybe a decade ago. Now she has a Dell desktop and a Compaq laptop, and has been running a bridge playing orginization in her adult community (she uses the computers to track everyones' scores). She (a lifetime nurse) knows the importance of staying mentally active, and it has done her a lot of good. God bless her.

For me, taking up PSG is one of the new exrecises in life that I think helps with accuity. Problem is I haven't had much time for it lately. I've embarked on transferring aging analog video tapes to DVDs--a huge time consumer.

It's a kick learning how to use the gear and software, but it just knocks my free time flat.

As for aging effecting PSG playing ability, I've noticed a bigger detractor from PSG (and everything!) is that getting good sleep is more difficult. Back pains, restless legs, sheesh! I haven't had a good night's sleep in a few years. Everything would improve (PSG, too!) if I could just sleep better!

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 18 Mar 2004 9:52 am

At 25, my playing ability hasn't even arrived yet.

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Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 18 Mar 2004 10:29 am

Bill, ya gonna let us see some of them videos when you get 'em done?

Productivity improvement by PC is a misnomer. Although they let you do stuff not before possible, they open up a whole new way to lose 8 to 16 hours at a time.

Ed Altrichter · Post by **Ed Altrichter** » 18 Mar 2004 1:14 pm

There is a lot of good advice and philosophy in these comments. I especially like Danny Hinson's !
Which brings me to a question: Just think of all the doctors and lawyers in this country who will never get to be state governor... are they all failures ?

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 18 Mar 2004 2:48 pm

I'll be 58 tomorrow and I feel that I am playing as good as I ever did, maybe not as fast, but better overall. At 50 I sort of burned out a little. Went to the Dallas show and came back with a new Zum,amp and seat. I switched bands and am enjoying playing again. I only play once a week but, I get a good workout when we do play.

Francis Chamberlain · Post by **Francis Chamberlain** » 18 Mar 2004 3:03 pm

I turned 70 this last November. I have been trying to play (steel)for about 35 years and I like to think that I play better now than I ever did. I have played gospel for the better part of the last 30 years. I play for a gospel trio at the present time. I hope to be able to play as long as I am physically able. A wonderful thing for a retired person.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 18 Mar 2004 3:24 pm

My rig has been set-up and waiting for me to play again ever since I quit when my wife became ill nearly two years ago.....but the inspiration or motivation has not come back to me.

I hope it doesn't take 15 years like it did the last time I lost my will to play....or someone will have to "dig me up".

www.genejones.com

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 18 Mar 2004 3:25 pm

We Dont Stop Playing Because We Get Old

We Get Old Because We Stop Playing.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 18 Mar 2004 10:24 pm

Jody-you said it! I can relate to what is being posted.I know where you are coming from ,Gene. But I have heard your CD and you satill play very well.

I am one of the older players here and I too lose that spark and inspiration at times.
Sometimes, all it takes is playing with a different band, as b0b says, to get inspired a little. Or try the other neck or some different songs.

When a new player writes and ask about tunings, and general advice. I appreciate it and Thank them for writing. It makes me feel "Young at Heart" and that is what it is all about for me.......al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 19 Mar 2004 4:25 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>We Dont Stop Playing Because We Get Old
We Get Old Because We Stop Playing.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
A beautiful comment, Jody. And so very true...

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 20 Mar 2004 11:09 am

Use it, or lose it. Granted, as we age things will slow down. But at 50, I wouldn't think it would be significant yet. There are many older professional athletes, and musicians that amaze me. From your story, it sounds like you need to play more steel in the rock stuff. Or...hire a new singer so you can play steel more. But just play more steel ....period.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 20 Mar 2004 12:13 pm

Hey there Gene Jones: As a favor to ME, please sit down at that steel and play just one single tune that you know your wife loved. Play it slow, soft and from your heart. I keep recalling the one or two songs that my mom and dad "loved", songs I never got to play for them while they were here. I was a teenager and didn't particularly care for their "favorites". Now those few songs keep haunting me and I can play them now with a professional flair.......but there is no one here, to listen. So I occasionally play them........from the heart hoping that they just might hear them too. Play it for me, Gene, and thanks.

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 20 Mar 2004 8:08 pm

Ray, I also did exactly that with this song my dad loved.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 20 Mar 2004 9:50 pm

Hey Bill-you are sounding good there.

My mother always like to hear me play "My Buddy" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere".

So when I play them on occasion, I kinda get choked up and sad. So I don't play them much...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 20 Mar 2004 10:13 pm

to answer the original question;
in my case,apparently so.[This message was edited by Mike Cass on 20 March 2004 at 10:14 PM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 21 Mar 2004 5:12 am

Ray thank you for your thoughtful comments. I didn't intend to imply that I am unhappy with my circumstances in life, I'm just not motivated to play.

As an analogy, when I set down at my steel to play, it's like trying to force myself to eat when I'm not hungry!

It's not because of my wife's health, as she is doing very well currently and is optimistic that she will be eventually considered as healed. She has a busy life and also has her own computer and occasionally reads the Forum comments.

.....however, it's difficult to ignore the fact that the elephant is still in the room.......so maybe that does have something to do with it!
www.genejones.com [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 21 March 2004 at 02:25 PM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 Mar 2004 11:00 am

Ride the elephant.

EJL

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 22 Mar 2004 4:59 pm

..Donny said..

And lastly, there's always someone out there you could inspire to eventually be all that you could not be!

..my mother gave me the same advice when she said..

Son, everybody has a purpose in life, even if it's just to set a bad example.

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 22 March 2004 at 05:01 PM.]