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Post by Dr Bass MD on Jan 3, 2020 23:53:43 GMT -5
I never posted much on the old site and my user name *might* have been redman but here's my current issue: After being in a moderately successful classic rock bar band for 20 yrs, my identical twin suddenly passed - keyboard player. He and I were almost joined at the hip. I play a LP. Our musical tastes were darn similar. I would arrive at the gig with the trailer and he was always there just ahead of me, usually saving me the choice spot for the trailer. We would quickly discuss which lighting combination we would go with at this particular venue, unload the trailer, and while I was getting the sound system up and running (with the bass player) he would have the lighting up and running. As close to ideal as it was going to get. After he passed nobody wanted to continue without the keys, and since we had a pretty good run, we terminated the band. I took a year off from playing, and about a month ago the drummer and I started sitting in with a couple of other dudes that were playing some older stuff than I'm used to playing. I'm rebuilding my callouses from scratch - ouch. And learning some different tunes that wouldn't have fit in the other band, but I'm playing again - moving forward. Total healing will take a while, I suspect. I’m so sorry for your loss. And I’m glad you are playing again. Your brother would be happy, methinks.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 4, 2020 3:09:14 GMT -5
^+1
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Post by surfbop on Jan 4, 2020 13:08:11 GMT -5
I find that what keeps my interest up is all of the instructional videos available on you tube. I can find out how to play most any song I like and do it at my own speed . One of the best I have found are the Tim Pierce videos where I have signed up for the masterclass and can learn from a session musician and learn it at my own speed. My playing has improved dramatically since taking his classes and I am never bored with it. I also had great results with the Jim Campilongo lessons also.
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Post by Pinetree on Jan 4, 2020 13:35:22 GMT -5
I play nearly every day.
Jam nights are a good way to "get back into" playing.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 4, 2020 13:35:41 GMT -5
There are some *really good* stories here about getting back into it. WOW.
"Rather he did what he did because if he didn't he would lose his mind."
I'm that way not so much with music, but with building stuff. Luckily I also play guitar, so I build guitars. Making things keeps my feets on the ground and keeps me sane.
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Post by Laker on Jan 4, 2020 14:23:22 GMT -5
To answer the OP’s question, I think a good way to get back into playing is start hitting open jams...get your name out there. I’ve been running a weekly jam night for the last (nearly) three years and I’ve watched several of our guests manage to hook up with people/bands after sitting in with us. It’s like any other business, “networking” goes a long way to gain employment.
Back in October, thanks to the jam, I was asked to join some really excellent players in a new version of an established group. I had six weeks to learn the entire show before the first gig with 95% of the material totally new to me and plus learning vocals and harmonies for stuff I’ve never done. I practiced the material around three hours a day and loaded the whole show on a memory stick so every time I was in my car that material was playing to really drive it into my memory. The first gig went off really well as a result.
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Post by rangercaster on Jan 5, 2020 13:23:32 GMT -5
Do what you enjoy ... Play guitar, sing ... Prune your roses ... Polish silverware ... Just stay off my lawn !!!
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Post by hushnel on Jan 5, 2020 15:58:22 GMT -5
It doesn’t surprise me Laker, you are a pro. Maybe that it took three years is a bit surprising.
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Post by Laker on Jan 5, 2020 17:25:57 GMT -5
It doesn’t surprise me Laker, you are a pro. Maybe that it took three years is a bit surprising. I wasn’t looking to get back into a group situation, I really enjoy doing the jam and playing “off the cuff”. The leader of the new group is someone that is a good friend who I really respect as a musician, and, outside of playing our jam session, it has been twenty years since I was able to share the stage with him playing a legitimate gig.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 5, 2020 22:19:06 GMT -5
Well, I wasn’t going to pick it back up unless I had a guitar ready. So I got out my 2007 Robert Cray Strat and went to work, including:
1) Stripped off the old strings 2) Polished the frets 3) Cleaned and oiled the fretboard 4) New strings 5) Reminded myself how stupid it is to have a truss rod adjustment at the heel end. Needed a slight tweak. 6) Adjusted the string height, stretched & re-tuned 7) Polished the body and neck 8) Confirmed I still had a little magic left in my hands
That was it for tonight.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2020 18:56:38 GMT -5
When I'm dry I look for a new song.
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gbfun
Wholenote
I eat cookies to provide you with the best possible experience.
Posts: 463
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Post by gbfun on Jan 18, 2020 2:42:56 GMT -5
As I got my first electric guitar in my mid-40s, I am always jealous of those who started in their teens. I wish I had that experience, knowledge and nerve/finger development ! But as a late starter, and one who wasn't primarily interested in guitar virtuosity, I had many surprise issues. And age issues were abundantly clear. First, playing guitar/music is very PHYSICAL...almost athletic. As we age, that could be a problem. In fact, to have healthy, strong hands, it takes as strong a body as possible to support them. But thankfully, with a well set up guitar, and lighter strings, even weaker hands can still play at a reasonable level. But hand and finger injuries can happen easier later in life as well. I've found it's wise to "warm up" before "playing" to avoid injury, and this even makes playing more pleasurable because it's less of a struggle to hit the beat and note exactly as intended. And with the other issue I've seen mentioned, callouses, you bet this can be a new problem for older players. Older skin does not grow as fast and thick as when young. My dad actually gave up banjo because he couldn't form good callouses. Since he played banjo (spit) I thought it only appropriate to not tell him what I'm about to tell YOU. (kidding !) To build and keep callouses there are various forms of advice ; pick what works for you. For my fingers though, I make sure my fingertips are as dry as possible before playing, and I have to PLAY EVERY DAY...at least an hour. And by "dry" I mean....no dish washing, no being in the rain, no showers, no nose picking, no NOTHING that involves moisture before playing. I will even use a hair dryer on my fingertips if necessary ! I even tried superglue when desperate enough. And I've noticed there might even be certain FOODS and vitamins that make my callouses thicker as well. Sadly, I'm still not sure what factors those are...yet. In short, treat you hands like an Olympic athlete. The second surprise I found was that being older tragically excluded me from being in younger aged bands. In my father's day, no one could be that selective about this, or people were nicer then, but music groups used to be comprised of all ages...but maybe only with bluegrass and church groups. The third surprise I found was that when I did find people my age to play with, they hadn't heard of any music happening past 1980, and all they wanted to play was the music they listened to in their teens and 20s ! I was, of course, rather tired of those and hadn't played guitar back then anyway. But all that varies with the territory. The fourth surprise was that it's not that easy to "supplement" my income by playing music...as I blindly thought. Music is work. GOOD music is a heck of a lot of work ! And with aging, it's logical to think it takes MORE work than when young. So how to "get back into it" ? How to "keep it up" ? The statements to remember are : 1)use it or lose it. 2) "have fun". 3) "do what you can" 4) "learn how to make great music with simple moves". And last but not least : Play Every Day. Well, except for this hint on how to have fun. I never really played much lead until the last 5 years, and it's REALLY fun ! Sure, a nice snappy, nifty rhythm is fun too. But let's face it, most of us aren't ever going to be in a great band EVER...or for some of you...again. So...STEAL a band ! Yep. Right off of youtube, a CD or the radio. And just play by ear along with, or on top of, or even completely destroy some poor innocent song/band as you see fit ! It's great fun and a great relaxer. No one is more happy than me when I'm lost jamming more notes where they don't shine or getting slick and trying to fit seamlessly into some unsuspecting song/band. No one is hurt. And they can't convict anyone of music malpractice. So it's all good. And fun ! And sure enough, guitar skills will improve...or at least...hold steady...for when you DO get to play with others. So I suggest for those guitar burnouts and re-beginners, just flip on some music source(fm radio works for me) and play the best lead or rhythm you can. After warming up your hands with string bends on all fingers, gentle stretches, slow to fast picking warm ups, and finger picking warm ups, etc...to a moderate beat. And if you are bored with the old music, try some modern stuff. Believe it or not, the current top 100 stuff is a mix of all sorts of beats and repetitive chords that are perfect for practice. And they can be fast enough to challenge. And believe it or not, some of it is great ! Or at least, one seems to get more attracted to it...after a while. LOL You know who you are boys...some of you are a little stuck in the 60s and a little music adventure might be good for you. So yeah, pick up the guitar and play along with Taylor Swift et al. It's good practice if nothing else. And it's fun !
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Post by k9bigdog on Jan 19, 2020 8:02:48 GMT -5
Get together with some like-minded friends and just turn it up and jam. Have some fun with it in a low pressure format and it’ll all come flooding back. The next weekend you’ll be at GC blowing a mortgage payment on new toys.
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gbfun
Wholenote
I eat cookies to provide you with the best possible experience.
Posts: 463
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Post by gbfun on Jan 20, 2020 2:06:43 GMT -5
Oh yeah, that reminded me of another "fun" thing to inspire !
Spend half a mortgage payment on a big....LOOPER.
You can be the whole band and even throw in all those funny cartoon voices into your music.
This is my next journey starting in a month or so.
It should be 1) FUN and 2) fight off Alzheimer's !
A suggested beginning project : record yourself playing your favorite song and use the looper to insert random loud farts.
Now you know what the audience hears !
See ? A creativity booster.
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Post by LM on Jan 21, 2020 7:38:42 GMT -5
In the past, I grew tired of playing when I grew bored of hearing myself play. I motivated myself to learn new techniques, licks, riffs, genres, etc, and it became fun again.
Watch YouTube videos of...say...how to play like David Gilmour or Eric Clapton. Practice those styles and incorporate them into your own playing.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 22, 2020 8:09:20 GMT -5
I recall an interview with an artist who was really intense. His message was that he didn't create art because it made him feel good or gave him satisfaction. Rather he did what he did because if he didn't he would lose his mind. In other words some of us are wired to be creative and there is no alternative. It might be dormant for a time. But it will come back eventually. That is very well-put. I have found that I have to have some sort of creative endeavor in my life. A few years ago that swung around to work, and I was instrumental in changing the landscape in our dealer network. It was probably the pinnacle in my career.
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Bbendfender
Wholenote
Mostly play Fender guitars and amps. I'm 71 and have had a guitar since 1964. Got serious in 1975.
Posts: 216
Age: 71
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Post by Bbendfender on Jan 23, 2020 12:22:50 GMT -5
I am another older dude (70) who hasn't played very much since last Oct. I pick up a guitar now and then but really don't accomplish much when I play it. I just don't have the urge at this time. Hopefully, my pickin' buddies will be ready to do something when the weather warms. We played a lot of outdoor gigs when we played. I have bought and sold several guitars during this period of time but simply have not played that much, if any.
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Davywhizz
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"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 23, 2020 14:40:40 GMT -5
I've taken lots of breaks, sometimes for years. I think I definitely need the inspiration of playing with others to keep the interest and motivation. Looking back over the decades, I also realise I need to be at a reasonably settled time in my life to start a new project.
Whenever I start playing live again after a break, I find the last thing to return is the ability to memorise charts. I'll always start a new band using a music stand and written charts in rehearsal, so we can refine the arrangements as we progress. But as soon as that's done I start playing from memory in preparation for the first gig.
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Desoto
Quarternote
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Formerly Known As: Roger Ball
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Post by Desoto on Jan 23, 2020 15:10:22 GMT -5
I still play in a band that gigs from May through October so we don't have to deal with out of town winter driving issues.
I set aside at least a half hour a day to noodle around on various songs except for the few weeks after Christmas for some reason. It's like I lose interest playing the same old stuff. But when I wake up from my "hibernation" I reach for a Beatles music book and start going through all the songs. There is so much there to work on from basic chords to trying to figure out some of the lead riffs. It's like a starting over moment.
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twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
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Post by twangmeister on Jan 26, 2020 19:27:24 GMT -5
I go through phases.
I have some constant low level motivation which has made me play a bit every few months as long as a stringed instrument is available. On the other hand I very seldom play bass at all although I had a union card for that many years ago. y Dobro and mandolin see little use since a few years back..
For the last year it has been a lot of banjo due to belonging to a Philly mummer band. And quite a bit of steel-string and nylon-string guitar. For me having a suitable outlet for performing is essential whether it is a few acquaintences at a jam, or marching down Broad Street in Philadelphia.
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Post by tiedyeddevil on Jan 28, 2020 21:04:02 GMT -5
My best advice is "have a goal." If you don't have a reason to make music, you probably won't.
(Take as read all the usual advice about having attainable, measurable goals...)
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Post by thumbpicker on Feb 27, 2020 20:44:24 GMT -5
Ive always taken breaks in my playing as the seasons change and I switch around my hobbys etc. In the winter I become more adept at guitar and in the warmer months I become a motorcycle nut. have to pile up the miles a bit each day.
I find the motorcycling enjoyable but then when you start to play in front of people you find the easy stuff isn't that easy if you've been laying off the guitar stuff.
Usually takes a week of 3-4 hour sessions every day for any dexterity to return. Practice will get you there. The handlebar vibration plays a part in it as well. To be young again is impossible so all you can do is work on it.
I just can't get motivated to practice unless I know I'm getting ready for something. Practice when you can and enjoy it.
This was brought home to me this winter with Chemo and Radiation which will whip your butt. Those things will wear you down with fatigue so badly the winter guitar season kinda got passed over. Damn I'm lousy now,speed ,dexterity, lack of interest and weakness just is frustrating. But all you can do is get cracking on it. I'm at least up to fighting the Les Paul now but acoustics are killing me still. Back in the saddle again!
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Post by hushnel on Feb 28, 2020 16:40:02 GMT -5
I was a bit surprised by this young dude, he was working at the local ma and pa guitar shop. I wasn’t looking for anything, just needed a set of acoustic guitar strings. This was the first time I saw him at this store, so I let him practice his sales skills on me. I said yeah show be what you have in bass amps. I followed him into the amp room, he showed me what they had, told him I’d need a bass to check them out. I went out to the floor and grabbed a Ibanez with the P/J configuration and ran it through the bass amps.
I was just running bass lines that serve to check out tuning, settings and set up. He starts getting all excited about my playing, strange. It was like he never heard a bass player before, told his boss he wanted me in his band. It was a bit strange, made me wonder what younger bassists are doing now a days.
I like playing with people, but the hard working band thing is not what I’m looking for. I it could happen with the right players but I’m not actively looking for it. I have the opportunity to go to an old time music and bluegrass jam tonight, but I probably won’t, I have to play guitar at these, the more traditional bass lines at these things would drive me crazy, and I can’t handle the upright for any length of time, particularly the way I play.
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Post by rickyguitar on Feb 28, 2020 19:18:49 GMT -5
Funny, I have bern playing acoustic some, lately. I really enjoy it, and am surprised I have not lost more than I have. And for all that I just don't do it much. It's a struggle to get there, once I do I love it. Oh, and after playing mandolin and thinking wow these frets are small now when I ay guitar I am thinking wow these frets are big! Lol.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 29, 2020 12:29:10 GMT -5
About the time I joined the FDP (2004) I had soured on gigging. A bad ending to a once solid band put me in a funk and I just didn't want to do it anymore. Bars, club owners, drunks, late nights, I just got weary. Moreover, I had seen "those guys" on stage who were tired, phoning it in, playing and watching the game on the big screen, 3 people dancing...I just didn't want to be that guy. I got my outlet by home recording, but then hooked up with a group of guys, one a friend, who decided to do a basement jam once or twice a week, 7 to 9pm, 10 minutes from home. No aspiration (at first) to go out and gig, so we played anything we wanted. It was great, especially since we were 4 like minded guys on many things. That to me is what I'd do in a heartbeat again, maybe an occasion gig with family and friends. When I've sat in with my former bandmate/brother in law in recent years I remembered the familiarity and view from the stage, the volume, the eye contact and queues, the thrill. For a night my body didn't remind me of its misery. I miss it, I hated it, I loved it. Somehow it never leaves your blood and that weight of a guitar on your shoulder is as right as a glove on a veteran ball player.
Wow, that was a pointless rant🤣
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gbfun
Wholenote
I eat cookies to provide you with the best possible experience.
Posts: 463
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Post by gbfun on Feb 29, 2020 20:25:39 GMT -5
Nah. Not at all. I get it. So does probably everyone else. At least the music addicts !
And playing "freely" is the best of it all.
That's where most of the magic happens anyway.
And there's no better place to be in the world...than lost in time and music, right ?
And for an educated audience, it doesn't get better than watching a talented band have fun and "create" musical magic.
A good cover band is awesome, but a good Jam band is better !
And a LOT more fun to play in.
So no, not a pointless rant.
You've been there, done that...and still do as much as possible.
That's cause for much thanks and appreciation, right ?
Most people never get that far !
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