Donny just said something in another post and although funny, it struck a familiar and uncomfortable chord. His post -

"At this age your lucky you can remember
how to tie your own shoes... Just sayin'.."

Truth is, he's right. I have noticed the effects of aging in several ways:

1. Slightly harder to learn new systems (and songs) but even harder to RETAIN them. Strangely, no problem remembering tunes from 30-50 yrs ago.

2. Fingering mistakes and uneven pressure or velocity when playing chords or arpeggios, ie. some notes won't sound.

3. Harder to bring myself to learn new tunes and more reliance on familiar 'riffs' during solos instead of 'stretching' to be more creative.

4. Planned (self) rehearsals turn into private jam sessions (of familiar tunes) in about 5 minutes after I start .

5. Struggling with the operation of previously well-known but seldom used equipment (forgetfulness)

6. Former 2hr playing/practicing sessions have devolved into 20-30 min. sessions.

7. Well organized music (studio/rehearsal) space has turned into 'clutter' heaven.

8. Reading, even Fakebook reading, has deteriorated considerably.

This seems to have started or at least become more noticeable about two years or so ago when I stopped gigging; but then I'm also two years older so who knows if that's a connection. Just wondering if any of you are seeing any of the same or similar things as Father Time does his thing. Oh, also forgot; I've developed a condition with my left ring finger which Russ is pretty sure the condition known as 'trigger finger'. It DOES affect my playing. Your thoughts, if you care to share them.

chas

I've been out of the business since '07. I agree , if you don't use it ,you lose it.
If fact I've been gently replaced at our over 55 community Christmas party by a 30 year old cute female singer using her iPhone into my PA system. After 3 or 4 years of playing I suggested that maybe they should consider other entertainment . It's not that I'm tired of playing the party ,I figured the residents would like a change so I'm ok with the change. I'm 72 with a host of health issues, I don't mind leaving the stage to her( she's really good , so is her husband). But over this time I am facing the same issues, to the point of maybe closing up shop completely and convert the studio ,office to a spare bedroom. The party was last night , she was great . Today while I was in the exercise room ,one of the residents come up to me and said "I have to say something to you( I'm thinking oh boy , she got a complaint since I help out in the office) , we love her singing but we miss you)) I respectfully thanked her and explained to her that it's time for the torch to be passed. She agreed . It's not easy to move on. Sorry for the long post.

Agree with each point. Have been thinking of posting same general points. The question is, at 76 how do I gst mrself back on track?

Starting this year, everything seems to take more effort.

The same restrictions are affecting my writing, photography...everything I love to do...everything people are counting on me for.

It would not be hard to stop playing for the public. I do over 100 hours a month of "balls to the wall" recording under contract and another 60 hours on my own projects. I just used the live stuff to meet clients for my business, and to keep the pressure of "one shot" performance at the forefront. I think that an hour of playing for people in real time is more beneficial that 2 hours of the stops and starts you can do on a studio job.

I've started the transition. I'm off motorcycles and am selling the Cessna 180. I have taken over thirty collectible firearms to a broker to sell. We are starting a Reverb store and will have over 150 stringed instruments listed around the first of the year. Four motorcycles and three cars are going to be sold or donated. Too much stuff and clutter.

After working with them for 35 years, I am resigning 5 bank customer accounts. That alone will eliminate over 6,000 miles of driving a year.

On the flip side, business from my clients in Atalanta will double soon, and I have made commitments to work on a variety of big projects for them until 2025, if I stay healthy and alive.

The University wants a commitment to complete several writing projects a colleague started. I was his ghost writer. That will take 10 hours a week for several years.

Thing is, all this stuff is equally important to me.

Next year and those after (however many there are) will be interesting.

Russ

If I wanted to make a list like Chas did, I would throw all my stuff away; my keyboards and my guitars. AND, my list would be longer.

Because I want to enjoy what is left of me, I do not have a list --- I just enjoy, BIG TIME, playing and sing. It’s not over yet.

John C.

Keep in mind that getting old isn't for wimps and sissies - all that stuff about the golden years is pure crap! I should know.

While I was working in the musical entertainment industry, I set a goal to learn at least one new song every week. And for many years I was able to meet that goal. But as my health began to deteriorate, the goal went to learning one new song a month. I still try to do this, even though I have been retired for more than 2 years. I find the biggest challenge for me now is my vocals, mainly because quality vocals take a lot of air, and I no longer have a lot of anything left to work with.

Good luck, Chas, and Keep On Keeping On,

Gary

What "Golden Years"... Gary??? LOL!

Pure crap is a pretty good description... with a few exceptions. First and foremost, being above ground. Being married to the same lady for 59 years is a close second. Discovering the General Arranger Forum at the SynthZone was almost as good as playing golf... when I could. Playing chess twice a week to keep the stuff between my ears well exercised allows me to schmooze with a few friends and keep up with goings-on here in West Mayberry.

Chas:

You are observant, smart and organized. Keep doing what you are doing to exercise that great brain of yours. Short Term Memory Loss is something to discuss with a qualified Doctor and explore your diet, habits, exercise, etc. I don't mean to alarm you... just to offer advice to help you ward-off the most feared and destructive ailment in medical circles today... and probably longer than when we first gave it a name.

Few of us here are Spring Chickens and having a forum to use for spending time communicating with each other is another way to keep our minds active.

As always, all my best. You are my heroes!

----Dave

FARTHER?

"all that stuff about the golden years is pure crap! I should know"

Gary, I am with you most of the time, but there are some of us who find their Golden Years rewarding. Maybe not physically, but there is more to life.

John C.

your / you’re ?