LarryUK Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I'm 53. I've had a 26 year break from playing. Got married, had kids, got divorced. On coming back to playing, it's a totally different scene. It's certainly better for players today, but not for Money. Anyhow. I'm starting to gear up for a band again and I totally refuse to do covers. I'm writing new stuff and I'll carry on as before. Do you think it's stupid for a bloke in his 50's to have a go again? I don't. I admit, I do know people and can get my stuff heard. I'm not trying to re-live my youth. I just want to get my music heard and for people to like it. I won't give details yet, but all the ideas are there. Have any of you had long breaks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I'm 53. I've had a 26 year break from playing. Got married, had kids, got divorced. On coming back to playing, it's a totally different scene. It's certainly better for players today, but not for Money. Anyhow. I'm starting to gear up for a band again and I totally refuse to do covers. I'm writing new stuff and I'll carry on as before. Do you think it's stupid for a bloke in his 50's to have a go again? I don't. I admit, I do know people and can get my stuff heard. I'm not trying to re-live my youth. I just want to get my music heard and for people to like it. I won't give details yet, but all the ideas are there. Have any of you had long breaks? Well I'm 52 and have the exact same story and am doing the exact same thing except I'm in a band that does both covers and originals. I hope it s not lame. I think it is great to try to realize the dream of recording originals after all these years. I took off from 91 until 2010. I'm back into it big time and am having fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Do you think it's stupid for a bloke in his 50's to have a go again? No way. Definitely not stupid. Go for it, old man. Have any of you had long breaks? From playing - no, never. From gigging seriously, yes. Not planning on going back there either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matonanjin Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I'm 53. I've had a 26 year break from playing. ... Have any of you had long breaks? My break was just about twice as long as yours. In fact, my break was just almost as long as you've been alive I played in a bass in band in high school for a couple years but quit when I graduated in 1966. Started up with six string electric this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Write you songs. Play them wherever you can. Love your family........The rest of it pales in significance.......Have a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Write you songs. Play them wherever you can. Love your family........The rest of it pales in significance.......Have a blast. +10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 In a somewhat strange way, this applies. Hockey great Wayne Gretzky has been quoted as saying that "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Go for it Dude! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Due to a long bout of depression caused by chronic pain caused by 2 back to back accidents,I stopped playing guitar from 2000-2007,but when I got back into it I was the happiest that I'd been for years.Now I haven't been able to play guitar for over a year due to an as of yet undiagnosed Neuro-muscular condition,I think that someone has put a hex on me...lol.Seriously though I would rather loose the use of both legs than loose the use of one finger,I wouldn't wish this condition on anyone-well maybe a couple of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner 13 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Go for it! you are never to old to rock, and as proof of this I offer two words..... KEITH RICHARDS... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvanPC Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 My playing through college was very spotty. Rarely picked it up. Regrettable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdw Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Yup. I had a break of several decades (school, first marriage, kids, etc). I picked it up after the divorce, finished school and got remarried. Took me a while, and as I plunged back in I did get some help in the form of some private lessons over several months. That helped cement the basics again. But then I quickly got back to where I was in my teens. Then I went beyond where I've ever been, and continue to improve. I found that the resources available to a learning guitarist these days (youtube, books, transcripts on line, etc) are so vastly beyond what I ever dreamed in my teens...well, it's just mind-boggling. Oh, yeah, I'll be 49 this year, so I'm not quite where you're at, but darn close. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I took about a 10 year break. Now I practice everyday. I've got so many tunes in my head that I need to eventually get them down. Just need to find the time! As the old saying goes "you're never too old!" Enjoy playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D28boy Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Snap....I was in a band in my teens/early twenties with three other school mates , on the verge of going pro...drummer got cold feet and left us just before a short showcase tour in London. So I gave it up got married had kids who are now all grown up & I started playing again in 2007...acoustic at first (hence the name) and eventually I was drawn back to my roots.. Looking for a band myself at the moment too but think you're too far away for regular practice Age 50 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderGuy1 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Go for it! you are never to old to rock, and as proof of this I offer two words..... KEITH RICHARDS... Two words: ANGUS YOUNG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyT Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 55, and similar stories, but I never played pro, just parties and a few schools with the bands I was in. Started playing late 60s or first of 70s or so, and quit when I got married in '81. Sold the Bandmaster shortly afterwards, then the '73 Les Paul Deluxe in '86 when the second child was born. So it was around 30 years before I picked up a guitar again this past April when I got my '61 SG Reissue. No plans to play with a group, maybe just some local jamming after I get better. Got the new guitars, amps, and pedals more as a hobby and personal enjoyment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmer Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 one is never too old to follow ones dreams! Rock on. I am 43 and I play everyday. I finnaly came to a point where I am pleased with the somngs I write myself and now I am looking for a band...not active searching but I keep my eyes and ears open. NEVER TOO OLD TO MAKE MUSIC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Similar deal with me, although I have no interest in gigging or writing songs. I took it back up because I love making music and the focus and release associated with playing. I also started taking lessons (seven years ago) as a means to improve and to keep my mind active. I will occasionally play out for fun when asked, but my real joy in playing comes from improvising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm 56 and started playing @8 got far more serious when I was around 11. Married my highschool sweet heart in 77, still together today, two kids, all grown now, and three grandchildren, yes, I'm still at it. While I've never taken a break from playing, I have taking breaks from the gigging routine. In an all originals outfit at the moment and we have about 30 tunes we've written and recorded in since 2001.I dabble with a few other projects but the original band is the main focus. So no man, are we ever too old, but you may need to throw cold water on me occasionally if you're gonna require I play much past 11:00 pm! I'm not crazy about the clubs, to me, a young mans game, I opt for the "function" sort of gigs, they just are always a little more fun that the clubs are, but on occasion will do a pub, or small club/bar if the situation arises. At this point tho I gotta keep it simple. No drama, no attitudes, no bad karma,, I have no room for that BS in my life, and don't tolerate it in the music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Due to a long bout of depression caused by chronic pain caused by 2 back to back accidents,I stopped playing guitar from 2000-2007,but when I got back into it I was the happiest that I'd been for years.Now I haven't been able to play guitar for over a year due to an as of yet undiagnosed Neuro-muscular condition,I think that someone has put a hex on me...lol.Seriously though I would rather loose the use of both legs than loose the use of one finger,I wouldn't wish this condition on anyone-well maybe a couple of people. I feel for your pain and I really hope it get's better but as somebody that lost a leg don't make that wish ever. Hands and arms are painful very true, I know that after 6 hand surgeries for nerve damage after a broken back and a bullet in my shoulder. But it's nothing like the pain from losing a leg. Hand's and arms as painful as they can get still have one advantage because they aren't weight bearing. An artificial leg simply put hurts like bloody hell with very single step you take. People ask me what it feels like when they see me limping badly after walking too much and all I can think of to tell them is to "fill your shoe with gravel then walk on it all day" that's kind of what it feels like to walk on a artificial leg all day. Then sadly just when it finally starts to go so totally numb that you can't feel it! Well then you have to take it off and deal with severe cramps for a few hours, then you get to start all over the next morning. There's a good reason you see so many amputee's in wheelchairs it just hurt too much too walk unless your really stubborn and refuse to give up no matter what the pain level is like. Guess that's why my wife's pet name for me is The Mule! And to the original post nope your never too old just look at a picturee of Les Paul gigging weeks before his death it get's hard in some way's. but in other it's a lot easier you can relax and enjoy the music not spend your whole night chasing money and tail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rogerb Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I have not personally had an extended break but I know a couple of musicians who stopped playing for about 10 years and started again. Usually takes a while to get your chops back but man go for it, you can do it. One in particular was playing good after a couple of months of just weekend gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 To be honest. I'd say, I'm a better player now. I didn't have any lessons as I started at 11 and my parents wouldn't pay for any. GRRR! I was then gigging at 14. All of the things I wasn't sure of then, I've remedied now from You Tube and the net (I wish it had been around all those years ago.) I never knew many scales etc, I just played what I heard and felt. I do find that looking at 'new' players, they seem quite sterile and tasteless. Even the likes of Satch sound like a machine next to Joe Walsh and mick Ronson etc. I know they're technically great, but lack emotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimbabig Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 3 whole days once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdecantoo Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Started a year ago at 55. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Before buying my first, almost all my internet searches brought me to this forum (which i still think was/is a Gibson conspiracy ). Now a year later i still can't play but there is nothing i enjoy doing more than trying. Actually playing guitar has turned into an addiction and i blame this forum for that, all your inspiration, your advice, your soundclips, your pics,,,,,, you know a laptop can only handle so much drool ! Now that i think about it, this forum has become an addiction! Don't post much but read it almost daily. Yea i know , I need to get out more . As far as breaks go hopefully there will only be one Many Many Many years from now A heartfelt thanks to all forum members as the knowledge i have gained from you all has been invaluable, inspiring and least not entertaining to me. Love these posts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I too took about a 10 year break, not by desire, but by necessity. Had to sell my guitar years ago but got back into it later when I bought an el cheapo BC Rich. I'm 50 and still going strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm 53. I've had a 26 year break from playing. Got married, had kids, got divorced. On coming back to playing, it's a totally different scene. It's certainly better for players today, but not for Money. Anyhow. I'm starting to gear up for a band again and I totally refuse to do covers. I'm writing new stuff and I'll carry on as before. Do you think it's stupid for a bloke in his 50's to have a go again? I don't. I admit, I do know people and can get my stuff heard. I'm not trying to re-live my youth. I just want to get my music heard and for people to like it. I won't give details yet, but all the ideas are there. Have any of you had long breaks? Mad respect for you *not* doing covers. There world has enough bar bands, thank you. I don't play covers either. I think you should play out with your band and see what happens. You have nothing to lose. You're never too old and maybe you'll build a large and dedicated audience. Do it your way because in the end you'll be able to hold your head high. As far as breaks go, my longest break was the two months I walked around like a zombie after my father passed away. The grieving process is a b!tch and you just have to let it take its course. For that two months I looked at my guitar in corner with zero desire to pick her up. Being married with a day job and seven month old at home it is hard to find time. My drummer and I do our best to get together twice a week, but it is tough. Life stuff comes up. This past Tuesday we had to cancel because his daughter was sick and he had been up with her all night. I am hoping nothing cancels tonight. Even with time challenges I have to find time. There are demons I have to exercise; noises in my head that have to get out or I go insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.