A Sad Revelation (to me)...

[Muddslide]

Well, I was once a regular gigging musician...tons of shows, some smalltime local recording sessions, etc. I loved that life. I love the stage.

 

When I became a father, workload and shortness of free time led me to stop playing. I left my bands.

 

Eventually, money got so tight that I had to sell off nearly all my equipment.

 

10 years later and my daughters are a little older, in elementary school, etc. For the past couple of years I have been intending to get a band back together...just a covers band or something...try to have fun, maybe make a few bucks.

 

The realization struck me this morning-- it's not gonna happen.

 

 

At least not in the forseeable future. Between my career and my family and other minor hobbies, I just cannot see being able to devote the time to either try to get a band together, or find one that is active and needs a member, then woodshed, get to know the people, work up setlists, search for gigs, make gigs, travel, set up and break down, etc., etc., etc.

 

I just don't think it's in the cards. Maybe way down the road when I'm REALLY an old geezer, as long as I can find some like minds who don't want to play in a {censored}ing Eagles type band.

 

So, for now, I'm hanging up the dream.

 

One thing I DO plan to do, though, is at least do some recording. To that end, rather than buy the massive amp rig I was planning to get early next year, I want to set myself up with an electric guitar, perhaps a drum machine, a couple of multi-FX pedals and some equipment to record straight to my computer. (In the past I was a dedicated 4-track/1/4" tape guy, but I think digital would be much quicker and easier now.)

 

I have done some computer recording, but it's been minimal--mostly analog synth weirdness and ambient drone crap.

 

I'm going to need to come here off and on for a bit and lean on you guys for advice about multitracking programs, devices, etc. I'm thinking Line 6 Port with some kind of software, but I really don't know enough yet, or know what options are out there.

 

I'm also going to need a multi-FX unit for guitar AND bass...I don't know whether or not I will require one for each or if there is something that will work for both.

 

Anyone who wants to pat me on the back and say "There, there...I've been there, bro. Not quit your {censored}ing whining, pansy" or offer some advice/suggestions about the recording to computer stuff--I appreciate it.

 

I know lots of guys older than me still go out and gig all the time. With me, it's not so much that I "feel too old" to do it...I just don't know where I'd find the time or energy for now.

 

Just going back to making my own music on my own schedule by myself seems like the way to go.

 

Thanks for listening to my rambling bull{censored}, which I am also going to post on GJ.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays...

[lug]

Well, I was once a regular gigging musician...tons of shows, some smalltime local recording sessions, etc. I loved that life. I love the stage. When I became a father, workload and shortness of free time led me to stop playing. I left my bands. Eventually, money got so tight that I had to sell off nearly all my equipment. 10 years later and my daughters are a little older, in elementary school, etc. For the past couple of years I have been intending to get a band back together...just a covers band or something...try to have fun, maybe make a few bucks. The realization struck me this morning-- it's not gonna happen . At least not in the forseeable future. Between my career and my family and other minor hobbies, I just cannot see being able to devote the time to either try to get a band together, or find one that is active and needs a member, then woodshed, get to know the people, work up setlists, search for gigs, make gigs, travel, set up and break down, etc., etc., etc. I just don't think it's in the cards. Maybe way down the road when I'm REALLY an old geezer, as long as I can find some like minds who don't want to play in a {censored}ing Eagles type band. So, for now, I'm hanging up the dream. One thing I DO plan to do, though, is at least do some recording. To that end, rather than buy the massive amp rig I was planning to get early next year, I want to set myself up with an electric guitar, perhaps a drum machine, a couple of multi-FX pedals and some equipment to record straight to my computer. (In the past I was a dedicated 4-track/1/4" tape guy, but I think digital would be much quicker and easier now.) I have done some computer recording, but it's been minimal--mostly analog synth weirdness and ambient drone crap. I'm going to need to come here off and on for a bit and lean on you guys for advice about multitracking programs, devices, etc. I'm thinking Line 6 Port with some kind of software, but I really don't know enough yet, or know what options are out there. I'm also going to need a multi-FX unit for guitar AND bass...I don't know whether or not I will require one for each or if there is something that will work for both. Anyone who wants to pat me on the back and say "There, there...I've been there, bro. Not quit your {censored}ing whining, pansy" or offer some advice/suggestions about the recording to computer stuff--I appreciate it. I know lots of guys older than me still go out and gig all the time. With me, it's not so much that I "feel too old" to do it...I just don't know where I'd find the time or energy for now. Just going back to making my own music on my own schedule by myself seems like the way to go. Thanks for listening to my rambling bull{censored}, which I am also going to post on GJ. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays...

 

Look into a piccolo bass, practically retired my guitard.

[FreestyleIntruder]

I'm also going to need a multi-FX unit

 

[fretless]

it's easy to drop a lot of coin on a recording system , if you already have a working 4 track machine especially if it's a tape machine , than you are almost set , get a cd burner and mixer if you need it and track away . They sound damn good too . I use Cubase 4 , that alone was some serious ducats but it's killer ! Good Luck and Happy Holidays

[lokidecat]

The creation of music is something that can be done anywhere. Playing live is just frosting on the cake. Just don't let your love of music die because you don't get the frosting.

[Jugghaid]

That's what I did and ende dup in a pretty damn good band.

 

 

You never know what the future holds.

[Detox]

There are lots of guys in your situation. One of my best friends cannot devote enough time to be in a band, but he's always got original recording projects going on as his schedule permits. He even has other people come over for a day and record bass/keys/guitar tracks for his songs. I've done it before, and it's a blast. You may be able to find others in your area who do the same thing. It doesn't demand all your free time, and it's a nice way to stay in touch with other musicians.

[Tedddy]

At least the reason it has happened for you is because you were raising a family. For a lot of people, it never happens for them, and they don't even have family responsibilities as an excuse, they are single and spent more time doing drugs or being lazy or whatever., at least you have a good excuse.

[Poltergeist]

im young but i understand you. the only advice i can give you is to keep up doing music you like, build solid music, solid tracks, to keep yourself into music. you will probably one day do something out of them, even if it's not this year or next.

 

about the multi-effects unit, get only one with alot of setting, for bass, i'm sure it will work fine for guitar. i recommend getting an equalizer so you don't lose so much bottom end with the bass. one with a couple of settings, i'm getting a Boss EQ-20 myself.

[Sugarskull]

It's all in what you want. You're not there right now, so I wouldn't sweat it.

[Hearafter]

Props for being responsible, Mud. I've had friends go the other way... "bands before families and careers". Most of them lost their families and their careers, and wish they could have taken the blue pill.

[Bassfart~]

 

Anyone who wants to pat me on the back and say "There, there...I've been there, bro. Not quit your {censored}ing whining, pansy" or offer some advice/suggestions about the recording to computer stuff--I appreciate it.

 

 

Been there and just coming back out of it now. Quit playing in bands altogether after son #2 was born, couldn't handle the guilt feelings of being in the road at 3 or 4 AM every time I turned around. I sold everything I had except for the Basses bought for me in various relationships.

(Helpful hint: never attempt to sell the guitar bought for you by your wife, while keeping some "other girls" guitar. It's not pretty and you may not survive.)

 

Your idea is very good. It will keep you in the music shops, around musicians, and around the instruments. You do come off as a little fatalistic though, so don't view it as the end, but a change of course.

 

Eventually I started buying instruments for the kids as they were getting older. They get good quality stuff because all of us use them. It's a win win (hey, I NEVER would have bought Roland V-Drums for myself, but the boys...yep). It kept me playing.

 

Now, I'm starting to play with other musicians again away from the house. Most of them are or have been in similar situations to ours, more mature, accomplished, and very little drama.

It's really FUN again, and that's something that was lost fairly early on in my own personal pursuit of music.

 

Good luck, and Godspeed...it's going to look good on ya'.

[georgestrings]

Don't worry about it so much - I took about 10 years off from playing in bands at all, and didn't even pick up a bass during that time... I'd play guitar now and them, for my own enjoyment, and had a few jams here and there - but no bands, let alone gigs(I did keep some gear, though)... About 4-5 years ago, I started up a band with a good friend, and for the last 3 years have been averaging over 60 gigs per year - playing hard rock/metal/modern rock - at 46 years of age... My advice is, try to keep your chops up, keep yourself in good physical condition - and when your kids are older and things slow down a bit - you'll be able to play in whatever kind of band you want to...

 

As evidence, the pics from my last Halloween gig speak volumes - and I've got a crankin' NYE gig coming up - same thing can happen to you, if you want it..

 

 

 

- georgestrings

[Muddslide]

 

Don't worry about it so much - I took about 10 years off from playing in bands at all, and didn't even pick up a bass during that time... I'd play guitar now and them, for my own enjoyment, and had a few jams here and there - but no bands, let alone gigs(I did keep some gear, though)... About 4-5 years ago, I started up a band with a good friend, and for the last 3 years have been averaging over 60 gigs per year - playing hard rock/metal/modern rock - at 46 years of age... My advice is, try to keep your chops up, keep yourself in good physical condition - and when your kids are older and things slow down a bit - you'll be able to play in whatever kind of band you want to... As evidence, the pics from my last Halloween gig speak volumes - and I've got a crankin' NYE gig coming up - same thing can happen to you, if you want it.. - georgestrings

 

 

That actually makes me feel alot better.

 

I'm not writing it off completely--playing live in a good band that is locked into something good is the best feeling in the world to me.

 

I just--for the forseeable future--can't imagine trying to do it now with everything I have going on...I think right now it would be more of a source of stress than anything else.

 

I'll get the gear I need to do some home recording, and hell, I'll always be playing, even if I'm just running scales while I'm watching an old horror movie or trying to come up with some cool lines...I'll try to make some interesting music for fun, and the rest I leave completely open for future situations.

 

I just really miss being in a band and gigging. But who knows what may happen down the road...

[s4001]

There's all kinds of people playing music at every stage of life. I have a career and family. Fortunately, I found a band where its a husband/ wife keys/ guitar team. I show up to gigs. Play charts, get paid and go home. When we get together to rehearse, it's at their house. Our kids play and it's a family-type get together.

 

The right gig is out there. It just takes a little patience and a little of knowing what you want out of a gig.

 

Good luck and don't give up the four strings.

[t3ch]

My drummer and guitarist are late 30s/early 40s... I'm sorry to hear you can't do it right now, but it doesn't mean it never will. Even some of us whippersnappers don't mind starting a band with you guys

[Muddslide]

Even some of us whippersnappers don't mind starting a band with you guys

 

 

That's good to hear...one of my fears is that younger guys and gals will think I'm ancient, and too many people my age wanna play {censored}ing Eagles and Jimmy Buffet covers.

 

I wouldn't do that with a gun pointed at my crotch.

[LanEvo]

Don't waste your money on effects, amps, etc. You don't need them anymore!

 

Here's what I did: pick up a set of Eden EM5 powered monitors ($100 direct), a Line6 TonePort UX1 ($160 at Guitar Center), and a set of Auralex MoPad speaker isolators ($40).

 

The Eden monitors are on special for just $100 at the moment (regular price is $260). So, for a total of $300 you can have yourself complete plug-and-play system to make music on your computer.

 

The UX1 is an audio interface but it also includes "POD Farm" software, which basically does everything a POD can do (i.e., simulate several amps, cabs, effects, and mics). For $40 you can add the Bass Expansion Pack to give you models of several classic bass amps (Aguilar, SWR, Eden, GK, HiWatt, Mesa-Boogie, Acoustic, etc.) and cabs. If you want/need more effects, there are expansion packs for those as well.

 

If you have a Mac, just use the GarageBand program that comes with the computer. I'm not familiar with recording software for the PC, but I'm sure you'll be able to find something for a reasonable price.

 

Basically, for the amount of money it would cost you to buy a decent bass head, you can have a fully functional recording tool. I'm happy enough with the sounds I get from my UX1 and Eden monitors that I sold my SWR Redhead combo. Right now, I don't own a "real" bass amp at all.

[t3ch]

That's good to hear...one of my fears is that younger guys and gals will think I'm ancient, and too many people my age wanna play {censored}ing Eagles and Jimmy Buffet covers. I wouldn't do that with a gun pointed at my crotch.

 

Isn't music supposed to be the grand uniter? It's universal to me; I don't care who you are, where you're from, how old you are, etc... If some good music and fun times are there to be created, what more could you ask for?

 

A lot of local bands I see have a pretty wide range in members as far as age goes too, so I really wouldn't sweat it. If you can play, you can play.

[One Bad Monkey]

 

Well, I was once a regular gigging musician...tons of shows, some smalltime local recording sessions, etc. I loved that life. I love the stage. When I became a father, workload and shortness of free time led me to stop playing. I left my bands.

 

 

I feel for you, because I'm at the beginning part of this. In this next year, my wife and I would like to start planning for a family, with our first in the spring of '10. Now, while she's "supportive" of me doing all of the gigs I'm doing right now, I'm already catching hints that she is going to expect me to either slow down or take a break from gigging when the kids start coming.

[solderjunkie]

My wife Cori and I have been together 10 years, and we don't have children (never will... I raced 250 MotoX as a teenager. I crashed badly, almost died and ruptured both testicles, the doc removed them and installed prosthesis). side note: Defibrillators SUCK.

 

I put music down a year before I met Cori. We lived together for a while and decided we liked each other's company enough to get married. I picked up a guitar again and started playing. She was very supportive of my playing, but not-so-supportive of my buying habits. I decided after moving to Nashville that I would be a gigging bassist again. I found Shaky DeVille and started gigging and recording, and repairing/modding all the band's gear... lots of responsibilities there.

 

It takes a lot of time, effort, and money. It's demanding of our marriage, but Cori has been lovely though the whole thing. She comes to shows, listens to practice, and feeds us sometimes. I can still feel the strain even though she hides it and will deny it. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be with children. Maybe when they are older you can bring them to rehearsals and shows?

 

If your kids grow up with music, they will have a head-start. I didn't pick up an instrument until I was 14... there was no musical influence in my house. I didn't even know what I was missing.

 

Have fun,

 

Merry Christmas!

[poorboy]

I played the mid west for years in a real touring band. Got married and had kids.

I retired for 12 years to raise kids.

Funny thing is soon they both started playing. So I came out of retirement and now play as much as I like in a few different bands. Just because you stop for a while , even years does not mean it's over. Just a new chapter. Look at Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones and others.

There is no age limit.

[Goofball Jones]

 

The creation of music is something that can be done anywhere. Playing live is just frosting on the cake. Just don't let your love of music die because you don't get the frosting.

 

 

+1000

[georgestrings]

That's good to hear...one of my fears is that younger guys and gals will think I'm ancient, and too many people my age wanna play {censored}ing Eagles and Jimmy Buffet covers. I wouldn't do that with a gun pointed at my crotch.

 

 

 

Glad I could help, dude - I know exactly where you're coming from on this... In both my current projects, my bandmates are all in their early 30s - but I won't lie - I HAVE been excluded from a few projects for being too old - but it was no biggie(their loss)... For the last 3 years, I've been as busy as I want to be - seems *most* good musicians appreciate a bassist that can actually play, has good gear, and is reliable enough to want to gig with... I have noticed that being able to do back up vocals and harmonies never hurts a gigging bassist - if you can't do that now, you should work on it 'til you can - and you'll stay as busy as you want, too... Best of luck, and good on ya for doing the right thing RIGHT NOW - and believe me, if you want it - music will work out for you in the future, too...

 

 

 

- georgestrings

[Muddslide]

 

I feel for you, because I'm at the beginning part of this. In this next year, my wife and I would like to start planning for a family, with our first in the spring of '10. Now, while she's "supportive" of me doing all of the gigs I'm doing right now, I'm already catching hints that she is going to expect me to either slow down or take a break from gigging when the kids start coming.

 

 

Well, in my case, my wife isn't the issue. She's a superior musician to me, has been in bands that toured more extensively than any of mine, she records and writes songs with me, and is completely supportive of anything I hope to do or aspire to do musically.

 

That said, I know for a fact that if I had been gigging as much as I was before my daughters were born, and I was leaving her at home to deal with the kiddies (my daughters are just almost exactly one year apart) so I could go jam and play rock star, she would have eventually become resentful and pissed.

 

That isn't a comment on my wife, who is one of the coolest human beings you'd ever meet, but rather on the extreme amounts of energy and involement it takes to care for children--whether it's one child or many.