[laristotle]

I'll quit when I'm down under .. pushin' up wheat for the hungry.

 

[Milkman]

I'll quit when I'm down under .. pushin' up wheat for the hungry.

Awesome Max Webster reference!

 

[bw66]

If I quit, it would have to be from either a physical or mental ailment. I just love it too much.

Came in here to say exactly this.

 

[Robert1950]

I stopped playing for 30 years, from 1976 to 2006. At the time I was not making any progress, I wasn't playing with anyone, I was not getting any pleasure from it. There was only one thing that started me up again ....The Internet. The only thing that would stop me from noodling around would be infirmities due to old age.

 

[mawmow]

Sad to read about the pain you have to suffer…
My coach used to say « Musicians never retire », but like all of us, he most probably does not want to face the moment he will no longer be able to participate on stage in a band. Fortunately, I am not actually concerned, but maybe someday, I will have to think about selling my herd : I would keep my Godin 5th Avenue Cognac Burst hung to the wall in the living room as decorative art and have my scotch, staring at that beauty dreaming how a good player I dreamed to become all those younger years.
Take care !

 

[polyslax]

I've stopped for a couple of decades before while I got sucked into the world of synthesizers. I still love synths, but I came back to guitar because of the physical contact and expressiveness... pushing a mod wheel or using after-touch just isn't the same, though there are some new synths/keybeds that are really opening up the possibilities for expression.

At this point I would only give up guitar if I got a drum kit. Something I've always wanted, but never had appropriate space or sound-proofing for.

 

[Mark Brown]

At this point I would only give up guitar if I got a drum kit. Something I've always wanted, but never had appropriate space or sound-proofing for.

Amen!

My dream man, my dream.

 

[KapnKrunch]

As a song-writer first and a player second, I will quit when physical or mental disability excludes any creative process.

-----------

I am including extra content for those that are into long-winded discussions :

GAS has been over for a while now, probably going on a couple of years, so that is almost zero motivation. Although I just bought my first pedals -- Empress Tremolo and Empress Tape Delay -- and they have been fun in the last month or two. I play a $25 yard sale guitar thru a solid state amp almost every day. As well as acoustic. And of course the custom gear in the garage studio. Whatever is on hand for writing or necesassary for recording. All good and sometimes thrilling.

I am enjoying online collaboration like I have never enjoyed playing in a bar band. Sometimes, as song-writer, I am the main event; and other times, as a guitarist, it can be as simple as one finger for a phrase or two on somebody else's song. It's all fun!

However, I do seem unable to get off my ass to do solo live performances. I find that a bit concerning. I missed the auditions for the local festival yet again this year. I cringe at the thought of applause which I used to crave.

As long as a handful of guys check it out here, and the usual gang on the song-writing forum, I am content.

I have a decent eMail list too, but the response from family and friends is largely non-existent. No big deal. Only the song matters now. I usually have two or three going on every week. I recommend collabs for the "retired" musician. Helluva good time.

Here I simply add some harmonics on acoustic, and a flourish or two on a Glenn McDougall Bandit thru Kevin O'Connor's Standard PreAmp:

https://soundcloud.com/thegardenclots%2Fwide-open-space
Mistakes in the rear view never fade
Blind spots becoming clear as day
(Burned in my mind)

Road blocked by words you had me say
Your confession opened up the way
(Now I can fly)

I wanted you to stay…
I wanted you…
I wanted you to stay away

Memories haunt the freedom of this place
Landmines in my wide open space
(No peace of mind)

I wanted you to stay…
I wanted you…
I wanted you to stay away

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

I play because it brings me joy.

When it no longer brings me joy I will stop.

That about sums it up for me.

 

[Sketchy Jeff]

a few years ago i broke bones in my left hand / arm three years in a row and my left arm is full of steel hardware from earlier young and dumb injury. just barely got started playing again and then down on the injured list for a while

for a few months at a time not playing wasn't as bad as i thought it might be but i did try out slide and lap steel so wasn't completely without music playing and during one of those blocks i learned some recording basics and got better at doing live event sound so i guess there's that

would i ever quit entirely? i hope not. my lovely wife tells me i'm cranky as hell when i don't play regularly. i feel like time disappears during a performance that goes well and living indefinitely without that sensation would be a grind

j

 

[Grab n Go]

At this point I would only give up guitar if I got a drum kit. Something I've always wanted, but never had appropriate space or sound-proofing for.

Mesh drum heads and low volume cymbals are great for that sort of thing. We have them on my daughter's kit and they work really well. We live in a semi-detached and there have been no noise complaints.

 

[pstratman]

Arthritis, tendonitis......etc, etc, it hurts to play- but I still love it. I do wonder when the pain will outweigh the joy.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

When I'm no longer healthy enough to play guitar properly, I'll play bass.

 

[Derek_T]

At this point I would only give up guitar if I got a drum kit. Something I've always wanted, but never had appropriate space or sound-proofing for.

Mesh drum heads and low volume cymbals are great for that sort of thing. We have them on my daughter's kit and they work really well. We live in a semi-detached and there have been no noise complaints.

I had a gig in a studio a few years ago where the owner had fitted an electronic drum kit inside a real drum set.
It looked just like the real deal, but he could control the volume from the sound booth, so no ears bleeding after the session .

You still need the space though.

 

[player99]

After the live show, recording is a great way to carry on.

 

[Grab n Go]

I had a gig in a studio a few years ago where the owner had fitted an electronic drum kit inside a real drum set.
It looked just like the real deal, but he could control the volume from the sound booth, so no ears bleeding after the session .

Yes! And they make mesh heads that work as triggers too, so MIDI signals can be sent to a DAW.

 

[Mark Brown]

I had a gig in a studio a few years ago where the owner had fitted an electronic drum kit inside a real drum set.
It looked just like the real deal, but he could control the volume from the sound booth, so no ears bleeding after the session .

You still need the space though.

I bought a pretty decent roland electronic drum kit, it lasted less than 48 hours. Just not the same thing IMO

Oh how I wish it was. Its like modelers Vs. amps. It's damn near the same thing, but it just isn't.

 

[2N1305]

If I quit, it would have to be from either a physical or mental ailment. I just love it too much.

Same here. God forbid that happens anytime soon. Music(playing it) is a form of entertainment that is good on many levels, and not being able to do it would mean a serious change has happenned in someone.

 

[Derek_T]

I bought a pretty decent roland electronic drum kit, it lasted less than 48 hours. Just not the same thing IMO

Probably, I'm completely ignorant about drums, I just thought it looked cool

 

[Mooh]

When they pry my last guitar from my cold dead hands.