General Music Chat

Anyone frequenting this forum give up with the music scene entirely,
- after playing for at least 10 years after age 18?

Say, - maybe you decided to play all originals (refusing to play covers anymore) and then you couldn't find people willing to spend the time learning them?
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Or, maybe you quit the scene because popular music seemed to be getting too rudimentary, and was way too boring to enjoy playing?
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We've all heard about bands breaking up due to abrasive personalities and all. I'm looking into the other reasons, like the state of music, now, and the quality of musicians abilities and commitments and all . . .
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And, please, no one attack any other people, ok?
No highschool headgames, no juvenile "I'm smarter than you" BS.
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If you have been in this situation, please comment, IF you have been playing an instrument for at least 10 years after the age of 18.
I'm talking to the guys who have been playing longer than many musicians have been breathing . . .
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And, please, keep it adult to adult, and friendly . . .
I've noticed that almost all the old-timers here have been driven away by the . . . uh, by some new attitudes that have found their way onto this site . . .
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What are the musical reasons you quit the scene?

My instrument is my voice!! Hope I'm allowed to reply !!

I feel many times like giving up!! BUT.... I just can't!! I've auditioned a few times for the bigger competitions that they put on television.... and each time I go, I say...."If I'm not chosen this time, this will be the last time I make this effort...cuz I'm getting to old...."

BUT>>>> everytime a new competition comes around that I'm able to get to and fit within the criteria they're looking for, I'M THERE!!

Tried out for ROCK STAR INXS & ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA.... well, I sent a Video audition for the INXS competition and drove down state for the SUPERNOVA audition because it was in MI and not too far for me to drive...... Both of those kinda fizzled me out .... it bummed me out because everyone that was chosen for the INXS rockstar was actually at the casting calls they had.... no video entries were chosen !

So, second time around, I made the trip.....anxiously awaited to hear something from someone....but didn't! Then was VERY disappointed to see the ppl they had chosen......

I mean there were some AMAZING ppl at the casting call I went to.... They came from all over the place!! And No one at my casting call audition made it on the show.....and many of us deserved a spot more so than a few of the chosen!! And then to watch all the way through..... I feel they chose the wrong person to front that band!! But, whatever, I know, It was their decision..... but I still think they would have been super huge if they had chosen DILANA!!

Anyway.....Some of the music that is making it now adays shocks the heck out of me !! But, there are still alot of great bands out there making great music....... It's hard to find committed musicians (for originals)....and making it BIG..... It almost seems like the younger ones, Early to mid 20's are almost the way to go.....They're more committed to a certain degree...... still hungry for the dream!! The older ya get, it's seems harder to attain the dream, so you settle for whatever you can get!! Bummer....ain't it!!

I mean, I can't be on American Idol, because I'm too old..... I mean, I don't think I look or even feel to old..... but, I am in their eyes...!

It seems any kind of competition like that has an age limit, which I feel is unfair!! Anyway, I'm rambling!!

Just keep the faith!! That's what I do!! I won't quit trying to reach my goal unless I lose my voice, the use of my body... or I die!!

Thanks for your thoughts, LR - heartfelt, and - yes, a throat is certainly an instrument.
I wouldn't put too much stock in all those talent contests; I agree that they're turning into beauty contests, for those who look to be high school or college age.
There's no such thing as too old to make music; that's ridiculous.
Maybe too old for highschoolers to identify with . . .
You're a pretty girl - that can work for you, and against you . . .
Me - I'm way too old to win a 'talent' contest.
Best wishes.
P.S. Check on the profile of Auburn Diva, in FL. She's one of the 'good guys.'

I never gave up music for any reason. That would be like giving up eating or breathing.

I'll be playing music for as long as I live . . .

Hey Gang,

Im feelin your pain out there....For a long time , I kept thinkin that a time like our hayday would come back...But lets face it, the days of a 15yr old and a 50 yr old relating to the same top 40 are long gone and arent coming back...Jazz ,funk, fusion, rock, country,R&B,Acid rock(early metal),bluegrass,contemporary(where ya heard all the great female vocals),disco etc...All genres shared the same top 40 and remained a part of popular music for a longtime....SO, that made it possible for many of us to play on a very broad scale (exp.,Joes bar and grill, ramada inn, local rock club, supper club, texas dance hall,fairs&festival circuit, animal clubs,even jobs with single artists playin civic centers,colesiums could be had more plentifly (is that a word) I played with major label artists (one and 3 niters), hotel circuit , Fairs and fests,didnt matter, work was work.People born up to-1950 had it made...They got to participate most of their adult life in a relatively unchanging music world...My ace in the hole had always been being able to call a few agencys that a worked with in the past and getting a road gig with out fail...I talked to a long time agent a few months ago and they're outta the musicians referal bis now....When I heard that, I REALLY knew life as I knew it , was over....We have these boards to console one another
and we can keep encouraging eachother that gigs like the recent post up in Boston still exist (few and far between) BUT , still exist...If gas was still 1.25$, Id be runnin the country giggin with alot of you Theres a cat on this board from MD thats gonna visit my area, Im gonna try to organize a jam here at the studio If I cant find him one...If we all do that when we have the opportunity, I think it will come back to us.

Keep the faith,

John

I haven't quit, but things do get very discouraging at times, concerning filling out a lineup. I've spent the past three weeks scouring the net, music stores, local papers, and anything else I could think of in an effort to add a drummer, second guitarist, and singer. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a fantastic drummer with similar influences and a great attitude.

The other two pieces? I've e-mailed about 30 different people all claiming to be looking for a band, all listing the type of music we play, and the answer is always "no". It's either too far, they suddenly "have a project going on", or they want to be paid, which I find to be rather laughable. Why earn your spot when you can just demand that somebody pay you to be in their band. Yeah, good luck with that.

It's nothing that makes me want to quit, but it is discouraging and really makes you question people's genuine desire to be a component of a band that is working towards a greater goal. Oh well, the only answer is to keep plugging along!

It's never give up, keep yourself busy doing something with music, either teaching a class and learning new ideas and giving ideas, play with groups to keep in play, record, and next thing you know, your back in a groove. laters

I refuse to quit. I may channel my music in a different direction. Currently my main gig is Classic and Blues Rock but for the past 4 months we have had no luck replacing our male vocalist who wants to retire (quit) I also work with a (new rock/modern rock what ever you wan't to pegeion hole it) rock group and a folk/jazz something or other all original group. Yeah I'm sometimes dissapointed in the directions popular music travels, but playing out live no matter what type of music is where I get my cookies. I am always suprized by what i can learn jaming with people who have different styles and ideas about music. Yep I'm streched pretty thin and I'm geting sorta old 47. But I've had some great and magical times on stage no matter if there were 500 or 5 people present. I guess thats why they call it PLAYING.....

NEVER GIVE UP NEVER GIVE IN and BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFOR

Wow. A melding of Winston Churchill and Capt. James T. Kirk. I like it.

hey guy's this forum is so cool i laid my bass down for 20 years to raise a family and now i'm back.. both kid 's are in collige and doing well. looking to get hooked back up sounds like we should form a misfit band. just kidding..... i"ll never have what i had with the the bands i played with and the memories .but you know what? you start again and again keeep on playin. i know .the felling of making music it;'s better than anyhing.. .got to go practice some more seeya
stevo

Ellwood, Geez - 20 years . . .
Did you just quit the scene, or did you quit playing, too?
What I was originally talking about was giving up the music scene, that is: any of the aggravation associated with forming/keeping together a band . . . personalities & such . . .
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You're right-on: the feeling of making music is one of the best things there is . . .
Welcome to Bandmix.

Samic, I was noticing that your original question wasn't being addressed completely and I think it's cos everybody at bandmix , or just about everybody, are "TILL I DIE MUSICIANS" ! Anyone who really gave it up, probably wouldn't be at a site like this and if they are, they are trying to make a come back, maybe even hanging on by a thread! DON'T GIVE UP!Music has been a constant in my life since I could talk, and the only time I played less than I wanted, was when I had my kids, and I remember wondering if I would ever have time to pick up my guitar to play again! As soon as I could, I was back at it, although I sang them to sleep, a LOT!The last band I played with broke up over differences but it wasn't a bitter kind of end, at least on my part. I can't even imagine letting other peoples shortcomings or opinions ruin my musical journey. Like Irminsul so simply put it, it's like not eating or breathing. No one is going to pull the plug on me. Thank God for that acoustic I play!