Old age is creeping up on me and I have found it increasingly difficult to play the guitar due to arthritis in my index finger. I changed to a short scale bass some years ago due to inability to stretch over a full scale bass, but even that can be challenging.
So I have decided to give both up. I have sold my Tele and will be donating my cheap Jagmaster and Jaguar short scale bass to a music charity that helps people who don't have access to expensive gear to play music (run by Richard Digance if any of you know that name).
Does that mean I have given in to old age and am hanging up my spurs? Hell no, I'm not dead yet. I have instead decide to focus purely on playing the Bass VI. It's the ideal instrument for me - easier to play than both a bass and guitar, yet it combines elements of both. It will take me in a new musical direction as well. I've just had it properly set up and it now plays really well. I'm still trying to sort out the sound as the pickups are a bit weak, but I am getting there.
One issue I have found (as well as old age) is that if I have too much gear I get stuck with "analysis paralysis". Which guitar to use, with which effects, with which amp model....and so on. So I am getting rid of lots of guitars and effects so that I have a more stripped down rig with just one guitar. Instead of wasting time deciding what to make music with, I will focus instead on making music. Let's hope it works........
Kind of sad in one way, but positive in another. That you still have the desire to create is the main thing, and a plan to facilitate it. I'm probably not that far behind you in the scale of things, and I know for sure that I would make music even if I had to play a synth with my nose.
But we all know what a musical and production talent you are, and that part can't be lost or sold on eBay!
Onwards and upwards my friend.
Thanks Tim. I've decided it's time to move on and do different things. I can't do what I did 10 years or so ago when I first came on this site.
I enjoy the production side of things and that can be done with arthitic fingers.....and even a nose!
Had me worried for a minute, so glad to hear that you are continuing to make music. It is incredibly hard to know how your own music sounds when the hearing aids are cutting out or compensating for a particular frequency. I did give up for a while or to be more precise I gave up posting because I wasn't sure how bad or how good the finished product was. In the end I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started to work more with GarageBand using only the acoustic guitar as guide and a bit of background jangle. On a good day I still manage to play a bit of lead although it depends largely on what key i'm In. I also have about twenty stringed instruments hanging on the walls but I spend more time cleaning them than playing. Anyway looking forward to hearing some new stuff from you. Regards Willie
Damn, relieved to hear you have found a solution to still producing music. Was worried there for a second you had packed it in.
The great thing about this place is it's a music community first and foremost. It's not about trying to be music superstars. I find the best part about it is listening to the journey everyone is on musically, it's so interesting and great to hear. On top of this the stuff on here is wonderful to listen to, so creative and personal to the creator as nobody is tied down by management (I don't think) or marketing people. You get to hear humans just doing what they feel.
Long may it continue guys
Thanks Willie and Mike. I've just spent a couple of hours trying to get some basic sounds right from the Bass VI - I get it sounding great under headphones but then it sounds awful on playback because I don't hear high frequencies without my hearing aids. So I have to make it muddy under headphones in the hope it's ok on playback. I think I'm getting there......
It has been quite a leap to accept that I can't do what I used to anymore. Off to listen to Willie's "Old man blues"....... :D
Sounds like you are making the best of a not so great situation.
I like your positivity and I'm looking forward to hearing the new music that you make.
Quote from: Ferryman on March 14, 2020, 09:47:20 AMI get it sounding great under headphones but then it sounds awful on playback because I don't hear high frequencies without my hearing aids. So I have to make it muddy under headphones in the hope it's ok on playback.
Have you considered streaming your audio directly to your hearing aids? High-frequency response might not be great (it seems to roll off between 7.5 kHz and 9.5 kHz) but it might be better than what you're getting using headphones without the benefit of your hearing aids. And perhaps you can find one with better high-frequency response. Our ability to hear high frequencies is greatly reduced as we age anyway, even in people who don't have hearing problems. I had an audiogram when I was in my twenties and my hearing rolled off at about 16 kHz, if I recall correctly. I'm 63 now and I don't have any hearing problems, but I wouldn't be surprised if my hearing is now rolling off between 10 kHz and 12 kHz. It's to be expected at our age. The point is, you might find that streaming audio directly to your hearing aids is great, even if the high-frequency response spec of 7.5 kHz to 9.5 kHz doesn't seem very impressive. I mean, if you can't hear much above 10 kHz anyway, even with the benefit of your hearing aids, then streaming should be more than adequate. It's certainly worth looking into.
https://www.hearingaidknow.com/dont-dream-it-stream-it (https://www.hearingaidknow.com/dont-dream-it-stream-it)
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=hearing+aid+streaming&ia=web (https://duckduckgo.com/?q=hearing+aid+streaming&ia=web)
https://pro.resound.com/en-us/products/hearing-aids/linx-quattro (https://pro.resound.com/en-us/products/hearing-aids/linx-quattro)
So glad you are fighting back and are going to what you can musically.
I can't tell you enough how thankful I am that you have selflessly listened and commented on my music over the years. That has meant alot to me.
I want to say I echo the thoughts Mike says above,.. superstar music is not important, it's finding joy in creativity and sharing.
Even if you can't do what you did in the past, always consider me a fan of yours.
Thanks Hilary and Kenneth, the support means a lot and I'll see what happens!
64G, two issues with streaming. Sadly my hearing aids don't support streaming to Android, only iPhone (I am an Apple refusenik). Also, the issue is more listening to the live sound while recording, so until my pedalboard and/or the BR800 become bluetooth compatible, I'm stuck with this issue. I should add, I don't have an amp, so all my playing and recording is done direct.
Got me worried too. But I'm glad to see you adapt to your situation and will not give in.
I fear I too will have to make some hard choices soon as arthritis is creeping up on me too (can't play barred chords for any period of time anymore). I guess I'll use the first acoustic guitar I bought from my uncle some 40 years ago only on a good day (it's a 12 string). I also find myself playing keyboard more than guitar these days and that's a bummer as my keyboard skills are really mediocre compared to my guitar skills. Maybe I'll end up just rambling into a mike, but I hope I don't stop making music.
Rambling mode off.
Let's make some music!!!
Quote from: Ferryman on March 15, 2020, 03:48:41 AMAlso, the issue is more listening to the live sound while recording, so until my pedalboard and/or the BR800 become bluetooth compatible, I'm stuck with this issue. I should add, I don't have an amp, so all my playing and recording is done direct.
I could be wrong but the impression I got about streaming to hearing aids is that you connect the output of your audio device (BR800 or pedalboard in your case) to your phone with a cable. Then the phone sends the audio to your hearing aids over bluetooth. So the only things that need to be bluetooth compatible are your phone and your hearing aids. I'm not sure how you get audio into your phone but there must be phone accessories available for that. Maybe it's as simple as an adapter cable, or maybe you'd have to get an audio interface (https://hookeaudio.com/blog/equipment/best-android-iphone-audio-interface-adapter/).
Quote from: Ferryman on March 15, 2020, 03:48:41 AMSadly my hearing aids don't support streaming to Android, only iPhone (I am an Apple refusenik).
That's a more difficult problem. I guess the only options are to get new hearing aids or buy an iPhone. I wonder if you could get an older used iPhone cheap and just use it as a dedicated streaming device so you wouldn't have to give up Android for all your other phone uses. What versions of iPhone and iOS are supported by your hearing aids? Maybe someone here has an old iPhone they no longer use that they'd be willing to let you have.
Quote from: 64Guitars on March 15, 2020, 08:06:20 AMThat's a more difficult problem. I guess the only options are to get new hearing aids or buy an iPhone. I wonder if you could get an older used iPhone cheap and just use it as a dedicated streaming device so you wouldn't have to give up Android for all your other phone uses. What versions of iPhone and iOS are supported by your hearing aids? Maybe someone here has an old iPhone they no longer use that they'd be willing to let you have.
Sadly new hearing aids are out of the question. These are only about 1 year old and cost close to $5,000. The two generations of hearing aid that came slightly after mine both support Android, maybe mine will soon. My phone doesn't have any form of aux in so I can't see how I would connect the BR-800 to the phone.
Using Apple products is a non-starter for me, I have always despised their proprietary business model since the days of iTunes.
Whew- I read this and panicked, but what a challenge.
I'm looking forward to hearing the results!
Well done you, your one of the most creative and innovative producer's and songwriters that we have on this place, so to carry on and overcome the issue's that you have is excellent, keep it coming,
John
"One issue I have found (as well as old age) is that if I have too much gear I get stuck with "analysis paralysis""
...man oh man can i relate to this! I have so many instruments, i feel guilty. When i go into my studio, i can't decide what i wanna use, and so i use nothing. Is that lame or what. Only sold one so far but i think i'd be more productive (maybe.. or perhaps that's just wishful thinking) if i had one acoustic and one electric. Not selling it all off just yet tho...
The hearing issue is huge for me as well. And the Tinnitus. Mixing is ever more challenging. Good suggestion from 64. Might look into that. I get mine from the VA. (Veterans Admin.)o
Thanks for the support John, much appreciated.
Quote from: Pine on March 16, 2020, 08:59:19 AM"One issue I have found (as well as old age) is that if I have too much gear I get stuck with "analysis paralysis""
...man oh man can i relate to this! I have so many instruments, i feel guilty. When i go into my studio, i can't decide what i wanna use, and so i use nothing. Is that lame or what.
This was a big existential question for me. I retired 18 months ago and one of the big plans was to spend more time on music. I had so many plans about what I was going to do, and I had been building up gear while I was still earning. When I retired, I realised I won't have as much time as I thought and that I can't really do all the stuff I would have done 10 years ago (when I was more prolific).
Coming to that conclusion and going down to one guitar and a limited number of pedals is going to make it easier to do stuff and also avoid the analysis paralysis. I've sold/traded a lot of stuff, given some to Songcrafters friends and the large stuff that I can't post and that isn't worth much I am donating to a very worthy music charity.
It is really cathartic to clear all that stuff out. I'd highly recommend it.
Quote from: Ferryman on March 17, 2020, 06:29:29 AMIt is really cathartic to clear all that stuff out. I'd highly recommend it.
If it doesn't 'Spark Joy..'
You know I have a Chapman Stick that I hardly ever touch - when I do it's because I've psyched myself up for it. It leads to frustration and disappointment..
Quote from: Flash Harry on March 17, 2020, 12:47:26 PMIf it doesn't 'Spark Joy..'
Too true. After I traded the Tele, I was down to three guitars but only the Bass VI "sparked joy". It was the one I always picked up first to just noodle on, the others were there "in case" I ever got round to those grand projects that I now know I can't do. So they have gone.
Quote from: Flash Harry on March 17, 2020, 12:47:26 PMYou know I have a Chapman Stick that I hardly ever touch - when I do it's because I've psyched myself up for it. It leads to frustration and disappointment..
Ah yes, the thing you need a degree in astrophysics to be able to play! You can only pretend you are Tony Levin for so long.......
Quote from: Ferryman on March 18, 2020, 05:31:31 AMAh yes, the thing you need a degree in astrophysics to be able to play! You can only pretend you are Tony Levin for so long.......
Harsh
But true...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcbSjC9tAY8