How Many Have Stopped Playing?

[lockingtuner]

It seems like a lot of retailers aren't seeing a new generation of guitar buyers come in. I think there are a lot of reasons for this. The most interesting factor to me is that the idea of musicianship has changed. I remember the first time someone told me they were a musician and that their instrument was a turntable. I had no idea how DJing worked, so I asked. He told me he blended samples and manipulated beats in real time.

Good artistic DJ's are pretty talented.

I don't doubt that.

I was just watching the Avicii documentary and Nile Rogers was in it saying how he himself and other musicians need to pick up a guitar or bass or whatever instrument to generate ideas, where Avicii had the whole thing in his head already. Much like Bach or Beethoven. A real musical genius.
I didn't realize how troubled and tortured Avicii was. It was a real sad, but enlightening watch.

Does that documentary go much into their creative process?

 

[D-Rock]

It seems like a lot of retailers aren't seeing a new generation of guitar buyers come in. I think there are a lot of reasons for this. The most interesting factor to me is that the idea of musicianship has changed. I remember the first time someone told me they were a musician and that their instrument was a turntable. I had no idea how DJing worked, so I asked. He told me he blended samples and manipulated beats in real time.

Good artistic DJ's are pretty talented.

I don't doubt that.

I was just watching the Avicii documentary and Nile Rogers was in it saying how he himself and other musicians need to pick up a guitar or bass or whatever instrument to generate ideas, where Avicii had the whole thing in his head already. Much like Bach or Beethoven. A real musical genius.
I didn't realize how troubled and tortured Avicii was. It was a real sad, but enlightening watch.

Does that documentary go much into their creative process?

Just condensed snippets. Interesting to see those hit songs of his come together. Way too much computer screen time that goes into it, but I respect the work.

 

[lockingtuner]

It seems like a lot of retailers aren't seeing a new generation of guitar buyers come in. I think there are a lot of reasons for this. The most interesting factor to me is that the idea of musicianship has changed. I remember the first time someone told me they were a musician and that their instrument was a turntable. I had no idea how DJing worked, so I asked. He told me he blended samples and manipulated beats in real time.

Good artistic DJ's are pretty talented.

I don't doubt that.

I was just watching the Avicii documentary and Nile Rogers was in it saying how he himself and other musicians need to pick up a guitar or bass or whatever instrument to generate ideas, where Avicii had the whole thing in his head already. Much like Bach or Beethoven. A real musical genius.
I didn't realize how troubled and tortured Avicii was. It was a real sad, but enlightening watch.

Does that documentary go much into their creative process?

Just condensed snippets. Interesting to see those hit songs of his come together. Way too much computer screen time that goes into it, but I respect the work.

That's too bad. Do you think guys like Avicii are on the level of Bach or Beethoven? Or were you more saying there are similarities in how they approach writing?

 

[D-Rock]

It seems like a lot of retailers aren't seeing a new generation of guitar buyers come in. I think there are a lot of reasons for this. The most interesting factor to me is that the idea of musicianship has changed. I remember the first time someone told me they were a musician and that their instrument was a turntable. I had no idea how DJing worked, so I asked. He told me he blended samples and manipulated beats in real time.

Good artistic DJ's are pretty talented.

I don't doubt that.

I was just watching the Avicii documentary and Nile Rogers was in it saying how he himself and other musicians need to pick up a guitar or bass or whatever instrument to generate ideas, where Avicii had the whole thing in his head already. Much like Bach or Beethoven. A real musical genius.
I didn't realize how troubled and tortured Avicii was. It was a real sad, but enlightening watch.

Does that documentary go much into their creative process?

Just condensed snippets. Interesting to see those hit songs of his come together. Way too much computer screen time that goes into it, but I respect the work.

That's too bad. Do you think guys like Avicii are on the level of Bach or Beethoven? Or were you more saying there are similarities in how they approach writing?

More so his process and application to writing. I don't feel his end product was as brilliant as the historic master composers though.
I also saw a lot of parallels to Kurt Cobain with Avicii in the way he was socially awkward, despised fame, had an unbelievable ear for melody, suffered with chronic stomach pain and health issues, and stuggled with anxiety and coped with it by using drugs and alcohol excessively...all of which ultimately ended with and contributed to his suicide.

 

[romanianreaper]

I started in 85, took a few yrs off in the military, gigged for the next 27 yrs mostly weekends. Stopped in 17..rest of the band has kids that are involved in sports, and other activities. No time anymore. Plus, at 52 staying out late just got old...like me lol.
I play more now than I did when I stopped playing out 2 yrs ago..I make myself go down to the jam room everyday, even if it's only for 15 min. When I gigged I treated it more like a part time job, playing covers can get old. Lol. But it became more fun when I started gear chasing with the rest of you clowns back in 2009 or so....the guys started getting used to different amps for each gig. Lol

I always told people that the military was my day job and being in bands was my night job. LOL!

 

[stratjacket]

I think I’m pretty much seasonal. I play a lot more in the Fall and Winter than I do in the Spring and Summer. I don’t plan it or anything, just naturally feel that way. I think it’s just always doing something when the weather is nice.

 

[maddnotez]

Barely play anymore tbh.

Used to play 4 hours a day minimum for 15+ years. Have been playing about 25 total but have slowed down a bit.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Nope. 45, job, wife, busy kid.

Was just thinking about this yesterday; going thru my SC I saw I hadn’t even done a drum jam since April. Decided to pick up and record some shit to see what happened.

Tired bored riffs, nothing inspiring.

Nice gear and stuff, just busy I guess.

Never really not played this long before....think I might be done.

 

[Kordoba]

I think I’m pretty much seasonal. I play a lot more in the Fall and Winter than I do in the Spring and Summer. I don’t plan it or anything, just naturally feel that way. I think it’s just always doing something when the weather is nice.

Same here. I played more this summer than I usually do because I was stuck in house due to the weather.

 

[ke2]

I think I’m pretty much seasonal. I play a lot more in the Fall and Winter than I do in the Spring and Summer. I don’t plan it or anything, just naturally feel that way. I think it’s just always doing something when the weather is nice.

Same here. I played more this summer than I usually do because I was stuck in house due to the weather.

I have my stuff set up in the garage (which has no heating), so I'm usually out there in the summer Winter time in Norway doesn't combine with playing in the garage. Most of the playing is done on an unplugget electric these days (unless I'm in the garage, and can semi-crank the amps a little.

 

[blackba]

40 here and still playing regularly on Sundays, don't do the bar band scene anymore.

It is hard to work in practice time, with a full time job, part time job fixing amps, kids, and house work, but I find the time to work it in. I have been downsizing recently and music gear is a tough sell right now. I am also regularly looking for ways to lighten the gear I take on Sunday. Already going direct with a Suhr RLIR, now looking at a preamp into a Two notes CABM rig.

I will say amps are still coming in for repair as fast as ever, not much slow down there.

 

[Philo Beddoe]

. On Monday, I asked a SA counter person what they are is seeing in sales numbers? "It's dead! The people who do purchase are usually from Brazil. American buyers are strictly into the modern metal thing, but they are few. Everyone wants to be a DJ...

What say you?

What I say: Don't tell Suhr guitars that..I got told up to a year wait for a custom guitar to be built..

 

[Goat]

. On Monday, I asked a SA counter person what they are is seeing in sales numbers? "It's dead! The people who do purchase are usually from Brazil. American buyers are strictly into the modern metal thing, but they are few. Everyone wants to be a DJ...

What say you?

What I say: Don't tell Suhr guitars that..I got told up to a year wait for a custom guitar to be built..

Yeah... I think most people go to SA looking for used gear. I do anyway.

 

[tubortski]

I'm feeling all this. I mostly just play at rehearsal, studio, and gigs. That's probably 2-3 hours a week, not every week. Never just pick up or practice at home. My playing is kinda slopy and I'm quite fine with that. Too busy for anything more.

 

[Goat]

.

 

[mooncobra]

I play a LOT, its still really fun to me to play, love plugging in and cranking my ss100 {modded by Dave for more ferocity} and playing for hours, I never seem to get tired of playing or bored of it.

 

[Beandust]

Play everyday, probably until I am unable to play I plan to. I am on here to read about gear and the never ending search for tone as well as others experiences with gear, styles ,effects.. so it is quite surprising to see so many that posted they hardly playing at all. Not surprised anyone would slow down or just not be motivated or inspired to play for many of the reasons listed. However , Its odd to be on a forum talking gear and chops if there is no interest in playing. No intent intended by any means. If your on here it seems you are interested so that's where it starts. I put it down for a while some years back and had zero interest in gear, threads or the latest and greatest. Not being in a band makes things tougher to get moving sometimes but with all the recording and load boxes, daw , drum loops backing tracks....etc there is plenty to enjoy. Lifes challanges change situations as well so I dont think it's as simple for some to fire up the rig. So in a nice way, get off your ass and enjoy something if you dont care for it why are you in RT? Everyone doesnt share my opinion so try not to stone me to death

 

[Red_Label]

I had a playing gig last week, followed the next night by a DJ gig. The latter is rare for me... was mostly doing someone a favor. I play regularly, for the past couple of years I've pondered keeping a few acoustic instruments and dumping the rest of my guitars and amps. I've been playing/gigging for 35 years and it's more work and wear & tear on my 3 spinal surgery 51 year old body than it's worth. And I'm tired of GAS. I've had most everything. Been trying to fill the hole in my soul with stuff... and it doesn't work. I think I'm getting ready to try something different. Like... I dunno... LIVING. My wife would sure love it if I got off the gear merry-go-round. I don't blame her.

 

[Red_Label]

I made the decision last week to sell everything. I'm tooling around the web last night, and what do I find? Up for sale was a PS10CL Iceman. Submit Order - check!

"Rock and roll in my soul ... got me losin' control ... let it roll!"

Sounds like something I'd do.

 

[guitarmike]

I quit playing in bar bands in 2017 after a 20 year run. Now I play in God's band every Sunday. The church band is a cross between a gospel, country, Metallica, and Poison. We take worship music and put our spin on it, I still get to shred and chunk on power chords and do a ton of inspirational improv. I use a stereo rig with either my old Freidman modded Marshall or some of the synergy stuff through Scumback load 4x12's. As much as I miss playing some of the old stuff I don't miss getting home at 2am Sunday morning and having to be at church by 7:30am.

You got got home by 2am?????!!! You must've had someone help with teardown......

I started in 85, took a few yrs off in the military, gigged for the next 27 yrs mostly weekends. Stopped in 17..rest of the band has kids that are involved in sports, and other activities. No time anymore. Plus, at 52 staying out late just got old...like me lol.
I play more now than I did when I stopped playing out 2 yrs ago..I make myself go down to the jam room everyday, even if it's only for 15 min. When I gigged I treated it more like a part time job, playing covers can get old. Lol. But it became more fun when I started gear chasing with the rest of you clowns back in 2009 or so....the guys started getting used to different amps for each gig. Lol

Back then I did not play in church every week. When I did the band was cool and I helped pack up for 30 minutes or so and then go home. I did that for the better part of 20 years. The live scene in southeastern WI was just getting stale. All the cover bands play the same old songs and if you are lucky the band members made $50-70 a piece. Playing What I Like About You, Bad Case of Loving You, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, etc was too painful to endure any longer.
If I ever play outside of Christian music it would be to put together another tribute band, the Iron Maiden one I did with my kid on drums was a lot of fun.