When it is time to stop playing?

[Rodgeman]

There are many fine discussions about how to play and grow. I certainly have not played every piece of music or learned it all. I have played for almost 40 years. I have taken breaks. Now I find myself pondering just stopping for good. When do you know when it is time to stop?

[RickF]

This is always a tough one to know the answer to. A very good friend of mine played for 75 yrs... started at age 11 and always played the euphonium. Played in an Army Band during WW-II, and continued at a very high skill level. He had many solos memorized to play in front of the band. Then one night he was playing Napoli with the band (from memory) and just drew a blank and couldn't find the notes. After trying a restart and it not going well, he just had to walk off stage. This really stuck with him for a long time. He came back to playing, but never played anymore solos. One thing he was never happy about was his breathing. He told me he had trouble making it to the end of a phrase or breath mark. His tone was still excellent - and still sounded better than many others. This was when he was about 83 so I thought it was understandable. BUT, this was not the standard he was used to so he finally gave up playing.

The guys I play with have all agreed to tell each other when we think it might be time to stop playing. We sure don't want to detract from the organization we're playing with. Some members of community bands find something else they can do for the organization... maybe announce, help with creating programs, or something else behind the scene.

I would say if you're not enjoying playing that it might be time to at least take a break for awhile. Yes, this is a tough one for sure.

[John Morgan]

This is a very interesting topic and one that I suspect will get many different responses. I don't think much about quitting playing at all. When I do think about playing and getting older (or just plain old), I think about how long "can" I play rather than when should I stop. Doc Severinsen is playing into his very late 80's. I will be 70 this year, have been playing for 60 years, and I am still playing at a fairly high level. Sure, I have lost some wind and probably a little speed, but I can play the technical solos about as well as I could when I was in my 30's. In fact, some things now might be even better than when I was much younger due to musical maturity and playing with a better musical interpretation and feeling, rather than just going like a speeding bullet. I actually have a higher range now than I did through most of my playing years. But I must confess that I am a very serious and dedicated musician, and I practice and play most every day of the year. l plan to keep playing as long as I can. I suppose the time to stop would be when I just can't play anymore or I am so dissatisfied with my own playing that I am embarrassed or not having fun or am causing others around me to not have fun.

That last statement brings up an interesting dilemma. There is a fellow who plays in our local symphony orchestra who had a mild stroke 3 years ago. He was an adequate player before, but since than, he is clearly not himself or anything close to it. He often can't count rest measures correctly, he gets lost, his playing is sometimes very bad, and none of these things seems to be getting better, only worse. In this orchestra, once you are in it, you are in it for good (all time). Mostly the players are pretty good, a few weak ones perhaps. No one will tell him it might be best if he decides to give it up, at least for this group which puts on performances that people pay for. So the dilemma is him deciding for himself that he might need to go (which I don't see happening) or someone perhaps suggesting to him that it is time. Or things just keep going on as they have, which I think inevitably will not turn out well.

Others for sure will have different ideas about playing on or calling it quits. If you are a very casual player, and don't have music seared into every fiber of your body as I do, giving up playing may be a relatively easy decision. You think it is time, you aren't having fun, your playing is getting worse, you have other things you want to be doing, you are tired of driving to rehearsals and concerts, and a whole host of other reasons might be the signal(s) for you that it is time to stop. This is a very personal decision. I cannot imagine my life without music, so if I gave it up, I would in effect almost be giving up my life. Sounds a little melodramatic but that is the way I feel.

New Horizons Bands were formed for older folks to play who may have played in their youth, and now they are retired, the kids are grown and gone, and they want to have something meaningful to do. These groups are also for older folks who may not have ever played before. So, they come together to make music. Many studies have been done to show what a positive, healthful effect this has on those participating. There was one man who started learning clarinet at the age of 89. So within these groups, they all pretty much keep playing until they just can't anymore. I play in one of these New Horizons Bands along with my wife. I have been living in South Dakota since 2010 and joined this band then (have been with New Horizons much longer). I have watched almost 10 people pass away since I have been here, some very good friends. All of them were playing just about right up until the end. Maybe this is an answer to the OP's question.

[Rodgeman]

Thank you both for your thoughtful replies. It has given me quite a bit to think about.

[opus37]

I play in 3 bands that have players in their 80's. Over the last few years, there have been several who have retired from the band(s). In most cases, a health issue forced them to stop playing. Several others have started playing less aggressively, taking the 2nd or 3rd part as apposed to 1st. Sometimes, someone will take a brake, but they almost always come back. The motivation to continue playing is first the friendships they have with other band members and second the mental stimulation of playing. Both of these motivations are found to extend both quantity and quality of life. So, along with exercise and eating right, playing an instrument is good for you. Keep playing if you can, take a break if you need to, but make them pry the horn from your cold dead fingers.

[dsurkin]

I will be 65 this summer. I played piano professionally when I was younger. After I turned 30, I decided that I would concentrate on my legal career - looking for more stability, in life style and income. I returned to classical piano studies and began giving yearly recitals, playing a challenging repertoire. In my 50s, I developed arthritis in my thumbs and by the time I was 60, pain prevented me from playing for more than 15 minutes at a time. Along the way, I had to have surgery to remove a cyst on one of my knuckles (a by-product of arthritis); the cyst had worn away and weakened one of the tendons in the finger.

Like John Morgan, I felt music was too much a part of my life to give it up. My wife, also a musician (she's a music therapist), got tired of hearing me bitching and moaning, and suggested I take up the euphonium again, an instrument I hadn't played since school. She bought me my Mack Brass horn for my birthday three years ago, and I started taking lessons. I play in two community groups: in one of them, I am the leader of the lower-brass section (hell, most of the time I'm the only one in the section) and in the other (a group of pros and semi-pros) I play last chair euphonium. I have had to adjust from being a top-level technician on my instrument to being a duffer, and this causes me no end of frustration at times. But I still play.

When I can no longer play euphonium well enough to keep up, I'll find something else - maybe the autoharp. But I'll never stop playing, I hope.

[DaveBj]

The answer to that question is as different as people are different. I can speak only for myself. I'm going on 71, and I'm not there yet.

[KKORO]

I started playing the euphonium a year and three months ago. I had always wanted to play an instrument and chose the euphonium because musician friends told me it would be one of the easiest to play. Another reason for starting a euphonium at a late age is that I'll be able to play for a long time. Age, or should I say youth, is not a factor.

All the activities I'm pursuing now are activities I can pursue for 20-30 years -- even at my age. Golf, sea kayaking, and music will keep me moving into a late age. I may not perform as in my younger years, but I will perform. They say it helps to keep neurons and synapses -- or at least the few I have.

We have a winter group in my area call the "Geezer Band." It's not all old people, but mostly. They play together all winter, sometimes do a concert, and then play every weekend with the "players" at a music shell. They practice the same night as I'm directing a church choir so I can't play with them. But, it's a great idea and I'll play whenever my schedule frees up.

Don't quit, just keep on playing at whatever level you find yourself.

KKORO

[Rodgeman]

Thank you all for the replies. I think I just need to find different music and groups. While I have had injuries my health is pretty good. I am just going to take a break and try something new in the fall. Maybe join a jazz group and play something different.

[adrian_quince]

In one of the groups I direct, I've got about a dozen players over the age of 80 of various abilities, including an 87 year old euphonium player who still manages to sound pretty good. There are some issues with hearing and memory at times, but nothing we can't adapt to as a group. (After conducting a rehearsal with this group, I need to remember to dial back my volume when talking. I've apparently learn to speak very loudly without realizing it.)

When I'm out playing for fun, the most important thing is playing with a group of good people. Sure, I can work with just about anyone if I'm being paid to, but if I'm volunteering my time and energy I don't have the patience for big egos or bad attitudes. Fortunately, I've found that there are plenty of community groups that are wonderful to play in.

[Eupher6]

When I retired from Army bands 22 years ago, I thought I would stop playing altogether, like many who had gone before me. Not only did that not happen, but I began playing bass trombone 12 years ago, tuba 7 years ago, and upright bass about 3 years ago. I figure if I can't play euph any more, I might gravitate toward one of the other options. But I can't imagine not playing something.

[graeme]

Statistics show that we start to loose lung capacity at sometime between the ages of 20 to 30 whether or not playing a brass Instrumentwould delay the rate of the decline I would like to think so, certainly webrass players are more aware of the benefits of trying to retain good lungcapacity and may regularly do some breathing exercises as well as huffing andpuffing down our horns.
It is well known that keeping an active brain is importantas we age and learning new passages of music is a good workout for our littlegrey cells.
Decreased muscle tone comes along with ageing so holdingthose facial muscles in place may be more of a challenge, this might explainwhy some of us old guys can be seen holding a pencil horizontal in our chops.
In short there are many challenges to be met butit’s great to have a forum we can go to for help and advice

[Rodgeman]

I want to thank all of you for your very thought provoking responses. It got to me to thinking about which times and instruments I played that I was happier. As an adult I have played tenor trombone, euphonium, bass trombone, and tuba.

Trombone was my first instrument. Due to an elbow injury long ago that stopped being an option. So if I was going to continue playing it would be valves. The only valve trombones I could find were small bore. I do not like small bore.

I was happy with the euphonium but the music and position of playing a compensator were not in my comfort zone. I was thinking of getting a Festivo Euphonium. Then I remembered the tubas I had played - Conn 20J and Mirafone 186. Out of all the instruments I have played the Mirafone front rotary valve tuba was the most comfortable. The band I was in need a bass trombone a few years ago so I sold it and played bass trombone until it became too painful.

I was on the web and saw that Milano Music has two used tubas in my price range - a Mirafone 184 and a Mirafone 186 bell front. Both BBb. I went down to try them. They played really well. Looks - not so much. But that is ok. I like playing in the bass range. I like older instruments which I can afford. If I had the money I would have new instruments. I bought the Mirafone 186 bell front. It has a larger bore vs the 184. I got a deal because it is bell front.

This has gotten me playing again and I have more options playing tuba. I decided to have a break and just think about it. Time will tell if I decide to switch gain. Maybe that is how I am musically. But I am playing again. Sorry for the long winded explanation. Thank you all for the advice.

[davewerden]

Thanks for catching us up! There are very few topics on the forum that affect only one person, so knowing more about your journey (so far!) is valuable.

And playing tuba is fun!

[John Morgan]

In one of the groups I direct, I've got about a dozen players over the age of 80 of various abilities, including an 87 year old euphonium player who still manages to sound pretty good. There are some issues with hearing and memory at times, but nothing we can't adapt to as a group. (After conducting a rehearsal with this group, I need to remember to dial back my volume when talking. I've apparently learn to speak very loudly without realizing it.)......

Adrian - Your comment about dialing back your volume got me to thinking about what we do in the local New Horizons Band, which has many older people of varying hearing abilities. The director uses a wireless mic headset which connects to a couple of speakers on stands. We started this on my recommendation 3-4 years ago (I saw this being done at a New Horizons Band Camp in Washington state), and it works wonders in people being able to hear the director, and the director not having to shout or not being heard. I highly, highly recommend this. Many of the New Horizons Bands around the country do this, and even some other type bands (community, etc. with folks that aren't real old).