Getting Old

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:44 pm

Hey! It just keeps getting better and better. I'm about to turn 60 and enjoy playing in a half-dozen groups. One of my major inspirations is this guy who is in his mid-80's. He not only makes every Tuesday night rehearsal and all of our performances, but also plays in our Dixieland group. He spent the first years of his life sleeping in a drawer while on the vaudeville road with his parents. In his younger years he performed on stage with Bob Hope during his early USO tours.

Exactly where does 'old age' begin, anyway?

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:13 pm

TubaTinker wrote:Hey! It just keeps getting better and better. I'm about to turn 60 and enjoy playing in a half-dozen groups. One of my major inspirations is this guy is in his mid-80's. He makes every Tuesday night rehearsal and all performances and also plays in our Dixieland group. He spent the first years of his life sleeping in a drawer while on the vaudeville road with his parents. He also performed with Bob Hope on during his early USO tours.
Exactly where does 'old age' begin, anyway?

That is really cool!

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:47 pm

One way to tell if you're getting really, really old is finding that this guy with a shovel is following you around where ever you go.
And remember, where ever you go, there you are.

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:40 pm

Old? I'll be 57 this summer, and I don't have prostate problems!!

MA

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:55 pm

Brassdad wrote:My son recently discovered my CD collection of 80s music.

THIS is what make me feel old. Guys much younger than me telling stories about being old.

Rick "whose 80's CD collection is the new stuff" Denney

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:56 pm

MaryAnn wrote:Old? I'll be 57 this summer, and I don't have prostate problems!!

MA

Item in the news this morning that eating a few of these a week can actually cause prostate tumors to self-destruct:

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:43 pm

deleted.

UDELBR · Post by **UDELBR** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:55 pm

MaryAnn wrote:It has become clear in the last week or so that I have developed focal (embouchure) dystonia

Sorry to hear that.

Not calling your diagnosis into question, and NOT trying to be a smart-*** (so don't even bother starting a freakin' poll...), but did this diagnosis even exist before about 20 years ago?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:04 pm

MaryAnn wrote:It has become clear in the last week or so that I have developed focal (embouchure) dystonia, which is pretty much a hang-it-up scenario, unless one has the drive to learn the instrument over again (which I don't think I have at this stage of my life.)

A good place to start:

http://www.dystonia-bb.org/forums/mwd/

Many believe that focal dystonia can be overcome with the right therapy. Remember pianist Leon Fleischer? He's back performing again, as is Gary Graffman.

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:44 pm

Sailing in my best way to regain perspective. Even an hour on the old briny has me yohoing and feeling downright piratical.
"Those who die will be the lucky ones"-sayest the captain.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:52 pm

More pirate chatter...

Arrrrrrgh!

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:25 pm

Mary Ann's post touched my heart.
These doctors thrive on bad news and will back the hearse up at a moments notice. They got that pool payment.
I got Bell's Palsey during my highest earning years as a trumpet player and a few months later resumed without the top 10% of my range.I can still hit G below high C and high C on a bet if I use pressure.
I had 5-way heart bypass surgery halfway thrugh recording my first C.D. as a rhythm guitar/vocalist.Six months later I finished it and have made another as a tuba player and we're planning another this summer.
I lost all my teeth thru pressure playing but with implants am fine with tuba (allergies aside) and a little low trumpet soloing.
All that said I presume to advise you, dear lady.
Wait and see the extent of the actual damage to you before deciding what to give up.
You play many musical instruments, have great experience and I have read you posting wisely on such a wide variety of subjects. You're adaptable.
You may have to de-emphasize brass and do more strings or take up singing or a new solo instrument but you will be up to it . You are a life-long musician. Don't let anybody talk you into sitting home with a bad case of the "pickin' jones"when you need to be out there knocking out some tasty tunes.
Dennis ( I'll show you my scars if you'll show me yours.) Gray (Thanks,Rick)
tubatooter1940
www.johnreno.com/

TubeNet

Getting Old

getting old