For senior musicians: What have you lost to age?

Question

Seniors, as defined by me, is 55 years and older, thanks.

Answer 1

My professional years have passed and I currently teach guitar when a student or his parent is willing to pay. Nevertheless, I don't play everyday because it is boring to play to walls and rocks with no real human intervention.

I still have flexibility in my hands and have retained much through years of playing. Frequently, I must practice a song that was once played perfect so I can get it near perfection again.

I suppose that my calluses are quick to disappear if I don't play frequently.

Answer 2

I am not a senior musician, but I can tell you some things that my professors have lost to age: eyesight, conducting dexterity, and some repetitive stress injuries.

I have a few professors who have trouble seeing conducting scores, and their conducting gestures get so stiff it's hard to follow them, especially when their face gets buried in a score.
Some of my professors switch glasses before performing, usually to a type of reading glasses that allow them to sit it on the bridge of their nose to watch the music and the conductor.
Repetitive stress injuries--this one I have already and I'm in my 20s. Bursitis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, muscle spasms, etc. I have bursitis and I've gone through 6 months of physical therapy.


However, what they've gained is this amazing ability to shut off the outside world and complete engage themselves in the music without nerves getting in the way. My professors can take the most dull, boring line and create an emotional rollercoaster of music out of it.

Answer 3

I don't remember. Can you hum a few bars?

Answer 4

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