Do you still play your instrument - with or without others?

[Dave2002]

I'm just wondering if any of the musicians who may have retired or given up playing professionally, who frequent this forum, still play their instruments, either with others, or simply for their own amusement and enjoyment.

[BBMmk2]

What about amateur? Hmnm musicians never retire they just fade away!

[Dave2002]

What about amateur? Hmnm musicians never retire they just fade away!

Amateur as well, if others want to join in. Do pros automatically become amateur when they give up playing for money, or do they simply give up?

[salymap]

Surely it depends on your instrument. The thought of a retired trombonist playing at home sounds like grounds for divorce to me.

I wasn't very good but I wish the small electronic keyboards had been in existence when I was young.

My piano had to go when we moved to a bungalow, thanks to Hitler.

EDIT. Sorry as Basil Fawlty said, even on 3rd Sept. "Don't mention the war".

[verismissimo]

Sold my guitars, bass guitar and trumpet many years ago, partly in order to resist the temptation to make an unwelcome return.

On stage at the Marquee Club in London in the late sixties, I decided that a life playing rock music and its relatives would be too boring. So I stopped.

[Dave2002]

Sold my guitars, bass guitar and trumpet many years ago, partly in order to resist the temptation to make an unwelcome return.

On stage at the Marquee Club in London in the late sixties, I decided that a life playing rock music and its relatives would be too boring. So I stopped.

And never touched such again? Any more for any more?

[Hornspieler]

I'm just wondering if any of the musicians who may have retired or given up playing professionally, who frequent this forum, still play their instruments, either with others, or simply for their own amusement and enjoyment.

The nearest that I get is playing tunes on my 70 year old Aubrey Brain Model french horn mouthpiece to amuse my grandchildren.

HS

[Padraig]

A sort of Celtic twilight has descended on me recently, which is why I took up Gaeilge a couple of years ago. Now I'm taking up the tin whistle to try to learn some of the thousands of reels, jigs and slow airs out there that I can't put a name to. I've played the whistle before, and the recorder, but just for fun and not enough. I don't know if I can hack it, and I'm told I'll be in with a crowd of children - all wanting to be stars no doubt - and all probably gifted and keen.
Does this count?

[Bamig]

I hadn't played the trombone for over 10 years until yesterday. The first note was surpisingly ok - late to speak, but not as thin and wobbly as I feared.

It was 10 years ago that I played in a concert I particularly enjoyed, and resolved only to play music that I liked, and not to give up my Saturdays just to play a handful of notes (which is often the fate of the orchestral trombonist / tubist). Of course, once you turn a few things down, you stop getting asked.

My 5 year old daughter has started to take an interest in music, and it was the idea of being able to play along with her in the future that inspired me to start playing again.

[BBMmk2]

I'm still very busy with my playing. just had a gig last Saturday night, at a private party, playing keyboards, on this occaisiuon, helping out brass bands here and there andalso at the school where I work, as well. plus making transcriptions for various combinations.