Moose

I had my 75th birthday last June and I am still doing what I love. I have played all types of music during my life: pop, blues, country, folk, etc. About three years ago, I decided that I would like to try playing jazz. I wasn't sure if I would be up to the task but I answered an ad on the JoinMyBand website and three years later, I am still with them. We don't work very often but when we do, they are usually enjoyable gigs. It would be great to work more often but at least we are working. Don't give up and remember Churchill's immortal words: "keep buggering on".

Not sure if it is like valve compression but I use the "Captain East" toneprint.

Just sold an octave pedal to Brian. Smooth transaction. Would recommend. Chris.

Paddy bought two sets of strings from me today. Fast payment. A smooth transaction.

I think the question we have to ask is: is the player a technician or a musician?

Bought a Precision pickup and pots from Dave. Fast shipping and well packaged. Great to deal with.

It is more to do with perception than ability. If a band still has appeal and people will come and see them, what is the problem? It is not about how well a band can play but how well their followers think they play. Most people are not stupid and realise that Paul McCartney, for instance, is not as good as he was in his Beatles or Wings days, but if they are a fan they will be willing to overlook his shortcomings, in return for being able to attend a concert and be transported back to a time they loved. In short, as long as the fans want to see them, they should continue.

I bought the Kliq TinyTune mini tuner from Amazon for £26.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0143H0W3U?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 It handles the low B string on my 5-string easily.

I never wanted to become rich and famous, but a little recognition would have been nice. Over the years, I watched people with far less musical ability become household names while I was left wondering why it was. When I was about 30 years old, I realised that talent and ability are not enough. People really don't care how much musical talent you have or how hard you work, they want something else. Call it the X factor or charisma. Whatever it is, I don't have it and the penny finally dropped: I realised that the world didn't want me. It would have been very easy to become bitter about the situation but I didn't. At 74 years of age, I am still playing in a working band and will continue to do it for as long as I can. I don't care that the world doesn't want me - I don't really want the world.

A set of Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats (43 - 136) for my 5-string - £70.00 on Amazon last May. I see they are £81.00 now.