Really appreciate you making this video! I’m embarking on my music career this year at age 60+ after retiring from the corporate world, surviving a divorce and cancer. Thank you so much!
I am 74 years old. I played drums in a few really bad bands way back in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s. I retired from a long career in the engineering business and decided to accomplish a long held dream of learning fingerstyle acoustic guitar. That is taking a long time! My goal is to play a solo gig before I die! 😂 That may be just playing Christmas songs in retirement homes. Can’t sing a lick. So it will just be solo guitar. The nice thing about maybe starting into something like this at this age is the fact that I don’t need to make any money from it. Anyway. It’s a dream. You have to have a dream in retirement or you’ll just set down and die!
That's great mate. Thanks for sharing that. It is as old as time but practice makes perfect. Even 10 minutes a day will make a huge difference. Don't practice your mistakes. Slow it down if you can't get it and work it out one pluck at a time. Good luck my friend 🙂
I’m 71. My dream is play in pubic too. So I have 1,500. Finger celstyle arrangements.Got a Godin guitar. With Gr55. For the 13 pin connect. My 1/4 in jack goes to my acoustic 30.
I'm in a three-piece band that uses electronic drums as our drummer. We do a lot of stuff like the eagles, John fogerty, creedence, and some country. Stuff like that. We are all over 70 and all three of us believe this is the best band we've ever been in. I've been in over a dozen bands, but have only been playing since '98. The other two have been playing their entire adult life. We're all responsible, we all practice, and we have a blast at shows. And the key is that it is a show. We're not just playing music. We're having fun in front of the crowd and do a little impromptu comedy that seems to go over very well. I got to tell you, being old is awesome! Your whole world outlook is different. Everything is so drama-free and just quiet enjoyment. Since I'm anonymous here I'll go ahead and throw a couple of things out. First of all, we only play two clubs and we try to keep are gigging schedule down to once every 4 to 6 weeks. One club pays us $450 a gig and the other pays us 300 a gig. Keep in mind, this is in rural Kentucky. And both clubs are in counties that a few years ago were dry. The owners are both clubs love us and know we're always going to draw a big crowd. We basically cater to the 30 plus crowd but a lot of the young hipsters are getting into some of the music we play and that's why we try to throw in a few newer songs as well. But it's got to be something that's very well known. By the way, we got our foot in the door in both clubs by getting to know the owners as customers, and then offering to do a gig for cheap. That's all it took. 👍
I love that. I'm 58 and feel young. Drive sani truck up in MA... Mass.. ya.. I know I'm sorry. But I was born here and the history is cool. Played the guitar since 15 all thru ought my life. I got pretty good on electric playing blues like Freddie King etc...also acoustic. Two places I could ride my bike to are there for me to play in... other guys do. They said one guy just yelled all night! I said I could do better than that. I can sing. Could play bunch of songs. Small stack PA or heck just bring my Super Reverb! I did hear $300 one guy was getting.. more is good. It's West of Boston 13 miles. I could play Willin and Here Comes the Sun.. James Taylor. I got the blues side. Muddy Waters singing... I like that. Bring out my 73 D-18 get her warmed up... man, nice sound.
Great video. I’m 65 and have been busking in SF using the lithium battery powered Bose and backing tracks using the app Moises. I love playing and singing the over 50 songs I do and the repertoire is always growing . People seem to really enjoy what I do. I’d like to play more places but seem to have a hard time taking myself seriously. Busking makes me some walking around money and brings people and myself joy. I plan to look for other venues such as senior homes and maybe a few local pubs. I enjoyed your tips, especially to build/embrace your own style. Thanks for posting.
That's great. Yes busking is also a great way to build your confidence playing in front of people. It puts that much needed pressure on you to see how you go with an audience. Good for you my man :-)
74 here and restarted my solo career two years ago. Not easy to get gigs b/c clubs want young folks regardless of their skill levels. I grab what I can. Thank Odin for my iPad.
Great info! Started guitar about 10-years ago with Justin Guitar at age 55. Heading for 65 soon and just started doing Open Mics. Would be helpful if you provided specific videos/tips for us newbies to the stage.
Hello. I am age 62 and have been participating in open mics the past two years; I probably average one per month between four different places I can play. I’m a bit burned out right now as it’s become very repetitive. In the beginning, it was my teacher who recommended I get experience with Open mics. In the beginning I was told to make a list of songs I like that are very easy (2-3 chords). I showed my list to a local club but nobody knew them, or was asked if I could sing too. I had a good list, almost 40 songs I could play without tabs but I couldn’t sing any of them. I have since learned that a backup band will play any song I want to play as long as I can sing them too. So I have started to learn to sing and have a set list of 7 songs. I realize it’s a fair trade-off to sing, so I can play a song I like and it gives the one who’s been singing for two hours straight a break. Clubs seem to vary in what they play. The closest club to me, open mic is Thursday nights and their music is almost always the same songs - classic rock songs from the original Woodstock plus Beatles and Tom Petty. To play with others our age group that seems to be mostly what we’ll be playing. It also seems better if I bring in my own amp, so no one has to unplug or borrow other’s equipment and increases the chance of playing rhythm guitar alongside them. Any other questions feel free to ask.
This is a great video, thanks Tod for sharing these tips and tricks you gathered yourself during your musical career so openly! It is always a pleasure looking at your vids!.. I myself picked up some of your ideas (eg with the VLX3) and they work great during my shows. I don't know any other YT channel where you get so many advices from an experienced musician like you, chapeau man!
Turned 50 this very morning, and every detail is spot on. Good video. But it was the "karaoke tracks have a little bit of cheese dripping off them" comment that made me hit subscribe ROFL
Totally agree on the backing tracks, however I record all my own backing tracks using an Aeros Looper and a Beat Buddy. All the parts are my interpretations and instrumentation except for the beat Buddy drummer. This includes, rhythm, fills, embellishments, shakers, tambourines, back up vocals and harmony, etc. it’s all me. Better than a karaoke file I can download in my opinion. But yes, almost all musicians these days use a backing track of some kind. Definitely fills out the space and makes for a more interesting show. Of course there are just acoustic songs withe me and a guitar, but jamming is where’s it at.
66 and about to retire. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the street to busk. I did a bit 20 years ago. Not looking for money as much as just an audience so I don’t play all my music to the TV.
I hit 60 this year, I’ve been playing live since I was 14 years old. I’ve done a lot of solo and duo gigs over the years but I much prefer to play with a band. When COVID hit, work just dried up overnight and so did my enthusiasm for playing live. This year, I’ve decided to get back on the horse. I can tell you why other musicians don’t like backing tracks. It’s because they put bands out of work! Why would a venue pay a whole band when they can pay a single person who brings the same sound level to the gig? That’s just one reason why I hate them. The other reason is because it forces you to play songs exactly the same way every time and that’s very boring and not flexible enough for me.
I can understand that. I played in a band for 10 years. I much preferred it because of the reasons you said. also because it's not as lonely onstage. Here's my point of view, I wanted to make music a career, and working with other musicians who only saw it as a side job and not a priority, I got let down time and time again. First of all I had to advertise for singers, drummers, guitarists and bass players. Then after auditioning 50 people only to find out one of them had any talent, I would rehearse with them for weeks, only to learn they had taken a job in another band. Or they would work with me for a few weeks and then pull the pin the night of a gig. Then I was left back at square one having to audition people again which is the same as American Idol in the first stages. Absolute ego centric people with no talent but heaps of confidence. After 10 years of doing this, I leaned to hate other musicians for their selfishness. So I decided to go it alone with backing tracks. I quickly found I made more money, had 0 headaches. and made a career out of it, buying a house and gaining a good reputation as a reliable act that was affordable for venues who can't afford to pay for a full band. This was the best thing I ever did and I only ever had to rely on myself.
@ i totally get that. Finding a group of people with the same mindset that jel together is difficult. I had the same band for 24 years, still with the original lineup. I consider keeping that band together for that amount of time one of my biggest achievements. It was Covid that pretty much ended our run but we are all still great friends. These days, I’m writing, recording and releasing my own music and I’m putting a band together to play my songs live. I could do it solo but I really don’t think that would be very fulfilling. I play solo gigs to make money and band gigs to feed my soul :)
Hey Tod, another great video, thanks. Like you, I don't really see a lot of people using backing tracks out there, particularly for solo guitarists. A couple I have seen don't do as well as you do - the backing track is very much secondary to your performance. Have you got any tips as far as originals? Look forward to catching up soon
@@JustinDaviesMusic Cheers mate. Yeah some people let the track do the solos and stuff. That’s when it becomes karaoke. As far as originals go I never play them. No one is really interested in originals unless it’s at a venue specifically for original artists.
@@pro_musoI would agree about not doing 'originals' during your starting up phase. But as time goes on, if your feel that people are really engaged in your performance, I would throw one in to see how it goes over. You never know. Every guitar player I've ever met always had a few original tunes in their pocket. And some were pretty darn good. IMHO. Great videos. I'm 66 and it's been years since I've done Open Mics but you are giving me some courage to try again.
Im 51. Been gigging out for years. Do your originals...the mistake is announcing them as such...just mix them in... P.S. I dont do any originals...to be fair
@ Yes I would agree. Like someone else said, just don't announce them, and if you get a good reaction, keep doing it. I'm glad you are trying again. If you have an itch, scratch it.
thank you i have just one question how do you deel with a pub owner who is a lets say not quite proo im a 68 year old still going iIrish folk singer Pubs etc thanks
Regarding backing tracks, there was one show I saw that I thought was totally disastrous. It was a guy that was a very good guitar player and an okay singer. But he did a lot of instrumental stuff and he's all by himself. However, he has a small foot switch that is basically a band in a foot switch. That is, base and drums and maybe a little acoustic guitar or piano chords. So he starts off a song by saying here's a song I wrote called x, and then proceeds to stand there and wank on his guitar like he's a kid in his bedroom to the backing track. To say it was lame would be an understatement. I was actually embarrassed for him. Cuz I know him and he's a nice guy.
Suspenders. There I said it. You need suspenders. No one else in the place will be wearing them. Also, there will be no belt buckle to mar the back of your guitar. Lastly, you can breathe better and sing better.
@@pro_muso You guys should hook up, networking remember. By the way great video, especially for the older niche player. The backing tracks part is ok, but as a solo performer, I only go as far as a looper with some drum backing here and there to ad a little spice, people can see that you don't have a band. I also liked the part about the clothes, very important. Good points to skin an old cat with new tools.
Much like dealing with women...when you were younger, you would hit anthing....now, be more selective. Don't play with slugs, hacks and people who don't critique their own work. You are too old to be embarrassed by people who never put in the work.
Really appreciate you making this video! I’m embarking on my music career this year at age 60+ after retiring from the corporate world, surviving a divorce and cancer. Thank you so much!
@@frankgreco4292 Good on you Frank. Music can keep you sane, occupied and happy after going through something like that. I wish you well my friend. 👍
Me too at 64
60 year old cover band bass player here. Loving the gigging
I am 74 years old. I played drums in a few really bad bands way back in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s. I retired from a long career in the engineering business and decided to accomplish a long held dream of learning fingerstyle acoustic guitar. That is taking a long time! My goal is to play a solo gig before I die! 😂 That may be just playing Christmas songs in retirement homes. Can’t sing a lick. So it will just be solo guitar. The nice thing about maybe starting into something like this at this age is the fact that I don’t need to make any money from it. Anyway. It’s a dream. You have to have a dream in retirement or you’ll just set down and die!
That's great mate. Thanks for sharing that. It is as old as time but practice makes perfect. Even 10 minutes a day will make a huge difference. Don't practice your mistakes. Slow it down if you can't get it and work it out one pluck at a time. Good luck my friend 🙂
I’m 71. My dream is play in pubic too. So I have 1,500. Finger celstyle arrangements.Got a Godin guitar. With Gr55. For the 13 pin connect. My 1/4 in jack goes to my acoustic 30.
Excellent!! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
I'm in a three-piece band that uses electronic drums as our drummer. We do a lot of stuff like the eagles, John fogerty, creedence, and some country. Stuff like that.
We are all over 70 and all three of us believe this is the best band we've ever been in. I've been in over a dozen bands, but have only been playing since '98. The other two have been playing their entire adult life.
We're all responsible, we all practice, and we have a blast at shows. And the key is that it is a show. We're not just playing music. We're having fun in front of the crowd and do a little impromptu comedy that seems to go over very well.
I got to tell you, being old is awesome! Your whole world outlook is different. Everything is so drama-free and just quiet enjoyment.
Since I'm anonymous here I'll go ahead and throw a couple of things out. First of all, we only play two clubs and we try to keep are gigging schedule down to once every 4 to 6 weeks. One club pays us $450 a gig and the other pays us 300 a gig. Keep in mind, this is in rural Kentucky. And both clubs are in counties that a few years ago were dry. The owners are both clubs love us and know we're always going to draw a big crowd. We basically cater to the 30 plus crowd but a lot of the young hipsters are getting into some of the music we play and that's why we try to throw in a few newer songs as well. But it's got to be something that's very well known.
By the way, we got our foot in the door in both clubs by getting to know the owners as customers, and then offering to do a gig for cheap. That's all it took. 👍
I love that. I'm 58 and feel young. Drive sani truck up in MA... Mass.. ya.. I know I'm sorry. But I was born here and the history is cool.
Played the guitar since 15 all thru ought my life. I got pretty good on electric playing blues like Freddie King etc...also acoustic.
Two places I could ride my bike to are there for me to play in... other guys do. They said one guy just yelled all night! I said I could do better than that.
I can sing. Could play bunch of songs. Small stack PA or heck just bring my Super Reverb!
I did hear $300 one guy was getting.. more is good. It's West of Boston 13 miles.
I could play Willin and Here Comes the Sun.. James Taylor.
I got the blues side. Muddy Waters singing... I like that.
Bring out my 73 D-18 get her warmed up... man, nice sound.
Really great advice as performing music artist.
Great video. I’m 65 and have been busking in SF using the lithium battery powered Bose and backing tracks using the app Moises. I love playing and singing the over 50 songs I do and the repertoire is always growing . People seem to really enjoy what I do. I’d like to play more places but seem to have a hard time taking myself seriously. Busking makes me some walking around money and brings people and myself joy. I plan to look for other venues such as senior homes and maybe a few local pubs.
I enjoyed your tips, especially to build/embrace your own style. Thanks for posting.
That's great. Yes busking is also a great way to build your confidence playing in front of people. It puts that much needed pressure on you to see how you go with an audience. Good for you my man :-)
great Arnold S voice, Great tips too
Thanks for the video, I am that guy you are talking to. Thanks again
You are welcome mate :-)
74 here and restarted my solo career two years ago. Not easy to get gigs b/c clubs want young folks regardless of their skill levels. I grab what I can. Thank Odin for my iPad.
Well produced. Great advice.
Great video! In my mid 60s and want to start playing gigs.
Don't be afraid to get out there.
Great video! I'm trying to make the move from
open mic/s to actual gigs this year. Very helpful video. Thank you!
Good on you mate. Keep at it!
This is really a good video and Great advice on helping people get their foot in the door in this sort of thing. Nicely done. 👍
Cheers mate. Glad you found it useful.
This is a fantastic video… Great information. Thank you so much. 👍
Cheers mate! Glad you found it useful.
Do your own thing
An important cause. Well presented, subbed. Oh, 61 and published.
Great info! Started guitar about 10-years ago with Justin Guitar at age 55. Heading for 65 soon and just started doing Open Mics. Would be helpful if you provided specific videos/tips for us newbies to the stage.
Hello. I am age 62 and have been participating in open mics the past two years; I probably average one per month between four different places I can play. I’m a bit burned out right now as it’s become very repetitive. In the beginning, it was my teacher who recommended I get experience with Open mics. In the beginning I was told to make a list of songs I like that are very easy (2-3 chords). I showed my list to a local club but nobody knew them, or was asked if I could sing too. I had a good list, almost 40 songs I could play without tabs but I couldn’t sing any of them. I have since learned that a backup band will play any song I want to play as long as I can sing them too. So I have started to learn to sing and have a set list of 7 songs. I realize it’s a fair trade-off to sing, so I can play a song I like and it gives the one who’s been singing for two hours straight a break.
Clubs seem to vary in what they play. The closest club to me, open mic is Thursday nights and their music is almost always the same songs - classic rock songs from the original Woodstock plus Beatles and Tom Petty. To play with others our age group that seems to be mostly what we’ll be playing. It also seems better if I bring in my own amp, so no one has to unplug or borrow other’s equipment and increases the chance of playing rhythm guitar alongside them. Any other questions feel free to ask.
This is a great video, thanks Tod for sharing these tips and tricks you gathered yourself during your musical career so openly! It is always a pleasure looking at your vids!.. I myself picked up some of your ideas (eg with the VLX3) and they work great during my shows. I don't know any other YT channel where you get so many advices from an experienced musician like you, chapeau man!
@@JayRP-pk5de oh Thankyou mate. I’m glad I can be of some use. 😊👍
Turned 50 this very morning, and every detail is spot on. Good video. But it was the "karaoke tracks have a little bit of cheese dripping off them" comment that made me hit subscribe ROFL
@@monty5066 Happy Birthday my friend! 🍺 And welcome to the club. Welcome also to my channel. I hope I’m not dripping with cheese too often. 🧀
Great video Tod, very inspiring and helpful tips! ❤
@@nehe2100 thanks mate 😊
Age is ALWAYS a forte on the gigging scene!
Totally agree on the backing tracks, however I record all my own backing tracks using an Aeros Looper and a Beat Buddy. All the parts are my interpretations and instrumentation except for the beat Buddy drummer. This includes, rhythm, fills, embellishments, shakers, tambourines, back up vocals and harmony, etc. it’s all me. Better than a karaoke file I can download in my opinion. But yes, almost all musicians these days use a backing track of some kind. Definitely fills out the space and makes for a more interesting show. Of course there are just acoustic songs withe me and a guitar, but jamming is where’s it at.
I think that's awesome that you've got the skill to do all that yourself.
66 and about to retire. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the street to busk. I did a bit 20 years ago. Not looking for money as much as just an audience so I don’t play all my music to the TV.
I hit 60 this year, I’ve been playing live since I was 14 years old. I’ve done a lot of solo and duo gigs over the years but I much prefer to play with a band. When COVID hit, work just dried up overnight and so did my enthusiasm for playing live. This year, I’ve decided to get back on the horse.
I can tell you why other musicians don’t like backing tracks. It’s because they put bands out of work! Why would a venue pay a whole band when they can pay a single person who brings the same sound level to the gig?
That’s just one reason why I hate them. The other reason is because it forces you to play songs exactly the same way every time and that’s very boring and not flexible enough for me.
I can understand that. I played in a band for 10 years. I much preferred it because of the reasons you said. also because it's not as lonely onstage.
Here's my point of view, I wanted to make music a career, and working with other musicians who only saw it as a side job and not a priority, I got let down time and time again. First of all I had to advertise for singers, drummers, guitarists and bass players. Then after auditioning 50 people only to find out one of them had any talent, I would rehearse with them for weeks, only to learn they had taken a job in another band. Or they would work with me for a few weeks and then pull the pin the night of a gig.
Then I was left back at square one having to audition people again which is the same as American Idol in the first stages. Absolute ego centric people with no talent but heaps of confidence. After 10 years of doing this, I leaned to hate other musicians for their selfishness.
So I decided to go it alone with backing tracks. I quickly found I made more money, had 0 headaches. and made a career out of it, buying a house and gaining a good reputation as a reliable act that was affordable for venues who can't afford to pay for a full band.
This was the best thing I ever did and I only ever had to rely on myself.
@ i totally get that. Finding a group of people with the same mindset that jel together is difficult. I had the same band for 24 years, still with the original lineup. I consider keeping that band together for that amount of time one of my biggest achievements. It was Covid that pretty much ended our run but we are all still great friends. These days, I’m writing, recording and releasing my own music and I’m putting a band together to play my songs live. I could do it solo but I really don’t think that would be very fulfilling. I play solo gigs to make money and band gigs to feed my soul :)
Hey Tod, another great video, thanks. Like you, I don't really see a lot of people using backing tracks out there, particularly for solo guitarists. A couple I have seen don't do as well as you do - the backing track is very much secondary to your performance. Have you got any tips as far as originals? Look forward to catching up soon
@@JustinDaviesMusic Cheers mate. Yeah some people let the track do the solos and stuff. That’s when it becomes karaoke. As far as originals go I never play them. No one is really interested in originals unless it’s at a venue specifically for original artists.
@@pro_musoI would agree about not doing 'originals' during your starting up phase. But as time goes on, if your feel that people are really engaged in your performance, I would throw one in to see how it goes over. You never know. Every guitar player I've ever met always had a few original tunes in their pocket. And some were pretty darn good. IMHO. Great videos. I'm 66 and it's been years since I've done Open Mics but you are giving me some courage to try again.
Im 51. Been gigging out for years. Do your originals...the mistake is announcing them as such...just mix them in...
P.S. I dont do any originals...to be fair
@ Yes I would agree. Like someone else said, just don't announce them, and if you get a good reaction, keep doing it.
I'm glad you are trying again. If you have an itch, scratch it.
@ Yes good point. If you don't announce them, you'll get a true reaction. and if it works, why not.
6:27 whats musical identity???
In that context, the genre you lean on most. What you are known for.
thank you i have just one question how do you deel with a pub owner who is a lets say not quite proo im a 68 year old still going iIrish folk singer Pubs etc thanks
Each have their own snakes and ladders. I will say that sometimes you cannot polish a turd.
@@pro_muso. . . ‘ Sometimes - ?..’
@@donaldcook3112 haha 😝
Regarding backing tracks, there was one show I saw that I thought was totally disastrous. It was a guy that was a very good guitar player and an okay singer. But he did a lot of instrumental stuff and he's all by himself. However, he has a small foot switch that is basically a band in a foot switch. That is, base and drums and maybe a little acoustic guitar or piano chords.
So he starts off a song by saying here's a song I wrote called x, and then proceeds to stand there and wank on his guitar like he's a kid in his bedroom to the backing track. To say it was lame would be an understatement. I was actually embarrassed for him. Cuz I know him and he's a nice guy.
Yeah I've seen people like that too. I know that feeling of being embarrassed for them.
Suspenders. There I said it. You need suspenders. No one else in the place will be wearing them. Also, there will be no belt buckle to mar the back of your guitar. Lastly, you can breathe better and sing better.
Suspenders WILL marr the back of your guitar, I know this.
Please tell me that you are a voice actor. As I’m listening to your voice, I can picture so many possibilities for characters.
Haha. I always wanted to be. But sadly no.
@@pro_muso You guys should hook up, networking remember. By the way great video, especially for the older niche player. The backing tracks part is ok, but as a solo performer, I only go as far as a looper with some drum backing here and there to ad a little spice, people can see that you don't have a band. I also liked the part about the clothes, very important. Good points to skin an old cat with new tools.
Much like dealing with women...when you were younger, you would hit anthing....now, be more selective. Don't play with slugs, hacks and people who don't critique their own work. You are too old to be embarrassed by people who never put in the work.
@@nickf2170 too true
Hear, hear for Karaoke Version!
Damn right. What a lifesaver.
LMAO