Staying in the game: The best practices, attitudes, metacognitive strategies, and intrinsic motivations of aging musicians
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LIVE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Staying creative and engaged as we age. Some thoughts on staying in the game.

7/31/2021

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​It won't be easy. Going stale, losing interest in things, aging out, and other maladies are well known and well documented in aging adults. What can one do to stay in the game?

1. Stay fit or get fit. Creativity takes energy. Fight like hell to stay upright. But work with what you've got. Your high school track days are over. Accept this gracefully and with your doctor's advice, get to the gym.
2. Stay connected. Friends matter. Who you hang with matters even more. Are the folks in your orbit "in the game" or are they lazy, burned out, narrow minded, and in denial of reality? If they are, I'd make a move.
3. Take on new challenges. Start with your tech. Learn to use your phone, tablet, and laptop like a pro. It's not hard, start on YouTube and get busy. Working with senior adults who can't do even simple tasks is heartbreaking to see as a teacher. Tech literacy is a real thing. Incompetency with your gadgets is an impediment to being creative, connecting with other creatives, and just participating in modern life.
4. Learn something new. Take some lessons on your instrument, go all in. Learn a new instrument even. I'm working with a bass teacher this summer learning the basics of Country music bass lines in the music of the 1950s and 60s. My appreciation of that period of American music has grown. I hear it with fresh ears. 
5. Do something new. I'm deep in the breakfast piano minute series.  I've been creating 1 minute daily postings. It's been fun. It is leading to lots of new connections, and it  encourages some daily creative effort. I've learned about camera lighting, video editing, and much more. And folks like them. I've a new and growing audience on social media. 

If I can help you find some new creative activities, call me. 

​David

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​Aging bodies and musicians.

7/10/2021

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I’ve an aging body. Accommodations will have to be made. If you are reading this, you are likely in the same boat. Here is what was recommended by the physiotherapist recently.
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  1. During the summer lull, rest and let the body repair. More sleep.
  2. Leave more time in the schedule to move and stretch between lessons.
  3. Walk, walk, walk. This low impact sport will help reduce the Covid tummy bulge.
  4. Space out the practicing.
  5. No pounding on the electric drum kit.
  6. Strengthening exercises for the core to reduce or eliminate soreness and inflammation in the arms.
  7. Heating pads on the affected muscles.
  8. Keep walking.
  9. Less computer typing time, use the tablet with the stylus when ever possible.
  10. Rearrange, once again, my workspace. I’ve another year of online teaching ahead, time to prepare.
  I suggest some further reading. 
David
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    Author

    David Story: Professional pianist, drummer, composer, and educator. Well into his 5th enthusiastic musical decade, David works with adults pursuing musical dreams in the autumn of life, while he maintains an active presence in the Toronto arts scene.

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