Guest Post: Seniors are Taking Lessons and Learning

It's good for both body and soul!

Folks, allow me to present the first of many "guest posts." This one is by a fellow instructor in southern California. Her name is Nancee Marin and I've known her for some years. She writes quite well!

First of all, let’s just say that I’m stoked that after 22 years, one of my favorite shoegaze bands, My Bloody Valentine, has finally released a long-overdue album a few days ago, exactly on the 2^nd, just in time before Valentine’s Day! (Singer/guitarist Kevin Shields will hit the big 5-0 in May!) Another artist in the alternative/indie scene, Michael Gira of the experimental post-punk outfit The Swans, is pushing 60, and has released another album last summer.

This is just not limited to the less mainstream musicians. Tina Turner and the Led Zeppelin blokes, anyone? Yes, they’re still like Energizer Bunnies. They keep going and going and going, now that they’re in their 60s and 70s, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be churning out more stuff until they go six feet under.  

Seniors (and near-seniors) are still releasing records left and right. They’re still ROCKIN’ it, and I don’t mean the rocking chair!  

It’s definitely better than just sitting there to wither and die. Right?

This adds more weight to many research findings suggesting (or proving) that music is excellent for physical and intellectual health across the board, especially into advancing age.

That’s exactly what’s awesome about music. It’s a fun and useful lifelong activity, unlike the limited shelf life of, say, sports. If you’re a pro athlete, you’re pretty much disposable by the time you’re in your 30s. You can’t really do much with sports other than just as a hobby or something to keep you fit and healthy, and I bet that would be rather disappointing for pros to come to that realization later on. I’m not saying that sports are absolutely horrible (go for them if you love them!), but just consider the versatility of music. You can do it as a hobby or full-time career or both, and it’s for all ages! Plus the vast majority of people love music. Hey, even the Super Bowl would be mostly a downer—NOT a touchdowner!—if it weren’t for the music performances!

So you say being musically active into the golden years is just for the pros? Think again. Stay tuned for my next post!