Volunteering at a nursing home-- you can play instruments with the residents there. Listen to their stories while pushing them around in a wheelchair outdoors or play games with them. You can help pass out meal trays and things like that which also keep you active.
Best of all, everyone has a story to them-- so it’s kind of like reading a book.
If you have a pet dog, a lot of nursing homes will let you bring the dog in to visit with the residents… which is cool because then your dog gets to be a little more active and social too.
It is indeed and I’ve played my share of jazz standards over the years. I guess what it boils down to is: I’m not really interested in playing guitar anymore.
Anyway, thanks for your help. With your suggestions and a bit of reflection on my part this is the short list:
Piano - Few have suggested it but I’m really excited about it.
Archery - The more I think about it, and read about it from you, the more I’m interested.
Photography - That’s a good one. I’d never have considered it but several of you have mentioned it and I can see the appeal.
I’ve three suggestions for the OP:
[ol][li]Gateball[/li][li]Ground Golf (do a web search for 그라운드골프 (that’s the Korean for it) and check the videos in the results).[/li][*]Park Golf[/ol]
I bought my recurve from Lancaster Archery, and they were very helpful. If you have an archery lane near you they can help immensely or a fish and game club if you want to get into 3d archery which is a hoot as well.
I would recommend getting (or building) a take down recurve or a basic long bow for primitive shooting first as it allows you to develop proper technique and then if you are still into it, look at a good compound bow. Once you get into the compounds, there are infinite gadgets to follow.
You seem more like a doer or player than a maker, but maybe you haven’t considered making things yet. Would you be interested in making musical instruments? Or even making telescopes? There are kits you can get to give these things a try.
I’m afraid I don’t have the skills. I suck at building and repairing things :(.
Funny, I didn’t mention it but I stumbled on one of my eldest daughter’s classmates recently and he said he had started aikido. Would that be a good idea instead of the more usual karate and/or judo?
By the way, I was wondering: would it be really bad to start the piano without a teacher ?
I know that for the cello it’s a big no-no because of intonation issues, which you won’t get with a piano, and because of posture problems which can lead to injury. Is it the same with the piano ?
I can read piano sheet music, certainly at beginner level so it’s tempting to give it a try on my own.
Another vote for cycling - it’s great for fitness (and for the environment if you commute) and is actually really social if that’s your thing (can be a solo sport too if you’d rather be left alone). I’ve just turned 40 and got back into cycling last year after a little time off having kids and it’s very doable, I regularly see people in their 60s and 70s out riding too.
My teenaged son started playing guitar, using my coaching. We got a small piano from my wife’s mom when she sold her house, and he started playing that. He is not playing classical - just banging out chords like Jack White does when he plays piano, but boy does he get a lot of joy out of it.
Guitar: okay, you are a classical guy; if you aren’t feelin’ it, I am not going to try to convince. I have recently transitioned from flatpick to fingerstyle on a steel string, and am playing blues, jazz, rock and other styles on steel string and find it immersive in wonderful ways.
I also built a couple of solidbody electric guitars - really fun. Again, not in your sweet spot since they aren’t for classical, but they were fun to do.
– you need a teacher. So if you start with a teacher, you will only be doing your future self a favor, as you won’t have to unlearn bad habits you developed when teaching yourself.
Hey, why don’t you consider… Travel ? Spend a few days in the adjacent state. When my mom and dad retired they spent a year on the road going to the National Parks, and collected the pins and patches from each. If your budget permits, go visit a country you have never been to. Come stay with the **DrumBum’s **and drink G&T’s on the veranda. The band sets up Fridays around 18h00 and plays until 01h00 or so. We have extra rooms but expect the cats to intrude during the night.
You will however need to get a few vaccinations prior arriving…
Start following someone. Either walk out the door and follow the first person you see or go to a crowded place, pick a random time like 1:37 pm to look around and find the person that is most like you to follow. Unless you hate yourself, then follow the person that is the least like yourself. That person will lead you to your hobby.
And if it doesn’t your new hobby would be following people. Take lots of pictures and make a blog out of it. It could also be a good hands on way to learn martial arts skills.
No, I don’t expect this to be helpful advice or something a sane person would do but I expect it would be a bit interesting if someone did try it.
Oh yes, I couldn’t agree more. I transitioned about 10 years ago. It felt terrible for a while because I had to relearn a lot of things, especially as far as coordination was concerned but it has sure opened up playing perspectives that I didn’t have before so it was absolutely worth it.
I never use a pick now.
Excellent point.
Not sure I’ll ever reach a level where I can consider playing their music but that’s some good advice.
