Fabulous question Tandrink. Personally (and this ain't a joke) I think I played my best at about age twenty five. I'm MUCH more knowledgable now, and probably smoother, but back then I had great enthusiasm and an adventuresome streak. I've heard tapes from that period, and other than new chords and a few more runs....THAT'S how I play now.

I saw Cat Stevens in concert, right about his third album, and my Gawd that guy was good. By the fourth album he started repeating himself.

Same with randy Newman. He STILL writes good songs, but those amazing chords aren't a surprise anymore. Remember the intro to "Short People"?

Earl Scruggs says he was completely formed at age 16. By the mid fifties he was playing things (Cripple Creek, Dear Ol' Dixie, Foggy Mt. etc) for the millionth time. Still great...but not the same.

I remember the first time I saw the Beatles....WOW! But they claimed that by the time they played on Ed Sullivan they were already in decline.

It probably depends on how emotional your reaction to the music was the first time you heard it.

Rick