band with younger members.

catoblepas · #1 12-01-2007, 01:15 PM

i'm looking to start a band with my drummer friend, and everything is working out fine, except for one thing we've neglected to think about this whole time: he'll be thirteen on monday, and i'm fourteen. now, i cannot stress enough that skill is not an issue; all ego aside, i sight read, know a decent amount of theory, and have decent fingerstyle and pick technique - i can get somewhat sloppy if i try to get ahead of myself, but i have found that i can remedy that by being a little less ambitious. my friend's been playing for five years and practices non-stop. great dynamics to his playing, and he can sight-read as well.

the issue is not skill; it's being taken seriously. do you think that people in our age group can be taken seriously gigging and such? we'll be playing a mix of progressive/math rock, post-punk, trip-hop, and hardcore, if it matters.

thanks,
evan

**bassybill** · #2 12-01-2007, 01:49 PM

Skill/talent is ALWAYS an issue for us all.

But if you're good enough and you manage to find other people to complete the line-up who are of a similar standard, then people will take you seriously. Just pick the right material, practise hard (individually), rehearse well (collectively) and be sensible about how you tackle presenting your music to others.

Good luck, and enjoy your music.

Bhuti · #3 12-01-2007, 01:56 PM

No doubt that there will be bias because of age, but at the end of the day, if you can play or pack a room, you can play or pack a room.

There will be some things beyond your control that will hinder you. Playing bars, getting people 21+ for certain shows, but that just means you'd have to modify your attempt at things. Look for venues that aren't restrictive upon age or alcohol consumption.

I turned 21 in august and started playing pro at 20. I basically snuck in to bars, didn't touch the alcohol and just played, then got out of there. I don't condone the activity, i'm just extending my experiences on to someone else. Not to mention I'm the youngest person in ALL of the groups i play in except for one. And i'm easily 2-20 years younger than some of these cats. So that goes to show that he right attitude and ability will far outweigh age.

It's a bit of luck and alot of hard work, but you'll be fine.

thesteve · #4 12-01-2007, 02:08 PM

+1 to what Bhuti said. Some bars around here will let underage bands play as long as they're only inside the room when absolutely necessary.

though as noted, getting 21+ fans to come to these shows might be tough...I do know that in San Diego I've felt like high school aged bands definitely are the easiest ones to develop because of the all-ages venues in town.

SuperSnake2012 · #5 12-01-2007, 02:10 PM

At 13/14 it'll be damn near impossible to get a gig. Hell, everyone in my band is 17 and we have a hard time finding gigs. Try to find venues that do all ages shows, or places with no alcohol.

Thunder_Fingers · #6 12-01-2007, 02:19 PM

Lett me tell you; I play in 2 bands, im youngest, next one in both is 27/28, and oldest is 39..

Age does not mean a thing. But ofcourse, there might be a difference if the difference is that you have played a year and he 2, but as Victor Wooten says, we should all be allowed to play with people that is better than us, thats how we learn.

I must say to you, it is GREAT for you to play with a guy that seems so good on the paper, nothing bad can come out of it for you..

And yes, people like you can indeed be taken serriously if you play good, and play intresting, people soon gonna forget your age for your music..

I played a few gigs on 18 year "venues" when i was younger. And they gave me a black cross on my hand, and everything was fine, even though i wouldnt try to buy anything anyway..

Oh, im 20 BTW.

thesteve · #7 12-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Here's something you might think of doing to make age less of an issue...

Record your songs and give the CD to the venue. This way all they will know about you is what you sound like. Age is not going to be a factor if you sound great...age can become a factor if they have no idea what you sound like.

Also I'd advise getting someone older that you can trust to help make business decisions. It's easy to get taken advantage of when you're a new band and even easier when you're a youthful band.

Joey3313 · #8 12-01-2007, 06:40 PM

You'll have a helluva time getting taken seriously, and getting shows.

But look at it like this: You got a head start. If you don't get that many gigs, you'll at least have a chance to hone your craft with other musicians, which is kinda the point.

catoblepas · #9 12-01-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Skill/talent is ALWAYS an issue for us all.

of course - what i meant was that neither of us are below average in terms of skill vs. age.

i think i'm gonna get it started, then. it's not that either of us look that young anyway, just a slight concern i was having. thanks!

geoffkhan · #10 12-02-2007, 03:59 PM

You should be able to play in 21+ places, as long as they have a stage area, and you go outside during breaks... of course, not every venue knows that's the law, so sometimes in fear of losing their liquor license, they won't hire any underage musicians.

catoblepas · #11 12-08-2007, 11:16 PM

we had our first practice today. it went fairly well, pretty productive.

Spinal Tapper · #12 12-10-2007, 04:29 PM

I was in bands when I was 14 and I don't remember playing many bars/clubs. In fact, none at all. We did a lot of school events, and house parties for people our age.
As far as people taking you seriously, the proof is in the pudding my friend. So stir it up, and let the audience decide.

tZer · #13 12-10-2007, 04:59 PM

You'll be taken as seriously as you take yourselves. Don't let the idea of what other people might think about you even enter your mind. It sounds to me like you have a good head on your shoulders just by the fact that your post is reasonably well written. If you and your friend are half of what you describe, I have a feeling in a few years we'll all be taking your very seriously whether we like it or not!

For a while you will probably have to make your own gigs. Backyard parties, school battle of the bands events, whatever your creative minds can dream up... Eventually you'll be able to get more 'standard' gigs - and there's plenty of time for all that. Enjoy the freedom you have now to explore everything that interests you.

If you can, record everything! Take lots of pictures, shoot video and save all your fliers!!! If there is one gigantic regret I have, it's that I didn't do all that as much as I now wish I did now.

Go for it man!

agreatheight · #14 12-10-2007, 05:10 PM

You are 14 and getting WAY ahead of yourself. Have fun, get better, don't worry about being taken seriously (because the truth is you likely won't be).

catoblepas · #15 12-11-2007, 12:47 AM

a lot has changed since my original post and my latest post, and i have another inquiry.

well, after the first practice, or guitarist decided he didn't want to be part of the band anymore. there was a serious personality clash that i could detect from the beginning, and i don't fault him for leaving.

since the original post, we have decided to play tech jazzgrind/math rock (tera melos on steroids?). we have found someone who can play guitar and sax for us, but the age issue has come up again in a different way: he's 42.

he's an amazing musician, just wondering if i should keep looking for someone in my age range or take advantage of this opportunity.

Slax · #16 12-11-2007, 12:55 AM

Uh, I think after you're 18+ age in band mates doesn't matter, but I'd be nervous with anyone in their forties in your band. I mean, if he's a family friend or family itself, that's not a problem.. but a stranger? I'd say no, no matter how good he is. (Seeing that you're both 13 and 14 now...)

As for age and playing shows, it shouldn't be too much a problem. I mean, people might not take you as seriously, but if you have a recording to show them (as previously posted) they can't deny the sound they hear. I'm 22 now, but I've been gigging since I was 17, I've played at bars well below the "21 age limit". It just depends on the venue.

Best of luck! If you have some recordings, post them! I'm sure all of us would love to hear it.

catoblepas · #17 12-11-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slax

Uh, I think after you're 18+ age in band mates doesn't matter, but I'd be nervous with anyone in their forties in your band. I mean, if he's a family friend or family itself, that's not a problem.. but a stranger? I'd say no, no matter how good he is. (Seeing that you're both 13 and 14 now...)

As for age and playing shows, it shouldn't be too much a problem. I mean, people might not take you as seriously, but if you have a recording to show them (as previously posted) they can't deny the sound they hear. I'm 22 now, but I've been gigging since I was 17, I've played at bars well below the "21 age limit". It just depends on the venue.

Best of luck! If you have some recordings, post them! I'm sure all of us would love to hear it.

hm, i do see what you mean; thing is, he's a fairly established musician in the new york city music scene (to clarify, he hasn't offered to join directly. he emailed me with a link to his music saying he was probably too old to play with us - i have no problem with someone of his age playing with us, as i've been in the situation before and can handle myself playing with older musicians).

the safety issue does spark some thoughts as i'd be meeting him sight unseen, but it's not like he's jumping all over the opportunity - we would be making the offer to him, if that makes any sense. it's two am and i'm becoming inarticluate, haha.

we'll be recording and shopping around a demo soon - until then, i have a video of the drummer which i'd rather not post, but would be more than willing to pm to anyone interested.

thank you!
evan

thesteve · #18 12-11-2007, 01:04 AM

I think the huge age gap can be a big deal according to what your target audience is...

if you're doing covers and playing little bar gigs, no big deal...but if you're playing an all-ages venue and you've got three 15 year olds and a 45 year old it just looks like someone never grew up. I don't know what it is, but it always seemed a little goofy to me.

catoblepas · #19 12-11-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

I think the huge age gap can be a big deal according to what your target audience is...

if you're doing covers and playing little bar gigs, no big deal...but if you're playing an all-ages venue and you've got three 15 year olds and a 45 year old it just looks like someone never grew up. I don't know what it is, but it always seemed a little goofy to me.

i kinda thought of it the other way around - it is, admittedly, a lot easier to find people of your own age to play cover gigs with then to play odd atonal jazzgrind.

totally see where you're coming from though.

Spinal Tapper · #20 12-11-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

I think the huge age gap can be a big deal according to what your target audience is...

if you're doing covers and playing little bar gigs, no big deal...but if you're playing an all-ages venue and you've got three 15 year olds and a 45 year old it just looks like someone never grew up. I don't know what it is, but it always seemed a little goofy to me.

+1...kind of odd...if you're serious about a "band", you should be relatively the same age group. I've seen a lot of great bands that had a old dude standing out, and even if he shreds, the audience will have a hard time getting past his age difference.
On the other hand, playing with older people can really help you grow as a musician, but don't let him touch you or anything.