What is with the age thing?

jar546 · #1 04-13-2008, 07:47 PM

I keep noticing more and more postings for musicians with age limits such has 18-26 only, must be under 30, 17-24, etc.

*** is up with that? Does everyone little small town band think they are going to be signed tomorrow(by a real label) and need to have eveyone just out of puberty?

I am not looking anymore because I have a band going now but it is just an observation since I am an ancient 42 (yeah like that is really old)

We tested the waters with some younger kids in our band and none of them worked out. No discipline, did not follow directions well, hot tempered, vanity galore, thought they were better than they were, poor communicators, unable to take constructive criticism, poor attention span, wanted to drink during practice, the list goes on.

Just an observation.

kevinmoore73 · #2 04-13-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar546

wanted to drink during practice

I guess I'm out of the question and I'm 34 years old. I almost always have a beer or four at rehearsal.

BlackLake · #3 04-13-2008, 07:55 PM

Agewise, I'm right behind you...But a few years ago I was with an act that had 3 guys 37, 35, 34, and three girls 18, 18, 19. It worked out really well actually for almost 3 years. Two of the girls left for University, and we oldboys decided not to regroup. We're still like family.

It was fun though.

However, one of my students is in a youngin' band, and they cant even get it together long enough to have one decent rehearsal.

detracti · #4 04-13-2008, 08:12 PM

There's a thread that kind of goes into this topic:

How do I get past my age?

MysticMichael · #5 04-13-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar546

We tested the waters with some younger kids in our band and none of them worked out. No discipline, did not follow directions well, hot tempered, vanity galore, thought they were better than they were, poor communicators, unable to take constructive criticism, poor attention span, wanted to drink during practice, the list goes on.

Yep, that all sounds very familiar. If I were ever to impose an age limit, it would likely be something more like: "No one welcome under age 30."

MM

Chickencha · #6 04-13-2008, 09:13 PM

Here are the ages of the members of my band: 22, 28, 32, 35, and 44. Admittedly, we haven't been together that long, but so far it's working out just fine.

Any band posting that has strict age requirements like that just puts me off immediately, even if I happen to fall within the "allowed" range. It's just silly.

bass106 · #7 04-13-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar546

We tested the waters with some younger kids in our band and none of them worked out. No discipline, did not follow directions well, hot tempered, vanity galore, thought they were better than they were, poor communicators, unable to take constructive criticism, poor attention span, wanted to drink during practice, the list goes on.

Just an observation.

Tats exactly why some groups hv age limits because of the different maturity level, generations and stages each person is up to in their live. Its wat you found out with have younger kids in your band (some would call the "me" generation) about them not having the same ideals and discipline. The bands posting want to narrow the search down so they don't hv to waste time auditioning a no. of people (granted tats how they could miss an amazing talent). There putting out their a generalisation of what there after so they don't waste the time of musician as well. You basically answered your question with why they do it when you stated about the younger kids you've auditioned and made that generalisation. Thats probally wat the bands have done with the older generation an made the generalisation that there not for the band for various reasons.

Wyatt · #8 04-13-2008, 10:28 PM

We are presently looking for a singer. Most of the replies to ads that have been placed always ask our age. We are 33, 37, 39, and 41. After this is told, we never hear from them again. It's almost as if they think we are to old and would be no fun to play with. IMO, older people have more experience and would be closer to having it together as far as their music goes. I just don't understand it. I have a 22 yr old daughter that is caught up in that "Me Generation". I probably wouldn't get along with a band member that acts like she does anyway. Maybe it has been for the best.

GreggBummer · #9 04-13-2008, 10:51 PM

When looking for the band I play with now, I wanted to play with people close to my age. I didn't want to play with a bunch of kids who thought they were going to get signed to record label. I used to be one of those kids- I am not knocking it. I am just not in that place in my life anymore.... so the age limit thing is a good idea. However, it could be more gently put:

"Band looking for a bassist. We are all in our mid thirties with jobs, kids, and full time lives. We are looking for a bass player in a similar situation..."

It leaves the door open to the 28 year old who understands what the band is looking for... More than once, someone has had to chose their job or kids over rehearsal. And no one gets upset.

Which leads me to the number one reason that bands fall apart:

Failure to set expectations. Expectations with your bandmates, with your management, with the venue, with yourself. with whoever.

Ok... end of rant. Sorry.

short_steve277 · #10 04-13-2008, 10:53 PM

i am 18 years of age and i would love to be in a band with older members who are alot more experience and therefore i can learn from them too.

Ric5 · #11 04-13-2008, 10:59 PM

I am over 50 ... I can play about twice as good as I did when I was 25 ...

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/pink-s.mp3

bonzo4880 · #12 04-13-2008, 11:00 PM

yeah everyone is right on. depending on age, you have different priorities/goals/obligations that can be unique to someone in that demographic. age is not an issue in terms of finding people to jam with and play music, and just have a good time.

its an issue when you want to make something happen, originals, covers, whatever. then you have to make schedules happen. and make sure everyone does their homework. and get gigs that dont have any serious conflicts. and unless you are in a top notch cover band that plays out twice a weekend, most bands in the plus-30 area dont play out 10 times a month because they have other stuff going on and music cant be number one all the time. kids, family, work, spouse, other hobbies, it takes time. im only 23 but i already see how stuff like that falls into place. its just a fact of life.

Busker · #13 04-13-2008, 11:11 PM

I answered an ad for bass player wanted a while back, for a country band. Right up my alley, I thought. I emailed them my phone #.

Dude calls when I'm out and asks my wife a few questions, found out my age (49) and never called back. Told my wife they had a certain "image" they were after.

Wish he would have had the cajones to tell me that. I would have told him to stuff his image.

They are probably broke up by now, or number one on the charts.

Who knows?

TheGrizz · #14 04-13-2008, 11:18 PM

I can totally understand having limits on how old band members are going to be. It's not due to people being "too old". It is simply about being at the same place in life. My band wants to tour, we can. We don't have any obligations, we don't have kids, we don't have steady or well paying jobs, and we aren't married. If we had someone who had any of those above it would hinder us. Most of the people that are older than us(I.E. 30yo+) have settled down and don't want to leave the comfort of their home,wife, or job for a van tour that will last for 3 or 4 weeks.

I find that some people are being narrow minded when it comes to us young kids.Though I can only speak for myself, and my band, when I say that we don't fit your ME generation mold. We don't drink during practice or at shows. We work harder than a lot of bands we know, and we're a lot younger. We practice 3 times every week, and on the off nights we're out promoting our upcoming shows. We aren't in it for money or girls. We just want to play. I think a lot of us are in the same boat.

-Jimmy Hendricks

realdeal · #15 04-13-2008, 11:44 PM

Well, I have a theory, sorta:

The reality of show biz is that image is important, so lots of bands, in their desire to be Rockstars (nothing wrong with that; I hear it's a pretty nice lifestyle!) make age and appearance a determining factor because they feel that when the Record Company Agent sees them in all their glory- SIGNED! Fame...Fortune... Girls..... You get the idea.

Having an ancient over-30 year old without the appropriate "look" could risk them losing all that, and that would be terrible! No Fame, no fortune, well, maybe some girls, but not those that would be willing to get hit with a fish by them (See Led Zeppelin, circa 1980-something for details...)

Now, most of us know that these bands whether small-town or big-city aren't going to get signed. And if they don't OD, or get hit by a truck, they will get older too, and IF they continue to play their instruments they may get into something with old guys like themselves and realize that what's important is the groove, and the music, and the pocket, and all of that good stuff.

I was in Africa, and there, the OLDER players are the shiznitz; they are revered and respected in traditional music as the players with the chops, and the wisdom, and the groove,, and some of the young players would be so honored to have an "old guy" sit in with them; the older the better.

But that's in Africa, and the point of their music is to get spiritual and such, not post on CraigList that they have "label interest" and are going to be the next big thing, and need a cool young guy to be the mssing link.

I guess.

manicbassman · #16 04-14-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

"Band looking for a bassist. We are all in our mid thirties with jobs, kids, and full time lives. We are looking for a bass player in a similar situation..."

It leaves the door open to the 28 year old who understands what the band is looking for... More than once, someone has had to chose their job or kids over rehearsal. And no one gets upset.

ha ha... I've just seen a Bassist wanted ad from a band of 35 to 55 year olds who want to play occasional covers gigs for money... they insist on rehearsing and they only do daytime rehearsals every 2nd and 4th Monday...

keep looking guys... If you'd done evening or weekend rehearsals then I'd have answered it...

CrazyArcher · #17 04-14-2008, 03:18 AM

Age issue does play a role in my band, to a certain extent. We are mostly 20 (formerly classmates in high-school), with occupations such as military, university (me!), or a full-time job. Our drummer is 16 or 17, and he's okay from the professional POV. However, when we have opportunities to get bar gigs, he's the one dragging us back, because his parents won't let him to stay out for a night, and even when we proposed to drive him home right after the gig he still hasn't got permission. Never thought that parents would be an issue...

worker201 · #18 04-14-2008, 03:42 AM

I think a lot of it is just comfortableness. I can't really relate to someone in their 50s, and I can't really relate to someone in their teens. After rehearsal, if you're ready to go home before the cymbals quit ringing, it's not going to be a very fun experience for you.

I think I was lucky to have my four best friends be in my first and only band.

QORC · #19 04-14-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar546

I keep noticing more and more postings for musicians with age limits such has 18-26 only, must be under 30, 17-24, etc.

*** is up with that? Does everyone little small town band think they are going to be signed tomorrow(by a real label) and need to have eveyone just out of puberty?

I am not looking anymore because I have a band going now but it is just an observation since I am an ancient 42 (yeah like that is really old)

We tested the waters with some younger kids in our band and none of them worked out. No discipline, did not follow directions well, hot tempered, vanity galore, thought they were better than they were, poor communicators, unable to take constructive criticism, poor attention span, wanted to drink during practice, the list goes on.

Just an observation.

because you have a lot of "bands" out there that are delusional enough to believe that they are going to "hit it big" and don't want anyone "old" (all relative, by the way) in the band.

of course it's silly. if image counts more than musicianship, you won't get far anyway

namraj · #20 04-14-2008, 05:15 AM

I'm 18 and when I was about 16 i was in a band with a 55 yr old guitarest and 2 other 15 and 16yr olds, the 55 yr old was my and the other guitarests teacher, and he basicly chose his "best" students to jam with him, or at least that is what he said, and certainly I didn't hear any better guitarests than jack that went to j, he then asked me and jack to invite to drummer from our old band, who is the drummer in my current band (and very tight and earning two grade 8s (1 piano 1 drums)), However I can understand the need for similar age musicians, if you are doing original material you are going to want to have similar music taste but with an aray of influences, while it is possible for someone older to like the same music as the younger members its less likely than young people of similar interests, j was a very close friend of mine and I felt completely at ease with him, and that I could talk to him about anything (girls, sex, drugs, booze, politics etc) however it is rare for a young person to feel at ease with some one alot older than their peers so the chummy jokey and hecktic fun of a band can be lost.

love and peace out xx