Age Difference, Unfamiliar Territory

[trkelley]

Lifestyle compatibility is more important than the age of your bodies. Musicians minds tend to be somewhat ageless. Cross generational playing is tremendously valuable for everyone involved; old dudes get the juice, young dudes get the mentorship, audiences get the hybrid energy. I love jamming with my son. He thinks I'm a seasoned hometown rock god, I think he's the Next Big Thing.

 

[AndyLES]

In NYC, all the pro WORKING (read: for hire) musicians that every one wants to play with are 30+, sometimes 40+ and highly regarded. If the guy can play, age ain't nuthin' but a number.

Nearly every band I've been in has been with older musicians...I see that as a positive - it's forced me to raise my game.

 

[badstonebass]

My son has been playing in bands off and on with me since he was 14 years old.

The ONLY negative I can think of is that he cannot tolerate normal band BS because he has never had to play in a band that had it...as we were all seasoned vets.

We NEVER had an issue with his age when we played the clubs. However, REMEMBER you cannot drink that WILL screw you. keep to your business and no one will ever question your age.

 

[HugheJapackage]

I'm only 20 and have played in a group with several 30 and 40 somethings and I liked it more than playing with people my age. The maturity and work ethic was refreshing.

 

[Drop-the-One]

I find age doesn't matter... you can be older and still have poor ethic. Even if you've been playing for years and years. You can be young and have that too.

It's what you want out of the experience that makes you compatible with other players. And it's such a beautiful thing to experience when you find it... or so I hear hahaha

 

[fishdreams]

Just be happy you're not the one ten years older....

 

[fontez5]

My first serious band I was in... I was 18 and they were all mid to late 20's. I had a great time playing with them despite the fact that I couldn't drink at shows, which at the time I couldn't have cared less about. It sure was gratifying to know that, although I was younger, they still regarded me as talented enough to play with them.

Later on, when I was 26-ish I played in a band with a drummer who was only 17. His current band has since been on tour opening for Spoon, Interpol... I'm a little envious, but that's another story.

Age is a pretty silly thing to worry about as long as you all get along musically and personally. Once the music starts meshing, you'll quickly forget the age gap because you'll all be smiling too big to care. Enjoy!