Cool, it would be great if other decision makers looked at it that way. But they don't. And your talking Country Rock,where age is not as much of an issue as it is in Pop/Rock.
I maynot be as young and pretty as I once was, but I am not giving up.
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Down & Out
- Thread starter bluewine
- Start date
Cool, it would be great if other decision makers looked at it that way. But they don't. And your talking Country Rock,where age is not as much of an issue as it is in Pop/Rock.
I maynot be as young and pretty as I once was, but I am not giving up.
Country rock as in half of our stuff was on the charts less than 10 years ago. I made a rule - nothng written before 1980 - with very few exceptions. I've actually found prejudice the other way. "You're not playing mustang Sally or Sweet Home Alabama. You won't be successful. I"m not interested." Whatever.
the 59 comment makes me wonder if it's time to address visuals.
A tenured and seasoned guy can look cool.. or like someone's uncle.
This said from someone in the midage plus realm.
Hire a photographer.. get some business cards.. set up a demo and start rockin.
A tenured and seasoned guy can look cool.. or like someone's uncle.
This said from someone in the midage plus realm.
Hire a photographer.. get some business cards.. set up a demo and start rockin.
SESSION BASS PLAYING
my godfather owns a studio so i do session playing there if im short of rent money
i recomend it
Blue I know the whole age feelin young and rockin thing is importent to you. I really think if you want that road it will take longer to find those bands and that road will have more twists and turns in it like your last band did. You will be working with younger performers who might not be where you are in your life and only dabble in music then more on.
I know you are not into types of music that are for more aged players R&B,Blues,classic rock but in my experiences they are formed and run often by older experienced players set in life playing because they love to play. These bands...the good ones, are around for years and have a steady gig schedule and decent pay. Something to think about. Good luck.
I know you are not into types of music that are for more aged players R&B,Blues,classic rock but in my experiences they are formed and run often by older experienced players set in life playing because they love to play. These bands...the good ones, are around for years and have a steady gig schedule and decent pay. Something to think about. Good luck.
jive1
Commercial User
You need to let go of the age issue. There's nothing you can do about it, so focus your energies on the things you can do something about.
I'm Korean. Not someone that folks typically associate with bass, let alone with genres such as Country or Funk. But lo and behold, despite stereotypes I have played in Country, Funk, Gospel, Blues, Metal, Jazz, Soul, Rock, and Top 40 bands. I haven't played Classical music since I was a kid, and it's not my thing. Sure, some people are closed minded, but some aren't. Don't waste your time on people who will judge you by your race, age, etc. And don't waste your energy on wondering if it's because of your age, race, etc because those aren't things you can control. However, you can control your musicianship.
A wise man once told me, "you know the world as you know yourself". If you're closed minded, it's easy to think that others are as well. You can't change the winds, but you can change your sails.
As someone just recently over the hill, this idea that some genres are "for older players" intrigues me.
Probably worthy of a thread of its own...Maybe in MISC?
I can't offer any advice that hasn't already been offered - but I can tell you that I have played with folks as young as fifteen and as old as fifty-five. Like somebody else said before me, all I care about is that they A: can play, and B: can care. Our current drummer is 38 - she's rocking out with me, 22, and our guitarist, 19. Heck, I've even been known to date women twice my age, so clearly not all young people consider age an important factor!
Good luck, dude - and hell, I wish I had some of your dedication to the playing! I find it difficult to not view playing out as an inconvenient penance that must be done for the other members' sake.
Good luck, dude - and hell, I wish I had some of your dedication to the playing! I find it difficult to not view playing out as an inconvenient penance that must be done for the other members' sake.
Hey Blue,
I've got to say the cards are stacked against you. Age is a big factor. Especially when it come to POP music. And vocals kept me from touring the world and opening for Audioslave. My advice would to try and find a compromise. Either put your own group together, or look at other styles of music. Studio work is also an option. Not saying you should give up. Just work with the cards your being delt.
I've got to say the cards are stacked against you. Age is a big factor. Especially when it come to POP music. And vocals kept me from touring the world and opening for Audioslave. My advice would to try and find a compromise. Either put your own group together, or look at other styles of music. Studio work is also an option. Not saying you should give up. Just work with the cards your being delt.
Maybe use your age as a marketing tool?
Get a group of older guys with you and call yourself "GEEZER". Then you can play whatever you want. Essentially, you just need to find one guy that you can collaborate with. Split the band organizing details between you. Its really not that hard. It just takes patience.
But I feel for you. I have just recently left a band I have invested many hours in. Last rehearsal the drummer tells me his wife is pregnant with twins AND he just auditioned for another band the night before. Wait. What? There were other issues as well.
But for those of us like you and I music is in our soul and we have to "feed the demon" so to speak.
Get out there and make something happen. Put up an honest CL ad with your age and an accurate picture and what you're looking for. Bassists are not as easy to find as others. If you keep at it you will find success.
Get a group of older guys with you and call yourself "GEEZER". Then you can play whatever you want. Essentially, you just need to find one guy that you can collaborate with. Split the band organizing details between you. Its really not that hard. It just takes patience.
But I feel for you. I have just recently left a band I have invested many hours in. Last rehearsal the drummer tells me his wife is pregnant with twins AND he just auditioned for another band the night before. Wait. What? There were other issues as well.
But for those of us like you and I music is in our soul and we have to "feed the demon" so to speak.
Get out there and make something happen. Put up an honest CL ad with your age and an accurate picture and what you're looking for. Bassists are not as easy to find as others. If you keep at it you will find success.
Blue,
Having a lack of confidence in your self is really detectable.
In reality, just finding a band that will hang together is really hard, even when everyone is on the same page. That is a bigger concern than age.
Your age...and mine...does affect us as musicians in how we get gigs, thats reality. I think that you are dwelling on it too much. I know...I struggle with it too.
Keep trying dude! You can do it! Its not like you havnt done it before!
Oh yah, keep working out. It will not only make you look and feel younger, but in shape and "old" is better than young and...well you know...out of shape.
Rock the hell on and dont look back!
Good luck bro
Later
Having a lack of confidence in your self is really detectable.
In reality, just finding a band that will hang together is really hard, even when everyone is on the same page. That is a bigger concern than age.
Your age...and mine...does affect us as musicians in how we get gigs, thats reality. I think that you are dwelling on it too much. I know...I struggle with it too.
Keep trying dude! You can do it! Its not like you havnt done it before!
Oh yah, keep working out. It will not only make you look and feel younger, but in shape and "old" is better than young and...well you know...out of shape.
Rock the hell on and dont look back!
Good luck bro
Later
Studio work is not an option for me, I am a club guy not a studio guy. When I am in a studio, I only have one thing on my mind, When am I going to get out of here.
I like Country, Blues and Jazz, but you will not see me in any of those kinds of bands. It's all groovy, just not my scene.
Yes, the cards are stacked up against me, been that way all of my life for one reason or another.
Bottom Line,I am going to be the bass player in a working established Pop Rock Band. I know it will take time, but it will happen. As I said I have been doing this for most of my life and I don't have any intentions on stopping.
Maybe use your age as a marketing tool?
Get a group of older guys with you and call yourself "GEEZER". Then you can play whatever you want. Essentially, you just need to find one guy that you can collaborate with. Split the band organizing details between you. Its really not that hard. It just takes patience.
But I feel for you. I have just recently left a band I have invested many hours in. Last rehearsal the drummer tells me his wife is pregnant with twins AND he just auditioned for another band the night before. Wait. What? There were other issues as well.
But for those of us like you and I music is in our soul and we have to "feed the demon" so to speak.
Get out there and make something happen. Put up an honest CL ad with your age and an accurate picture and what you're looking for. Bassists are not as easy to find as others. If you keep at it you will find success.
I will, it will take time and while I am proud of my recent auditions the next ones will be better.
Thing is, sooner or later someone will get it.
I've been bandless for a good 3 months now myself.
Just a few months ago I was jamming with some old buddies in a local punk band that's been around for nearly a decade. The last time I jammed with them it was probably a good 5-6 years ago, so I'd like to think that I've gotten far better in that time.
Turns out I got a little too good. Despite the fact that I was constantly told to "put my own taste on the lines" They sacked me after two practices. During which I got a talking to for either
-harmonizing the guitar line
-using wholes notes to match the crashes rather than mindless trem picking
-playing the riff an octave higher during the frantic parts
-slapping a small 10 second funk piece that was already out of place in a punk band
About two weeks went by and I kept getting text about when everyone was going to practice. Then one day I just stopped getting any contact from the band and sooner or later I found out they started playing shows with someone who didn't care about mindlessly banging out root notes that matched the guitar dead on for an entire set.
But I kept my chops up and kept talking to people and now I landed a chance to join an old college buddies band that's in the progress of getting everything settled for some demo writing.
I guess like most people in this thread my advice is to simply keep practicing and keep networking. I'm sure were all aware of how much a solid bassist is in demand in a field of guitarist who just so happen to own basses.
Just a few months ago I was jamming with some old buddies in a local punk band that's been around for nearly a decade. The last time I jammed with them it was probably a good 5-6 years ago, so I'd like to think that I've gotten far better in that time.
Turns out I got a little too good. Despite the fact that I was constantly told to "put my own taste on the lines" They sacked me after two practices. During which I got a talking to for either
-harmonizing the guitar line
-using wholes notes to match the crashes rather than mindless trem picking
-playing the riff an octave higher during the frantic parts
-slapping a small 10 second funk piece that was already out of place in a punk band
About two weeks went by and I kept getting text about when everyone was going to practice. Then one day I just stopped getting any contact from the band and sooner or later I found out they started playing shows with someone who didn't care about mindlessly banging out root notes that matched the guitar dead on for an entire set.
But I kept my chops up and kept talking to people and now I landed a chance to join an old college buddies band that's in the progress of getting everything settled for some demo writing.
I guess like most people in this thread my advice is to simply keep practicing and keep networking. I'm sure were all aware of how much a solid bassist is in demand in a field of guitarist who just so happen to own basses.
I have your solution!
Join a band where everyone agrees to wear one of these:
Then age doesnt matter!
Edit: I noticed in another vid, they have their names on their straps so they know who each other is!
Join a band where everyone agrees to wear one of these:
Then age doesnt matter!
Edit: I noticed in another vid, they have their names on their straps so they know who each other is!
Bluewine - you really have two choices: 1) set up your own situation or 2) get involved in someone else's situation.
Route 1 its own headaches but you get to call your own shots. Route 2 may be easier in some circumstances, but you will be subject to the decisions of others and you get what you get that way.
If your goal is to have a gigging cover band, I'd say go with Route 1 - it ain't that hard to gather a group of people to play covers.
Route 1 its own headaches but you get to call your own shots. Route 2 may be easier in some circumstances, but you will be subject to the decisions of others and you get what you get that way.
If your goal is to have a gigging cover band, I'd say go with Route 1 - it ain't that hard to gather a group of people to play covers.
