Gigging w/ your kids - who does it???

[dalkowski]

My youngest (now 11) took up alto sax 2 years ago "so I can play in dad's band." He's not there yet, but he did play in a combo with me for our church's youth Sunday this spring. The highlight: He played the second verse of one of the hymns solo and WAILED! The kid swings! Not quite Paul Gonsalves @ Newport, but I was dang proud.

 

[jaywa]

My youngest (now 11) took up alto sax 2 years ago "so I can play in dad's band."

Wow. Sounds like the best reason I can think of to take care of your health!

I bought my granddaughter her first guitar a couple years ago for Christmas. It's just a little toy model and not really musically viable but she loves it and if she keeps showing interest, I'll move her up to a real one when she physically can handle it.

See picture below (apologies for the crappy cellphone resolution)... I call her my little Lisa Loeb

 

[Lichtaffen]

It's a blessing.

 

[dalkowski]

Wow. Sounds like the best reason I can think of to take care of your health!

Amen to that, bro! I'm printing your remark out and taping it to my computer!

 

[jeffbrown]

My son, 19 y/o, who fancies himself a bit of a rock god (wishful thinking, but hey you gotta start somewhere) on guitar, plays and sings with a drummer. Just the two of them, but they actually make it work. They play screamo pretty much - not really my thing - but I''d do it just to do it with him. I've asked a few times, but he's declined my overtures (sorry).

I video his performances, so I think I'm gonna work up a few parts if only to show him it could work.

He's heard one of the two other bands I play with, and the stuff we play isn't *his* thing. Or, maybe I'm just not good enough, and he doesn't want dear ol' dad muddying up the show...

I'd love the experience, just because. I hope he changes his mind!

 

[Shamgar1986]

My 25 year old son and I keep talking about some open mic stuff, but since we live in different towns, it may never happen. We both love Jazz, but he can actually play it.

On the other hand my daughter is on her way to Belmont U next fall for vocal performance. We get to do some church stuff now and then.

Lastly my wife and I have been performing together since 1986. It really works for us.

 

[NickLomango]

My son, 19 y/o, who fancies himself a bit of a rock god (wishful thinking, but hey you gotta start somewhere) on guitar, plays and sings with a drummer. Just the two of them, but they actually make it work. They play screamo pretty much - not really my thing - but I''d do it just to do it with him. I've asked a few times, but he's declined my overtures (sorry).

I video his performances, so I think I'm gonna work up a few parts if only to show him it could work.

He's heard one of the two other bands I play with, and the stuff we play isn't *his* thing. Or, maybe I'm just not good enough, and he doesn't want dear ol' dad muddying up the show...

I'd love the experience, just because. I hope he changes his mind!

Hey Jeff, I' ve just become a dad myself and have bought a guitar to my little boy. I play it myself in one band I am in. I didn't get a bass because that I have to pass it on...!
I really hope we will get to gig together but I did buy it thinking this would give him a little push in the future. However I am aware there will be a moment he won't hang with daddy anymore. Being in a band, specially rock band, is something where many things are involved... I mean boys speak about many thing, do many other things, etc and many of those things surely you don't want your parents around.

Please, don't take it in a bad way and don't make any idea out of what I am saying but I share your feelings because somehow I wonder about it too. Let him be and have his moment with a band, something also very important to develop as a musician. Maybe rather then joining the band you guys should share some jam moments at home. Step by step, for sure when he will be older he will ask you to join in any project he will be in at the moment.

Take care

 

[GigJones]

I play bass in a band fronted by my son-in-law. Does that count?

He’s the lead singer and plays rhythm while his father plays lead and sings backup. One of his good buddies plays drums.
We’ve been together for about 5 years now. We had our share of gigs -- but I always wish we had more.

 

[Bullitt5135]

My 11-yr old daughter plays drums and sings lead in her own band with 3 boys her age, and they've already played a few 3-song gigs with other bands from her music school. Their first gig was at a cancer benefit at the local bowling alley in front of a huge crowd -- 40 lanes packed with bowlers (stage set up right out on the lanes). If she was nervous, she didn't show it. Right before they went on, her bass player announced he didn't know the last song well enough to get through it... so I got recruited to fill in on "I Fought the Law". What a blast! I'm really proud to say she was 1 of only 2 girls out of 25 kids, and the ONLY kid to sing.

I'm waiting for an opportunity to get her on stage with my band. She already knows several of our songs (and plays them with more finesse than our drummer!). She's jammed with us a couple times already, and has no problem holding it together.

 

[Jeff K]

Back in the mid-'90s, my son subbed for me on bass with my band. I was traveling on my "real" job, and couldn't make the gig. My son was about 17 at the time and had real long hair. Our lead singer at the time jokingly said, "It's good to have somebody who actually LOOKS like a musician!"

I've gone to some of his gigs, and all 3 of my "kids" (now in their 30s) have come to some of mine. My two sons and I jam together at home when we can, but never really played out together.

 

[BeJay]

Hopefully soon!
His hasn't picked it up in two days. Says his fingers still hurt!!!
Im moving all the amps and axes to a common spare room. That way he has better access to pick it up and practice when he wants without having to ask me.

 

[afzoomie67]

He's not a bassist, but Tom Waits played his recent late night show circuit with his son on drums!

Tom Waits! +1..just for mentioning him.