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Playing with older musicians

#21
Yes, I played in a rock/blues band with guys over twice my age. Their experience and knowledge was invaluable. I had a good time playing with them for the 9 months or so. Eventually I had to move for work or I'd probably still be playing with them. The maturity and calm demeanor they had was also very refreshing and thus made it incredibly easy to learn and grow. If they are willing to give you the chance, jump on it.
 
#23
I say go for it! but let me share a bit of my experience with an older musician situation. I was telling this story to a friend just the other day... When I was about 23yrs. old, a buddy of mine (he was about my age, maybe a year or two older) had this sort of funk/rock/fusion (but with some emphasis on odd time signatures... yeah it was kinda weird) band that he was building. He had been jamming with the drummer for a few years before I stepped in, the drummer was 43yrs. old. I had no problem at all with that.
While at practice, we were figuring out a part and the drummer said something like "it's 11/7 time; 11 beats 7 times" and I responded "No, there's no such thing. Top number is how many notes per measure, the bottom number is which note gets 1 beat, so the bottom number can only be a 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 cuz of wholenotes, halfnotes, quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc..." (though 16, 32 are rarely used and yes it can be 1 i guess cuz of wholenotes, but that's why its called "music theory", theoretically true doesn't necessarily make it fact/practical). His response was "no dude, I'm a drummer I've been playing longer than you've been alive. I know what I'm talking about." The guitarist couldn't read music so he couldn't really say. I was in marching/jazz/concert band in highschool, I even won an award for Excellence in Music Theory (I didn't mention this to him in that conversation, he was obviously pulling the "i'm older wiser" card, so he wasn't gonna back down and I didnt' feel like getting into a music theory lesson with him). There were several other reasons for it, but I left the group shortly after that; I got zero tolerance for that ego bs, and he made the age gap an issue, not I. It was probably more ego than age, but like I said he was justifying it by saying "i've been playing longer than you've been alive".
People pull that crap regardless of age. I still say go for it and jam with those older dudes. I just thought I'd share a situation where age became the issue eventhough I, and seems like most people in this thread agree, don't think it should be. rock on.
 
#24
Moreso than age, I look for skill, experience and maturity. I have dealt with old guys who still act immature and will bring as much drama as a younger person. I have dealt with young folks who have more responsibility and experience than people twice their age.

If you're young, I'm not going to assume you're inexperienced, immature, and incapable until you prove to me otherwise. Similarly, if you're old, I'm not going assume you're wise and have it together until you prove to me otherwise. After years in this biz, I can say that flakes and stars come in all shapes, sizes, and ages.

Age may make a difference in the marketing department, but when it comes to just making music, it doesn't matter.

To a young musician in your situation, I offer this advice. "The proof is in the pudding, so see the results of the people who are offering you advice". As a young guy I got some great advice from older musicians that proved to be invaluable and really helped me along. I also got some downright bad advice as well. But since they were older and I was young, I assumed they knew. But, when looking back I can see that they were just as clueless to this as I was, just older.
 
#25
jive1 said:
Moreso than age, I look for skill, experience and maturity. I have dealt with old guys who still act immature and will bring as much drama as a younger person. I have dealt with young folks who have more responsibility and experience than people twice their age.
Click to expand...

Amen to this. For all of last year and a good portion of the year previous to that, I was in a blues band composed of members 23 to 25 years older than me (I'm 34), and it was one of the least-disciplined groups I've ever been in. And the band broke up because of petty arguments over the guitarist's volume and our singer's ego.

One of the bands I'm in now is a folkie group; the other two members have 10-15 years on me. They're lots of fun and are helping me immensely with vocals, but they have similar issues with focus and discipline...can be maddening at times.

The other bands I'm in are composed of folks my age, and are a lot more disciplined than either of the two groups I've mentioned.
 
#26
Age should never be an issue. I would rather play music with a talented 12 year old than a 50 year old who is terrible. I was in a band where the drummer was 24 years younger than me. He was one of the best drummers I have ever played with and we are still friends. Don't worry about age. Music should be fun. If they can play and you like what they are doing, go for it.
 
#28
When I was 14 I was playing with guys who were 21.
When I was 16 I was playing with guys who were 30-40
When I was 21 I was playing with guys who were 30-50
Now I'm 46 and I always seem to play with guys who are 20-50.

It all evens out given time. And every approach gives you more experience to draw upon... IF you let it.


.
 
#29
Rockmusician said:
Age should never be an issue. I would rather play music with a talented 12 year old than a 50 year old who is terrible. I was in a band where the drummer was 24 years younger than me. He was one of the best drummers I have ever played with and we are still friends. Don't worry about age. Music should be fun. If they can play and you like what they are doing, go for it.
Click to expand...

+1 This is it.

I've been on both sides of it. I'm 42 now, play with guys 20 years older and younger still. When in my 20s I was in a band with a bunch of 40-50 guys. That was a fun band.
 
#30
Im 34 and the youngest in my band. 3 60+ dudes on guitar, a 50 yr drummer. I've always heeded the call to play with people better than yourself and these guys have been playing since before I was born. They play vintage american made instruments, dont mess around in rehersals and we quickly and efficiently work out intros and outros without pointing fingers.. I couldn't ask for more.
 
#31
Keep it professional and you won't have any problems.

Since the time I was 18 or so, I've tended to play with people at least 20 years my senior. For a while, I was in a band with people that my dad played with when he was in his teens. Even now, most of the people I play with are in their mid to late 50's, or older. I'm 33. I'm fortunate to play with some great musicians who've been professionals longer than I've been alive.

Give it a shot, at least. And don't be dumb.
 
#32
I'm in a similar situation. I'm 33 and the rest of the band are in their late 40's. And the drummer is in his late 50's. This is the best bass/drummer combo I have had the pleasure of being a part of. We all learn a lot from each other. Also, our varying backgrounds tend to lend to some really great jams when not learning new material.

On the other hand, my drummer's nephew is 17 and is an absolute beast on drums. His idol is Neal Peart, and emulates him with his own flare. With his dad's permission he started playing with older cats (like mid 40's) in a hard rock cover band. He had a great time, but when he graduated high school, he went looking for younger folks to play with.

I think both examples are good examples of what you might be up against. But IMO, play with folks that have chops, a good outlook, and a similar expectation, and you'll learn, have fun, and most importantly make music!

Rock On :bassist:
 
#34
Talent, maturity, focus, committment, and professionalism (or the lack thereof) can exist in musicians of any age. Cultivate these things in yourself, keep an open mind and always avail yourself of opprotunities to learn and improve. Playing with musicians with more experience than you can often be very beneficial, go for it.
 
#36
Oh, man, those people who try to invent these wacky "time signatures" drive me crazy! And they always seem to be trying to convince us that something is in X/7 time, like 5/7, 9/7, etc. This is not possible! Now before I seem unmerciful, I could entertain the notion that this guy meant to say something like, "this motif of the song has a total of 77 beats, and the way I count it is seven sets of eleven". However, to argue that it is possible to have time signatures with an odd number on the bottom (besides 1) is just completely absurd.

MattS said:
I say go for it! but let me share a bit of my experience with an older musician situation. I was telling this story to a friend just the other day... When I was about 23yrs. old, a buddy of mine (he was about my age, maybe a year or two older) had this sort of funk/rock/fusion (but with some emphasis on odd time signatures... yeah it was kinda weird) band that he was building. He had been jamming with the drummer for a few years before I stepped in, the drummer was 43yrs. old. I had no problem at all with that.
While at practice, we were figuring out a part and the drummer said something like "it's 11/7 time; 11 beats 7 times" and I responded "No, there's no such thing. Top number is how many notes per measure, the bottom number is which note gets 1 beat, so the bottom number can only be a 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 cuz of wholenotes, halfnotes, quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc..." (though 16, 32 are rarely used and yes it can be 1 i guess cuz of wholenotes, but that's why its called "music theory", theoretically true doesn't necessarily make it fact/practical). His response was "no dude, I'm a drummer I've been playing longer than you've been alive. I know what I'm talking about." The guitarist couldn't read music so he couldn't really say. I was in marching/jazz/concert band in highschool, I even won an award for Excellence in Music Theory (I didn't mention this to him in that conversation, he was obviously pulling the "i'm older wiser" card, so he wasn't gonna back down and I didnt' feel like getting into a music theory lesson with him). There were several other reasons for it, but I left the group shortly after that; I got zero tolerance for that ego bs, and he made the age gap an issue, not I. It was probably more ego than age, but like I said he was justifying it by saying "i've been playing longer than you've been alive".
People pull that crap regardless of age. I still say go for it and jam with those older dudes. I just thought I'd share a situation where age became the issue eventhough I, and seems like most people in this thread agree, don't think it should be. rock on.
Click to expand...
 
#39
I play in a group where I am at least 15years younger then the next in line. One could be my DAD!!! YIKES!!

I think as long as you are ok with the age difference, I would try out. I actually like the fact I play with people that are older then myself. Plus they were all full timers during live musics heyday ( late 70's through early 00's ). So I have a lot to learn from them, and they don't hold my age against me. Which I was scared of at first.

If they are cool with your age, I would jump on it. Just remember, 1) respect your elders 2) shut up, and listen. If you show respect for their experience and knowledge, I'm sure they will except your lack of both. And as long as your ears are pinned back, hanging on every word from them, you will gain knowledge beyond your age. Something that can't be achieved playing with people your own age.
 

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