say ure 30 or 40 years old.....

Age is just a number.

and yes, you are discriminated, but only by some, and a very small minority at that.

however, my boy, "muscians" our age, WE are the ones that the majority of discrimination.

 

You're 15 - I'm 35. You can't drive yourself to rehearsal, you can't easily get into clubs to gig. If you got into typical teenager trouble while on the gig, I might be held accountable for your actions in some fashion. Yeah, sorry, but I'd discriminate against you, just for those practical reasons. Also, your spelling and grammar aren't just screaming maturity -- I don't go around critiquing people's posts, but this is a case where you're asking to be made aware of what others might think of you, and I'm offering you an honest assessment.

That said, when I was 15, I frequently jammed with guys in their 20s and 30s. I learned a lot from them, and I would be the last person to tell you to "just stick to your own age group." Just realize the practical realities that age differences present, and set your expectations accordingly...

 

It depends on what and how well you play in contrast to a 44 year old cat who's been playing for 30 years! Yeah, I'm guilty of discriminating! That being said, when I was 15-16, I was pretty damn good and was courted by all the bands in my neighborhood! I was also playing with much older cats and was into jazz and funk by the time I was 10! Like the guy in an above post said, stop talking and play! Let's see what ya got! If you kick ass at your age, you get props!

 

Im 33.

Personally, when it comes to the site. I could care less how long you or anyones been playing. I think its stupid to discriminate anyone based on age and I dont think it happens all to often. (at least in the posts ive read) If your posts are knowledgable and you seem to know what youre talkin about it, it'll usually show in your posts. Then you'll earn respect.


In real world situations, Yeah its sad, but age does come into play.

Why would I want a 15 year old who can play very well when their reliability is a high risk factor? Skills are great to have but they only account for so much. At least IMO/IME

They cant drive to gigs or rehearsals, its hard to get them into clubs, heck, their mama can even ground them and they might not make a rehearsal or gig, they often have to be in at a certain time, etc.

Sorry but if you wanna jam in my band then its 18 and up.

Age doesnt make you a better player than someone, but it does give you much experience which in turn makes you a better player than someone your age. (that make sense?)

 

I'm not trying to pick on anybody here. Age is unimportant in pop/rock music.

But experience does come with age.

Heck! Steve Winwood was only 15, when he joint the Spencer Davis Group, and wrote and released his first major hit!

Now. I'd think Steve Winwood is a top world class musician by any standard.

 

There is much more than playing to a musician.
Attitude, showing on time, transportation, being able to get into clubs, ...
This is where working with younger players can reveal difficult.

 

I think maybe a lot of the "discrimination" and ill will you perceive from older players might be due more to a difference in perspective than any outright disdain toward younger players. You must remember that many of us older guys had to come up through some pretty rough years of hard gigging to get what we have. It's not easy to treat someone who hasn't done that as an equal, no matter how well they play...it's just a matter of more easily communicating with someone who has had similar experiences.

Attitude is another thing. So frequently young players show up with "Dudes, I need to tabz to xxxx". Older players who picked up their chops by good old fashioned woodshedding (practice) and developing their ear by hours of effort will never respect a player (of any age) who wants the shortcut (tab). It just appears to us that lots of younger players are lazy...they don't want to put in the time, and just want their ability handed to them without earning it. Understand? I know all young guys aren't like this, but many are. Show you truly want to earn it, and you'll see a large increase in respect from older guys.

You'll also find that differences in musical taste account for this gap. Much of the newer music doesn't cut it with older players and vice versa. Your desire to learn all the latest nu-metal hits doesn't impress a guy who cut his teeth on Jamerson, etc. Your desire to learn a million-note-a-minute solos and slappity-poppity-alla-time tunes won't buy you respect from guys who've learned over the years that *the groove* is what counts. Reliability is what counts. Tone is what counts. Sure, you can have the nice icing on the cake, but get the essentials first, then do the fancy stuff. Learn not only how to play, but "how to be in a band". It's a different thing entirely.

Hope I didn't sound condescending, I don't mean to be anything but helpful. I preach this sermon to my 14 yr old son all the time.

 

This Statement should have ended this thread!! Great words as usual JT.
I feel the exact same way,

 

Younger Bassist should respect older bassist for keeping bass "alive" over the years,and they should be influenced by some for keeping at it.

Older Bassist should respect young bassist for carrying on the "tradition" of bass and letting the legacy live on.



I just think it's stupid when someone judges when upon there age,I mean...it's just a number,I think they should judge you on your personality...and your maturity

-Jon

 

Age can be irrelevent but I have to say there is no substitute for putting in the hours. You have to go thru all the bad and good stuff as well. You need to have all those gigs under your belt, the ones that went horribly wrong to the ones that were dreamlike.
I agree with the comments that it's not just about what you can play that makes a player whole. You have to have a good professional working attitude. You have to check your ego and open your ears, not an easy task for any 15 yr old.
Alot of young cats I know will have the "That sux" attitude about stuff out of their genre and tend to have a narrower view. That said alot of older players I know stopped listening to new music decades ago.

 

Im 39. I started bar gigging when I was 16, with a group of guys in their late 20s. As other posters have said, its all about responsiblity and understanding the music. If you show up on time, play solidly, don't cause problems or drama, and don't try to slapata-tapata during "My Girl", you will get the respect. Also, as others have pointed out, music tastes account for most of it. I like all types of music from 60's to modern rock, but I don't have any desire to play "cookie monster metal" for example. Guys of different ages are often into different things.