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Seriously

B

bluewine

Inactive
Sep 4, 2008
10,296
27
WI
#1
Seriously, for you younger guys in your 20s. If you were auditioning for a bas player and 56 year olds like me start showing up, how would you feel and how would you deal with it.

I'm 56 and I think these bands get really dissapointed when I show up to audition.

Keep in mind at 56 In my opinion, I still look the part, but thats just me.
 
#6
Well, the guitar player in my band is 17 years older than me.

But reallly, unless these bands really plan on getting big and noticed, an old guy in the line up isnt going to hurt.

But if theyre selling recordss left and right, and have an image to keep up, walkin out on stage with a cane is not going to work
 
#7
I think it is more a matter of similar interests.

Most younger 20s people I know at technology centered. Texting, Twitter and the like. I am 25 and uncomfortable auditioning for these bands because I feel old.

The above is just one example. If you can find common ground, you will have good luck IMO.
 
#8
bluewine said:
Seriously, for you younger guys in your 20s. If you were auditioning for a bas player and 56 year olds like me start showing up, how would you feel and how would you deal with it.

I'm 56 and I think these bands get really dissapointed when I show up to audition.

Keep in mind at 56 In my opinion, I still look the part, but thats just me.
Click to expand...

personally i know my band wouldent mind that. im 18, our oldest member is 21, but we have people sit in who are well into their 40s. its about music. not immages..
 
#9
JonathanD said:
I think it is more a matter of similar interests.
Click to expand...

Yep, I totally agree. I'm 23 and I've played with some older guys. I'm not concerned about image, but what I find is that there's usually a pretty big difference in what music we're interested in and familiar with. I like a lot of classic rock and that usually works well, but I like newer stuff too. Guys that age tend to not be too into newer stuff.

So to answer the question more directly, I would play with someone older, but would also be watching out for someone who's stuck in the past. If you're auditioning with a band in their 20's, I think they'll want to see that you're keeping up with new music -- particularly if it's a cover band.

If it's strictly an image issue, then I don't know how you can overcome that. It sucks, but that's very important to some bands.
 
#11
I had to deal with this recently, although with not nearly as much of an age gap, when replacing a drummer a few months ago. My band (as a lot of younger bands) is trying to get signed and tour, and very likely someone much older than us will have careers and other interests that would make it very hard to keep advancing the band in the way that we would want. The objectives of a 56 year old in a band is far different then the priorities of a 20 year old. I'm sure it could work out, but there would invariably be some difficulties
 
#12
ourworldisgrey said:
I had to deal with this recently, although with not nearly as much of an age gap, when replacing a drummer a few months ago. My band (as a lot of younger bands) is trying to get signed and tour, and very likely someone much older than us will have careers and other interests that would make it very hard to keep advancing the band in the way that we would want. The objectives of a 56 year old in a band is far different then the priorities of a 20 year old. I'm sure it could work out, but there would invariably be some difficulties
Click to expand...
That's my first thought too. Different ages mean different goals and priorities in life. As a 56 year old, you'll likely be tied down to a wife, kids, mortgage, career, etc, while your 20-something counterpart won't be, making an aggressive focus on music more challenging.

Assuming that outside factors won't interfere with band priorities, the next issue is personality. Do you have a lot of common social ground with someone in their 20's? I know I wouldn't want to be in a band with early 20's kids and I'm only a few years away. I generally prefer the company of folks my own age as they can relate to similar issues, have shared culture, interests, etc.

Now, if it's totally casual, maybe the above items won't be issues, but if it's a young, ambitious originals band it'll probably be a major strike against you. I don't think it'll come down to a number on your driver's license so much as all the conflicts that arise from being a generation away.
 
#13
+1 with the last two posts.

Age wouldn`t bother me as long as we had the same goals and our personalities meshed well. Unfortunately, I don`t think many youngsters would want a person in their band that could be their father.
 
#14
bluewine said:
Seriously, for you younger guys in your 20s. If you were auditioning for a bas player and 56 year olds like me start showing up, how would you feel
Click to expand...
Sad and embarrassed.

I'm an older guy and I wouldn't put young players in that awkward position. I tell make sure anyone considering me knows my particulars upfront and I want to know theirs.

It's the kiss of death, but it saves me a lot of wasted time and effort showing up where I don't belong. :hmm:
 
#15
haha i just formed a band in which the singer, guitarist and drummer are all older and i felt pretty uncomfortable at first but i think its a matter of personal maturity as oppose to age. ive seen guys in their 50's and 60's who act like kids i dont see it being to impossible for a 20 year old to show both respect and maturity. its all a matter of perceptions i for one am honored when i get the chance to play with older more experienced musicians. oh im 21 btw the guitarist is extremely experienced and in his late 40's ,the singer is 35, and the drummer is 30 something. all have had fairly successful careers as far as gigging goes. the guitarist has been on several tours. and im pretty well straight out of high school. regardless of the age gap our goals add up well and they get a kick out of how many song titles they can name that i don't know.
 
#16
Whoever said it puts the 21 year old in an awkward situation makes a good point.

And if it's truley a band ,one that plays together and hangs together that will leave the 56 year old out.

My next audition is with a band who's ages range from 27-52, this has potential.
 
#17
it's not so much that you're 30 years difference, it's more that those 30 years usually mean that you will be very different.

i have had several older people audition for my band (the rest of which is in their 20s). we had no problems personally with any of these people, but both parties usually realized that they were looking for different things. if you fit with the shindig, most likely your age wont matter.
 
#18
I was somewhat concerned about this as well, as I am about to turn 35 and am into classic and modern metal and punk. Yeah, not too old, but I do have the wife, kid, mortgage, etc. I figure that being upfront about these factors is going to make for a great litmus test since I don't want to be in a band if being who I am is going to be a problem for them. I can understand if a band is trying to capture a certain look or has goals that are incompatible, so better not to waste anyone's time if it can be helped.
 
#19
If I were auditioning guys for a heavy reggae act and a 56 year old sage rasta showed up it would be a different story than if I were in an electropop band where skinny jeans were a requirement.

If someone's right for a band they're right. if it's just another gig then any big personality gap will probably rear itself through an age gap as big as that.
 
#20
I read something somewhere and can't remember it exactly or whom to attribute it too but, to paraphrase "don't confuse ability, experience, age,or maturity, ive seen swimmers in their teens swim circles around stronger older swimmers and also lose with much more grace"

Don't pressume to know how people will think or behave based on their age only, they may surprise you.
 

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