Is it too late to start at 40?
Comments
Quite simply No - it's never too late!
It's never too late to move it to the right category :lol:
Oh, and no, it's never too late to do what you want to do :+1:
Oh, and no, it's never too late to do what you want to do :+1:
It's never too late to start. But please:
Learn the songs inside out before meeting up at rehearsals to play them with the rest of the band.
Learn the songs inside out before meeting up at rehearsals to play them with the rest of the band.
Number 1 rule for covers, doesn't have to be duke box correct but you need to know the songs. Some bands don't rehearse.fastonebaz said:It's never too late to start. But please:
Learn the songs inside out before meeting up at rehearsals to play them with the rest of the band.
I'll add
Don't play between songs
Don't use multi effects and if you do make sure you know how to change levels and eq for different rooms quickly.
Minimise your pedalboard start with od and reverb
Don't mid scoop your eq
Angle your amp at you
Don't start volume wars
Have transport
Have spares as much as possible tuner leads strings whatever
Don't tune guitars audibly
Don't drink or if you do don't drink much
Help the drummer carry cases maybe unload them but let the set position and height. Repeat in reverse after the gig.
Don't be a dick
Don't put up with dicks. Leave on good terms with a plausible excuse.
There a re a lot of flaky people out there on joinmyego. Keep looking, auditions are good experience. Bad bands are good experience. I joined 3 bands via jmb and left one before they crashed and burned on their first gig, got fired from one and had one implode. I lasted about 4 weeks in each one. I learnt new songs played with different people, all good learning experience.
Never too late. There's an element of luck involved though because if you end up with people who expect too much from you (for any number of reasons), then it won't work. But if you're with like-minded kindred spirits then it'll be fun.
Never too late.
I played in church/worship bands for years, which sucked up all my time, so never really did what I think of as "proper" bands (covers or originals) until I started writing my own stuff and going to open mics as a challenge-to-self before I turned 50, which was a few years ago. That was all solo, or with ad hoc "on the night" bands, but has grown to include feature slots and proper ticketed gigs, on a small, local scale.
And as of a few months ago, I've found myself in a covers band with some people I met through the open mic scene. The guy it has formed around has just turned 60 and has never been in a band before. He only really started playing guitar in public a few years ago. Not sure about the bassist's history, but I'd guess if he has been in bands it was a long time ago. The drummer has lots of experience, and I've got lots of experience of playing in a group, but not in a covers band.
One big advantage of doing this stuff as an old fart is that there are no egos in the room* and everyone wants to do a decent job of it. It's not without frustrations for everyone, but we went from only vaguely knowing each other to having a run of gigs lined up in just a few weeks, and it's all shaping up well.
*Not a guarantee, but as an oldie you're not blinded by enthusiasm so you can spot the twats and just not get involved in the first place.
Its only too late when you're dust. Go for it - there are plenty here who will advise at every step.
1. Play with yourself (oooh missus etc)
2. Play with others
3. learn a song
4. ????
5. FUN.
It's not a sequential list. It is all fun, even the frustrating parts.
I think it might depend a bit on what your "objective" actually is.
If it was me, I'd, ideally, want to get together with some affable, like minded, people for a few relaxed jams and see where it goes. At this stage of life I have no desire to spend my time with people I don't particularly get on with, to play music I don't particularly like.
On the other hand, you might want to have a serious stab at a working band promoting original music and are willing to compromise a bit (you mention writing songs?)
Or something in between.
If it was me, I'd, ideally, want to get together with some affable, like minded, people for a few relaxed jams and see where it goes. At this stage of life I have no desire to spend my time with people I don't particularly get on with, to play music I don't particularly like.
On the other hand, you might want to have a serious stab at a working band promoting original music and are willing to compromise a bit (you mention writing songs?)
Or something in between.
It's never too late to make yourself more miserable than you've ever been in your life!
It's never too late!
I thought I was over the hill when I joined my first band at 25. Didn't play in a band that survived long enough to gig for nearly five years afterwards. I imagine it felt like being 39 and wondering if you'd still be a virgin at 40.
It's great fun and misery at the same time!
I thought I was over the hill when I joined my first band at 25. Didn't play in a band that survived long enough to gig for nearly five years afterwards. I imagine it felt like being 39 and wondering if you'd still be a virgin at 40.
It's great fun and misery at the same time!
40 is young , you’ve nothing to worry about
Never too late and you said it yourself:
Octavio said:I know id live to regret it if I never went for it.
I'll add that just putting yourself out there and playing with people you don't know is a personal achievement.
It does become easier the more practice you get and discover how you handle when things don't go to plan.
It's never too late, but playing with a band is a completely different skill to just playing in your own.
I would suggest you do some jamming with some friendly folks in a rehearsal studio, or go to a few blues jams or similar before you start auditioning for bands as people often really struggle with the kind of active listening and push and pull that you have to do when playing with other humans.
I would suggest you do some jamming with some friendly folks in a rehearsal studio, or go to a few blues jams or similar before you start auditioning for bands as people often really struggle with the kind of active listening and push and pull that you have to do when playing with other humans.
@Octavio I think 40 is still pretty young, definitely give it a go if you feel like you'd regret it if you never tried it. It sounds like you might want to do original music rather than a covers band, in which case I'd look at recruiting just one other person at first. Someone you can get on with, has a similar music taste, and maybe can fill in what you can't do (e.g. someone who can sing if you can't sing, or someone who plays a different instrument etc). If you find someone like that maybe you'll just enjoy writing a few songs and having a jam at home, but if it takes off then the next step would be to look for more people. I think there's less pressure that way, and if you already have some songs and your own sound then it's easier to recruit other members. That's mostly how bands I've been in have started.
There's no right or wrong approach. You'll probably need to try a few different approaches and find your way (unless you're incredibly lucky with recruiting). But the main thing is probably to enjoy the adventure rather than being too attached to any particular outcomes.Octavio said:Has anyone successfully ('success' being sounding musical) started a band post 40, with zero previous band experience? Or joined an existing band as a guitarist at such an age.
Is the approach to be seriously polished and write a tonne of songs, or answer/write a personnel post stating the objective? Or commit and make it up as you go alone? Previous experiences would be helpful. I know id live to regret it if I never attempted it.
YesOctavio said: Has anyone successfully started a band post 40.
YesOctavio said: Or joined an existing band as a guitarist at such an age.
To play gigs as part of a band. It’s very different from playing solo. The repertoire, the arrangements, what and how you play, the cues, the audience reaction; none of these things happen the same way when you play on your own.Octavio said: the objective.?
It’s trite, but to be in a band you have turn up and play. 90% of wannabes fail at step 1. Step 2 just needs a bit of effort to learn and practice things. Be prepared to audition, and don’t be afraid to turn down people/bands. Don’t waste your time with people who don’t put the effort in.Octavio said: Previous experiences would be helpful.
Being in a band is about working as a team. It’s more about listening and fitting in than being a virtuoso.
If you want gigs then you need to be entertaining. It doesn’t matter how good a musician/band you are.
As horse said: ”enjoy the adventure”. Very few people are in the same band all their lives. Family, work, illness all lead to people leaving. Treat it as a journey.
I started gigging in bed at 50! Admittedly I had to give up at 52 cos of health but it was fab, the practising, the friends, the laughs and the gigs . Made me much better player too
Snags said:Never too late.I played in church/worship bands for years, which sucked up all my time, so never really did what I think of as "proper" bands (covers or originals) until I started writing my own stuff and going to open mics as a challenge-to-self before I turned 50,
Sounds like a fantastic journey you’ve been on
I would say after a couple of years of Church Band you’re definitely ready to try bigger & bolder things but you’ll definitely have a great set of skills to take with you.
I feel like there might be a typo here.sev112 said:I started gigging in bed at 50! Admittedly I had to give up at 52 cos of health but it was fab, the practising, the friends, the laughs and the gigs . Made me much better player too
As often commented what you tend to see in bands is quite young people and relatively old people. The 30 somethings tend to disappear as they have kids,mortgages, focus on careers,etc. So 40 would be quite young for some bands.
To go back to something I used to quote a bit (probably overdone by now) ‘if you want to play guitar in a band buy a van or learn to sing.’ It doesn’t have to be those specific things but it’s often what else (especially for guitarists as we tend to outnumber everyone else)you can bring to a band. That might be organisational skills, good at working social media, or just the will to contact venues (very few people want to do this). I’m always amazed at how reticent people with instruments are at doing backing vocals, if you can’t sing a note but can shout that will put you ahead of 80% of other guitarists. Really, playing guitar is almost the least of it.
The almost overwhelming problem with guitarists is that they tend to learn to play within stylistic tramlines. Much less of an issue with other musicians. So, ‘I only play classic rock’ or ‘I only play Texas blues’ and trying to join or put together a band that only does those things. Fine if it’s your absolute passion or you are very, very good at that thing but often the gigs going are in Amy Winehouse tribute acts or Iain is Elvis or something so if you want to play guitar on stage maybe broaden your horizons. I was watching TPS this week with Scott McKeon and Scott is this note for note Stevie Ray Vaughan player but he tours the world playing for Tom Jones. There’s a challenge and a chance to appreciate new music when you get a bit outside your comfort zone.
Good luck, have fun.
I joined a band at sixty-something.
As others have already pointed out, if you’re friendly, turn up when you say you will, and are happy to help with unloading and loading then you’re already better than most people. Know the songs, don’t overplay, and give the other musicians space.
As others have already pointed out, if you’re friendly, turn up when you say you will, and are happy to help with unloading and loading then you’re already better than most people. Know the songs, don’t overplay, and give the other musicians space.
This is very good advice! In my experience most people who get fired from bands don't get fired due to not being good enough players, they get fired for being unreliable or difficult to be around. If you follow @HAL9000 's guidance the band will value you and the other stuff will fall into place with experience.HAL9000 said:I joined a band at sixty-something.
As others have already pointed out, if you’re friendly, turn up when you say you will, and are happy to help with unloading and loading then you’re already better than most people. Know the songs, don’t overplay, and give the other musicians space.
Never too late - do it.
If you want to play covers for entertainment, then answer an ad or put something up yourself.
If you prefer to do your own material, or have a specific style or vision for the band in mind, suggest finding one other collaborator (ideally bassist or second guitar) who is on your wavelength as a starting point. Easier said than done.
You'll need to be persistent and resilient as you'll encounter all sorts along the way.
Good luck.
If you want to play covers for entertainment, then answer an ad or put something up yourself.
If you prefer to do your own material, or have a specific style or vision for the band in mind, suggest finding one other collaborator (ideally bassist or second guitar) who is on your wavelength as a starting point. Easier said than done.
You'll need to be persistent and resilient as you'll encounter all sorts along the way.
Good luck.
DuploLicks said:Snags said:Never too late.I played in church/worship bands for years, which sucked up all my time, so never really did what I think of as "proper" bands (covers or originals) until I started writing my own stuff and going to open mics as a challenge-to-self before I turned 50,Sounds like a fantastic journey you’ve been onIf I can say, I think you understate the value of playing in a church band :) From a my perspective, a beginner learning the craft of playing ‘in’ the band is the most important thing. Doing it as part of a weekly gig and with (hopefully) decent, reliable folk is a great plus too.I would say after a couple of years of Church Band you’re definitely ready to try bigger & bolder things but you’ll definitely have a great set of skills to take with you.
Oh, totally agree. The whole focus is different, so it instantly cures any issues of ego etc., and you very quickly get used to compromise, playing in a tiny space, people doing sound who couldn't find their arse with a map and both hands, and being flexible in terms of keys and arrangements. You also get a tolerance for playing crap you hate :)
Starting a band is unfortunately much like dating - you'll have to kiss a lot of frogs to hope you eventually find a prince hidden in there. Don't get put off if you don't immediately find a reliable group you click with.
The other issue with older bands is you to tend to find that by 40 most casual musicians have either burned out and given up when kids arrived, or have pushed through and are now pro or semi-pro so will take it very seriously (because they need to make rent this month). Just be clear about your expectations and your planned level of commitment going into anything and you'll do fine.
Anecdotal, but while my old man has always played music in folk circles he didn't start his first 'band' until he was 60. They called themselves The Gastrick Band and membership requirements were owning an instrument and a bus pass.
The other issue with older bands is you to tend to find that by 40 most casual musicians have either burned out and given up when kids arrived, or have pushed through and are now pro or semi-pro so will take it very seriously (because they need to make rent this month). Just be clear about your expectations and your planned level of commitment going into anything and you'll do fine.
Anecdotal, but while my old man has always played music in folk circles he didn't start his first 'band' until he was 60. They called themselves The Gastrick Band and membership requirements were owning an instrument and a bus pass.
Thanks to those who posted. As @theatreanchor wisely suggested "It's never too late to make yourself more miserable than you've ever been in your life". Watch this space!
@Octavio Good luck on your journey! Enjoy the highs. And lows. ;)
40 is young no way is it too late. I played my first gig at 49, I'm now in band with people half my age, bands are great fun...go for it.
I probably had more success and fun with bands when I started doing it again in my mid 40s compared to what I was doing in my teens & 20s back in the day.
40 sounds positively young from where I'm currently standing :)
40 sounds positively young from where I'm currently standing :)
Is the approach to be seriously polished and write a tonne of songs, or answer/write a personnel post stating the objective? Or commit and make it up as you go alone? Previous experiences would be helpful. I know id live to regret it if I never attempted it.