Is it always true that age is linked to Experience?

[Northants_tuba]

I myself being a 19 year old BBb bass player (especially as i've only been playing 6 1/2 years) find it hard for many older players to take me seriously (although i have deped for bands like travelsphere and ex member of ransomes in the Brian Grant Era mark 2) as they think that as im so young compared to them i must be rubbish but then they walk out the room and say i play like am older player do other younger players find this to be true!!! I know of one other player who agrees but there are still players who aim too high i agree but i enjoy playing championship test-pieces like Les Preludes and Tristan Encounters to name a couple but i've found the problem can be worse in 2,nd and 1st section bands. Anybody to enlighten me??????

 

[Nuke]

Oh yes this is very true. Im 20 but at the moment im lucky to be with a band of an average age of bout 30 so no real old people. No offense to anyone but its normally over 50s that have this problem in bandrooms, normally they also display a 50 year Band Association medal. Unless your God, and even then i have serious doubts as to whether theyd listen still, then anyone who suggests something that is contradictory to what they believe is very wrong and shot down in flames. Although i must admit that old people have more experience in some areas and we can learn from them aswell as just be hated by them.

 

[stripybananas]

I've got to admit, I've found that myself, I've just turned 18, and have only been in senior banding for 5 months or so, and hence have limited experience and would not say i was a super star player or anything like that, but since i started I've played with several bands, Kibworth, and then several 1st and 2nd section bands, and I have to say the best reception I received was at Kibworth Band!

 

[cornetcheese]

This is an interesting one! I don't think age is directly linked to experience, although (in banding in general) it is hard to be taken seriously at a younger age, as it seems to operate quite a great deal round a "more mature" set of players! For example, I conduct several bands and orchestral ensembles in Scotland and am about to graduate (hopefully!) from the RSAMD in July, specialising in Composition and Conducting. I am 21 at the moment (22 in December), but started conducting at 16, with a wind band and orchestra in Aberdeen before starting brass band conducting with the Bon-Accord Silver band at 17. Initially however, it was very difficult to gain a total amount of respect when I started brass band conducting, although I had worked with wind Bands and Orchestras (not youth ones!) with no problems. It seems to be a very bandy thing, this age dominant heirarchy that exists!

 

[brasscrest]

Age has the perception of being linked to experience, and there is almost always a rough correlation. However, relative experience may or may not indicate relative capability.

Those of us who work a lot with young musicians know that the amount of time that someone has been playing does make a difference, especially at the beginning. But every player develops at a different rate, so the amount of "experience" becomes less important over time. That is, up to a point.

In ensemble or band playing, experience with the type of ensemble (or even the specific group) makes a difference in the quality of play both for the individual and the group as a whole. Also, the more experience you have in banding the more likely it is that you'll have seen the music (or something similar) before.

The National Capital Band has an age range of 17 to 65. The oldest person is not the most experienced in terms of banding, although he is close. The youngest players are the least experienced, but this does not indicate their relative ability - there are several players who are older and more experienced but less capable.

 

[fitzy]

I have also found that this is the case. I am 23 and have played various positions in my band from flugal, principal cornet (at 19) and now onto soprano and I found especially when I was on principal, it was very hard to get the older players in the band to take any notice of you. You realy have to work hard to win their respect first before you can do anything else.
I have also found this to be the case in professional orchestra's as well. There are players in some of the orchestra's here that have been there since year 1 and they don't want to listen to some young kid.
I'm not sure if there is any way to rectify this situation. Sometimes you just have to shut up and show them how to do it through your playing.

 

[lynchie]

This is why I'm really not too bothered about playing for a top band... even if I was good enough, I wouldn't want to put up with the "19 eh? and you think you can play a bit do you??" so I'm quite happy playing with a bunch of people who respect eachother and still make great music. I think if I had older players permanently trying to ram their experience down my throat I'd just run for the hills!

 

[Aidan]

This is why I'm really not too bothered about playing for a top band... even if I was good enough, I wouldn't want to put up with the "19 eh? and you think you can play a bit do you??"

To be honest, in my experience (only being 20 though... so do realise that i know nothing ) this doesn't happen in "top" bands. Never has in any of the bands that I've played/depped for. It's the bands who think they are top bands that you want to watch out for!

 

[Well Worth It]

I have to agree with Aidan.
A players quest for experience starts at day 1. From the first time you bash your teeth in with the mouthpiece, to your first concert/solo/contest etc.
The measure of a good player is how they learn from these experiences and make decisions based on first-hand knowledge.
As long as you're receptive to advise/criticism, then I've found that bands will learn to respect your playing, even if they find you a mouthy li'l git!

 

[TheMusicMan]

Yup.. ditto Nadia and WellWortIt, I agree. It's about one's ability to deliver, ones reliability and ones maturity - not necessarily ones experience.

If you show a sensible, pragmatic and mature attitude in both your playing and your approach, you'll do great.

It might be worth remembering this - sometimes bands think they are better than they actually are, and sometimes (though more often) people think they are better than they actually are - try to avoid belonging to the former or becoming the latter and you'll do fine regardless of your age!

 

[littlemisshorns]

Definately not! Well not in army bands anyway. Younger players seem to be more experienced that some older players. It really depends on what you get involved in etc

 

[lynchie]

This is why I'm really not too bothered about playing for a top band... even if I was good enough, I wouldn't want to put up with the "19 eh? and you think you can play a bit do you??"

To be honest, in my experience (only being 20 though... so do realise that i know nothing ) this doesn't happen in "top" bands. Never has in any of the bands that I've played/depped for. It's the bands who think they are top bands that you want to watch out for!

oops sorry... that's kind of what I meant... I know it tends to be bands that were once very good, or are the best band in a very small area... in fact I'm not sure that's even what i mean, it's difficult to explain, but you know it when it happens... :roll:

lack of experience in getting a point across shining through...

 

[PeterBale]

Definately not! Well not in army bands anyway. Younger players seem to be more experienced that some older players. It really depends on what you get involved in etc

I think it is probably fair to say that the average player getting involved in banding these days is likely to have a much wider experience of other types of music-making than in the past. This can in itself set up a little conflict, as we all carry with us knowledge and techniques picked up along the way, and there will always be some, in any setting, who will still hold to the school of thought that says "We've always done it this way, why should we change now?"

I think what is most important is that we must all recognise the skills and expertise that each player brings, and be ready to learn from one another. Younger players coming up may be much more relaxed about more modern styles of music, whereas they can often learn a great deal about developing a rounded tone and becoming a good "team player" from the more-established players. In my experience if you have the right sort of attitude then other people are much more likely to recognise and welcome any contribution you may wish to make.

 

[Steve]

I agree with the ability argument. I have never had a problem being young in comparison to other band members cos more often than not it is recognised that I am pretty good at what I am doing and have a good understanding of banding at all levels. Now the role is reversed and I am in a band where older players actually ask for assistance as they recognise that despite being younger I generally know what I'm on about and my approach to my banding is generally pretty good (excluding the odd drinking issue!!!).

 

[drummerboy]

Echoing what other people have said, I'd say it's not age/experience that matters, as long as you deliver then what does experience matter? I'm the youngest at Staffs, and have had quite a lot of experience for a 19 year old, but that's just general experience (I've played in loads of groups, and many places etc) However, there are some vastly experienced players at Staffs (like ex Black Dyke/Fodens etc players). However, I like to think I'm good enough to belong there, and everyone else seems to think I am. So eveyone's happy (enough!)
As long as you're good enough, and act in a proper manner, does experience really matter? I don't think so, though it is undoubtedly an advantage.

 

[The Cornet King]

As long as you're good enough, and act in a proper manner, does experience really matter? I don't think so, though it is undoubtedly an advantage.

I'd agree with that whole heartedly. If your good enough, your old enough!
Yes experience is always an advantage, but you never stop gaining experience. There can always be times when the most experienced players/people encounter situations that are unknown to them.

Like what has been said before its how we deal with these and our own mentality thats important.

 

[ScrapingtheBottom]

I think you have to prove yourself no matter who you are. If you've been playing for longer you generally have more experience - that doesn't neccessarily mean you are better, but it can help. I'm the 2nd youngest in my section (by about 20 years!) and I don't have any problems - although at 23 I think I'm coming out of the 'whippersnapper' bracket now.

 

[jpbray]

No! experience is linked to age. :twisted:

 

[Spanky Rear]

Age v. Experience

These unpleasant experiences can work to your advantage when you are an 'older' player.It's quite often as important to know what not to do as to know what to do.So your current position v. older players is one you will recall to your advantage with the passage of time.
LEARN FROM ALL YOUR EXPERIENCES---HOW TO AND HOW NOT TO.!!
Spanky

 

[brasscrest]

Amen, Spanky.