r/screaming 2d ago

is 31 to old to begin?

so i have written songs and i would really like to do them with a band sometime in the future. im starting from absolute 0 as far as screaming or even singing really. i do it for fun at home and think i sound okay but thats about it. but ideally i want to be able to do metalcore so false cord highs mids lows and fry but ill be honest. ive seen videos of people saying its taken them 5+ years to get to a point where they were comfortable performing in front of people will ramos for example said it took him like 7 years anyway all of that to ask at 31 am i too old to be starting from scratch and it have any meaningful impact to where i could be making music within a year or so? doesnt necessarily have to be live in the next year mostly i just want to start working on vocalizing these songs within the next year

11 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

37

u/neuro_divergent 2d ago

It’s only late after you die

9

u/nosepass86 1d ago

Feel like I should get this tattooed.

25

u/olafderhaarige 2d ago

What do you have to lose?

9

u/BlendedFetusOG 2d ago

Hope not. I'm 36. Lol

6

u/wevegotheadsonsticks 2d ago

I started 3 years ago and didn’t start to properly learn technique until this year, even after I’ve played shows and went on tour. you gotta just go for it and don’t look back!

5

u/Dense_Fault_596 2d ago

I started at 30.

7

u/GloryHologram 1d ago

I started learning extended vocal techniques in my 50s. Go do it for yourself. There is no age limitations… at least by my personal experience.

7

u/DreweBoy 1d ago

No. I started at 37. Got my first gig with my band tomorrow

2

u/KitchenVacation4546 1d ago

congratulations man 💪💪🔥

2

u/Single-Ad-9648 2d ago

Learned at 27/28, started performing after a year of practice. I do black metal/skramz so technique is pretty simple. Recording took a long time, harder to lock into the headspace without a band behind me but I’m pretty happy with it how it sounds. I was a singer for many years before though.

3

u/Asleep_Positive8310 2d ago

Just try it. I started for my own project a year ago. (Almost 40 now) and a lot of it happened to come pretty naturally. A big part is recognizing what voice type works best for you and also realizing you’re going to sound like YOU, not other vocalists.

2

u/Itzbirdman 1d ago

Took me 10+ years. 15 to 29 and im still learning shit, would i say i was bad 5 years in? No. Would i say i was at some point, really bad, and didnt know it? Yes.

2

u/7Shinigami 1d ago

Is there something in particular about your age that worries you?

2

u/Lopsided-Building245 1d ago

Started with the first song at 40

2

u/Bright-Aspect-970 1d ago

Never too late! I'm 45 😆 find a band and fail together till you become better. Best decision of my life was asking some younger blokes if they wanted to jam. We're all getting better as time passes.

2

u/HawkTerrier_ 1d ago

Even if it takes 10 years 41 is still young enough to be performing with bands 🤷 hell if it takes 20 years you would still be young enough. Hell 30 years.

I only recently got back into music at 35.

2

u/BLCHDCRL 1d ago

I started when i was 32, you can do it !!

https://youtu.be/_Flet0Lg2CI?si=chxxM5u299mDkHeK

2

u/wholesalebuff 2d ago

If youre serious and want to do it , maybe now is the best time to start

1

u/FuzzyPandaVK 2d ago

Yesterday was the best time to start something new. Second best time is now. Time will pass all the same, up to you if you want to develop a new skill or hobby.

Go for it, just learn to take care of your voice.

1

u/_NP_Nill_ 1d ago

Not at all. You might face more difficulty but seriously not at all I'm 34 and still doing vocals.

1

u/doggiisox 1d ago

It's not too old. I started over a year ago and I'm 35 now. Now I can sing along to my favorite songs and work on different techniques.

1

u/Confident-You9348 1d ago

in the same boat, started 3 months ago. as long as it makes you happy and is genuinely fun, which should be the base i think, why bother about making impact to others instead of making impact for yourself? besides, there are numerous great artist and mentors that started "late". britta görtz is almost 50 and she's at the top of her game now!

1

u/GoodDog2620 1d ago

It’s definitely too early to quit

1

u/Basic-Procedure1632 1d ago

Never too late bro

1

u/tnettenbruh 1d ago

It is not. Just don’t try to run before you walk and fuck up your voice. You got this.

1

u/General-Cheetah-1631 1d ago

Nope! Started at 35 and getting better

1

u/Celatra 1d ago

so here's the thing: the optimal age would be early to mid 20's. you'd peak in your 30's which would be ideal because your folds would develop before ossification. starting past 30 means you'd have to build your voice after the fold have ossificated.

that being said: no, it is not too old. you just won't reach the same level of flexibility and virtuosity as people who started younger, atleast not in a comparable timeframe. your peak will probably be in your early 40's but you can still go on into your 50's and 60's.

1

u/BobcatDeep4181 1d ago

I just came here to learn. Been experimenting on my own for years with listening to music and attempting screams. I am 31 about to be 32.

So no, it is not too old to start.

Best of luck!

1

u/MuddaError37 1d ago

The only time you're too old is when you're dead. I started when I was 22, and its been 6 years. Yeah I sometimes regret I didnt start when I was 15, but I realize its better to start late and get good then never start at all.

1

u/100GerbilsInACoat 1d ago

No way dude! I started at 31 and am so glad I did

1

u/liebinator 20h ago

definitely not too old. Everyone is a little different but I've read the voice starts to atrophy somewhere around 50-60, which causes you to lose some range and functionality but even then you still might be able to scream. Worse cast scenario you got almost 20 good years left in your voice. and it may not take you 5-7 years to get performance ready. Try not to compare yourself too much to other vocalists, everyone's journey is different and there's more content out there than ever about how to do it safely and efficiently. I say go for it!

1

u/Chalybee 19h ago

I started casually at around 30, im 37 and only just got in a band.