Finding or putting new bands together

Nohandles · #1 10-01-2007, 07:08 PM

I'm more than a little bit frustrated right now. I have been without a band for a year accept for and old time group but need a bluegrass band. In the past, "I don't know whether it was bilnd dumb luck or being in the right place" but I had been in 3 bands with no effort- played banjo then. I have been making myself known at local jams and all the festivals this summer but nothing. I had a band for a while this summer but the commitment level was only on 2 out of 4 of us. Then I played in a jam 3 weeks ago and it was like majic. We played like we had been together for years. The talk was YEAH lets be a band then psssssss the flamed died.
So for all of you seasoned veterans, what's the secret to finding or putting a band together?

Jason Sypher · #2 10-01-2007, 07:31 PM

Get a gig. Make some money, even if it's just a little. The musicians will be there and you'll have your band. It's really just that simple.

bassbob · #3 10-01-2007, 07:50 PM

I've gone through times where I couldn't get arrrested for playing and I was trying pretty hard. I was at one jam for 2 years and I kept hearing, Yeah someone will sweep you up soon." I gave up on that jam and went to a bluegrass festival and found three guys and we clicked. Something will work out when the time is right. Musicians are flaky anyway. Keep the faith.

Gufenov · #4 10-02-2007, 07:55 AM

Been there (no, wait - I AM there!) Unfortunately, a person's ability to make music doesn't always come with dedication, work ethic, or even a personality. I've found that most seek their own level. There are "career jammers" who are perfectly happy playing the 4 or 5 songs they know at every festival. There are "wannabes" who WISH they were performers but don't WANT it bad enough to put in the time and sweat. And, in Bluegrass, there are lots of "ustabes" who HAVE been performers and decided the low pay and travel aren't worth the effort. IMHO, the more new people you meet, the more opportunities you'll have to find musicians at your own level. Find a new jam. Help a newbe. Invite someone to play at the local nursing home. It will click.

Nohandles · #5 10-02-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gufenov

Been there (no, wait - I AM there!) Unfortunately, a person's ability to make music doesn't always come with dedication, work ethic, or even a personality. I've found that most seek their own level. There are "career jammers" who are perfectly happy playing the 4 or 5 songs they know at every festival. There are "wannabes" who WISH they were performers but don't WANT it bad enough to put in the time and sweat. And, in Bluegrass, there are lots of "ustabes" who HAVE been performers and decided the low pay and travel aren't worth the effort. IMHO, the more new people you meet, the more opportunities you'll have to find musicians at your own level. Find a new jam. Help a newbe. Invite someone to play at the local nursing home. It will click.

I completely agree with you. This county here in Ohio has a really hard even keeping a jam going. I have to drive to other counties to play durring the winter. If you aren't doing for fun first then you probably won't last long. Lets face there isn't a lot of money in Bluegrass but sure is the best music. Doug

MingusAmongUs · #6 10-02-2007, 10:25 AM

Good advice above. In my musical life I have gotten lucky a few times and been called to play some good gigs, even some steady ones, in different musical genres. More often than not, though, I'm the guy people call at the last minute when the *regular* bass player can't make it.

I currently play with a "bluegrass" band (for lack of a better description) that does quite a bit of playing. But for my part, I'm pretty frustrated with them, most of the time. Two of the members really have no business playing music. They're just that bad. Another one is a good player but is incredibly lazy and refuses to learn new tunes or even try different arrangements. Most of the stuff we do ends up being more like a jam, in that there is nothing worked out -- every tune is just the basic melody, straight out of an instructional book (literally), first the mando plays it, then the banjo, etc. No improv at all, unless they happen to let me take a solo (rare). So sometimes being in a band is more of a curse than a blessing.

My problem has usually been that I haven't made any effort to make things happen -- I just wait for them to happen. Though I was really spoiled for a time to have a bunch of excellent musician pals in NYC with whom I put up a website and advertised jazz for hire. Got some good paying gigs out of that, until everyone started moving away and getting married.

I guess my point is, if you want something to happen, you may have to make it happen, as Jason suggested (sort of). This could mean either get a gig scheduled, with whatever recording(s) you have, even if it's just yourself overdubbing different instruments (you play banjo? you probably can strum a little guitar too I'm sure), or maybe just start putting the feelers out -- take out a classified ad, seeking musicians, or put up a flyer at your local music shop, whatever. I feel for you. It will come together if you want it to.

Nohandles · #7 10-02-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Good advice above. In my musical life I have gotten lucky a few times and been called to play some good gigs, even some steady ones, in different musical genres. More often than not, though, I'm the guy people call at the last minute when the *regular* bass player can't make it.

I currently play with a "bluegrass" band (for lack of a better description) that does quite a bit of playing. But for my part, I'm pretty frustrated with them, most of the time. Two of the members really have no business playing music. They're just that bad. Another one is a good player but is incredibly lazy and refuses to learn new tunes or even try different arrangements. Most of the stuff we do ends up being more like a jam, in that there is nothing worked out -- every tune is just the basic melody, straight out of an instructional book (literally), first the mando plays it, then the banjo, etc. No improv at all, unless they happen to let me take a solo (rare). So sometimes being in a band is more of a curse than a blessing.

My problem has usually been that I haven't made any effort to make things happen -- I just wait for them to happen. Though I was really spoiled for a time to have a bunch of excellent musician pals in NYC with whom I put up a website and advertised jazz for hire. Got some good paying gigs out of that, until everyone started moving away and getting married.

I guess my point is, if you want something to happen, you may have to make it happen, as Jason suggested (sort of). This could mean either get a gig scheduled, with whatever recording(s) you have, even if it's just yourself overdubbing different instruments (you play banjo? you probably can strum a little guitar too I'm sure), or maybe just start putting the feelers out -- take out a classified ad, seeking musicians, or put up a flyer at your local music shop, whatever. I feel for you. It will come together if you want it to.

Wow sounds like its the same all over. Guess I'm just looking back at the past and how easy it was to have a great group. 2 of the past bands were fantastic new songs each week plenty of shows to do.
I have been filling in when I get a call. Guess I'll have to push a little harder. 3 weeks ago I was in an all day jam at a little local festival. It was so good I'm sure I had an out of body experience. People gathered at the jam totally suprised that we had not been playing for years together. I thought it would come together but not this one. Thanks you all for posting at least I can see it's not just me in the boat.

MingusAmongUs · #8 10-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Yep. But there is no shortage of pickers around here, and I would think even more so there (if you're anywhere near Kentucky?). I just have to get out and make friends. Had a great jam, of which I only participated in two tunes, at a festival/fiddle contest we have out here every summer, but it was right before I went on stage. I had to run off and never got any phone numbers! Blast!

Nohandles · #9 10-02-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Yep. But there is no shortage of pickers around here, and I would think even more so there (if you're anywhere near Kentucky?). I just have to get out and make friends. Had a great jam, of which I only participated in two tunes, at a festival/fiddle contest we have out here every summer, but it was right before I went on stage. I had to run off and never got any phone numbers! Blast!

No, no where near Kentucky. I'm near Cleveland and like I said in this county you can't keep a jam together for very long. There are plenty of jams in neighboring countys to attend its just a hike to get there.
I'm sure it will happen as soon as I'm in the right place at the right time. Still it is frustrating.