How Do I Get In A Band?

-Sam- · #1 11-08-2006, 12:48 AM

Hey every one,
I have just finished my last year at high school and have a lot of time on my hands which i would love to put to use being in a band that i really enjoy. BUT i have no real idea of how to get into one that is requiring me?

I play jazz and funk and dont really enjoy playing rock, and i would love something that is really groovy. I also would love to be challenged, as i consider myself quite skilled. I reckon my best bet is joining an existing band because starting a new band completly is a bit hard and i dont really know anyone who is as pasionate about music as me or wants to play in the same styles as me. What i really want is to replaced Dyson in Meshell's band that would be sweet

Soooo... My question is... What is the best way to go about finding a band? Is there a trading post of musicians? or an aussie Forums for musos? or is it in the papers or what?

Jazz Ad · #2 11-08-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Mule

....I play jazz and funk and dont really enjoy playing rock....I also would love to be challenged, as i consider myself quite skilled.

Then I suggest you join a rock band.
No, I'm not kidding.

-Sam- · #3 11-08-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Then I suggest you join a rock band.
No, I'm not kidding.

Yeah whys that? I have thought about it... you know get some diversity... but im not really a fan of anything im hearing these days and i really dont like listening to overdriven guitar...I dont know why i just annoys me. If people played old stuff like seventies kinda different stuff i would be in. Like iron butterfly or jethro tull (thats all i can think of right now, im really tired) i would dig it, But all these hard core metal and punk bands i really dont dig it. I know im a bit under-learned about the diversity of rock but I have trouble really liking it

VanillaO · #4 11-08-2006, 07:54 AM

Metal isn't punk isn't rock isn't jazz isn't funk. Everything has it's own feeling to it. Diversity is pretty key in my opinion. While my influences range from jazz and funk to metal and hardcore music to folk and whatever, I am sitll exploring the aspects of harder rock and metal and prog more than anything. I've been playing bass 3 years and I'm still picking up new things regarding that type of music constantly. I've often played a jazz or funk piece when jamming with friends, and I find that it's a heck of a lot more fun than repetitive fast pieces, even though I don't like writing that kind of music. Keep playing all sorts of music, but try to find a band that you're comfortable playing in, regardless of the genre. also, check out the myspace classifieds.. that's how I found my band.

Jazz Ad · #5 11-08-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Mule

Yeah whys that? I have thought about it... you know get some diversity... but im not really a fan of anything im hearing these days and i really dont like listening to overdriven guitar...I dont know why i just annoys me....I know im a bit under-learned about the diversity of rock but I have trouble really liking it

My point is that you can enjoy playing music you usually don't like listening to.
It's also a great way to develop your skills and an exercise to try fitting into a style.
Making simple and efficient lines is an art of itself.
I always learnt a lot from styles I wasn't really into.

AmazingGracePlayer · #6 11-08-2006, 05:21 PM

You gotta advertise yourself =)

Atoz · #7 11-08-2006, 05:28 PM

Music shops have bulletin boards and local publications, and the people who work there could tell you where to look, where to place an advert, or they might even know of some situation you could look into.

Because you seem to know what you want to do, instead of looking for a band to join, why not start your own?

Alexander · #8 11-09-2006, 12:19 PM

+1

I spent a lot of time and frustration trying to join a band this year after having taken some time off. In most cases either the musical interests, ambitions or personalities in the bands ultimately didn't line up with my own - and I consider myself to be pretty laid back and open minded. Most of what I saw was dysfunctional already and I don't need that crap in my life (i.e. drugs\heavy drinking, monster egos, etc).

So I threw an ad out there saying I was a bassist looking to start a band. The first person who replied was a darn good guitar player who coincidently had rehearsal\recording space 10 minutes from my house. The rest of the line-up fell in place over the next few months, though we had to go through a couple of folks along the way. Here we are three months later, prepping for our first gig - a 90 minute opener for a benefit show. This is the best band I've been in by a fair stretch - lots of talent (I'm not talking about myself here), no egos to mention, we all get along. A really fun and healthy situation. The material is exactly what I want to be doing as well.

It is some work, but worth it in my opinion if you can get it right...

bassist15 · #9 11-10-2006, 02:18 PM

I have the same problem . Im a sophmore in high school and im a really big jazz , funk , reggae , and afro-cuban fan but there's no one in my school that likes the kind of music i like. I do play in the jazz band at school but its only 1 night a week ever now and then. I do play in a rock group now and we've been successful but not many gigs and im not really happy with it anymore. Im gonna go to some music stores out of town and try to find a group.

pointbass · #10 11-10-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Then I suggest you join a rock band.
No, I'm not kidding.

This is excellent advice ...

At your age, experience in a variety of differing styles will aid you greatly as you continue to develop. If you have any goals towards studio work, you must be able to play a wide range of styles, and especially rock. That's where the money is, and the day will come that you'll be glad you're a diverse bassist ......

ryco · #11 11-10-2006, 02:45 PM

There's a lot of good advice in this thread, BassMule!

Another idea would be to go to a lot of local shows featuring the styles of music you're interested in playing. You will usually find musicians in the audience who dig that style. Introduce yourself and get to be known in these circles.

If there is a local music newspaper or fanzine they usually have musicians classifieds.

Atoz · #12 11-10-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryco

There's a lot of good advice in this thread, BassMule!

Another idea would be to go to a lot of local shows featuring the styles of music you're interested in playing. You will usually find musicians in the audience who dig that style. Introduce yourself and get to be known in these circles.

...

+1. Great idea.

davidmurphy · #13 11-10-2006, 06:47 PM

Over here, the doorways of some of the guitar shops always have ads of people looking for bands. Rehearsal rooms would also be a good place to check for ads.
Don't be afraid to start a new band. Even if you don't find people who suit you perfectly, the experience you gain from playing with, writing with & dealing with people in a band environment will help you further down the line.

The next band you join doesn't have to be the last band you ever join.

jrthebassguy · #14 11-10-2006, 06:53 PM

I don't know what your local music scene is like, but usually when I see wanted ads at local music stores a good half of them are looking for a bass player.

Commreman · #15 11-10-2006, 08:37 PM

Check out the ads in Harmony Central and Craigslist. Network like crazy. If you have a teacher, they can recommend you to gigs. Take sub opportunities. Don't be afraid to take a wedding gig - there are some great players in those circles. Who is the hot booking agent in your area? Find out who that is, and introduce yourself. They always have openings in acts they are promoting. Try your hand at putting together your own band - place ads of your own. Most important, be open to each and every musical format. They are all valid, and at worst can only improve your playing, whcih in turn will widen your circles and get you in front of more potential bandmates.

Think of the process as a marketing assignment where you are the product. Now get out there!

Alexander · #16 11-11-2006, 09:04 AM

Jam sessions are another good thing to do - lots of 12 bar blues jams to be had out there and you meet a lot of musicians that way from all backgrounds. At the last one I went to, I was the only bassist and played all night. Met a ton of folks inviting me out to other regular jams...