How to find people to play with?

strummer21 · #1 08-26-2008, 04:14 PM

I am a noobie, self taught and only have been playing for 6 months but really enjoy it. I started later in life (in my 40's) and am starting to slowly learn a little theory and may start to take lessons soon. I really would like to play with other musicians, I can play about 45-50 songs (learned mostly through tabs) and am excited about actually playing these covers with real people as opposed to along with the CD. My problem is where/how do I find other musicians at a similar level that are into the same music as me? I don't know anyone else who plays an instrument and don't have a lot of time to get into the local music scene. I have tried craigslist, but usually find people replying that are too experienced (I am not accomplished enough to jam/improvise), too young (don't want to play with anyone over 30), or people in my age group that aren't into the same music as me. Any suggestions? I feel if I could actually play with others it will speed up learning and my enthusiasm to learn more. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.

baalroo · #2 08-26-2008, 04:45 PM

This might sound silly, but at the point you're at (less than a year) it might not be too difficult to convince a friend to start playing as well... and they wouldn't be that far behind you. If you've got a few old hang around pals just yank out the bass and say something like "y'know I always wanted to play an instrument but figured it was too late... it's not, we oughta start jamming man." Almost everyone wanted to be a musician at some point in their life and many think that time passed'em by. Seeing you knowing as much as you do after just a few months might just relight the spark and you'd get the benefit of playing with your pals.

Other than that, just asking EVERYONE you talk to if they know anyone who plays is usually the best route to go.

BlackLake · #3 08-26-2008, 04:53 PM

For me, it started (70's) with putting ads up at music stores, later in my teens it was networking in clubs, festivals etc....through the years, I've built up quite a list of players in my area. If I need a player, I simply call one up, which will usually lead me to another and so on, until I find who I am looking for.

One of the best things I've found, is always having a pocket full of business cards with me...I've even hooked up with other muzoids at grocery store, laundry mats, and (naturally) The Beer Store - hahaha

Indiana Mike · #4 08-26-2008, 05:17 PM

I've got it ... wait outside an establishment that has live music . when the bassist shows up throw him in your trunk and go in and say you were called to take his place.

I laid bass down at 22 years old ( 1990 ) and picked it back up in late 2004.

I take lessons at a locally owned store , one to learn , two to be in an atmosphere where people congregate for the same reason I am there . Put up ads at music stores .Find a church that needs a bassist .

The place I take lessons has started a beta project of getting older players like yourself ( and me ) together in a band situation . IE drummer , guitarist(s) , bass and vocals. We practice with an instructor that does gig out and helps in the whole process. We have had several sessions and it really is a blast . We can play as loud as we want to and have access to a decent studio with a lot of gear none of us own or have room for.Plus no kids , wives , husbands to distract us. No it is not free but it is , so far , worth every penny.

There are people just like you begging for the same thing you want . Shame there is no formal easy way to meet them.

I am somewhat lucky as I still have high school friends that I jam with on occasion but at our age (40+) and the facts of life it isn't frequent enough.

mike_v_s · #5 08-26-2008, 05:18 PM

Craigslist. Be up front about everything. I usually list my age, skill "level", other responsibilities that might affect my practice schedule (work, marriage, kids), musical goals (I am not looking to tour, period). That kind fo stuff. I've got set up with 2 bands this way. One worked well until scheduling screwed eveyone, the other is about to start.

Mike

scootron · #6 08-26-2008, 05:52 PM

You might be surprised how many people you know or work with play or played music some time in the past. I've wound up playing with quite a few people just by them finding out I play bass and them saying, 'hey, I used to play guitar in college', and sure enough they would still have some chops.

It always surprises me how many people out there can play or how many at any given time are learning to play, even in a less populated area like mine.

guitarrock24 · #7 08-26-2008, 06:41 PM

anyone know any free websites that actually work. because i'm a poor college freshmen right now.

strummer21 · #8 08-27-2008, 10:29 PM

Great advice everyone, thanks. Baalroo, that's funny that you said that, I actually played for a couple friends of mine that didn't know I started playing bass and they were blown away, I'll suggest they pickup a guitar or something. Mike v s, spot on with your craigslist advice, I have used CL for years and I have found, just like you suggest, be VERY specific with your listing. I still get invites to join bands even though I specifically put I'm a beginner looking for other beginners.

huckingfuskie · #9 08-27-2008, 10:44 PM

I'm having this same problem. I'm 21. Started playing in an amazingly well organized high school jazz band when i was about 16. I was told i was quite gifted at the time, but later on made some very stupid decisions and quit playing since. 4 years later i realized what an idiot i was and picked up music again and now aftyer playing alone for a year im looking for people to jam with and cant find anyone. Its lame to say the least.

sorry for the life story.

The Golden Boy · #10 08-28-2008, 10:58 AM

Catch a band you like- tell the guys that you're way better than the dweeb they have now. Hopefully, they won't be friends with him and beat you up.

dave64o · #11 08-28-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

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The place I take lessons has started a beta project of getting older players like yourself ( and me ) together in a band situation . IE drummer , guitarist(s) , bass and vocals. We practice with an instructor that does gig out and helps in the whole process. We have had several sessions and it really is a blast . We can play as loud as we want to and have access to a decent studio with a lot of gear none of us own or have room for.Plus no kids , wives , husbands to distract us. No it is not free but it is , so far , worth every penny.
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That is a AWESOME arrangement. I wonder how easy it would be to find something like that or start something like that. Maybe by finding a decent instructor (something I've needed to do for the few years I've been playing anyway) and ask them to talk to their instructor friends to see if they have other adult students who are just learning?

spliffnriff · #12 08-28-2008, 02:33 PM

Try look for bars that have an "Open Mike" night. You can sometimes play with the house band, or you can talk to some of the musicians there. Some of them are in the same boat as you.
I was lucky. There is a club here in Toronto that caters to people like us. The owner has 3 studios and he puts together the jam sessions. Absolutely amazing. EXPENSIVE, but amazing.

Indiana Mike · #13 08-29-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spliffnriff

Try look for bars that have an "Open Mike" night. You can sometimes play with the house band, or you can talk to some of the musicians there. Some of them are in the same boat as you.
I was lucky. There is a club here in Toronto that caters to people like us. The owner has 3 studios and he puts together the jam sessions. Absolutely amazing. EXPENSIVE, but amazing.

+1 there is a club here that open mic night and people just show up with there instruments and work the rest out from there .

wrongway · #14 08-30-2008, 10:50 AM

I can really relate to this thread. I put down my guitar for like 13 years and got back into it when I was like 36 or so. I'm 39 now and it is very hard to find anyone my age who isn't already 'semi-pro' and even harder to find people who have similar taste in music. I've been jamming with a good bunch of guys for awhile now but we don't really get outside the classic rock genre so I decided to record some backing tracks to play along with at home. I posted a thread in the misc section and exchanged a few tracks with another guy on here. It's not a bad way to keep your practice time interesting while your looking for people to hook up with.

Another thought I had recently was to contact the music department at our local community college to see if they would be interested in forming an over 30 music club for people like us who what to work on their chops and meet new people. I may try that this fall. I'll let you know how that works out...