Analyze my ad (looking for band)

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

more bullets

link to your site

pix

audio clips

how to contacty

I dont have a site. pix of what? Audio clips as in short sections not full songs?

I do christmas music because I like it, my family likes it, and lots of my friends like it. (we're talking solo acoustic fingerstyle instrumental stuff not what I would be likely to do in a band, it just shoes of a skillset).

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

For instance, your preferred musical genres are "blues rock/funk/jazz/metal/prog ," which is to say pretty much anything except country and classical.

haha, id do classical

I would just say that you're a flexible guitarist and bassist looking for a gigging band, up for anything, and that you're a student and have gig-worthy gear and transportation. Pretty much says it all.

Right on.

When I read an ad I look for one that covers every detail. The longer the better. but I was homeschooled and now im in engineering so that pretty much means i am completely socially inept. lol
Thats why I asked yall. Again thanks for the feedback!

[Kmonk]

I think the ad is too long and as a result, many people won't read it. There is no need to go into your history of learning, recording, etc. That can be done during a phone call or not at all. I would just state that you are a bass and guitar player who is looking for a band. Include the styles you are interested in and your contact information. That should be enough to get responses.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Dont mess with christmas songs... about 1/2 the folks don't like it.. trust me

I have to see the Christmas YouTube clips before making that call.

I know that the production for church bands can be really good pro level footage.

Blue

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I have to see the Christmas YouTube clips before making that call.

I know that the production for church bands can be really good pro level footage.

Blue

I dont have recordings from any of the stuff ive done at church. the stuff thats on my channel now was mostly recorded more 2 years ago. except the acoustic jam which is pretty recent. I plan on recording 4 or 5 new christmas songs and putting them up there as soon as school lets out.

http://www.youtube.com/user/lwknives...e=results_main

[backup]

to add my two billion zimbabwe dollars:
the first thing id look for when searching for musicians is whether or not they are (aspiring) professional musicians. if i had a band that is professional i wouldnt want to include any just-for-fun players. if i had a band consisting of hobby players i wouldnt bother to call a professional. (but as yourestudying engineering i assume youre not professionaly oriented) that would be the first thing id look for in an ad

[jazzbill]

Short ads often say more than long ones. The ad I answered for my current gig was one line:
Bassist needed immediately. Jazz/Blues/Swing upright preferred. Not a beginner gig.

[Downunderwonder]

A band looking for a bassist needs

A guy that shows up on time,
knowing the tunes,
with a bass rig,
and enthusiam.

That is all.

[lwknives]

So, something more like this?

"Versatile guitarist/bassist looking to join gigging band in the Knoxville/Maryville area. I would also be interested in studio work or fill-ins.

I have both gigging and recording experience, pro gear and my own transportation.

Luke"

Another question, since I wont be able to start rehearsing with a band until after christmas does that mean I should wait until then to contact a band or will it take them that long to make a decision/get everything organized ect?

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by lwknives

So, something more like this?

"Versatile guitarist/bassist looking to join gigging band in the Knoxville/Maryville area. I would also be interested in studio work or fill-ins.

I have both gigging and recording experience, pro gear and my own transportation.

Luke"

Another question, since I wont be able to start rehearsing with a band until after christmas does that mean I should wait until then to contact a band or will it take them that long to make a decision/get everything organized ect?

now that would get my attention

[roceci]

That's much better, short & meaningful is the way to go. I've recently spent what feels like an age looking for new band members after getting pi$$ed off with the previous bunch of timewasters & I've just about got the new, much improved crew together so feel I'm qualified to talk about this!

As I was ripping everything apart & starting again I figured this was the opportunity to really specify exactly what I was after...to the nth degree. Big 5-6 paragraph ads on Gumtree here in the UK & other similar sites. The only people who got in touch were the kind whose aunties tell them they've got a lovely voice/can play/should go on Pop Idol. I subsequently saw an ad with a title that drew me in, clicked the mofo & saw so much crap I couldn't be bothered reading it.

The penny dropped right there

Several unmerciful edits later I had my ads down to three lines odd & voila, got most of what I was after inside two weeks.

Just put in enough to filter out the idiots & do the rest over the phone/email.

[almightycrunch]

Originally Posted by derrico1

Guitarist (who also doubles on bass) looking to join gigging Knoxville band. Prefer genres with solid grooves and/or soaring melodic guitar solos. Willing to join the right start-up project. Also interested in studio work or fill-ins.

Gigging and recording experience. Pro gear and attitude. Reliable transportation. Clips of my playing here. [add inks, natch!]

--Luke

bingo, we have a winner.

[bwardmusic]

I think:

a) You should specialize in guitar or bass. If you do both you risk being perceived as a mediocre player.

b) specify what style of music you want. Otherwise you will attract too many people with such diverse musical interests it will be hard to get commitment.

c) Specify the kind of person you want. It's not only about the music. If you don't want to be run off your feet getting gigs and being a band manager, indicate players should be willing to share equally in the work of getting gigs. This will reduce the response rate dramatically, but you will get people who will do more than sit back and complain at you about gigs.

d) indicate what the pay is expected to be. Indicate the goals for the band. Make money? Creative outlet? Just for fun?

e) describe personal characteristics. Do you want people with "good values"? The values of the people in the group have a big impact on the cohesion in the group.

I think the ad misses really -- you'll get a broad group of people, will invest time in trying to get a repertoire and then people will quit when the band doesn't meet their expectations.

The last thing you want (if you are like me) are what I call employees. Guys who will come to rehearsal, gripe about pay and lack of gigs, but refuse to lift a finger to help. But that's just me. Decide what your non-negotiables are, and put them in the ad.

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by bwardmusic

I think:

a) You should specialize in guitar or bass. If you do both you risk being perceived as a mediocre player.

maybe, but i would rather leave opportunity open for both

b) specify what style of music you want. Otherwise you will attract too many people with such diverse musical interests it will be hard to get commitment.

Im open to pretty much anything so long as I get to use some chops and have fun. Im not looking to hire anybody

c) Specify the kind of person you want. It's not only about the music. If you don't want to be run off your feet getting gigs and being a band manager, indicate players should be willing to share equally in the work of getting gigs. This will reduce the response rate dramatically, but you will get people who will do more than sit back and complain at you about gigs.

I have absolutely no idea how to get a gig thats why im mostly interested in joining an established band not do a start up project

d) indicate what the pay is expected to be. Indicate the goals for the band. Make money? Creative outlet? Just for fun?

I drive an hour to play in a church band for free, id like to get paid but it doesnt realy matter. I just want to gig.

e) describe personal characteristics. Do you want people with "good values"? The values of the people in the group have a big impact on the cohesion in the group.

Im not sure an ad will rule out the type of behavior I want to avoid (unless I come across as judgmental)

I think the ad misses really -- you'll get a broad group of people, will invest time in trying to get a repertoire and then people will quit when the band doesn't meet their expectations.

The last thing you want (if you are like me) are what I call employees. Guys who will come to rehearsal, gripe about pay and lack of gigs, but refuse to lift a finger to help. But that's just me. Decide what your non-negotiables are, and put them in the ad.

I think you got the idea that I am looking to start a band, this is not the case. If I was going to be doing a start up project it would have to be very specific. I would rather see how the whole gigging thing works before trying to start from scratch.

[Chazinroch]

Originally Posted by lwknives

So, something more like this?

"Versatile guitarist/bassist looking to join gigging band in the Knoxville/Maryville area. I would also be interested in studio work or fill-ins.

I have both gigging and recording experience, pro gear and my own transportation.

Luke"

Another question, since I wont be able to start rehearsing with a band until after christmas does that mean I should wait until then to contact a band or will it take them that long to make a decision/get everything organized ect?

Much better!! Good luck.