Any tips for finding and running a band IN COLLEGE?

Shroom · #1 08-21-2008, 12:27 AM

Hey TB! I'm about to enter my first year of college, and one of my main goals is to find my way into a sweet band (second to my studies, of course =D ). Does anyone have any experience?

I'd prefer to find good musicians, who are also good people, and make a band of my own, but I'm also willing to join up with someone else's band if the other task proves too difficult (at least at first). Should I post flyers? Should I take one of my disposable white tees, write "Bassist seeking band" across the front with sharpees, and wear it around? Or should I just bide my time and wait till I end up making friends with good musicians?

Jumbotron · #2 08-21-2008, 08:23 AM

Make some friends (you will meet a decent guitar player before you know it, but you'll have a harder time finding a drummer), put out flyers, and have a great time! Remember, though, that in all likelihood, you'll break up when you graduate, if not before.

MoD_Scotty · #3 08-21-2008, 10:03 AM

2x on the flyers. I used to see tons of them. Make sure to hit up all the music and CD stores in the area. Some schools even have designated areas where you're allowed to post flyers on campus.

And despite what Jumbotron said, I've seen lots of bands that stick together after graduation...sometimes school is the only thing holding them back from touring seriously...so when they finally graduate, the gloves come off! But just in case, make sure to do well in school so you can find a job after you graduate.

brivello · #4 08-21-2008, 10:04 AM

Craigslist would be a good place to look.

jmac · #5 08-21-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brivello

Craigslist would be a good place to look.

+1, I found my band on craislist. It only took a year, but was well worth the wait.

rakirksey · #6 08-21-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbotron

Make some friends (you will meet a decent guitar player before you know it, but you'll have a harder time finding a drummer), put out flyers, and have a great time! Remember, though, that in all likelihood, you'll break up when you graduate, if not before.

+1 ... The band I was in college was brought into fruition through friends of friends. Actually my friend was a drummer, so that was the easy part.

scrotimusprime · #7 08-21-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brivello

Craigslist would be a good place to look.

+1 to craig's list. That's how I got into several bands until I knew enough musicians in the area to start getting phone calls.

Its going to be tough finding people in college who have the same agenda as yuo but it can be done. Also note that school will get in the way for you too - if you find players who aren't in school make sure that they understand your obligation during finals week.

Also, if you can, take music classes. I only got to take a couple (cause I was an EE) but I found them to be really helpful.

Oh, and stick to it. With all of the crap you have to deal with between school and the band its going to push you... just keep playing. I even made it through grad school while being in a band, its doable.

Shroom · #8 08-22-2008, 11:13 PM

Cool! Thanks for the tips guys!

I just moved into my dorm today, which is apartment style, meaning I have 3 room mates. Would you believe that one plays guitar, one plays drums, and the other plays bass (but is more of a beginner)? Drummer has no set and the guitar player and me my not mix well enough to actually form a band, but it's still pretty sweet.

Dogbertday · #9 08-22-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

Cool! Thanks for the tips guys!

I just moved into my dorm today, which is apartment style, meaning I have 3 room mates. Would you believe that one plays guitar, one plays drums, and the other plays bass (but is more of a beginner)? Drummer has no set and the guitar player and me my not mix well enough to actually form a band, but it's still pretty sweet.

you should try anyway. some of the coolest combos come from conflicting styles

invader3k · #10 08-23-2008, 07:06 AM

Can you use the apartment as a practice space (sometimes there are strict noise rules)? That can be a big hurdle for a lot of "at college" bands.

GreenFunkGuy · #11 08-23-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoD_Scotty

2x on the flyers. I used to see tons of them. Make sure to hit up all the music and CD stores in the area. Some schools even have designated areas where you're allowed to post flyers on campus.

Flyer as much as you can, go to shows and meet people. I'm a college student living w/ my drummer and he and I are just gettin going, and i think flyering is going to help us out alot

cassanova · #12 08-23-2008, 12:17 PM

The fliers are a good idea. Slut yourself out. Put ad's on the net, go to places other musicians congregate, hit up coffee shops, open mic nights in the area, etc. If the college has a music department (it more than likely does) go to it and introduce yourself to others. Its all about networking.

cassanova · #13 08-23-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

Can you use the apartment as a practice space (sometimes there are strict noise rules)? That can be a big hurdle for a lot of "at college" bands.

This can easily be overcome. All you need is a patch bay or something that everyone can run headphones into. We used to have to do this when we were using an apartment for a rehearsal area.

invader3k · #14 08-23-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

This can easily be overcome. All you need is a patch bay or something that everyone can run headphones into. We used to have to do this when we were using an apartment for a rehearsal area.

That assumes the drummer has an electronic kit, or is at least using brushes, though.

Shroom · #15 08-25-2008, 08:56 PM

Well, I've been practicing on my own and haven't got any noise complaints so far.

I think my biggest hurdle to overcome is my lack of a car. I haven't figured out where any venues are, although I've heard about a few, but really I have no way to get to em except when my room mate with a car wants to go. It also makes it hard to spread flyers around :/

ErebusBass · #16 08-25-2008, 09:12 PM

There's a bus.

scrotimusprime · #17 08-26-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErebusBass

There's a bus.

Your mom's a bus.

"Hey bus driver, can we put a drumset in the seats? It will only take us 10 minutes to load"

Dkerwood · #18 08-26-2008, 12:51 PM

Best of luck. College is a great time to give it a go. After all, you've got all summer that you can tour- the only money you need is for gas and food, right? Just enough to get to the next gig? College also provides you with a lot more freedom to practice when you want...

My freshman year of college, I had a great band. We'd break into the music building (or hide in the bathroom until after they'd lock up), and practice until the wee morning hours. They finally ended up catching some of my bandmates one night and told them in no uncertain terms to STAY OUT after hours... but until then, we had a blast.

FWIW, the band broke up at the end of freshman year... 2 of us ended up going to different schools altogether.

Gear is always a fun problem to overcome (like a drummer with no kit). Our drummer played in one of the school bands, and he got to store his kit in the music building (which, I think, is why we got away with playing there for so long). PAs are also hard to come by, but most bars in a college town that feature bands should have one.

Oh, and in response to your original question, I really like the t-shirt idea. Dont' know that it would bear much fruit, but it certainly sounds cool. Flyers are very useful, as is Craigslist. Best of luck!

Shroom · #19 08-27-2008, 10:44 AM

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

And to the guy who said take a bus, what were you thinking? You think they're gonna let me try to shove my half stack in the aisle?

Dkerwood · #20 08-27-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

And to the guy who said take a bus, what were you thinking? You think they're gonna let me try to shove my half stack in the aisle?

Error #1: Thinking you NEED a half stack. Sell it, and get yourself a 1x12 combo. THEN you'll be prepared to play most college venues. Playing too loud will get you fired faster than anything else, other than showing up late.