Help starting a new band

[disenchant]

Well, the inevitable happened. Silly me dated the guitarist of the band, and now that we're not going out any longer I have been removed from the band and his new girlfriend will be the new bassist (she doesn't play bass, but then neither did I).

I'd like to start my own thing now. When I was in the band over a year ago I had never played the bass before. Now I'm OK, not great, not bad. I have great sound, great gear and the drive to be awesome!

I love rock, metal and punk but I don't want a chick band. I'm not sure how to proceed in putting something together. Someone told me bassists and drummers are in demand, and that guitarists are a dime in a dozen. But are chick bassists in demand? Will that work against me? Also, I'm 31--is that old? I can songwrite and I know my music theory. I've just never had the chance to do those things and I'm nervous.

I have a friend who plays some guitar and sings awesomely. I may start putting something together with him.

Please give advice. Any advice is helpful! And don't say "don't date band members" cuz I think I learned that one the hard way!

[Dkerwood]

Just play with as many people as possible. When you find a combination that clicks, grab hold of that. You'll be great!

[bassfastpik]

the key is to keep jamming with differnt ppl. the more musicians you kno the better. have your musician friends introduce you to other musicians they know. Just keep doing this until u kno a krapload of musicians. If your anygood. som1 is bound to wanna start a band with you

[tim99]

You where not silly. You now play bass. Positive result.

Great gear and great tone are important. Develop great TIME and you will be awesome.

Chick basses are in demand. It will work for you. 31 is not too old.

Yes. Write songs with that guy. Be a duo. Write down every open mic in your area and find out how many songs you need to have to sing for your set and do it. Two secrets of the music business: 1) it is a business, and 2) the songwriters make the money.

Get the bass and amp stuff you need, and then instead of buying more bass stuff, start buying good PA stuff for your duo and your new band practice space and gigs. Lots of threads here about that. Chick + Bassist + PA = in demand. Bring tools and batteries and cables and you will be a god.

Come up with a business card with your name, you phone number, and your email. That is all you need. You do not need to say "bassist" or "musician" or anything. If you do not what to use your real phone, get a Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone or something like that for messages. Go to places you want to play with your new/future band and walk up to the type of guys you want to play with and say "Hey guys I am starting a band and am looking for a drummer with good time, a guitar player who does not play too loud, and a singer who does not have an attitude." Hand them your card.

Good luck. You are in a good place headed in a good direction. Be safe but keep moving forward and listening to what you want and making that happen. When it is not going good, walk away and start something new. Walking away is not going backward, it is going forward.

[tZer]

Be in love with your instrument! Go after every opportunity to jam and do it because you love to jam! The more you play with other folks and let them experience your love for playing, the more people will want to play with you. Play at home and learn songs you have always wanted to learn. If you can, record yourself playing along with these songs so you can either refine your approach or beam with joy at how good you sound!

For me the key to 'breaking through and being sought-after' was literally NOT looking for other's approval, but seeking my own. I found it recently and now whenever I go anywhere to jam I always get asked, "Dude, are you looking for a gig?" They either know of a band who could really use me or want to know if I am available for their thing. It's all because I really love what I do and it shows!

So that is it. Love what you do and people will respond.

[disenchant]

Originally Posted by tim99

You where not silly. You now play bass. Positive result.

Great gear and great tone are important. Develop great TIME and you will be awesome.

Chick basses are in demand. It will work for you. 31 is not too old.

Yes. Write songs with that guy. Be a duo. Write down every open mic in your area and find out how many songs you need to have to sing for your set and do it. Two secrets of the music business: 1) it is a business, and 2) the songwriters make the money.

Get the bass and amp stuff you need, and then instead of buying more bass stuff, start buying good PA stuff for your duo and your new band practice space and gigs. Lots of threads here about that. Chick + Bassist + PA = in demand. Bring tools and batteries and cables and you will be a god.

Come up with a business card with your name, you phone number, and your email. That is all you need. You do not need to say "bassist" or "musician" or anything. If you do not what to use your real phone, get a Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone or something like that for messages. Go to places you want to play with your new/future band and walk up to the type of guys you want to play with and say "Hey guys I am starting a band and am looking for a drummer with good time, a guitar player who does not play too loud, and a singer who does not have an attitude." Hand them your card.

Good luck. You are in a good place headed in a good direction. Be safe but keep moving forward and listening to what you want and making that happen. When it is not going good, walk away and start something new. Walking away is not going backward, it is going forward.

Hey thanks for the advice and the uplift! I think open mics are a good idea and I'd like to try it soon!

[disenchant]

Originally Posted by tZer

Be in love with your instrument! Go after every opportunity to jam and do it because you love to jam! The more you play with other folks and let them experience your love for playing, the more people will want to play with you. Play at home and learn songs you have always wanted to learn. If you can, record yourself playing along with these songs so you can either refine your approach or beam with joy at how good you sound!

For me the key to 'breaking through and being sought-after' was literally NOT looking for other's approval, but seeking my own. I found it recently and now whenever I go anywhere to jam I always get asked, "Dude, are you looking for a gig?" They either know of a band who could really use me or want to know if I am available for their thing. It's all because I really love what I do and it shows!

So that is it. Love what you do and people will respond.

Hey, that is so true! I love playing bass it's so funky and fun and the perfect combo between a rhythm instrument and a melodic instrument. I will continue to love it and be thankful that the guy at least set me on the right path.