teen bassist needs a band ;(

KrazyTom · #1 05-08-2007, 08:20 PM

hey all! i'm curentally only 16 years old and have been playing since i was 10. Thats great and all but about 2 years ago i moved to PA from CO for family reasons.
anyway, I'm no pro at the bass, still young and i want to play with a band like no tomarrow! I have been asking all my buddys that play but there all already in bands. I have been looking online too, but since my age not one person lives close and wants a 16 year old kid with there band.. any pointers? my teacher says keep playing and the band will find you, but man it sucks!!!

help me out people!

thanks

Tom H

SuperDuck · #2 05-08-2007, 08:27 PM

Patience is a virtue... it might not happen right away! Go to your local guitar stores and see if they have boards where people can post gear for sale ads, show fliers, etc. You can always put up a "bassist available" ad with your email address and have folks contact you.

KrazyTom · #3 05-08-2007, 09:55 PM

hmm i'll have to give that a try with the ad in the shop. thanks

another thing, some people say to go the stores and just test out the new basses and maybe someone will notice you rockin out. is that even a good way? because i never usually see tons of people looking at how other play at stores... is it just me?

T-Bird · #4 05-09-2007, 12:36 AM

Hi, Tom

Well, I'd read the ads and put my own in there.

While the "playing in the music store to attract bands" might sound like an good idea, it IMHO usually annoys the crap out of the employees. Unless there's a dedicated room for each instrument.

Regards
Sam

Depth_Charge · #5 05-09-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyTom

hmm i'll have to give that a try with the ad in the shop. thanks

another thing, some people say to go the stores and just test out the new basses and maybe someone will notice you rockin out. is that even a good way? because i never usually see tons of people looking at how other play at stores... is it just me?

IME most of the people who approached me in the shops to chat about playing and bands liked to talk the talk, but by all means use the opportunity to check things out!!

Use the message boards suggested, ask those bands if people drop into rehearsals at all (ours do) and network some might play too. And I've shot you a PM with a link to a resource I've used with good results.

Do a Google Search on "musician resources <area>" and "musicians wanted" and start refining them. Bookmark the good ones!!

Good luck and rock on brother

Munjibunga · #6 05-09-2007, 12:56 AM

Yesterday I couldn't even spell bassist. Now I are one!

KrazyTom · #7 05-09-2007, 02:48 PM

sweet thanks aton guys! the link was very helpful, so thanks!

i'll let ya guys know how it works out

Jim Carr · #8 05-13-2007, 08:54 AM

Getting a good band together is not easy, but don't give up. You just need to meet more players and widen your network. It's work, but worth it.

Try craigslist.org and select for your area. You can post for free under musicians. Also, talk to the music teachers at your school and other schools in your area. See if next year (or even this summer) they have any need for a bass player (Jazz ensemble, musicals, show choir, etc.). Ask to have a Rock Band ensemble class started next fall or even this summer at your school, even if it is an afterschool activity.

It may seem uncool, but ask your folks to help you go to a rock camp this summer. Don't overlook churches, and even local colleges. They are good places to hear others perform and thereby meet other players. Find out where ANY bands are playing and go hear them. During a break, introduce yourself politely and ask them if they know anyone in your area who needs a bassist or plays drums/guitar/etc. Summer is great because of festivals, fairs, and other outdoor events. Go talk to the musicians and bring a pencil and a small note pad.

Get some help from your bass teacher. Keep bugging him/her for more ideas. Suggest that he/she and other teachers should start a Rock Band Coaching class for drum, bass, guitar, voice, keyboard, etc., students. If your teacher can't help, call around to other teachers/music stores/music schools and see it anyone has this going on.

Oh, BTW, practice a lot, and get good (you probably have been at this for a while, but I had to say it). That way THEY will want YOU when you find them. Best of luck!

KrazyTom · #9 05-13-2007, 03:16 PM

sweet thanks alot Jim! i'll give it all a try!

big thanks!

Diddii · #10 05-13-2007, 07:09 PM

i was in the same potion as you are, on my same age i think.
I started writing my own stuff while i wasnt in a band, then i went to collage... met some dudes who needed a Bassist, i joined them and showed them my stuff (which was a alot of riffs). I think we made about 8 or 9 tracks :/ now we dont play much togeather

dont know why? I started in a new band

My advice here is that you start write your on stuff

Jim Carr · #11 05-13-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyTom

sweet thanks alot Jim! i'll give it all a try!

big thanks!

as yoda says, "Try not. DO!" Hope you find something soon!

Baird6869 · #12 05-16-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyTom

hmm i'll have to give that a try with the ad in the shop. thanks

another thing, some people say to go the stores and just test out the new basses and maybe someone will notice you rockin out. is that even a good way? because i never usually see tons of people looking at how other play at stores... is it just me?

I have had 3 guys ask me if I wanted to play in their bands by doing this recently. I am not a music store stalker but since my kids have 30min lessons once a week, I have nothing better to do than sit in the bass room and try new basses/amps.

It may work for you

KrazyTom · #13 05-16-2007, 08:09 PM

oh wow. i'm going to look for a new bass so hopefully i see some reactions. thanks

Afrokid · #14 05-17-2007, 04:04 PM

your 16, look around your school!

dangnewt · #15 05-17-2007, 04:15 PM

If you can locate a drummer, believe me, the guitars and singers will find you.

Jim is right about churches - you might not only hear good musicians, and meet more folks interested in music; but they may want you to play. I wish we had another bassist at my church - that way we wouldn't be bass-less when I go away for a weekend.

Baryonyx · #16 05-17-2007, 04:25 PM

Playing music stores is alright, I recall when my brother was asked to join a band as their guitarist just from a music store "audition".

That said, putting an add up will do wonders!

KrazyTom · #17 05-17-2007, 05:49 PM

sweet, thanks for all the help!

Afrokid, i know i didnt make this clear, but my school is a very small school, i kinda live in the middle on nowhere..lol but i'll keep looking, thanks!

toaster2k3 · #18 05-22-2007, 06:02 PM

Your friends are in bands. Ask some of them if they want to do an experimental side project to open their shows. Then, slowly but surely, draw their attention from their current bands to your own.

KrazyTom · #19 05-23-2007, 02:23 PM

all my friends who play are in bands, but there all still mostly basement bands.. still kids and all so who knows...

thanks!