Hi Folks, Drew here... so I am wondering what a 17 year old in the US should be doing as far as playing with a band goes. I have a band right now, but in all honesty they are terrible bandmates deciding that going to their grandmother's house is so terribly important that we cannot have a band meeting. Also weekdays, for no apparent reason, just don't work. I'm pretty sure I need to find new bandmates that are dedicated just like I am but I'm wondering not only what kind of people should I be looking for but, what do we do once we are a band?
Sounds like you might want to figure out what you want from a band and for yourself. cant make something from nothing. figure out what you want and it will make it easier to find the people you need to play with to accomplish what you are looking for from a band. its hard to hold people to standards like band meetings and such when you dont really know what you want from a band yourself. figure that out and then start to work on finding people with the same interests. then everything should start to take off on its own.
Finding bandmates who share your level of committment (whether that be high, low, or whatever) is really more important than their musical skills or tastes. The guy who ends up doing all the work ends up frustrated & resentful. Either that, or he ends up hiring & firing the others 'cause they're all working for him.
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"I spent ten years starving to death playing great music. I write a one-chord song about poontang and make a million dollars. What would YOU do?" - Ted Nugent
When I was 17, I had hardly any interest in playing with musicians my own age. Once I turned 18 and could legally play in a bar, I joined up with cats who were 30 - 40 years old.
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"One man's 'pig thief' is another man's 'swine liberator.' It's all in the marketing." - Unrepresented.
When I was 17, I had hardly any interest in playing with musicians my own age. Once I turned 18 and could legally play in a bar, I joined up with cats who were 30 - 40 years old.
i had a very similar experience when i turned 18 i moved to kansas city....played with a few bands in my own age range and it was nothing but a noise competition. if your seriouse about playing. consider what liquid said.....thats what i did and man not only was it SOOOO much more fun....but i learned so much. although i was lucky enough to play with a group of guy between 28 and 35....they were all very patient and willing to help me if i didnt get it.
Sounds like you might want to figure out what you want from a band and for yourself. cant make something from nothing. figure out what you want and it will make it easier to find the people you need to play with to accomplish what you are looking for from a band. its hard to hold people to standards like band meetings and such when you dont really know what you want from a band yourself. figure that out and then start to work on finding people with the same interests. then everything should start to take off on its own.
I'd like to get a band together, practice, write some originals and play places and see where that goes. It seems like no kids want to do the good old rock band anymore they're either playing death metal or sports. seriously in my school there are 3 death metal bands and nothing else...
Sounds like its time to mix things up. hopefully you live in an area, or go to a big enough school where there are enough people that you dont have limited options. im not so fortunate up here in alaska. but keep working at it. and dont forget sometimes the best thing you can do is look at some local listings for people needing what you have to offer and you can find some older, more goal oriented guys/gals that can help you accomplish your band goals.
so I am wondering what a 17 year old in the US should be doing as far as playing with a band goes. I have a band right now, but in all honesty they are terrible bandmates deciding that going to their grandmother's house is so terribly important that we cannot have a band meeting. Also weekdays, for no apparent reason, just don't work. I'm pretty sure I need to find new bandmates that are dedicated just like I am but I'm wondering not only what kind of people should I be looking for but, what do we do once we are a band?
