I want to play with others now (obviously not *now now* but you know what I mean) but I have tenuous plans to leave my state when I'm done with college on the basis of career. It feels like a waste to build something that won't last over two years, but I feel like it would be worse to wait. What should I do?
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Feeling discouraged concerning playing with others.
- Thread starter JackyOranges
- Start date
People change bands all the time - especially young people. I think it'd be pretty rare to find a group of people in your age group that'd stick together for more than a couple of years without any lineup changes. Find a band, have fun. When life moves you elsewhere, give them some notice (a month or two). It'll be OK.
I played a little with a group for my last semester of college. Even though I knew it wouldn't go far it still felt worthwhile. I was the oldest/most experienced member so perhaps that helped; I felt never like a weak-link which would need time to improve. In general though I'd say go for it. A year or more is a actually lot of time. You just might need to keep in mind your temporality when it comes to certain issues like artistic direction or such things. If you're a known temporary member maybe don't worry about the band name, for example. Or overall let the others who might be more permanently invested call the shots in stylistic and artistic direction. But that doesn't mean you can't be involved, have fun, and learn and teach what you can from the experience.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
The best time I ever had in bands was in college. You also never know who may be a lifelong friends/contact.
The Stones didn't think they'd last more than a couple of years.
And many people change jobs several times before they settle into a working path that can be defined as a career.
So what does that tell you?
Follow your path...wherever it leads. And when you arrive at your destination you'll be there.
And many people change jobs several times before they settle into a working path that can be defined as a career.
So what does that tell you?
Follow your path...wherever it leads. And when you arrive at your destination you'll be there.
Life is too short my friend; get out and play! With as many people as you can.
Get out there and play! Even if it doesn’t turn into gigs or anything serious, it’s fun and you’ll grow as a musician.
I played in a bluegrass trio for just about 2 years before 2 of us moved away. We never really got to gigging, but I got familiar with a new genre, worked on my vocals, and got 2 life-long friends out of the deal
I played in a bluegrass trio for just about 2 years before 2 of us moved away. We never really got to gigging, but I got familiar with a new genre, worked on my vocals, and got 2 life-long friends out of the deal
The best band I ever played in lasted only about six months. However, I will always remember the experience in a positive light.
You're young. You'll help build things that may fall apart on you the rest of your life. Some might even fall because of you, but most won't. You might not be able to take the thing with you when you move on, but the experiences and memories will be with you forever if you let them be.
Get out and jam man!
Get out and jam man!
A band isn't a marriage, it's just a group of people playing together. Go ahead and get together to play whenever you can.
I've been playing bass about ten years now. My wife, as a joke to rub my nose in, keeps a running list of bands I've been in (most of which never gigged). I think it's up to sixteen or seventeen groups. And I have no problem with that.
I've been playing bass about ten years now. My wife, as a joke to rub my nose in, keeps a running list of bands I've been in (most of which never gigged). I think it's up to sixteen or seventeen groups. And I have no problem with that.
Get with people, make some music and have some fun even if it's for a relative short period*. If nothing else, it's good experience for you to get used to dealing with "being in a band". There is so much to manage beyond learning your parts and grooving together that only experience can provide. You need to figure out which types of people you will enjoy working with, which you don't mind and which you refuse to work with. The sooner you start working with people, the sooner that experience begins.
I probably wouldn't be inclined to venture into an originals project though if you expect to be moving on. These are a little harder to sustain when an individual moves on. But cover band: oh yeah.
*If you can get a band to last two years without personnel change, it would be very odd.
I probably wouldn't be inclined to venture into an originals project though if you expect to be moving on. These are a little harder to sustain when an individual moves on. But cover band: oh yeah.
*If you can get a band to last two years without personnel change, it would be very odd.
Some of the most fun I've had was in college bands. Like hrodbert696, I've played in over 50 bands in 30+ years, and not regretted it.
I played in one decent band in college, and it lasted just one semester. After that, the leader graduated. It was a blast and I learned a lot. Totally worthwhile. So I say go for it!
My opinion would be...don't make decisions now based on what a situation may, or may not, be like two years from now. I say if you want to play, and you find others who want you to play with them, then go for it. Who knows what two years from now may bring, and you may make connections and friendships in that time period where you are now that might last a lifetime.
go and play with others. Maybe begin playing covers, but don't play covers all the time, don't be one of 'those' guys.
