finding people to jam with

[mgash]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this, but I want to find other musicians. What is the best way to go about this?

 

[Matthew Bryson]

That would be easier to answer is you could post your age and location. I would say that the best approach varies quite a bit based on your age and location.

I found my current band by posting a very detailed ad on Craig's List saying bass player available and explaining clearly what I was and was not looking for in a band. They contacted me, and we really clicked and it's worked out great. I would not recommend that to a person who is under 18, or to any person who doesn't feel 100% comfortable meeting strangers from the internet. It also wouldn't work if I didn't live in a relatively large city.

 

[ryco]

Posting notices in music stores
Posting notices at local school bulletin boards (mus dept, cafeteria, student union bldg)
Classifieds in local music zines or newspapers
Find jam sessions in bars (if your of age) where they play the styles you are interested in
Go to lots of shows and seek out musicians interested in the same styles

 

[morf]

Just tell people around you you're a bassist. Someone's bound to come up to you saying some band they know need one

 

[kydnav]

Just tell people around you you're a bassist. Someone's bound to come up to you saying some band they know need one

That won't work where I come from.. I've been walking around with a t-shirt that says 'Bassplayer' for about half a year and still nothing

 

[arbarnhart]

Public jams are a good place. While you should start with a targeted search for the style of music you want to play, you might also consider going to jams for other styles of music if they are easier to find or are better attended. I met a couple of the guys I jam rock/blues with at a bluegrass jam. Finding where all the jams are can be a trick. You have to search online, pick up local papers (especially the little independant ones that tend to be mostly "non-news"), ask at music stores, etc.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

www.craigslist.com
www.themode.com
www.harmony-central.com

 

[mgash]

age-38
style of music-rock and blues
area-south of boston

Thanks for the responces

 

[Spoiled Grape]

age-38
style of music-rock and blues
area-south of boston

Thanks for the responces

Head out to local shows and get to know the musicians involved. Everyone has a side project, or a few friends who like to jam, etc.

Internet works, but the best way to go in populated cities is to just head out to where music gets played, and get to know the people involved. Who knows, you might find a great group of guys who eventually need a bassplayer in a month or two.

 

[Thor]

Throw an ad into the Phoenix for a week, detail what
style you are interested in.

Be right up front if you are looking for a jam band with
only occasional gigs, a lot of guys around your age have
jobs and family responsibilites, and will be available to jam
2-4 times a month, with a monthly or bi-monthly gig, but
won't commit to a full time gig for every weekend.

I ended up playing with 3 sets of guys so I get enough playing time.
And there seemed to be a lot more opportunities
for me as a bassist as I networked through different guitar players.
Some of the projects have turned out rather well.

Good Luck!