How do I join a band?

[SoundCheck12-co]

Bass players are in high demand, so if you know someone who plays in a band, chances are they know a band or two that is looking.

 

[vlad_drac]

I’m new here, I was looking over the option and this seemed like the best location!

In short, I want to join a band and see how it is! What do I need to know beforehand?

By being a singer.

 

[gln1955]

 

[Nev375]

Take your amp out to a street corner downtown and plug in and play straight 8 rhythms or 1-5 blues progressions by yourself. You will get some really weird looks from people. And cops might come and tell you to move along, but don't let that deter you. Eventually another musician will see you and take pity, then they will run home, grab their guitar and join you. With any luck he will also drag a drummer along. And just like that, boom! you are in a band.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I’m new here, I was looking over the option and this seemed like the best location!

In short, I want to join a band and see how it is! What do I need to know beforehand?

Use Super Glue!

 

[dave hope]

I’m new here, I was looking over the option and this seemed like the best location!

In short, I want to join a band and see how it is! What do I need to know beforehand?

If you want to be in a band. Advertise that you are looking, AND, you also own an amazing PA. Lol

 

[CoffeeLove]

Definitely "open jam sessions" in your area. We are a small community, yet still have a couple places that do a weekly open-jam, with people of different skill levels.

 

[Holdsg]

find a band and defeat their current bassist in single combat

this is the rite of band succession

this is the way

 

[cubanbass]

Welcome to TB!

Great advice so far, and as you can see there are many ways to do it. It also depends on your abilities or experience, but we all started somewhere...

-Local ads like Craigslist (its been 10 years but I found lifelong bandmates and projects I am still involved with today through craigslist... it took a lot of sifting, auditioning - I also auditioned them, and patience)
-Music store bulletin boards
-Do you take/have you taken lessons? Ask your teacher
-Jam with friends, ask friends if they know anyone in a band/plays music
-Open mics/Jam sessions/Go see other bands and talk to them (some of these can be intimidating, but I find if you talk to people in these scenes and are sincere about your level and goals, you will find a lot of help)
- Do you know bass players? Offer to sub (highly dependent on skill level)
- Take a combo/group class, many community colleges offer non-credit courses. You can register for a Rock combo, R&B combo, latin... you name it.

Unfortunately (and fortunately) you have to put yourself out there a bit. You already took a big step joining a network of musicians with Talkbass.

Good luck!

 

[2cooltoolz]

Found my most recent "Real" band through Craigslist. Met some flakes and some snobs first, though. I had to bail from that band, after 3+ years, for surgery/recovery and they moved on (and still going strong ). Since my recovery, I've been more focused on Bandmix, because people post pictures, sound clips, and even videos. I've met some good musicians that way, but not found "The" band.

Some bands have been business like and professional; walk into rehearsal, get down to work, fix what needs fixin', adios. That is my idea of fun.
Some bands hand you a beer as you walk in the door (what's that funny smell?). Talk a lot, play a little, never move forward. But happy as hell!

Depends what you're looking for. Find your kind of people. Good luck!

 

[TerribleTim68]

Most communities have a Facebook group for the local music scene or even specifically a musicians wanted group. Around here this is much more active and has fewer weirdos than Craigs List.

^^^ This.

I know the town I live in has a local musicians group and I see posts all the time on there for "such and such band looking for bassist" or whatever. I'd start there.

 

[musicmansf]

Sign up for local psychology classes to understand the whims of the drummer.

For real though, lots of great advice here in the thread so far. The Vampr app is something I've started messing with. It's sort of like Tinder for musicians.

 

[Mastermold]

I love this. I joined my first band at age 14, some friends literally came over asking me about playing bass (I only played piano at the time). I did, loved it, and made more friends in other bands and the "scene" sort of fed off itself with all the players hanging out, making friends and playing music. That was back in the mid-80s. Think "Stranger Things"!

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Your local Craigslist under "musicians". Create an HONEST ad as to your skill level and experience. State you are looking for other people at the same experience and skill level.
Avoid ads which lie and say "heading straight to the top, hundreds of gigs pre-booked, world tour beginning in 6 months".
Honesty is your friend in this arena.

 

[GBBSbassist]

You just did, bro. You're a member of my band.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

The best thing is to go places where there are musicians, and talk to them, see who is out there looking for a bassist. That means open mics and jams, music stores, bars and clubs that have live music, etc. Cast a wide net.

This!