How does a 14 year old get into a band?

[scootron]

Don't know if this could work for you, but...

My guitar player (19) and I found ourselves without a band. We started holding 'jam sessions' and inviting different people (some that he went to school with, some known as local players) over just to play. Drummers, rhythm players, singers, keys players, etc. Word spread, people started coming out of the woodwork, wanting to come over to play. Soon it amounted to a fairly large group of candidates from which we could invite some guys to join us in a band.

So, if you can find a buddy who is a drummer or a lead player, you will have the basis to start building a band. A drummer would probably be best, because good drummers are really hard to find, and there are always plenty of guitar players.

Be careful about singers...they tend to start out as part of the band, and next thing you know they think that the band is their backup group.

One thing that surprised us was that fairly well known local guys wanted to come over and play with us, guys we would never have thought about inviting.

 

[Modo74]

Oh, you guys misunderstood me, I hope I didn't offend anyone ,or make you look 'old.' I didn't mean Radiohead was classic rock. Maybe more like Hard Rock, or some sort of Modern Rock. I don't know, it's just that my tastes don't really like that sort of music. I might make an exception if it's maybe a Tool style band. No offense to anyone if anyone was offended. I try to stay polite on the internet, except for Youtube, then watch out.

Heh, no worries mate. Just kidding around.

I already looked old anyway...

 

[bonzo4880]

dont fret... you are young. and you have lots of free time at your disposal, which never gets better as you get older (unless you have a trust fund or win the lottery). being a 'gear whore' is ok lol but be a promiscuous musician and get out there and play with whoever. its a great way to meet people and make friends, you never know what will come out of a jam session with folks you dnt know. and you have to play with a lot of people, sometimes, to find the right ones. at least you live near a large urban area. keep playing, keep getting better. if you are only 14, but a competent musician and love your instrument, you will find a band. i promise. you may even decide to play with certain individuals or a band because of the opportunities it will give you or because you have something to gain from the other musicians. bands come and go, but the music is forever. i know that sounds like some hippy dippy BS but its true. if you love it, keep at it and good things will happen.

but for sure, find a good drummer and get locked in. it will make you a better bassist and musician. plus once you get tight, you can sell yourselves as a rhythm section. that will certainly give you some clout, especially being in the under 18 demographic.

 

[whoatherechunk]

grow some facial hair and carry around an empty flask

 

[fretster]

Put an ad on Craigslist in your town.

+1.

Or better yet, READ craigslist. There are bands out there that need you! The section is right at the upper left, in "Community", "Musicians". In fact, you will find people that just want to jam, and that may be a better place to go next rather than jumping into a band.

Plus, find a summer music camp. There a bunch out there. Rockwall camp in San Francisco takes you through 4 or 5 genres of rock, with an awesome staff. It's a week long sleep over camp. Google is your friend here on finding one you like. Don't discount Jazz Camps. Stuff you learn there you can use in pretty much every other setting. Not "note for not" obviously, but the approach, the study, the theory, the "playing together as a band" stuff does for sure.

 

[jomahu]

+ infinity on craigslist!

i joined my first band when i was 15 or so (memory is getting fuzzy with age ). the one thing i will say, considering your influences, is BE HUMBLE.
i remember being a Rush freak, expecting everyone to play in 7/8 and all that, when all folks wanted to do was play no doubt covers (which are wicked fun to play, btw). i had to learn to shut my mouth real quick, especially when i started doin freelance work.

also, +100 on finding a drummer friend. best advice ever.

 

[psychotiger]

Just a thought.... My kids are 15 (twins) and take a Rock band summer camp in Austin that lasts 2 weeks. They are matched with complimenting musicians with similar musical interests. and Boom! Instant band for the summer. They come out of the "camp" with a 30-minute set developed, one original song, and some recording experience. Chicago ought to have something like that if you can swing it. Otherwise, take the lead and start your own band as others have mentioned.

 

[tank4checo]

tr to make friend with people that play music in your age group and make friend first then start a band with them. as long as your friends with your bandmates it then things in the band wil go smoother. i think its the puberty and the teen angst that makes it hard for high school bands to stay together.

 

[namraj]

go to you're or a bass/guitar teacher that can suggest students, go to members of ur orchestra that you like the playing style of.

find musicians you like and start you're own group

it does help to be talented, lol, or have a talented friend to leach off