I really and truly appreciate all the responses. You folks are giving me a small measure of hope.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I got desperate and posted a CL ad.
- Thread starter Uncle Hanky
- Start date
I was an English major and I'm now in sales, so I'm hoping I have the ability to compose a proper ad.
You made me think, though. I think I'll go back and fine tune it. I just reread it, and there are things to add/edit that would further elucidate what I'm looking for.
it's not about using proper english. in fact, colloquialisms often go down more easily. it's about giving the right amount of info - too little won't get responses, too much will keep the average person from reading the entire ad - or wanting to respond to it. same with what you're looking for. too much will either keep people from reading it or whittle away most of the people who might have qualified for 75% of what you're looking for. not enough will have every person responding, most of whom won't actually be on the same page you hope to be on.
physical layout can also make a big difference. when i sell items, they sell faster - much faster, actually - if i break the listing into several medium-sized paragraphs and use a bulleted list in the middle. i haven't used a bulleted list when looking for band members or people to jam with, and i feel they wouldn't go over well, but really long paragraphs make people not want to read them, too many short paragraphs just make the page look too busy and offputting.
good luck with your listing, and let us know how it goes!
Oh. Well, based on the title, I thought this thread would be a bit different. Carry on....
A band I'm in currently (1 of 2) I found through CL. I've been with them about 2 years now with lots of gigs behind us. Great folks. On the other hand, I know there are a lot of flakes out there too. I went through a few of the flakes before getting in with this current band.
I've found my best and worst experiences on Craigslist. It's like everything else, do your homework before you waste your time. If there was only one way to find a band, everyone would use it. I would recommend Craigslist, BandMix, open mics, networking with other musicians. I once had cards made up and handed them out to bands. I usually said something like, you have a great bass player, but if you ever find yourself looking for one, please keep me in mind. I got a few calls over the years.
It is definitely worth the effort to look around in CL for jamming opportunities. I was fortunate and found a great group of guys five years ago. We are still going strong and are all best friends.
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
I looked into CL when I moved to NYC years ago, and I didn't find it to work around here. What works here is (A) consistently hang out in your preferred scene(s), go to all the gigs, jams, open mic nights, and support your fellow musicians. Nobody is getting rich over it, so a sociable and community-conscious attitude are tantamount. (B) organize your own project(s)- a band, solo act, back a singer at an open mic; whatever gets you get to play out, and show you mean business.
I have had luck finding sit in drummers when our drummer isn't available on CL. I also used it to find a replacement singer.
I've had success posting and responding to ads. I've met some really talented folks, and I've had the chance to play different kinds of music. One of my current bands is a product of CL. One of my previous bands (lasted a year) was too.
Some people absolutely prefer to selectively respond to your 'right-fit' ad, rather than than have to respond to a slew of 'wrong-fit' responses to their own. I've had people thank me just for posting (which surprised me at first, but I get it.)
I like to provide some info about myself and what I seek, but not TOO much. In my posts, I like to show some openness and flexibility to what I'm seeking, and that it's no biggie to talk or get together once and try it. I like to ask a question or two, or offer some kind of writing prompt. Once we are emailing back & forth, my gut serves me well. I try to look past writing style and stuff, but I get a vibe from the exchange of ideas. (Like if they don't even respond to the prompt). I'm prepared to say "Hey thanks, but..."
If I'm not getting nibbles at all, I'll re-write the ad top to bottom. Its hard to know what the reader infers.
I don't leave the same ad up for too terribly long - people get tired of it.
Best of luck
Some people absolutely prefer to selectively respond to your 'right-fit' ad, rather than than have to respond to a slew of 'wrong-fit' responses to their own. I've had people thank me just for posting (which surprised me at first, but I get it.)
I like to provide some info about myself and what I seek, but not TOO much. In my posts, I like to show some openness and flexibility to what I'm seeking, and that it's no biggie to talk or get together once and try it. I like to ask a question or two, or offer some kind of writing prompt. Once we are emailing back & forth, my gut serves me well. I try to look past writing style and stuff, but I get a vibe from the exchange of ideas. (Like if they don't even respond to the prompt). I'm prepared to say "Hey thanks, but..."
If I'm not getting nibbles at all, I'll re-write the ad top to bottom. Its hard to know what the reader infers.
I don't leave the same ad up for too terribly long - people get tired of it.
Best of luck
I was in a similar boat when I first moved to OKC. Before writing an ad for myself, I just contacted a few bands with their own CL ads and kinda weighed some of their responses. One in particular really hit well, and they sent me their demo stuff. It was the best locally recorded quality I've ever heard, so I jumped at the opportunity. It wasn't my favorite style, but it was close enough, and these guys seemed legit.
It turned out to be a really good gig for about a year or so, but I will say - I never really felt a great connection with the music or with the guys in the band. It was a purely transactional relationship. I showed up and played the right notes and wore the right clothes, but that was about it. We played at SXSW and a lot of small bar shows for a while, but the drummer quit and we just kinda fizzled out. It was still a great experience - just not anything life changing.
It turned out to be a really good gig for about a year or so, but I will say - I never really felt a great connection with the music or with the guys in the band. It was a purely transactional relationship. I showed up and played the right notes and wore the right clothes, but that was about it. We played at SXSW and a lot of small bar shows for a while, but the drummer quit and we just kinda fizzled out. It was still a great experience - just not anything life changing.
I found my last two primary bands through Craigslist ads. The first one didn't last past a couple of gigs but the bandleader has become a good friend and we've since played in other projects. The second has been my main band for probably around five years now.
I have found most of my projects through responding to CL ads, but none through posting my own *shrugs*. When I post an ad that says "no modern countryor metal" all I get are "Wanna join our country /metalk band!?!?" hits. Ugh. Reading comprehension is test one.
But I have moved around a lot, so this includes a cover band in Tampa, 2 cover bands and one original band in Virginia, and to date 3 original bands in ST Louis, all of whom I played with at least a few months/gigs. This is over about a 10 year period, with ~1.5 years off when my kiddos were super young. Thankfully I've never had a true nightmare scenario.
But I have moved around a lot, so this includes a cover band in Tampa, 2 cover bands and one original band in Virginia, and to date 3 original bands in ST Louis, all of whom I played with at least a few months/gigs. This is over about a 10 year period, with ~1.5 years off when my kiddos were super young. Thankfully I've never had a true nightmare scenario.
If you like finding bands that are "420 friendly" or rehearse indefinitely with no real chance or serious intention of getting anything more than the occasional gig, you might find CL is just what you're looking for. Also, if you like drama, you can find that, too. But most musicians can find like-minded players by networking, which is what has always worked best for me. In a large urban area, there might be better luck for you, though.
I am coming up completely empty on CL. I figured I was looking for a niche but I can't really be that out there. Still trying to fight the solo project angle but it might come down to it.
My whole band is made up of CL musicians
Mine too, except for the two brothers who started it (who knows maybe they got together on CL too
).As has been said, do your homework before you waste time auditioning with anyone. A phone call can weed out the wannabes and jerkweasels.
I like using Craigslist for musicians classifieds, but I ignore any posts from bands without drummers. I have posted a bassist available, but that usually ends up with every kook trying to talk you into playing the genre that you specifically mentioned not wanting to play in your post.
Also, no clips, no jam. This works both ways. Anyone can set a phone up and jam for 5 minutes, or link to an old youtube or demo.
Also, no clips, no jam. This works both ways. Anyone can set a phone up and jam for 5 minutes, or link to an old youtube or demo.
I'm currently in two bands from CL ads. Everybody thinks its funny, but its working out. Like someone else said, there is now a local FB musician group that people are using more to steer clear of bogus ads like some company trying to suck you into subscription service & etc.
I have noticed demand for bassists kind of goes in cycles. Usually there are a number of people looking for bass players, but once in a while it seems to dry up for a bit. Bass player demand always comes back so if you're not seeing many ads now, probably a little patience will lead to seeing an upswing.
I have noticed demand for bassists kind of goes in cycles. Usually there are a number of people looking for bass players, but once in a while it seems to dry up for a bit. Bass player demand always comes back so if you're not seeing many ads now, probably a little patience will lead to seeing an upswing.
You can enter keywords on CL (such as "bass" or particular artists that you like) and get alerts when those words are posted by others in various areas that are convenient to you. I've met some good players this way...but mostly flakes.
*Maybe* 1 in 15 contacts through CL lead to something productive. Better than nothing though. You must be patient, be clear and focused on your intended direction. Even then, inappropriate people may attempt contact. Frustrating. (Not as frustrating as trying to book gig dates .)
