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Should I just join any band?
- Thread starter Jordy4strings
- Start date
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I would rather play music I don't love with good musicians than good music with mediocre musicians. That's always been my goal. Consider that.
1. They might say that they're a band, but if they've never played a gig as that band, they're really just hopeful. Be careful about fulfilling other people's hopes when you have your own musical objectives to achieve.
If, from tryouts or guest-appearances at rehearsals, or from seeing the band perform with another bassist (e.g. on video), you get a sense that their musicianship is of a calibre that could benefit you, then don't let your own like/dislike of the material get in your way. Many musicians have a favourite band that's not the one they play in.
2. For you to grow musically, make sure that any band you join has decent prospects of playing desirable gigs once you and they have at least one full set gig-ready.
The "make sure" here should develop over a realistic amount of time from your own gut feel about their musicianship, the material, the venues where they intend to perform, and the verifiable existence of a paying audience for their music to people whose perspective you value (e.g. the person at each venue who books bands) verifying your judgment on these points.
3. Many punk and metal bands have few local places to play, and play there only seldom. If you join a punk or metal band, then make sure that your band is either already well-enough connected to the local scene to gig often enough, or at least not alien to that scene.
The "make sure" here might involve some asking around on your part. Every local scene has its stand-out people. Find them. Talk to them. Get a sense of whether your band would be instantly rejected, instantly embraced, or otherwise stand a chance in their circles.
If you're saying you want to join a band to improve skills, I assume you're a relative beginner and haven't done the band thing before. I've got mixed feelings on the question.
On the one hand, yes, playing with others will definitely push you to grow and improve. On the other hand, I don't think it does you much good if it's a negative experience and you're dragging yourself in there to do something you're not enjoying. There are a lot of musicians in the world and if you take the time to explore a little you may find people who are a little better aligned with what you want to do. Look at ads on Craigslist, post one of your own, visit some open mics, stuff like that, and see what else is out there.
I don't agree with @GlennRH that gig-worthiness is a prerequisite for playing with anyone, not at your stage. Your stated goal is to improve as a musician by learning to play with people, not to gig at this stage. I think I was on my third or fourth "band" before I actually landed a gig. There's nothing wrong with amateurs and hobbyists banging around and making noise in the basement until you start to figure out how it works and what you really want to do. Maybe all you ever want to do is have fun making noise in the basement - that's awesome. If you start getting the itch to gig, deal with that then. It may be that the guys you're playing with at that point are ready to make that jump with you, or it may be that it will time to move on. That's OK.
Once you're ready and eager to get on stage and be an entertainer, THEN it may be that a project with no serious prospects of gigging would seem like a waste of time. That's also OK if that's where you're at. But look for the group that's going to help you do what you want to do with music.
On the one hand, yes, playing with others will definitely push you to grow and improve. On the other hand, I don't think it does you much good if it's a negative experience and you're dragging yourself in there to do something you're not enjoying. There are a lot of musicians in the world and if you take the time to explore a little you may find people who are a little better aligned with what you want to do. Look at ads on Craigslist, post one of your own, visit some open mics, stuff like that, and see what else is out there.
I don't agree with @GlennRH that gig-worthiness is a prerequisite for playing with anyone, not at your stage. Your stated goal is to improve as a musician by learning to play with people, not to gig at this stage. I think I was on my third or fourth "band" before I actually landed a gig. There's nothing wrong with amateurs and hobbyists banging around and making noise in the basement until you start to figure out how it works and what you really want to do. Maybe all you ever want to do is have fun making noise in the basement - that's awesome. If you start getting the itch to gig, deal with that then. It may be that the guys you're playing with at that point are ready to make that jump with you, or it may be that it will time to move on. That's OK.
Once you're ready and eager to get on stage and be an entertainer, THEN it may be that a project with no serious prospects of gigging would seem like a waste of time. That's also OK if that's where you're at. But look for the group that's going to help you do what you want to do with music.
I post my two main rules to join a band. I hope that tey help you to make a decission.
Rule #1 : I never join people who plays music I don't like.
Rule #2 : If I'm not having fun or there is some kind of band drama I quit.
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I have played in bands that I didn't like the music. It was stifling, and counter productive.
Punk can be a rewarding genre, as long as you don't use punk attitude as an excuse to not grow musically ei- Tuning doesn't matter, this is punk (Yup, I've heard it)
Metal is fun if you never want to have a girlfriend
Punk can be a rewarding genre, as long as you don't use punk attitude as an excuse to not grow musically ei- Tuning doesn't matter, this is punk (Yup, I've heard it)
Metal is fun if you never want to have a girlfriend
If you've never played out before, it may benefit you. I've learned a poopie-ton about setting up, my gear, and EQ'ing my amp to the room, what to bring what not to bring. basically streamlining a process. As far as expanding musical knowledge, your best case scenario is being the least knowledgeable player in a good band. I have that exact situation and it's helped me tremendously. BUT..... to cloud things up..... I've quit 2 of my formerly 3 bands due to....horrible setlists, mediocre musicianship (and not willing to listen, learn) and generally wasting my time.... instead of showing up for practice and I-IV-V'ing my night away I would rather sit at home and work on II-V-I progressions
How long have you been looking and how have you been looking?
When I was at the point you are, I felt it was worth being patient and finding something that was a good fit musically. But if you're done the answer CL, post your own CL, networked at open jams, etc and this is the best offer you have, then I guess try it. The worst that can happen is you waste some time, but still learn a thing or two about playing with others.
When I was at the point you are, I felt it was worth being patient and finding something that was a good fit musically. But if you're done the answer CL, post your own CL, networked at open jams, etc and this is the best offer you have, then I guess try it. The worst that can happen is you waste some time, but still learn a thing or two about playing with others.
No. Life is too short to play music you don't like or with people you don't like.
My first band on bass was a black metal band.
Do I like black metal? Not a whole lot, not
But it was better than not playing with anyone, it got me some needed practice, I met some interesting people... I was there only 3-4 months, then I left and joined a singer we auditioned but who didn't stay, and I started a project with him... and things went on from there. Essentially, joining a band doesn't mean you need to stay if you're not happy there, and it's a better way to meet other musicians than staying at home alone. Go for it.
okcrum
in your chest
You can always go to open mics/open jams. That will lead you more reliably to a gig you like and let you develop your ensemble playing.
I never really listened to punk, but somehow flowed into the local punk scene due to some college friends. I ended up being part of a friend's punk band because he was a good friend and the other guys in the band became like family. I'm primarily a jazz trained bassist and my more left-brained approach to music was a sharp contrast to their more right-brained approach. But that helped me grow as a musician and we were all willing to be open to each other's unique musical backgrounds. I then grew to like punk more and they grew to appreciate the more dynamic basslines I brought to the music.
Long story short, sometimes it's less about what you play but who you're playing with.
Like someone else said, I too would rather play bleh music with super cool people than super cool music with bleh people.
Long story short, sometimes it's less about what you play but who you're playing with.
Like someone else said, I too would rather play bleh music with super cool people than super cool music with bleh people.
When I started to play I played with every band under the sun. That approach helped me a lot and today I'm thankful for all the experiences I had.
If you join just to join, and the band plays a style you don't like, eventually the rest of the band will pick up on it. Not a good situation. Better to try and become a fan by listening to some of it first and see if you can eventually grow into it.
If the style of music you like is... well... odd(?) you might have to suck it up and realize that you just have to settle...
Me, I've been wanting to get into a comedic type parody group for years.... but have expanded my bass collection by playing in cover bands. One day I'll get my dream gig... probably in a nursing home.
If the style of music you like is... well... odd(?) you might have to suck it up and realize that you just have to settle...
Me, I've been wanting to get into a comedic type parody group for years.... but have expanded my bass collection by playing in cover bands. One day I'll get my dream gig... probably in a nursing home.
Join? No. But trying em on for size? Meeting new folks? Window shopping? Sure.
It’s like blind dates, or job interviews. Usually, not much fun, but you never know. Or, like fishing. Catch and release.
Set up expectations, like you will learn three tunes, everybody needs to be there, and you want half an hour. Everybody will know what’s going on at that point.
Having a contact card sounds really old fashioned, but leaving enough for everybody is a good idea. Some guys might not want to engage in trading numbers in front of their band. ( But they might be thinking about new pastures). Or you might get a call to sub.
It’s networking if you want to play out.
It’s like blind dates, or job interviews. Usually, not much fun, but you never know. Or, like fishing. Catch and release.
Set up expectations, like you will learn three tunes, everybody needs to be there, and you want half an hour. Everybody will know what’s going on at that point.
Having a contact card sounds really old fashioned, but leaving enough for everybody is a good idea. Some guys might not want to engage in trading numbers in front of their band. ( But they might be thinking about new pastures). Or you might get a call to sub.
It’s networking if you want to play out.
You have to start somewhere. I don’t like country music, but I have been in several bands that played a lot of it. I have always believed that the easiest way to get in a band, is to be in a band. The easiest way to get gigs is to play gigs. I would be more concerned with “is this a situation I can learn anything from” than the type of music being played. YMMV.
My advice is be less picky about the genre, but more picky about the quality of people you work with.
you can always learn 'something' from playing with folks that are better and more experienced ..!
i've played crap i hate , but it helped pay the bills ..!!$$$$!!! but i still played that crap like ' me ' ... with my own style ..!
you can try whatever , without any long term commitment ... just protect your hearing ..!!
i've played crap i hate , but it helped pay the bills ..!!$$$$!!! but i still played that crap like ' me ' ... with my own style ..!
you can try whatever , without any long term commitment ... just protect your hearing ..!!
should you just join any band?
no.
play with people you feel comfortable with who don't cause drama, people who show up on time. i recommend working with people who value their time and yours, who love playing enough that they learn their parts at home, who have functional gear, situations where there's no really weird stuff happening like stalker exes, constant rescheduling or band members with hair trigger tempers or who run roughshod over the other members. pass on those with stalkers, drug problems or who keep taking calls during rehearsal.
as far as genres you're not interested in? i've played genres i didn't care for, and actually to my surprise in one case came to like the music. and in the others? i find i sometimes learn more stuff by playing music outside my comfort zone. and keep in mind that there are many genres of metal, and no, they're not alike. consider judas priest and slayer. same applies to punk. you won't mistake green day for the sex pistols. so there may be some punk or metal bands whose music you like more than others.
and remember, a band you join now doesn't have to be your forever band. it doesn't even have to be the only band you play in - you could join two in different musical genres. it should fulfill your musical and personal goals, and you're good to go.
no.
play with people you feel comfortable with who don't cause drama, people who show up on time. i recommend working with people who value their time and yours, who love playing enough that they learn their parts at home, who have functional gear, situations where there's no really weird stuff happening like stalker exes, constant rescheduling or band members with hair trigger tempers or who run roughshod over the other members. pass on those with stalkers, drug problems or who keep taking calls during rehearsal.
as far as genres you're not interested in? i've played genres i didn't care for, and actually to my surprise in one case came to like the music. and in the others? i find i sometimes learn more stuff by playing music outside my comfort zone. and keep in mind that there are many genres of metal, and no, they're not alike. consider judas priest and slayer. same applies to punk. you won't mistake green day for the sex pistols. so there may be some punk or metal bands whose music you like more than others.
and remember, a band you join now doesn't have to be your forever band. it doesn't even have to be the only band you play in - you could join two in different musical genres. it should fulfill your musical and personal goals, and you're good to go.
