[weirimpressed]

Hey All,
Im fairly new to guitar (3 years in, 19 years old) and have been studying music and different artists since the beginning, but the problem is I have really only been playing with myself and a few percussionists. Thing is, I really dont see myself progressing as fast I would like, and I think a band would really help me, as well as others, progress in our musical abilities

My question is, how did you start or join your band?

I have been exhausted trying to get something off the ground. Looking on craigslist for people who want to jam, going to local open mics, talking around school, but it seems no one is trying to start anything up, or if they are, its one of those "yeah man, just call me" and then they never answer.

Or they are looking to do some death metal jam, which isnt really my thing...

So if you have any input or advice as to what I should do, please post. The more advice the better

[Tennessee Jedi]

Seems like you got right idea.
With a Dead band ,it will take time to find peps.
Would be Brents and Phils dont grow on trees.
Patience is the key.
Did you try the bandmate locater here ?
I've had semi decent luck with craigs list - the guys I jam with now had an ad that I answered.
Have placed a ton of Craigslist ads - and had so so results.Mostly duds but every once in awhile you get gold.
If you do place an ad somewhere try to specific with what you want to do 'cause nothing bugs me more than people who are too general in their ads.
Good luck !

[weirimpressed]

thanks for the input.
The ads on craigslist are DEFINITELY too broad sometimes, and that only makes it harder.
I guess Im going to have to wait this one out, and keep searchin

Thanks for pointing out the bandmate search, didnt even see it over there.



BTW, nice avator, wish I could have kept my marcia (NOT )

[CountryMile Cadillac]

At your local music shop look on the bulleten board, you will generally find a lot of musicians, and put your own number up on there.

All the right peices will not fall into place all at once, so go with what you can get, rock it for all it is worth, and the walls will tumble down.

[wisedyes]

I'm not sure where you are located, and that can make a huge difference in availability of people sometimes. I would suggest you try stalking open mike nights ( of course you're too young to go into bars right now :( ), put up a notice at local music stores and BE SPECIFIC about what you are looking for. Keep in mind that if you are starting the band it may become your problem to provide for certain things ( like practice space and equipment and organization ) hat will help attract and keep band members around. Good luck!

[BuddhaG]

Part of the whole band thing is being in the right place at the right time. Especially if music is your hobby and you don't need it to happen right now.

That being said, you still need to be proactive about finding band members. Anytime you meet someone who plays an instrument, invite them to jam with you and your buddy sometime. Actually not sometime, but make a concrete date or exhcange contacts so that you minimized chances of flaking.

Maybe being at university helps because theres a lot of people around. Currently I'm jamming with a drummer (got so lucky with this one) that had a drumset in his parents basement and is basically learning on the fly. There are two bassists that I jam with and at least 2 other guitarists. There never seems to be a shortage of those.

Maybe the whole scene is a little different in Hotlanta though.

How bout this idea: grab your instruments and go find a nice park to play in, that will always attract people who like music and probably musicians as well. Seriously go for it. Put yourself out there. Let people know you are searching.

[spilly]

I don't know where you live, but for us western new yorkers their is a site called WNYmusic that is specifically for meeting other musicians in our area. Do a little digging, maybe you region has a similar site

[Laytonco]

musicmates <dot> com is a good place, depending on where you are. I works nicely here in Colorado.

Good luck,

Gil

[weirimpressed]

thanks for the replies everyone

i checked out some of the websites you recommended, and they worked to some degree but some of the numbers were old/people dont live in the area anymore.

im in the heart of downtown atlanta, and I swear with this many people around I could at least start some kinda jam-dead group!!!

AHH the fustration...

[bucketorain]

try this site...i found a buch of heads loooking to jam here in canada.

and i am canadian and will help anyone that needs help....

[bucketorain]

here is the site...http://www.overhear.com/

[bucketorain]

did you get that...?

[GratefulPat]

im in shitty wisconsin and i have the same problem.. id love to jam with you though and i feel your pain. im 21 and playing 3 years and feel that struggle for progression. literally, ive played with a buddy 3 or 4 times. ohhh so lonely

[weirimpressed]

Went and posted flyer at the local music store down by school, playing the waiting game again. was going to go to piedmont park today but its pouring cats and dogs...might go sit on the corner of third and ptree street by the fox theatre later though.


once again thanks for all the advice, any kind of help always helps

[steve6string]

In Raleigh we have a rehearsal studio that hosts jams a few nights a week. $10 for 3 hours with amps, PAs, keyboards, and drum kits provided. I've met a lot of good musicians there. My old band, Better Off Dead actually formed out of one of their jams.

Ahh, Piedmont Park. I have very very fond memories of going to hear The Allman Brothers (with Duane and Berry) playing free concerts there during the summers I was in college in Atlanta. If they didn't play in the area so often I might have graduated then. LOL.