Finding Band Members

[DirtySanchez]

I noticed we have some people on here who have been looking for the "RIGHT FIT" for quite some time. What advice can we come up with to help these members get their project off the ground.

Here's some stuff that always helped me:

1. Be willing to jam with anyone- I think a lot of people make judgements before they even jam with someone. You may be pleasantly surprised when that old hippie or young punk gels with you, and the music you create can be amazing.

2. Be willing to bend a little- Compromise is important. Scheduling/set list/genre's/sub-genres/tunings/how many hours you practice, whatever.

3. Why so serious- It seems the most "Serious" dudes/bands are always looking for members. Take the music serious, but don't take yourself too seriously. If I'm at the first practice and you're talking about what color the carpeting is gonna be in the tour bus, I'm not coming back. When you're wanted ad reads like a job description/application for a executive level position at NASA. It's also kind of a turn off.

4. Don't be a dick- I see people burning their bridges everyday on here. Relentlessly being a jerk to look cool may score you points with your roomate when he/she reads your super cool posts, but you're not gonna be offered much work.

5. Confidence- Don't post your ad then bump it every day yourself. RP doesn't get so much traffic that you'll be wiped off the front page or anything. Plus, one ad is sufficient.

IDK. Some of you guys have a lot more experience than me. Just thought I'd throw some things out there.

[slackin@dabass]

4. Don't be a dick- I see people burning their bridges everyday on here. Relentlessly being a jerk to look cool may score you points with your roomate when he/she reads your super cool posts, but you're not gonna be offered much work.

i just wanna say, i'm a dick on here, but 9 out of every 10 posts i have are laden with sarcasim. if i piss anyone off... well... sorry... i guess... i'm sorry jake.

[Hawk]

This is a really good topic / thread. He obviously pointed a finger at those who think being an asshole on RP is cool, but that should be obvious, and not the focus of this thread.

Expanding on what Sanchez said.

You got to get out (to shows) and meet people. When you're looking for that "exact fit" what you mean is you're looking to find "like minded" people. And like minded people still have their differences. But you engage in general ideas and likes,relative to music and then a band.

Sanchez is so right pointing out that you need to give the old hippie and the young punk a chance. And jamming is a great way to get to get to know people. With a common love of a genre the hippie and the young punk could make great music. (I do understand that on stage image plays a part here, three young guys doing, say, pop rock, don't really want a 55 year old bald man. But consider that that old man may know someone who will fit with you.)

So it follows that when advertising for members, point out the genre you wish to pursue and meet / jam with as many people as you can.

[witchhunt]

(I do understand that on stage image plays a part here, three young guys doing, say, pop rock, don't really want a 55 year old bald man.

Why not?

[RFBuck]

I just had the opportunity not too long ago to jam wit a fairly new band made up of 15, 16, & 17 yr old kids. I'm not looking to change bands, but one kid was related to the sound guy and he thought it'd be a kick to see me jam with these dudes.
I don't think they knew what to expect or how it was going to go, but we had alot of common ground and jammed on alot of songs and had a good time. The guitar player had only been playing for three years and I was glad to answer any questions or show him anything he asked.
It was great to do something different with different people even though their experience level was far below mine. I did my best to make them feel comfortable and didn't show off, intimidate, or ridicule what they were doing. They need to grow together as a band themselves like I did with mine.

[AnimalInstinct625]

Great topic, especially since I'm involved with a forming band as we speak.

One thing I have learned about starting a band: it ain't easy! In fact, I had no idea how much work goes into it - but it's such a blast! The building excitement and anticipation is kind of a unique feeling.

Suffice to say, there are many of you probably thinking "what band"? And while it's true that the current project we're starting is my first ever band (and we've yet to fill two spots in the line-up) I actually have learned quite a few important things along the way.

First off: Never over compromise. If you want to be in a project, be honest about everything or else it's not fun. For instance, I'm not into heavy metal at all. I respect those that do, but both band and auditioning musician should probably be up front about it in the beginning so later down the road people aren't getting bored.

Secondly: Quit using Stairway To Heaven as your audition song.

and lastly: Don't rush it. I've taken my time, and Jarret and Erik are probably two of the best guys I've ever met. I mean, it's fun to actually be in a band with people who want to shoot the shit at Eat'n Park after a good jam session. It's very important to me to be in a band with people that are also friends. I think everyone in the band just takes everyone's thoughts into consideration that way. It's important to know "who" you're playing with on stage I would think.

Having said all this...I think our prayers for a bassist might actually be being answered this week.

[felix'apprentice]

sanchez - i really appreciate this post. when i get on rockpage im normally lookin to soak up as much good advice/information that i can. its quite a relief to find a good music post on here instead of reading the i hate you/you hate me posts that have been goin on here lately.

anyways i appreciate the advice. being quite new to the local music scene ive seen that it can be hard to get something going. but its been real cool that some people have let me set in on a few songs and build confidence in my skills and myself. i'm eager to get something going but im not gonna force it, if it happens then it happens. if not, i still love music and i still love playing guitar.

- kayla

[DirtySanchez]

i'm eager to get something going but im not gonna force it, if it happens then it happens. if not, i still love music and i still love playing guitar.

- kayla

Patience is definitely needed. I think the people that put a new thread up every single day look way to desperate and that personally sends me a red flag.


Another thing that helps- Get off the damn chair and go see some bands. All different kinds. You're gonna meet more musicians that way. And face to face.

[DirtySanchez]

4. Don't be a dick- I see people burning their bridges everyday on here. Relentlessly being a jerk to look cool may score you points with your roomate when he/she reads your super cool posts, but you're not gonna be offered much work.

i just wanna say, i'm a dick on here, but 9 out of every 10 posts i have are laden with sarcasim. if i piss anyone off... well... sorry... i guess... i'm sorry jake.

I think there is a huge difference between some joking/razzing/sarcasm, and just being an asshole. We all pick and joke and sometimes even cross the line, but some people just ATTACK and never let up.

I don't think you're an asshole, and I even met you in real life.

[Plastered Bastards]

You wanna find band members?
Move.
That's what I did and it worked out really well.
I moved to a city with more opportunities and it's been going great
I know it's hard if you have a family and etc.
But with me I have no kids and my wife was down with it,so we made the jump.
I would have never had the same opportunities if I would have stayed in Altoona. But I am saying this about me.
But if you really love playing,it's just a thought

[slackin@dabass]

4. Don't be a dick- I see people burning their bridges everyday on here. Relentlessly being a jerk to look cool may score you points with your roomate when he/she reads your super cool posts, but you're not gonna be offered much work.

i just wanna say, i'm a dick on here, but 9 out of every 10 posts i have are laden with sarcasim. if i piss anyone off... well... sorry... i guess... i'm sorry jake.

I think there is a huge difference between some joking/razzing/sarcasm, and just being an asshole. We all pick and joke and sometimes even cross the line, but some people just ATTACK and never let up.

I don't think you're an asshole, and I even met you in real life.

awww that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... while i vomit

[DirtySanchez]

i just wanna say, i'm a dick on here, but 9 out of every 10 posts i have are laden with sarcasim. if i piss anyone off... well... sorry... i guess... i'm sorry jake.

I think there is a huge difference between some joking/razzing/sarcasm, and just being an asshole. We all pick and joke and sometimes even cross the line, but some people just ATTACK and never let up.

I don't think you're an asshole, and I even met you in real life.

awww that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... while i vomit

I told ya, you didn't have to take it all in at once. I prefer faster shorter to slower deeper. Don't judge me.