Finding the right people to play music with is not easy. There are many other factors to consider besides their love for music or their talents. Because you will be hanging out together, practicing for hours on end, and maybe even performing live or recording an album, it’s important that you get along with one another. You also want to choose people who are good communicators, since being in a band means discussing things like schedules, money, tours and making important decisions as a group. Being in a band with someone you don’t get along with can create tension with the other band members and ruin the enjoyment of playing music.
Before forming a band, try to find local musicians to jam with and see who you develop good chemistry with. Here are some ways to find fellow musicians looking to jam:
1. Local Shows
What is your local music scene like? Do you go to shows and gigs where local musicians play? Going to these events is a great way to meet local musicians in your area. By watching them perform, you can get a feel of their style and see if they have what you are looking for. After the show, you can approach them and build connections. This does not mean you try to recruit them to leave their band. Start by creating relationships and expanding your network. This can create opportunities for future collaborations.
2. Classified Ads
What type of musician are you specifically looking for? Vocalist? Drummer? Guitarist? If you check the classified ads, you might come across a few who fit your criteria. For example, if you are looking for someone who can both sing and play guitar and you find a singer-guitarist for hire ad, reach out to schedule a meeting with them to talk about your musical tastes and goals. From there you can set up a time to play music together to see if you work well and complement each other.
3. Online Networking Sites
The Internet is a popular place to find local musicians to jam with. These days there are several websites that enable musicians to connect with each other. Most popular social media sites have forums, groups and events pages specifically geared towards musicians looking to connect and expand their circle of like-minded people. You can use the search and tag features to find options related to what you are looking for.
4. Your Own Gigs Are you doing a show at a local bar or venue soon? If you have one coming up, use it as an opportunity to seek out new bandmates. Instead of spending your time online going through singer-guitarist for hire ads or scrolling through forum posts, be proactive, go out, and play shows. In the crowd, there might be some people who are also looking for local musicians to play with. Hang around after your gig and you might find your perfect match.
