General Music Chat

This is guitargal again and I want any ideas from all you great people out there about getting a band together when you live in a small town and people just seem to be too busy with their 9-5 jobs and don't want to do anything that would lead to playing anywhere, I feel I can't just play by myself, but you know what , if it comes to that I will do it !!! I am determined. I will do some more recordings but I want to do some live performances.
Yes, I would like some cheese with my whine, lol !!!!! HELP !!!!
YOUR'S TRULY,
GUITARGAL

GOOD LUCK.

Several places to start with:


1) Just about every city has a paper that the musicians and artists know to use, for looking for players, or selling used equiptment, etc... It is usually NOT the main paper, but generally a free city events and entertainment paper, where ads are free or cheaper than the main paper. Musicians KNOW which paper it is, so talk to some music stores or artists and get an ad in there.

2) Music stores. Most retail music stores have bulletin boards and allow you to put up fliers, business cards, etc.. Put one up in the music stores, and make it easy, by giving them a tear off tab, so the lazy asses don't have to write it down. LOL If you are worried about passing a phone number out. Sign up for a free email that will be used ONLY for this purpose, and you can cancel it if you have any troubles or concerns. Try GuitarGalNeedsBand@yahoo.com or something easy to remember.

3) Craig's List ad for your area.

4) Go to open mics, as many as possible, on a regular basis. It is a great way to find musicians and network with them. You want to do this even AFTER getting a band together.


Hope these help.

Good luck!

Guitargal,

I noted on your profile that , besides being a competent and entheuastic performer,you have good equipment. It may well be that you would be better off concentrating on forming your own group then conforming to someone else's gig. The only thing you seem to lack is a P.A.. I recommend a small, relatively inexpensive (but high quality) sound system with F.X. . I would be willing to bet you will be playing in a short time. Besides Craig's suggestion's, keep checking your BandMix account. Sometimes it takes a while to get bites, but it worked for me.

John

Guitar Girl;
You can also try putting up flyers which you make on your computer. Put them in areas where no one else is advertising for music, and you will stand out. Believe it or not - try one in your local grocery store, for 3 months. I found a singer/guitarist that way.
.
On the flyer put a one or two word LARGE headline. Under the headline, in 8 words or less, say what your goal is.
Under that, list the styles of music you are interested in; and do not limit it to one or 2 styles . . .
. . . you might be able to find someone who is 5 times better than you, and willing to work with you, if you list an extra style or 2 of music you like . . . .
Under that, list your qualifications, in a little smaller print. Those who are really interested will take the time to read it.
Have tear-offs w/contact info at the bottom - no more than 5.
Put in the ad that if the reader of the ad knows of someone who might be interested, then they should take one of the tear-offs . . .
.
Writing the flyer will help you organize your thoughts a lot better.
Do you think you know exactly what you want?
OK, write the flyer, and think about this:
Do you want a bass, guitar, drums? Bass, guitar, tambourine, and 3 singers? A rhythm guitar, a lead guitar, 2 singers, and a conga-player ok with you? All acoustic?
Let them know . . .
Do you want to play at local bars and taverns? Grange halls and church functions? Restaurants? Want to make a CD? Want to just play in someone's living room for the first year, or maybe play at parties?
Local fairs? Want to travel to music festivals? Music conventions?
What age ranges are you willing to work with?
How much experience would you like your fellow band membors to have?
Think;
If you like rock 1st, blues 2nd, folk 3rd, and pop music 4th . . . if an existing pop band needed a back-up singer to sing next week-end, would you do it?
In other words - how far down your list of preferences are you willing to travel?
Sound like too much trouble thinking about this stuff?
Hey, starting a band ain't easy.

One last step. Think of every place you've visited that might be good tp put up a flyer. If you come up with 15 places - then print up 30 flyers.
.
Get in your car, buy some thumb-tacks, allocate an hour and a half, and drive.
.
Above all else: DRIVE.
If you want to put a band together, you are going to have to spend some time driving.
The flyers are only one possible way of MAYBE finding one or 2 extra destinations to drive TO, to meet people.
.
You HAVE to be meeting people.
.
Go to where the musicians ALREADY ARE . . .

Craig, HowlinJ, and Rhythm,
You all had such good input. I am thinking about all that you said and I am encouraged. The newspaper, the flyers and the suggestion of the PA are all going around in my head right now. I will keep you all informed of what goes on in the small town girl story. You are so appreciated and I am grateful to have such experienced people and not only experienced but so willing to take the time to share your wisdom. Thank you ! And if you think of anything else, please, let me know.

God Bless !
guitargal

that you are looking for musicians. I used to work in a warehouse and one day a truck driver stopped in to deliver something. I never saw this person in my life. I was playing a song by the band I was in at the time and he commented on it. I said thanks, but our drummer had quit the band. He told me he knew a drummer and gave me his phone number. Turns out he was the best drummer I ever played with. Just about everybody knows a musician. You'd be amazed how many musicians there are practically under your nose where you live. Yesterday I was giving a customer a bid (I restore cabinets). He went into his lving room and was playing a piano a little. I asked him if he played in a band. He plays in two bands and does studio work as well. Turns out he plays with two band members I played with years ago. There are musicians EVERYWHERE. There's also other websites to check out: Community Musician, Formingbands, Musicianforest, etc. Bandmix is very good (I'm getting together with a sax player soon I found on Bandmix). The flyer idea is very good. People check those bulletin boards. Contact anybody who gives music lessons. Some of them might be available to play with you or have star pupils who could play with you. If you go and see bands, talk to the bandmembers during their breaks or after the show. Some of them might be available to play in your band or might be unhappy with the band they are in. Chances are also good they know other musicians who you can contact. Years ago I was working in a warehouse. I heard someone playing saxophone in the adjacent business. I went over to see who it was. He was in the instrument repair business and was testing the sax out. I introduced myself. A month later he was playing in my band. You never know. Good luck...

Good input fishermanbob, you have made me really hopeful along with the other guys that you never know when someone will come into contact with you or know someone else who wants to play music. Grateful for your time and experience sharing.

Blessings!
guitargal

I tried lots of stuff. Bandmix worked, it took months, and a butt load of e-mails I sent out, most unanswered. If ya wanna bang your head with a band seems you gotta bang it on the wall for a while first. good luck.

Hey Gang,

Ive noticed a trend here lately...When alot of us started BC (before computers) it was a given to go into a local restuarant, club, bar & grill, etc. and petition for a job and think nothing of getting it... But after 85 or so, Kareokee and DJs started taking our jobs...Here lately, Ive notice the duet , trio scene comin back...These young club /restuarant owners seem willing to try something new (to them) in hiring live music where its never been tried before...I think we're getting back to time that existed long ago where people wanna see and experience live music from real people...(Even though we're using computers (loops & backing trax)...(WE CAN PLAY THAT GAME TOOO BY GAWD).. SOOOOOOO, ya might wanna try going to some places and offering to play a dinner set on a SUN...OR Happy Hr.on a WED. OR offer to start an open mic on a slow nite like a MON or THUR. Its a thankless pain in the butt venture at first but can payoff over time..( be in it for the long haul)... ...Yeah , Ive seen 3 places just in the lasy 2 yrs or so decide to give live music a chance...Blaze a trail girl....

John

Acoustic music is making a comeback. In my area a guy I know who plays in a killer 3 piece rock band does a lot of solo and duo work acoustically and told me recently hes thinking about killing his band and going solo. I said why and he said he clears twice the money, less equipment and lots of times he has earlier hours.

Still theres nothin like crankin it up and kickin out the jams.

John,

You bring up some good points. Let your "creativity" kick in and transcend the music to flow over into the creation of new venues. Developing a little "business acumen" can't hurt an aspiring player serious about
gettin' out playin'.

John

Some other things to consider, when you play solo:
> fewer mistakes.
> you don't have to spend hours teaching anyone your songs.
> "Band' practices are a snap.
> You set your own standards for everything.
.
On the flip side, any mistakes you might make won't be covered up by the rest of the band, so you better really know your stuff.
You may have to practice (gasp) more often . . .

Keep 'em coming guys. You are wealth of information and experience and I appreciate it so much. I am getting excited about getting out there and doing something, maybe even just by myself!!! Who knows, I'll let you all know. You are all great!
Thank you
guitargal