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Post subject: Getting a band together...
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:06 am
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Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I did fairly good on Texas Flood tonight. The bad news is that they (the people from the guitar shop I hang out in) won't let me play in another recital because I did good and they want the younger and more inexperienced kids to get a chance. They basically told me to go get a band together and get a gig. :lol:

So, what's the best way to get a band together? Advertise online? In a newspaper? At the music store? Should I have auditions or something? That might be a little awkward since I'm a teenager and I would be the only one judging and I'm not really a good enough guitar player to say no to very many people. I'd like to get other teens together and I'd like it to be sort of a just-for-fun-jam/blues cover band (at least at first).

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:22 am
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I got the "being a teenager" problem too. You should really find people whom you see almost every week, preferable ones that you know pretty good.
If you want people your age, hang advertisements at places where other people your age come. Most likely something that has to do with music or art ofcourse.

Anyway, I'm probably not the best person to answer this question, since I have no band either, and the Netherlands are really different to the US, because my country is pretty crowded.

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:50 am
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I just got together with kids from school that I asked if they played. We have a drummer and bass and guitar. It would be nice to have rythm guitar since none of us are amazing but we are decent, In my opinion haha. Congratulations texasguitarslinger on those accomplishments! So how old are you guys anyway? Im 16 so its cool to have other guys my age here.


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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:45 am
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As I'm sure you'll realize, this is the hardest part of the band process, the getting a band and getting a first show. As far as getting a band, its should be people you are comfortable with playing, they have similar taste in music, seem overall goal for the band, and the willingness to take the band seriously. Now the first few times you practice you might not feel comfortable, or think they are not at your level of playing, but try a few practices becasue the first practice will always be rough.

Part two is getting your name heard. The first thing you should do is get a band email address and either a myspace or purevolume.com page. Yahoo and Google offer free email services and Myspace/Purevolume let you create your own "website" foor your band to post songs, shows, and maybe blogs if you wish. This is the best way to get your name out since a lot of people visit these websites. Once on there, send friend requests to local bands and ask if there are any oppurtunities that they need an opening act. Once you get a show, make flyers or small handouts with your band name, website, and any important information such as releasing a new CD or new songs on the website.

Realize this is the hardest part but once you get some shows, things go more quickly. Gigging is fun and very enjoyable. You can PM if you need any help on those websites or there are other options you can do. Happy Banding!


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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:28 am
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jeffo46 wrote:
Put a ad online on Craig's List under the Musicians section. Mention what type of music you want to play and what age group you're looking for. Hopefully you'll get some results.

+1 to Craigslist. That's where I have found all my bandmates/jam partners. Be specific about what you wanna do and play, and just play the waiting game. Find musical partners is like dating, there will be alot of one-night stands.


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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:13 am
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Zod is right on the mark.

Yes you need to interview prospective band mates, but it's also just as much about them interviewing you. it's a two way process.

As a teen though, it will be tougher. I think you need to stay in the high school realm. Advertise at your school and the local music stores for musicians in your age group. Maybe bill it as a jam at first - this way no one feels any pressure and you can get a feel for who you like.

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:54 am
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Appearantly there's also lots of "open mic. nights" at local café's and stuff like that. Not very likely for Americans to meet other teenagers, but for forum members with other nationalities it might come in handy to jam at such a night.
I know I'm gonna try that when I turn 16!

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:01 pm
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I'm 16. Maybe I'd be better off joining a band or going to a jam? But then, I kind of really want to play some blues and/or classic rock and most bands of people my age are looking for guitarists who play metal. :lol:
I know another guitar player who might be interested and I know a really good bass player my age who might be interested. I'm kind of afraid to even talk to the bass player since he's way better than me.

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:16 pm
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Yeah that stinks. Luckily, the band im in we all like classic rock but im the only one who likes the blues. And since were 16, theres not much for us to make money off of so we mostly jam.


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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:30 pm
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texasguitarslinger wrote:
I know another guitar player who might be interested and I know a really good bass player my age who might be interested. I'm kind of afraid to even talk to the bass player since he's way better than me.


Don't be afraid. There will always be somebody better than you. If he's cool, it will work out great. If he's an $@!, then you'll know. ;)

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:00 pm
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I'm pretty sure he's cool, since I played in a band with him before when I was 13. But that was only for a short time.

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:05 pm
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I have a similar problem, but I live in an area where there aren't any people interested in starting anything real. Im in a podunk town in Western NC, and everybody plays punk and metal. I am in two bands, one punk, and one metal. I play rhythm guitar for the metal one and bass in the other, but I dig blues and classic rock. NO ONE gives blues a chance nowadays!!!


So, anyone in north GA or Western NC that wants to jam?


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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:38 pm
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allstar619 wrote:
I just got together with kids from school that I asked if they played. We have a drummer and bass and guitar. It would be nice to have rythm guitar since none of us are amazing but we are decent, In my opinion haha. Congratulations texasguitarslinger on those accomplishments! So how old are you guys anyway? Im 16 so its cool to have other guys my age here.


+1

just started a band w/ kids at my scholl (am 14 and play bass) it was easy expect for it took us a while to find someone good at vocals


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