There's no set of rules in forming a band or joining a band,the hard thing to do is just finding like minded musicians who want to do what you're wanting to do.
In this age of the internet,there are many resources open to finding bands looking for certain pieces to complete what they're trying to accomplish.
You can also limit yourself to playing at the level you're at or get with better musicians who will push you to learn more and expect final results....in that situation,you "can either cut it or you can't".
I started playing years ago when the only way to usually find others,was word of mouth,if you were a good player most heard about you in the area.
Most guys my age have played with so many people over the years you can't remember them all.....and there's a reason famous musicians in famous bands break up,it's for the same reasons us unknown guys have problems with,most of the times it's personality clashes.

I would agree with what was already said, there's no set rules. The key to happiness is finding people who have the same expectations as you do. Do you want to pursue the road to stardom or just be content playing for some spending money on a local level? What style of music, and originals or covers, or both? How will the labor be divided up if you do play out? Lots of questions that should be decided up front to avoid some conflicts, because believe me, all of us musicians are a little flaky so avoiding any confict possible is crucial.

I'm lucky on this front, our group is middle aged, we all have day jobs, the band is a hobby /for fun thing. We agreed on most of the above questions long ago. The drummer and I have been playing together or 19+ years, guitarist with us for almost 8, and the current vocalist at 5. Since all of the big dilemnas are long passed we can now disagree over the little things, tempo, song choice, lyrics, beer options, etc.

Good luck on getting into a band. It can be frustrating as hell, but if you go in open minded you'll usually learn something from every opportunity that comes up.

My first band was with an Elvis impersonator after I'd only been playing six months.
I played solely rhythm guitar. Barre chords were all I could manage.
I earnt a fair bit of money from that band.

What ever you do, what ever your capabilities or ambitions, it doesn't matter. As long as you do, do.

I played extensively on the punk scene for years. The reason the other guitarist doesn't have high ambition is because it's likely been crushed out of him by that scene. It's stagnant everywhere I look. Chicago and Japan are two exceptions. But the only two I see.
Everywhere else it seems that unless you're playing hardcore, no melody, not good enough but desperately want to be a metal band style. You barely get any acceptance.

If you enjoy the band, enjoy the music, then have a bit of fun. No one says it has to be forever.

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No no and no

I had been playing for two years when I formed a band with my friends, although we weren't brilliant when it started. Being of a lesser ability than your band mates is no problem, you will learn from them and quickly become better anyway. And making a band with your friends just to have some fun is fine, although you may find that doing gigs or songs as part of a concert involving yourselves and others, is very fun.

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
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http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

I tried keeping a band together for a year or so...... was to much of a headache. I got tired of hearing " sorry dude I had to pawn my whatever" or "I don't have gas money this week" and best of all " I don't really feel like it today " so now I just jam with whoever I can get to show up and have fun.

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I started my blues band after playing for around 18 months, but through the use of of a well known band seeking members type web site here in the UK i had loads off friendly jams with all sorts of musicians be it bassists,guitarists,keys etc, 6 months before i placed an ad for our band. It was mainly to learn off other people and soak up as much as i could and see if i had the chops to cut it. In that time i learned alot about what to expect and what i may or may not like in a band set up. For instance, i like to play as the only guitarist. So in my band Drums,bass,guitar.vox and maybe keys suit what we all like to play. Also a challange and a steep learning curve to keep the groove going as only 3 or 4 of us. But i ve found that has made me a much more versatile player.
As previously mentioned, personality clashes, different ambitions, personal circumstances all affect how you all bond. So a few different faces have come and gone. The only ones who havent changed are myself and the drummer, but we ve stuck with it and at the minute we have a line up that works so will just see where it takes us.
Again as previous, it can be really fustrating, But totally worth it when it comes together. Even if its for 15 mins during a 4 hour studio slot. The potential is there so build on it.
Good luck.

I acquired the love for performing when I was about 12. I was in the Anchorage Boys Quire (Alaska). Occasionally They would allow me to do a guitar Accompaniment. I was haveing a lot of fun with it. When we left Alaska I dident Play with anyone until I was about 15, when I met another kid that played. He owned the first Tele I ever saw. Him and I played together for a long while, but never had much luck putting a band together. One night when I was about 17 I got a phone call from a guy that new of my Singing. He invited me to audition for his band. That was it, we were off and running. Playing parties and dances all over town. We were getting prity good and working every weekend. Then the Letters from Uncle Sam started comeing. It was 1964. Two of the guys got Drafted and it was all over. I decided to go back to school. Then I went to work for Boeing, and never went back to my music until I was 57 and retired. Well here I am at 68. I've forgotten most everything I new, and am prity much starting all over again.
----Danny,