Finding folk to play with?

[lizzard]

To The Mods...

Perhaps a need has just been articulated that AGF could support?

A section for folks wanting to find others to jam with in their locales?

Surely it can be done, and it might have near global benefits.

Just a thought!

Chris

[DAVE 57]

Originally Posted by lizzard

To The Mods...

Perhaps a need has just been articulated that AGF could support?

A section for folks wanting to find others to jam with in their locales?

Surely it can be done, and it might have near global benefits.

Just a thought!

Chris

Definitely worth a look at.

[renoslim]

I belong to a MEETUP group, I googled and they have them in the UK. Check your area. We get together at least 6 times a year depending on who can host. Always informal and open to all levels of play. We are an "Acoustic" meetup group so that lowers the sound level somewhat. Check it out.

[state-it]

Hi Ian,

There are tutors in Reading that do small group lessons (I did a seearch). Maybe worth a punt to meet up with some like-minded people?

It may or may not work as an idea, but as you in your OP: 'Any suggestions?'.

[posternutbag]

Fundamentally, this is networking, and it works like any other form of networking. The more people who know you are a musician, and the more people that know your are looking for band mates, the more successful you will be, but you have to put yourself out there.

I take lessons; I am constantly asking my instructor about other students who have musical interests that dovetail with my own. I push my instructor to organize open jams (and I help with the logistics) so that I can meet potential band mates. I have found several like-minded musicians this way, and my last band was built like this.

I talk to people in music (instrument) stores. If they are in a music store, they are probably interested in playing music, and they might be looking for a band.

I go watch other musicians and try to network with existing bands. Musicians know musicians.

I tell everyone I know what I play and that I am looking for band mates now that my old band has disintegrated. You never know who might know a struggling drummer, because, let's be honest, every drummer is struggling...

It really is about networking; you have to generate leads and follow up on leads. It isn't as much fun as practicing, but it is highly unlikely that prospective band mates are just going to walk up to you or walk into your living room. You have to be proactive.

[1979-guild-d40]

I feel your pain. Have you tried http://www.meetup.com ?
(I just noticed post #18, mentioned the same site.)

[shekie]

Many churches and synagogues have a "house band" for lack of a better term, and are usually pretty welcoming and forgiving toward beginners.

It would provide yet another potential avenue for you along with the some of the other suggestions that have been made.

[Tahitijack]

Everyone has covered my usual suggestions:
Churches with strong praise and worship music programs - show up early on Sunday or stay after service to chat with the musicians. They probably learned their skills playing jazz, blues and rock and wouldn't mind spending some time hanging out for fun...or possibly to form a band.

Colleges with music departments - call the department chair and tell them your story and ask for help and advice. If they have a bulletin board post a card and check it every two week...they disappear.

Friends and Family - this is like looking for a job. Make certain everyone you know is aware you play guitar and are looking for others to join in the fun. True story: when I moved to Seattle I told my realtor I needed a music room. She said her husband played drums....long story short he and I were in a band playing gigs in a couple of months. I eventually found my neighbor had a studio in his home and did music for local commercials. Another neighbor played folk music.

You never know - I wear Fender, Gibson and Taylor hats and t-shirts from time to time. I almost always get asked about it, which leads to talking gear and music with a stranger.

Good luck.

[Lacks Focus]

The suggestions to check out the local "meetup" groups prompted me to do just that, only to find that even in a metro area as large as Indianapolis, the only music-related meetup group there is right now is purely for ukuleles.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Whaleblue

Worth saying up-front - I'm in the UK - but all ideas welcomed.

This question is inspired by a comment in the "What would you do differently?" thread.

Can anyone recommend any good ways to go about finding other people to play/practise with? I know open mics are popular in the States, but here in the UK they seem to be less common, and I don't see one near me - besides, at this point I've not achieved the levels required to perform in public.

I'd like to get together with other beginners to intermediate level players, and would welcome anyone who understood the general level I'm aiming at. The basic idea would be to encourage development, and to do some basic jamming.

I'd be happy to take turns hosting a regular evening, but I've no idea how to find like-minded folk?

I'm in the south of England, west of London, so there must be tons of people out there who'd be interested. Half an idea would be to hire a room at a public venue to avoid the obvious problems of getting a group of strangers together, at least initially, but that seems quite a faff.

Thoughts? Have you managed to do this yourself? If there are good reasons NOT to pursue this let me know those too!

Thanks.

I had great luck in Los Angeles on meetup.com, but I don't know if that website covers the UK. If it does, definitely check it out.

[1979-guild-d40]

Originally Posted by Lacks Focus

The suggestions to check out the local "meetup" groups prompted me to do just that, only to find that even in a metro area as large as Indianapolis, the only music-related meetup group there is right now is purely for ukuleles.

Start your own. Somebody in my neighborhood started a community group of acoustic musicians, of which I'm a member. The response has been quite good and we've been together over two years. People come and go, but we have a core group who play regularly. We also do occasional shows. A wide range of talents and everybody is welcome.

[MikeBmusic]

Already mentioned above: Meetup Groups, but also look at Facebook groups for musicians.

[Jberczel]

Originally Posted by 1979-guild-d40

Start your own. Somebody in my neighborhood started a community group of acoustic musicians, of which I'm a member. The response has been quite good and we've been together over two years. People come and go, but we have a core group who play regularly. We also do occasional shows. A wide range of talents and everybody is welcome.

nice initiative. where do you guys end up jamming? my concern with starting something up is that i don't really have a place that's suitable to jamming.

[Blueser100]

I was going to suggest this also. Meetup.com is how I found out about several local bluegrass and ukulele jams in my area.

Originally Posted by renoslim

I belong to a MEETUP group, I googled and they have them in the UK. Check your area. We get together at least 6 times a year depending on who can host. Always informal and open to all levels of play. We are an "Acoustic" meetup group so that lowers the sound level somewhat. Check it out.

[OnTheLedge]

Originally Posted by lizzard

To The Mods...

Perhaps a need has just been articulated that AGF could support?

A section for folks wanting to find others to jam with in their locales?

Surely it can be done, and it might have near global benefits.

Just a thought!

Chris

I started a thread a while back suggesting that AGF have a forum for musicians to get together.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=303236

The idea was well received but it hasn't happened.