Guitar Players: How To Invite Other Pickers To My Place

In My Humble Opinion
1

I currently have three guitars: An accoustic electric, a hollow-body bass and an archtop hollow-body electric, and they’re just sitting in their stands in my living room, played only occasionally by me, myself and I.

I want to post something on my bulletin board at work inviting others who play over to my place for beer, pizza and some pickin’ and grinnin’, but I don’t quite know how to word it. Maybe y’all can help if I give you a few salient points.

  1. I’m 53
  2. I’m more of a rhythm guitarist, although I enjoy the hell out of playing my bass
  3. I’m more into folk tunes or very simple rock and roll than I am into the newer stuff although I like Drivin’ and Cryin’, Tom Petty, and The Dead.
  4. I don’t much care for the new country, but as some of y’all know Mr. Cash is my man. :smiley:

Basically, I wanna just play for the sake of playing and having a good time, not because I want to form a band and play for money.

How can I get all these points across and yet not sound like a dick in my announcement?

Thanks

Q

2

Dunno, but your list seems just about perfect. I’d just stick that up there, sans numbers.

3

Since it’s an at-work thing, maybe you could just post a note saying something like “Any guitar pickers here?” and leave lots of room for folks to sign their names.

Follow up with the signers to check out tastes and other interests.

Doubt the list of credentials would work as well.

A guy at work (a drummer) just asked around and managed to get several of us together for a few sessions. No intention of forming a band, and, as you said, just some fun attempts at making a little music.

4

Is there a local music school near you? I’m in group guitar classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and people at the school organize groups like that all the time, either informally among the other people in their group classes or by posting notices on the various school bulletin boards.

5

I don’t know how big a place Dallas Georgia is, but you might want to check out guitar shops close to your home, instead of/as well as your workplace.

Also, no reason to limit yourself to guitar. No reason to scare away any interested instrumentalists.

I would not refer expressly to beer in the initial note, as that might dissuade some more interested players who might view it as amateur’s drinking night.

Don’t have any pre-conceptions of exactly how it is going to turn out, and just enjoy what develops.

Good luck.

6

This thread is better suited for IMHO. I’ll move it for you.

Cajun Man ~ SDMB Moderator

7

Ask people in person, around your neighborhood, at church, at work, etc., if they play or know someone who does. When you run across someone who plays (or sings, if that fits your profile), chat briefly about what kinds of music they like to do, and try to get a feel for their attitude about it. For example, a bluegrass purist may not care for sessions that include rock (and vice versa), but some bluegrassers would be fine with, say, folk or 50’s rock. Obviously you want some compatibility with what you like to play. I gather from your post that you also would do best with mellow frames of mind that are accepting of different genres, different skill levels, etc.

For the written notice on bulletin boards, try to give folks an idea of what kinds of music, skill levels, which instruments, etc. you’d like to include. Have them call you to review it in converstation.

If you can get one or two or three interested for starters, invite them over for pizza and beer and see how it goes. If there’s compatibility and everyone enjoys it, set a date for the next session and have them all spread the word. These things can grow pretty readily once they get off the ground. Someone may have several friends who play that can be invited, or may invite you to a session where you can meet others who might be interested.

Some sessions make a point of passing the turn to pick a song around the circle, to make sure everyone gets a chance to do so. Other sessions seem to be rooted in a common, often narrow, repertoire where someone says “let’s play this” and it’s expected that most of the others know it to some degree, with the idea of enforced turns not really part of the deal. Think about which way is better for what you want to do, and guide it in that direction.

If you get a group going, regular monthly sessions usually work pretty well. It can have one host (presumably you) all the time, or the group can take turns with a rotating hostship. Once you get beyond a handful of people, BYOB (plus bring something for the snack table occasionally) may be more feasible than the host providing everything.

The main thing to get started is to find people to ask about joining you. Besides the other suggestions in this thread, you might look for folks who play at local open mikes, or local music events, make presentations in schools, etc. Good luck!

8

Wow! You guys, you guys!: These suggestions are great ones, and I appreciate so much that y’all took time to answer me.

I realize that posting a notice at my hospital is gonna limit me severely, so Gary T’s suggestion about branching out is a very good one. One of the guys who delivers pizza to me and my SO has already noticed my axes and has expressed an interest. Of course, he’s pierced, tattooed and who knows what else, but he’s a sweet guy and I can probably teach him who Tom Dooley was! :smiley:

We have an “open mike” bar here in Dallas, so I will post something there as well.

Dinsdale’s suggestion about other instrumentalists is cool too. I already have a keyboard set up and I have always had a jones for playing “Goin’ Up The Country” with that crazy flute.

We don’t have a music school in our area, sad to say, Eva Luna. And Dinsy: we only have about 30 thousand here in Dallas! (Big into gospel, here, although Travis Tritt lives in our county and has contributed so much to its welfare!)

Thanks CajunMan!

Q

9

Quazi,

I would suggest going to see some live acoustic acts and chatting up the performers. My husband is a full time musician and he is ALWAYS having people over to pick or going to their houses to pick. I’ll tell you one thing, though- I’d be REALLY careful about posting something involving free pizza/beer to musicians- you may get more then you bargined for :wink:

I also agree with the music store suggestion. If you are in a music store and hear someone picking that sounds like your style, strike up a conversation with them. End it by giving them your number and saying “Hey, I like to have a jam session at my house once a week on Wednesdays- could you make it sometime?” If they’re interested, they’ll show up. Go for it! Don’t be afraid to talk to people.

If you’re ever up near Charlotte, NC- look me up. My husband loves to pick with new people!

10

No music school? How sad! What about posting a notice in cafes that feature acoustic music?

11

To elaborate on *Zette’s observation:

I wouldn’t have more than beer/soda and maybe some chips/pretzels/peanuts etc. Pizza will quickly turn the happening into a sit-around B.S. fest – not that that’s bad in inself. :smiley: But, you’ll be less distracted if the refreshments are somewhat modest.

12

I think if you provide the beer you will get plenty of responses. I am considering coming down, and I live in Ohio. I can’t think of many things that are better than playing some Johnny Cash and drinking a few beers.

13

Be sure to use the word “hootenanny.”

14

Quasimodem, the term I like best, from my blues daze in Missippissi, is House Party. That means food and drinks and music at a friend’s house; a good time to be had by all.

BTW,Eva Luna, ya know Ari at the Old Town Folk School? He’s a magnificent friend, and works there. Miss his kinectic self much.

15

Quasi, look for a used music equipment store in your neck of the woods. Most of them will have a bulletin board where you can post a notice of jam sessions at your home. You’ll want to meet callers at a coffee shop to screen them before admitting them to your home but it is one way to meet fellow local musicians.

You can also post a notice on Craigslist.com. They are a fabulous resource and have a message board for the Atlanta area.

16

Zennie: I didn’t know about Craigslist. On my way there right now. Moejuck: You’d be welcome!

Zette: If I’m ever gona up that way, I’ll send you an e-mail. Thanks for the kind invitation!

'Appreciate all the replies, and y’all are invited too! :slight_smile:

Q

17

Shit, I just put up what you posted in the OP anywhere you can think of. Guitarists like to play, especially with guitarists that share their tastes. And if you provide beer, you’re guaranteed guitarists.

18

Hey Modem. If you don’t mind leaving your house, often you can find jam sessions at certain music clubs. Just bring your axe and join the fray. Usually they are more blues/jazz oriented but you may be able to find one that is more folky. I find though that most people are more than willing to play if you just ask them. Church choirs often have pickers as well.

Good luck!

19

Not personally; the last time I had a conversation with him was when he called to tell me they had to cancel my advanced vocal harmony class for llow enrollment. Whaddaya mean they couldn’t find 6 people who wanted to do a cappella Georgian, African, and Bulgarian music, with a few shape note tunes? I was so bummed!

Come volunteer for the Folk & Roots Fest! You can find info on the school’s site at www.oldtownschool.org.

[/hijack]

20

I hope you know it’s sincere- and if we’re your way (and that’s not an unlikely thing) we’ll look you up! :slight_smile: