I’m looking into starting up a band. Nothing major or bombastic. Let’s just call it a gateway into the world of live music.
Stylistically, I’d want to lean the group toward jazz/rock fusion. Think Brand X, Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, Weather Report, what have you.
For musical dopers – what have you guys found to be the best way to get a group of musicians together? Newspaper ads? Posted flyers? (I live on a college campus, so this would be feasible.) Some… other kind of advertisement?
I’m dying to know, but I’m also wondering what’s involved in step one.
Put that exact ad in a few local rags, hang a few posters in the dorms, do some emails on local boards.
Meet with the people and jam a bit.
First of all, it is a great way to meet people, even if they aren’t what you are looking for - but maybe future producers, managers, agents, roadies etc.
Secondly, you will see what talent is out there and what to expect.
Thirdly, you will eventually get your group together.
Good luck and have fun and let us know what the group name is so we can buy that first CD.
Yep. Advertise. Don’t form with existing friends as conflict will result.
The jam, as noted and see if you click. If you don’t think just move on. Don’t invest a lot of time or ego in the project until you’re sure you’re comfortable together.
If you live in or near a big enough town, chances are there’s a musicians’ group website where you can post a profile or advertisement. These are a gold mine for finding like-minded artists.
If that doesn’t work, you could see if your local music stores have a notice board and put up a flyer.
Talk to the people at the shows you like to go to, do some networking, you never know…
Bottom line? Do all the stuff described in the posts above to network and get the word out. Also, tell your friends that you want to be in a band and are looking for certain instruments and types of players.
I took my kid to a birthday party and was hanging out with one of the dads, who it turns out lives right around the corner from me. He’s a bassist and we completely clicked.
It’s like finding a relationship or getting a job - network and get yourself out there - make things happen.
When looking for musicians, word of mouth has always worked best for me. The problem with newspaper ads is that they tend to bring out the people that have no real talent but just “want to be in a band”. I have wasted many hours interviewing prospective musicians, only to hear them name drop for an hour and tell about all of the fantastic things they have done, then strap on an instrument and sound like utter crap.
I much prefer to have someone recommend someone. It doesn’t have to come from another musician, just a source that I trust. Perhaps a roadie or recording engineer or a teacher. In fact, that might be a really good route for you. Find someone who is a really good teacher of the instrument you are looking for, and ask them if they could recommend a student of theirs that is proficient and looking for a band. At least you know that the prospect is serious enough to actually be studying their instrument.
Good luck. It’s not easy. Just be patient and look for the combination of skill and rapport. A great player is worthless if nobody in the band can get along with them. Food for thought.