Want to jam with people!

#2
Do you have a Guitar center near by?
They sometimes have a wall of contact info for folks looking for others to jam?

Id say a craigslsit ad --- but er --- that could get "dicey"

Local music store with lessons? They may have a "group jam"

Church group/Social worship band??

High School Band (do they have a Jazz band?) --

Sorry its been DECADES since I was in your position --- like MANY decades (God Im old)

so I would say ---- to someone your age ---ISNT THERE AN AP FOR THAT?!?!?!

IF not perhaps make one???

I WANT ROYALTIES if you make a bazillion bit coins! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Allatoona Rebel, 12BitSlab, Just_Ethan and 8 others
#4
Same problem I had a little over a decade ago. Social anxiety didn't help either. I eventually found some people, usually met through a comment about a t-shirt worn to school. None of those relationships lasted, most got into drugs and trouble.

You might have luck in a local music store. Social media might help you connect with others in your position. I say "might" because I'm pretty much in the same boat as you right now. I'd be happy with just a decent drummer to occasionally jam with at this point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huw Phillips, Artisticbassist and jamro217
#5
it's impossible to move forward always on your own terms. i suggest that you be ready to make compromises. if shyness is an issue: be prepared to take some risks...and look forward to the payoffs/rewards from some of those risks.

playing music with other musicians can be among the most rewarding moments in a life experience. and it's worth the risk(s) to know how rewarding those experiences can be. the previous posters/suggestions have your back! good luck with your music! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: the_home, nbsipics, Wisebass and 6 others
#8
Welcome, Artisticbassist. If you have any place of contact with local musicians, go there and mingle. You don't have to be the center of attention, just a polite observer to begin with. If your school has a music program, ask the teacher if he/she can suggest any way to connect similar minded students to jam. That would be ideal because you're all the same age and possibly with the same level of band experience. Local music shops are (at least they used to be) a decent place to meet musicians. That probably has changed with internet sales. Some places have local "underground" newspapers that cater to college students, musicians, artists and the like. Check the classifieds for things like swap meets, open mics, free concerts, etc. to widen your search. Hope this helps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#10
Open mic jams can be a good place to meet musicians and practice jamming.

Some open jams are sort of "pro," where most everyone is experienced/high level, and you probably don't want to do one of those. But many (most?) are not, and feature all levels, including beginners.

Find one of those, go hang in the audience a few times. See what people are playing. See how it works. Gain inspiration by seeing other beginners get up there, and see how supportive the audience is. Talk to people.

At a jam, everyone in the audience is a musician. Some of them will be just as nervous as you. Tell them you're new, inexperienced, want to jam, but are nervous. You will get lots of encouragement to get up there. And lots of support if/when you do get up there. Open mics are good for that because many folks in the audience aren't confident about their playing either, so knowing that, we all support each other and make it a safe place to learn.

Another idea: try Craigslist. Be perfectly straight about your level and goals. "Hey I'm a newbie, very inexperienced, looking for somebody to practice jamming with." or whatever. You might find a music partner for life.

Best of luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass, Helix and Artisticbassist
#11
ThinCrappyTone said:
Another idea: try Craigslist. Be perfectly straight about your level and goals. "Hey I'm a newbie, very inexperienced, looking for somebody to practice jamming with." or whatever. You might find a music partner for life.
Click to expand...

There are ads looking for jam partners all the time on Craigslist. It's often older guitarists who don't want to gig, but would love a bass player to jam with. If you don't mind playing with people much older than you and probably having to play their music, it can be a great way to learn from experienced players.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#12
gln1955 said:
There are ads looking for jam partners all the time on Craigslist. It's often older guitarists who don't want to gig, but would love a bass player to jam with. If you don't mind playing with people much older than you and probably having to play their music, it can be a great way to learn from experienced players.
Click to expand...

Yup, answer ads and put out an ad. With just a tiny bit of patience, you will find a group of people that need somebody just like you in their band. Trust me, Young Lady. Don’t wait. Do it immediately....as in, stop reading this thread and start the Craigslist correspondence.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#13
easyj said:
Trust me, Young Man.
Click to expand...
Haha someone needs to pay closer attention. Not that it matters to the music, but there's definitely a "boys club" mentality out there...

A friend of mine is just getting into playing and has done this for the last couple years. Not sure if there is anything similar near you, but if so, go for it! You only have to break out of your comfort zone once, then then it becomes larger... good luck!

Girls Rock Campaign Boston -
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCDufour and Artisticbassist
#14
easyj said:
Yup, answer ads and put out an ad. With just a tiny bit of patience, you will find a group of people that need somebody just like you in their band. Trust me, Young Lady. Don’t wait. Do it immediately....as in, stop reading this thread and start the Craigslist correspondence.
Click to expand...

And I said:
Haha someone needs to pay closer attention. Not that it matters to the music, but there's definitely a "boys club" mentality out there...

A friend of mine is just getting into playing and has done this for the last couple years. Not sure if there is anything similar near you, but if so, go for it! You only have to break out of your comfort zone once, then then it becomes larger... good luck!

Girls Rock Campaign Boston -
Click to expand...

Haha, my apologies. Post edited. It is primarily a boys club, and it can be scary and uncomfortable for a female to walk into an unknown situation with a bunch of guys, especially older ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist and And I
#15
I am based in Belgium, here is what I did to find nice people to play with :
I posted an ad on the equivalent of Craigslist. Be careful with the answers that you will get and think about your own safety.
You could also register on a guitar forum or another music forum, and begin a topic to explain what you are searching for (your level, what you can play, what you want to play...)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#16
Artisticbassist said:
What are some ways I can find people to play with? I’m 17 in highschool and don’t really know anyone who plays any instruments. I’ve never jammed with anyone but really want to, I just don’t know how to go about it. Also I am immensely shy, especially when it come to playing music. I have a hard time playing in front of people. I would like to maybe start/join a band one day
Click to expand...
School of Rock has summer camps that you can attend. They are quite fun. If you are turning 18 soon they might overlook that. Sometimes they have adult camps. Check it out!

Open mics are good to mingle.

There is also bandmix.com but be smart and never meet anyone in an isolated area, by yourself if you can help it, and never with your gear the first time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#17
Artisticbassist said:
What are some ways I can find people to play with? I’m 17 in highschool and don’t really know anyone who plays any instruments. I’ve never jammed with anyone but really want to, I just don’t know how to go about it. Also I am immensely shy, especially when it come to playing music. I have a hard time playing in front of people. I would like to maybe start/join a band one day
Click to expand...
Sounds exactly like me only I was in small town Texas in 1969 ( still am ) and loved playin rock and blues when most played country. My 1st wife told me when we met I looked like somebody just said boo!! With me I just went and played with anybody I could find or who asked and I learned my best chops and groove bein with so many different bands /styles / venues and people/ funny thing was I seldom talked to anyone and at the time people probly thought I was stuck up or stoned/ nah I was just terribly shy! When I played with country bands id do all my runs and tricks id learned off rock records and some band leaders complained but most didn't/ I still play and its still fun and now I actually talk to people/ so my advice would be just get out and play and if you love playing people will see that and be wanting to play with you. God bless you !
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
#19
wear one of these to the local hangouts.. yeah, there will be a few dbags that'll hit on you, but you'll probably get a few decent introductions as well.


RELAX_-_THE_BASS_PLAYER_S_HEREx.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass Ace89bi and Artisticbassist
#20
Artisticbassist said:
What are some ways I can find people to play with? I’m 17 in highschool and don’t really know anyone who plays any instruments. I’ve never jammed with anyone but really want to, I just don’t know how to go about it. Also I am immensely shy, especially when it come to playing music. I have a hard time playing in front of people. I would like to maybe start/join a band one day
Click to expand...
Where do you live? Maybe someone from your area will see your post here and have some very specific ideas about your town.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back