Want to jam with people!

#21
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...
As a father of a daughter who’s 20, I highly discourage the idea of CL. Band mix is a good option but you’re at a challenging age because it’s tough to get into a lot of establishments and there are the usual schedule/transportation issues. Community colleges since you are approaching the end of your high school career usually, offer some type of musical education (maybe theory if you’re interested) courses. This is probably one of the better places to meet like minded people. For now, do what you can with the music department at your school. Ultimately, you just need to immerse yourself in the culture of music in any shape or form and experiment with different types (I.e. orchestra, jazz, band). It’s all good! We were all where you are at a time. Hang in there and don’t get discouraged. Be you and have fun.
Btw... I didn’t notice before but, welcome to TalkBass. Lots of great people and hundreds of years of experience floating around this site.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jchrisk1 and sludgetail
#22
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...

How I got started … My brother and his friend were starting a band and they needed a bass player. By the time I got good my brother had moved on. So I found others to play in a band with. Back then it was word of mouth and adds in music stores. Bigger cities had publications where you could put in adds. Today there are things like Craig's list. You probably need to be 21 to go to some of the open jams at bars. Try searching "how to find musicians / bands in my area"

I met good people in high school to jam with and it got me started on my journey.

But again use the internet and find the right people … jamming with the wrong people can be frustrating … Ideally you would want to find people a little better than you so you can learn. You will want to learn to develop your ear and your feel and get comfortable playing with others.

Also get a good day job so you can afford nice equipment, music doesn't often pay well.

Also if you can sing that really helps, and learn rhythm guitar and a little bit of keyboards to understand what is going on in the band.
 
#23
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...

I feel you 100%. I don't have an answer for you though. But I do hope you are able to get out and find some people to play with; because trust me you don't want to be 40 years old in the same situation, reading about other peoples' success on an internet forum.

♪♫And so as you hear these words / telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life / I wish I could but it's too late♫♪
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artisticbassist and BOOG
#26
There's nothing to fear on Craigslist. I have an 18 year old daughter, I'd way rather have her go to CL or bandmix route than open mics. With the internet there's a boundary of anonymity. Emails can be exchanged, if that seems cool then text or talk on the phone. A level of comfort can be established before actually meeting up to play...screening can occur. The musicians section on your local CL is not crawling with dangerous predators.

As far as shyness, there is a leap of faith involved in taking this step, but know that after 3 years you're so much more than ready. Be bold. Put up a short, honest ad that says what tunes you know, and that you're looking for some other folks to jam with.

There's no risk!! You don't even have to answer the emails!!! Now go do it and send us a link to the ad.:)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cosmicevan and Artisticbassist
#27
kmon said:
There's nothing to fear on Craigslist. I have an 18 year old daughter, I'd way rather have her go to CL or bandmix route than open mics. With the internet there's a boundary of anonymity. Emails can be exchanged, if that seems cool then text or talk on the phone. A level of comfort can be established before actually meeting up to play...screening can occur. The musicians section on your local CL is not crawling with dangerous predators.

As far as shyness, there is a leap of faith involved in taking this step, but know that after 3 years you're so much more than ready. Be bold. Put up a short, honest ad that says what tunes you know, and that you're looking for some other folks to jam with.

There's no risk!! You don't even have to answer the emails!!! Now go do it and send us a link to the ad.
Click to expand...
Don’t entirely disagree with you about CL. However, you are in Austin where it is likely the norm for a city that one of the major industries is music. We don’t know anything about the OP and I tend to err on the side of caution when making a recommendation especially, when considering a minor.
Regardless OP, do what you are comfortable with and good luck with the journey.

Peace
 
  • Like
Reactions: 12BitSlab and Artisticbassist
#29
BOOG said:
Don’t entirely disagree with you about CL. However, you are in Austin where it is likely the norm for a city that one of the major industries is music. We don’t know anything about the OP and I tend to err on the side of caution when making a recommendation especially, when considering a minor.
Regardless OP, do what you are comfortable with and good luck with the journey.

Peace
Click to expand...

Not just young women, but anyone. The OP will feel nervous enough about diving into the musical pool, she shouldn't have any fear for her safety. Meet up at a coffee shop first and have your Spidey senses on. If you feel at all uncomfortable with the person, bail.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 12BitSlab, BOOG and Artisticbassist
#31
Try linking up with 1 other player at first, say a guitar player or drummer at your level who is looking to jam or make a band. Remember that there are tons of other folks your age who are at your level, finding them is the only challenge. Back in the day here in SoCal, we had the RECYCLER - a weekly newspaper that would come out every Thurs. It took/printed ads for free, but cost $1.25 at 7-Eleven and the likes to buy the paper. This is where I found a ton of great drummers and musicians when I was a kid, albeit it was the 90's (also same publication where Lars and James Hetfield met -- the only two guys with ads for Metal).

With the Recycler pretty much replaced by Craigslist, I would give it a shot. If you're a young female, it doesn't hurt to be safe... in fact, I would go the extra mile to be safe when meeting any random ppl off the net. It's true there are weirdos out there... and opportunists. If it were me, I would meet new players at a pay-by-the-hour rehearsal studio if you guys have 'em near your home in NJ, rather than some rando's garage.... unless it's just another kid your age and you're 100% sure. Again, while it may be kosher and you'd probably be totally safe, I'd say you'd be safer paying the $12-$15 to jam at a safe business, especially for the first couple times... this also makes it easy to walk away from the whole thing if you find yourself not liking the tunes/personalities/vibe/whatever... no one knows where anyone lives and there's no commitment.

If they insist on it being at their house (and there's nothing wrong with that as sometimes their stuff's set up there etc) then it never hurts to tell someone your whereabouts (e.g. "mom/dad/bro I'm headed to rehearse at this address. Once I get there and know it's kosher, I will text you and also check in with you at X:XXpm")...

Not trying to creep you out on the world out there, I think the Internet does a great job of that on its own... and I know these extra steps suck, but please always go the better safe than sorry route... creeps get on the internet just the same as the rest of us, and some of them get very creative.

Plus like I said, some dudes may have put out a legit ad, but once in the room with a young female player, it can be a little weird for you if they're used to drinking a few beers at rehearsal or partaking in 420 etc. I look back on being 17 and even as a dude, I wouldn't want to be in a room with some random older guy whose pounding Buds or puffing on a joint the first time I meet 'em by myself, but that's just me.

In my area here, the CL ads are loaded with young ppl and new bands. I see a lot of ads for younger players and new players in my area who want to make a band or find a jam buddy. Don't be afraid to ask folks for their social media or to just check 'em out beforehand. This can be helpful to get a gauge of their personalities (if they are posting stuff that is weird or even stuff that aligns with you and your vibe).

I also would not hesitate to do what others have mentioned -- spending some time at a local GC or music shop or putting a flyer up on the billboard there can work too... just be clear that you're a new player, want to jam with other musicians (your age?) and even after all this said, don't be afraid to let your guard down for the right people (hopefully ones your age); you may find some lifelong musical partners and look back at this post years later smiling about all you've accomplished and how far you've come.

Edit: it can also be helpful to get a Google Voice number for free. You can sign up with any Google account (youtube, gmail, etc) and you can link it to your cell phone. It basically allows you to fwd any calls through it and texts as well. It'll mask your number when calling and receiving/sending texts. Get a spam msg? Send it to spam and block the number. Same goes for weirdos. I use it to sell on CL and it's great for weeding out and blocking the crap, super useful and a great safety net.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 12BitSlab and BOOG
#32
On open mics: if you're shy, then go a few times just to watch and listen. Don't HAVE to play the first time. The ones I've been to, the musicians have always been supportive and encouraging of new musicians. Get a feel for how things work, and when you start to feel comfortable, put your name in.

On Craigslist; there's always a certain amount of sifting through the waste till you get to a good connection. As far as the safety aspect goes, there are ways to handle that. Meet in a public place with someone first. Bring a friend to the jam session. Emerald, the singer for Granite State Rhythm, is a younger woman (not as young as the OP) that found us over CL. She brought her husband along - young woman walking into a room with four male strangers, I can't blame her.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 12BitSlab, redwingxix and sludgetail
#33
Goatrope said:
You know, OP, sometimes it’s best just to convince your friends to take up some instruments. Lots of great stories begin that way. Plus, you’re not dealing with the rando-psycho on CL. :O
Click to expand...
this is a good call. my best friend in high school took up the bass when i was like "play the guitar so we can start a band". he went his own way with the bass but maybe he wouldn't have at all... also we met at band camp (we were both trumpet players) so we already met in the context of music.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goatrope and sludgetail
#40
BamaBird said:
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! :)
Click to expand...


all good info...

also look into "School of Rock" type places that may be near you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back