Where & how do you find "others" to play with?

CompleteHack

CompleteHack

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Oct 9, 2024
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#1
After many years not playing, I'm teaching myself BG again at home.

One of the lesson sets I'm working through, studybass.com, insists you have to "play with others" as part of learning.

OK fine. I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to do anything but piss people off with lack of ability, but fine.

But how?

Where do you find people to play with?

No one I already know plays an instrument. I've asked. Got a couple of "used to"'s, at best.

I've looked for "bassist wanted" ads on local Craigslist, but they are minimal. Those few want a serious, commercial-grade bassist, for either part- or full-time commercial work, oriented toward a specific genre (or covering a specific band). I already have a full-time job. I have no delusions of making money playing, nor am I interested in traveling for "gigs." More like, an hour or two on the weekend, to see where it goes, with no one expecting me to already have a bunch of songs memorized, or be able to play based strictly on a chord progression (sorry, not there yet, jazz is way too hard).

Is there a regional "want ads" somewhere here on this forum, or some other place I can find folks interested? If so, I haven't found anything like that, so far.
 
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#3
I got that same advice from some musician friends when I first started out: "Play with other people every chance you get." But I wasn't ready to play with these musician friends quite yet, so was in a similar situation as you.

My first thought is to not overlook those "used-to" people you spoke with. When I first started learning bass I had two "used-to-play-guitar" friends who were motivated by my decision to learn an instrument (in my early 40s) and decided to take it back up again. These were the people I played with regularly for the first 6 months or so, and we were all happy to put up with everyone else's limitations. We all got better, pretty fast, so that's what worked for me.

Another thought is that rather than searching "bass player wanted" ads, consider posting your own ad in search of like-minded beginners or "used-to" players who would like to get together occasionally to help each other learn -- no expectations, no pressure -- just for fun. You might run into some crazies, but you also might find one or more people on the same wavelength who could help each other along.
 
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#6
when i first started playing bass (a lateral move from guitar), i played with friends, friends of friends and referrals till i realized that wasn't working for me. then i put an ad on the recycler (now i'd use craigslst) that said basically: Bass player looking for other musicians to jam with or form a band. i mentioned the styles of music i wanted to play and went from there. because i'm in los angeles, i got a LOT of replies.
 
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#7
Another vote for seeking out jams. Blues jams are probably the most common and the easiest for beginners to get going because of the simple song structures and bass lines. Since you used to play, you should be able to get up to speed pretty quickly.

There’s a rock jam near me but it’s not as easy for someone (even me) to jump in if they aren’t familiar with the tunes being called. One night I went there two saxophonists showed up and wanted to play Stevie Wonder tunes that I didn't know.
 
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#10
CompleteHack said:
I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to do anything but piss people off with lack of ability, but fine.
Click to expand...

You over estimate the caliber of bass player most bands would be perfectly content with.
If you can hold your own on a rough 12 bar blues, you're ready for some band
maybe not the A list full time pros, but many will be happy to have you

Father Gino said:
It’s way better to play with musicians that play better than you do than the other way around.
Click to expand...
^this, 100%
As much as we joke about being underappreciated, my experience other musicians - better musicians - are always happy to have a bass player holding down the roots and rhythm. They are helpful where you fall short, and happy to share knowledge , talk shop. I grew tremendously playing more experienced and educated bandmates. it's probably superior to any kind of paid lessons.

so stop worrying if your good enough and go for it.
I would suggest posting flyers at local music schools or community colleges
but the absolute best way to find em is to know em: build a network of fellow musicians
if you do that well, you'll be beating off opportunity with a stick
(assuming you are a decent person, helpful and cooperative)
 
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#11
In addition to the advice above about writing your own ad, I'd also maybe poke around any neighborhood Facebook groups, or ask neighbors. Turns out the dude across the fence behind me has a studio and plays and the only reason I found out was because we needed to talk details about a tree he had to remove.
 
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#12
Sometimes you just get lucky.

Years ago, a work colleague invited the office to his group house’s annual Halloween party, which always featured live music, because he was part of a musical social set. Many bands had come and gone among them. Only two of us from the office went.

Me, I hadn’t regularly played an instrument in years, but I knew I’d get back to it one day.

That party was a springboard. The level of musicianship was actually pretty high. I played drums on a few songs before the ‘main event’ went on, in a basement wired like a stage. I was so keyed up afterwards that I bought a drum set the next week. (I’d never owned drums before.)

Nobody had any clue that I was actually a bass player for at least two years. After trying my hand at drums for awhile, I looked in the mirror one day and said, ‘Who are you kidding? You’re a bass player.’

My then-girlfriend, now my wife and bandmate, thought I’d lost my mind when I bought a player-worn P-bass and a 1x15 combo. She didn’t know I played bass, and we had dated for a few years by then.

I started frequenting my work friend’s scene and parties, because they were always jamming, and they were generally cool people that loved a good hang. I made MANY enduring friendships therein.

These days, I’m the one who’s always in a band, with my dear wife, the chick singer (it’s on her card).

The Internet and TB have been such a blessing for getting information, interacting with other players of all experience levels, and learning equipment. It used to be such a laborious, time-consuming process. Not so much anymore.

The moral of this story is: Find people you have something in common with. Go where they go. Bass players are ALWAYS in demand.

And sometimes you just get lucky.
 
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#13
I encouraged a friend who owns a music school to start and promote an adult rock band as well as an adult blues band for those of us who are just starting out with an instrument. We now have a set list of 15 tunes that we work on and some nights we kill it. It’s been a great learning opportunity and the music school has 12 new students. Everyone wins!
 
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#15
CompleteHack said:
After many years not playing, I'm teaching myself BG again at home.

One of the lesson sets I'm working through, studybass.com, insists you have to "play with others" as part of learning.

OK fine. I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to do anything but piss people off with lack of ability, but fine.

But how?

Where do you find people to play with?

No one I already know plays an instrument. I've asked. Got a couple of "used to"'s, at best.

I've looked for "bassist wanted" ads on local Craigslist, but they are minimal. Those few want a serious, commercial-grade bassist, for either part- or full-time commercial work, oriented toward a specific genre (or covering a specific band). I already have a full-time job. I have no delusions of making money playing, nor am I interested in traveling for "gigs." More like, an hour or two on the weekend, to see where it goes, with no one expecting me to already have a bunch of songs memorized, or be able to play based strictly on a chord progression (sorry, not there yet, jazz is way too hard).

Is there a regional "want ads" somewhere here on this forum, or some other place I can find folks interested? If so, I haven't found anything like that, so far.
Click to expand...
What’s the mom’n’pop instrument store situation where you are? Go in to them(as opposed to a GC, which would be a fairly apathetic atmosphere)and ask at the counter if they know of anyone who would be compatible, or if there is a bulletin board, go old school and put up your own notice of availability, with a realistic description of what you want. Hell, put one up at GC, it wouldn’t hurt.
 
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#18
CompleteHack said:
Is there a regional "want ads" somewhere here on this forum, or some other place I can find folks interested? If so, I haven't found anything like that, so far.
Click to expand...

This is the worst place to start looking. We're all bassists here.

The last band I joined, I found on Facebook. Actually, I don't much use FB, but the SO does and she showed me the ad.

However, I've lived in this small community rural area for more than two decades now and I know most of the players in the area and most of the players know me - if not personally than by reputation or by knowing bands I've been in / am in.

What worked for me in the past: If you can't find the band you wanna join, sit down, think about what kind of band that would be and then start it.
Put out the word. I don't know about your situation and goals, but maybe you'll find a few people who played in their youth, had kids and gave it up, but would like to start again - but have no idea how.
 
#19
I don't do FB.

guess I'll ask at the local independent shops.

el murdoque said:
What worked for me in the past: If you can't find the band you wanna join, sit down, think about what kind of band that would be and then start it.
Put out the word. I don't know about your situation and goals, but maybe you'll find a few people who played in their youth, had kids and gave it up, but would like to start again - but have no idea how.
Click to expand...
that might work. I don't have kids, and the last time I thought about doing this, everyone I might have involved in my half-baked music schemes was busy with that.

I'm not necessarily opposed to playing with someone of a different age, even a very different age, as long as they act like a grown-ass adult.

thanks!
 
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#20
So Anyway, I remember when I bought my first bass. I had no idea where the notes were or how the fretboard was laid out. I'd also take my gear and go just about anywhere to play with or just listen to other people. Eventually I found some guys who had been playing a lot longer than me but needed a bass player.

Now I'm a spoiled old geezer and no longer have that level of determination. But I'm glad I had it back then because it was necessary. If you want to connect with other musicians, you have to be willing to put yourself out there.....social media, open mics, blues jams, etc. You never know where a casual/accidental connection might lead to.
Is there a 'Looking For Bass Player' on Guitar Chat? :laugh:

Good Luck with your journey.
 
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