Searching for how to find band members? Finding the perfect band members can be a challenge. Use these 11 tips to you can find band members who are compatible with your musical style, personality, and work ethic, and who share similar short and long-term goals.
The reality is that even acts are known as Cream, The Police, and Oasis were full of tension. Somehow, despite their differences, they managed to create good music together, at least for a time.
Ideally, you don’t want to play in a band where you’re always having trouble with other members. I’ve been in that situation, and it got ugly towards the end. He wants to play with his best friends, which keeps him fun and enjoyable in the long run.
However, it is quite easy to find potential bandmates. It is possible that not all the people you find are suitable for your group, but if you keep searching, you will find players that fit the mold.
Here are several tactics you can use to find gang members in your area.
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1. Advertise or notice at the local music store
A good way to find potential band members who share the same musical interests as you is to advertise where they meet, such as local music stores, record stores, and local clubs that offer live music.
Most of the time, all it takes is a quick chat with the store owner to get approval to hang your flyer on your bulletin board. You can also call local restaurants and cafes that have open mic nights to see if they are willing to allow you to advertise there.
If possible, make a creative and eye-catching flyer that conveys your style. This can help you find band members, as well as speak to their professionalism.
Works. Unbelievably, U2 was formed after drummer Larry Mullen Jr. released an ad … When writing an ad, make sure you’re clear on what you’re looking for (drummer, bass player…) and mention some genres or bands that you like.
2. Contact recording studios and rehearsal spaces
Calling studios and rehearsal spaces in the area is a great way to meet people who may be looking for band members, but it also extends a line of communication that could serve as a useful connection in the future.
At the very least, you can also request to advertise your flyers there as well.
Rehearsal spaces often have a wall covered with musicians looking for band announcements looking to find band members. From Red Hot Chili Peppers cover bands to jazz combos looking to play standards.
You can find almost anything, so be sure to check this out if you want to join a band.
3. Ask your music teacher or friends
Teachers love to see that students are excited to make music, so they will be happy to help. They may have a student or know someone else who is a good partner for you. They might even be willing to organize a “jam night” with other students.
Never underestimate the power of Aunt Stacy’s connections in the next city! Mentioning to the family that you are looking for a gang member can lead to an unexpected connection to someone you might not otherwise have met.
Asking about your group of friends can also be surprisingly fruitful because even if you are not friends with many musicians, everyone seems to know one. Even if those musicians are already in a band, they may know someone to recommend it or maybe considering a new project, creating another opportunity to make an unexpected connection.
Chances are they will and it will be a lot of fun. Step forward to lead the guitar or lead guitar if necessary.
4. Take a group music lesson
Whether it’s band classes at a music school, a music production course, or group guitar lessons. Group lessons are a great way to meet musicians who share your interests and are working on the same things as you.
5. Play or attend open mic nights
Don’t just post a flyer and hope for the best, enjoy open mic nights, and meet people. If you can play it, do it, and if you’re only there to try to make connections, be prepared to introduce yourself and have as many items as you can (CD demo, business card, flyer) to exchange with interested parties you know.
You don’t even have to play. Just mix and talk with other music enthusiasts. You will naturally get that you are looking to play with others. You can meet a future bandmate this way or meet someone who can introduce you to the right people.
6. Post online
Perhaps the most common way to meet other gang members is to search on sites like Craigslist. Sure, you’ll get a variety of people to get in touch with you, but you can always filter out interested applicants by asking them about your goals for the band’s future or if they could send you a sample of their sound.
You must make sure that the most qualified people contact you and you don’t want to waste time with musicians whose experience is very different from yours or whose goals are incompatible.
7. Join a musician finder site
These websites specifically designed to connect solo musicians with interested band members. Sites like MusoFinder, BandMix, Bandfinder, and Jamifind can effectively help aspiring or solo musicians find band members. Oftentimes these services are free and as easy as creating a profile and searching for musicians in your area.
The best musicians and band members finding site:
To aid you in your search, we’ve put together five options that should help you identify that elusive drummer/vocalist/piper.
Join My Band
Join My Band is a dedicated site to those looking to join and form musical collaborations. Signing up is free and you can immediately see ads by county. There are thousands of ads, making it a good place to start.
BandMix
Another place for musicians looking to collaborate, BandMix allows you to create your own profile, with audio if you like, so people can hear what it’s all about.
JamKazam
This application allows you to register and play live music online with other people, rehearse with people you know, or join open sessions to have fun with people with a similar skill level. You can even record and stream your performances.
We tried JamKazam for a jam with guitar and drums (both with broadband connection via ethernet cable) and we had a lot of fun using our built-in plugins like AmpliTube with it.
Gumtree
Many people now think of Gumtree first when they think of online advertising. Here you can include free announcements, and you can search by region in the Music, bands, and musicians section.
Meet & Jam
Although you can set up a profile here to find other musicians and session jobs, it’s also a place for engineers and producers who are available to hire if you want to take the plunge to record in a studio setting. Meet And Jam also organizes jam nights in London to help people get involved.
8. Join forums
Visiting sites like reddit.com/r/FindABand can help you meet new people looking for gang members. Joining the conversation can help you get answers to specific questions and learn the ropes of the industry itself.
The connections you make here can be as personal or public as you like, and there’s no pressure if it doesn’t work.
9. Create a website
If you have a website, advertise there. If not, consider getting one! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but having a space for your music or even just an “About Me” section can help people get to know you and see what it’s all about.
As you probably know, a lot of times the first thing a person does when they hear a name or band is to do an internet search to verify its legitimacy, so make sure that people can easily find it and provide all the information they need.
However, simply having a website is not enough. Direct people to that URL by placing it in your brochures, ads, and social media, and do the same with the SoundCloud URL or the Facebook page you’ve created as well.
10. Use social media
Another great way to get out and spread the word is to connect through social media. If you don’t already have one, create a Twitter account or put your music on SoundCloud and encourage people to share it with others. Engaging and building legitimate followers can help cement your place in the industry and among those in your local area.
Letting people know you’re looking to start a gang and search for members can be as easy as posting to Facebook, joining a Facebook group, tweeting about it, or posting an Instagram post tagged with your location. Try searching for popular hashtags that are relevant to your search as well.
11. Record a demo
This can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the necessary media, opportunity, or equipment to record. However, this is something that all solo artists should be aware of, as it is a great way for people to hear exactly what it sounds like, and it can be easily shared and used to recruit other musicians.
Having a sample of your music is like having a physical resume of your work, and as a resume, it can help you “get the job.” And if you’ve played in a band (or two) with recorded material, make the most of the songs that highlight your performance or composition.
Became a better band player
Playing with others or joining a band is great, but it’s not without its challenges. That is why I prepared a 5-day email course with some nuggets of wisdom that I have heard over the years. Among other things, you will get:
- This list of ways to find musicians for future reference
- 27 easy songs to play on your first rehearsal
- What you need to know before your first trial (FAQ)
I will also go into questions like:
- How to maximize creativity by writing music with others instead of arguing?
- What makes people want to have you in their band?
- When does playing become an overproduction (and what can you do about it)?
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these 11 tips will help you find band members who are just as committed to music as you are.
As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to find gang members in your area. Be creative, have fun, go out, and meet people without an agenda. It is much more fun than it sounds.
You never know where that next handshake could lead. Just stay open to the possibilities.
