Joining a band

Where do I find ads for musicians wanted?

There are so many places to look: Social media, local music shops, ads in the back of music magazines and online, notices in music venues and rehearsal studios, word of mouth, the possibilities are endless – and it’s easy to get lost.

The key is: to know what YOU want.

Knowing what you want to achieve will make you better to work with, more positive and focused and undoubtedly help you reach your goals faster.    

What do I want to gain out of the experience?

Some people think of it as a hobby and others as a career choice, either way, it’s about enjoying yourself.

Work out how and where you see yourself playing and what kind of commitment you are prepared to make.

If you’re not sure, talk to your tutor, other musicians and friends, get involved with workshops, join a drumming group or musical collective.

Sometimes you need to find ways to bounce ideas around before making an initial commitment to a band.  

What type of music do I want to play?

This is not about playing one style but it’s helpful to give yourself a starting point so that finding people becomes easier.

You’re likely to discover all sorts of sounds that inspire you and, ultimately, it’s about finding like minded people to play with.

Most bands looking for members state music their musical preferences in their ads. Match your taste against theirs. If it fits, get an audition.

How long before I find something?

Some of you may feel ready to go out there and find your band, others might want to join workshops, collectives and jam with other musicians to get a better idea of which direction they want to go in, musically. 

The advice is always the same - If you practice hard, give it your all and keep an open mind, you're likely to do just fine.

Putting the work in will open doors to all sorts of opportunities and the more you put yourself out there, the more chance you have.

Get involved, stay focused and things will fall into place.

Don’t forget if you're a drummer, that compared to the other members of a band, drummers are in high demand, so use this to your advantage.

And above all – ENJOY THE RIDE!