You've got the songs, now all you need are the
people to help you bring them to life. You know that
finding the right band members is crucial to your
success, but where do you begin your search?
These tips will point you in the right direction.
Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
1. Ask Around
You may already know your bandmates - you
just don't know you know them. Some of your
friends already in bands might be looking for
a change, or they might know of other people
who are looking for a gig. What makes this
way of finding a bandmate good is that you
"know the deal" about someone before they
join the band. If so-and-so is a great bass
player but has never turned up for a
soundcheck on time in their life, now is the
best time to find out. Finding band members
through your local music scene grapevine
means you can be more confident about
finding someone reliable - or at least have a
heads up.
2. The Record Shop
Where do music types like to gather? The
record shop, of course! Or the instrument
shop or another music related shop. Most of
these places, especially the independently
owned ones, will have message boards
where you can advertise for band members.
Be sure to put a little bit about your music on
the advertisement, or at least some info
about bands that you like, and don't forget to
include some way for interested people to
contact you. Asking the staff of these stores
is another way to find people looking for a
band.
3. The Internet
Websites like Craigslist and
MeetYourBand.com are filled with ads from
people looking for a band to join. Browse
through the lists of musicians in your area
who are interested in finding a band with
whom to play, and place your own ad seeking
band members. Include the same information
you would on an advertisement on the record
store message board. You can also visit
musician's forums, like our own to advertise.
4. Studios/Rehearsal Rooms
Put a call in to the recording studios and
rehearsal spaces in your area and let the
people there know you are looking for
musicians. See if they have a space where
you can come by and post an advertisement
for your band. The staff at these places know
who is playing with which band and who is
looking for a new gig , and they can be a great
resource for you. Even if you haven't actually
used the studio or the rehearsal space before,
don't shy away from approaching them in
your search for your band members.
5. Poster the Town
Stick advertisements up all over town, in
places where you think likeminded musicians
may frequent. Coffee shops, book shops,
college campuses, clubs and venues - the
key is to let people know you are looking. Get
the word out there!
Ads
•Swing Band for Hire
•Finding Musicians
•BMG Music
•Music Careers
•Education Music
Tips:
1. You may want to set up a special email
account just for people to use to respond to
your advertisements, especially if you plan on
putting up ads all over in town in non-music
related places, so you can avoid that guy who
pulled your contact info off your ad on the
coffee shop wall to try and sell you an
insurance policy.
2. When you advertise, be as specific as
possible about the kind of music you want to
play. It's a waste of time for the jam band guy
to show up at the metal band audition, and so
on. You want people in your band with whom
you share a lot of musical interests so you're
more likely to have the same "vision".
3. Take the time to find band mates who can not
only play, but that you genuinely like as well.
Remember, if all goes well, you could be
spending quite a lot of time with these people.
No one likes spending 12 hours crammed in a
van with someone they can't stand. Your
shows will be better if everyone likes and
respects each other.
4. Be clear about your expectations of a band
member. How many practices a week do you
plan to have? Will everyone get to have some
creative input, or is there only one
songwriter? It is very important to figure
these things out in advance. Also, if you're
serious about making a go of things with the
band, let people know up front that you
expect a certain amount of professionalism.
Tell people you expect band members to get
to the show or practice on time, well
rehearsed, and ready to play.
5. If there are to be band related expenses, like
traveling to shows, now is the time work out
who pays for what.