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Wondering how to find band members in your area?
Starting a band can be a fun and rewarding experience. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to find the right band members to join you in your quest for rocking the world. Luckily, there are ways to do it but you’ll have to be proactive and know exactly where to look in your local area.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Below we’ll tell you how you can find band members and where you should be looking for them.
1. Start With Craigslist
One of the best places to look for band members is on Craigslist, or on other classified apps and websites. Posting an ad or responding to an ad on the musician’s section of Craigslist can be a great option.
Whether you’re wondering how to find a band to join or you want to start something new from scratch, Craigslist can be a useful tool. There are usually a lot of people checking out the site that will also be looking for bands to join or create, so you can have a lot of luck using the site to find bandmates.
While Craigslist is one of the most common classified sites out there, there are others as well. Consider using Craigslist along with some other similar sites or local classifieds if you’re ready to start or join a band.
2. Ask Your Network
Chances are that somebody you know knows some great musicians as well. You may want to reach out to your friends on social media or in person and see if they know anybody who would be a good fit for your band.
Posting a social media post asking your friends to recommend bandmates can be a great idea. You never know who your friends know and chances are that you’re just a couple of degrees of separation away from a killer drummer or a guitarist with some amazing lead guitar skills.
3. Steal Them
If you don’t mind sharing or stealing, you may want to check out some other bands in your area. Many musicians play for multiple bands and someone in a band you like in your community may be willing to play with you as well.
Check out some local shows and see what players you love, then start a casual conversation with them after the show. You may find that there are some players who would love to get involved with a new project. However, just be ready to share them with other bands and know that there may be schedule conflicts to work out from time to time.
4. Go to Open Mics & Jams
You should also go to open mics, jams, and other musician events in your area to look for bandmates. Even more so than going to local shows, going to these musician-focused events can be a goldmine for finding great players who would love to join your band. A great jam session can give you a chance to evaluate a player’s ability without needing to do a formal audition.
By playing an open mic or visiting a jam session you’ll be able to find some great band members. As an added bonus, you may get some leads of places you can play shows later on as well. You may also meet some other great musicians and industry people in your area as well.
5. Check Out Music Stores and Other Musician Hubs
Another place that musicians tend to gather is at music stores. Often music stores have bulletin boards that you can post on to look for band members. It’s a great idea to post your call for band members on one of these classified boards. Many musicians frequent music stores and may be willing to give you a call.
Similarly, each city has other musician hubs as well. You may also want to check out similar spots in your community where musicians hang out such as coffee shops that feature live music often or music schools in your area.
Understanding How to Find Band Members
Hi, I’m Harrison! I created this website to help musicians navigate the ins and outs of their craft and to help them choose new instruments and gear to add to their collection. I have 15 years of experience as a guitarist and singer and have also played many other instruments throughout the years including the bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.