photo by Mister Boboli
These days, it seems searching for potential bandmates is much like looking for a new job. Or hiring an employee. Or finding a roommate.
It involves hours of scrolling through craigslist and message boards, searching for someone who shares your musical vision, fits with your style and matches your goals and commitment. So what do you look for in a potential bandmate?
Here are some things to consider when contacting, auditioning, and working with potential bandmates:
- Find someone who shares your musical influences. It seems this is the number one thing folks are looking for out there on the craigslist scene. Classified ads list the top five favorite bands of the person or group seeking others to jam with. This can be a good starting point, but don’t make it the sole criteria. I have found many people list bands and genres that are far different from the way they actually play or write music.
- Find someone with different musical influence. You want to mix things up a bit. When it comes to formulating a “new sound”, mixing styles and genres is the name of the game. Unless of course you’re forming a Guns and Roses tribute band. Then of course, you better all live and breathe G&R.
- Make sure share your level of commitment. If you’re in it for 2+ weekly rehearsals, constant gigging, touring, and studio recording, then be up front about that in your search. Make it clear that’s what you’re going for, and only work with folks who are up for it. If you’re in just for fun, maybe a monthly jam and the occasional house party gig, then don’t seek out players who dream of rock stardom.
- Find players that have as good or better chops than you. If you know you’re a solid player, then you know who’s on your level and who’s not. Respectfully decline to continue on with guys who just can’t keep up with what you’re doing. Finding players who are better than you can greatly improve your musical skills. Welcome this opportunity, and if they’re up for moving forward with you, then it could be a good thing.
- Be sure the logistics work for all parties. If they live 2 hours from you, rehearsals will be difficult. If someone doesn’t have a car or access to public transport, that can be a hassle. Figure out the ride-share situation, sharing of equipment, etc.
- Avoid money issues. Lets face it, cash problems can be a tricky issue - especially if your friendship doesn’t go back a long way. Be clear about everyone’s share of expenses and avoid players who refuse to pay their fair share.
- Personality matters. Just because everything works on all of the above points doesn’t mean you will get along with your potential bandmates on a personal level. Find someone who gels with your personal sense of humor, or shares your perspective on things you care about. If there’s no personal chemistry, there won’t be any musical chemistry.
- Age matters. Or should I say, stage-in-life. If you’re 18 and you’re interested in playing gigs, partying all night, and looking forward to a lifetime of world domination that lays ahead of you… You probably don’t want to commit to a band relationship with an accomplished player in his fifties with a wife and kids, full-time career and a mortgage to pay. Or you might, but just realize the differences in approach and commitment that will arise based on which stage of life you’re in.
Over to you
What do you look for when considering potential bandmates?
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