A Step-by-Step Guide on Where To Find Band Members
Tired of playing music all by yourself? It may be time to consider working with fellow musicians.
If we're being honest, there's only so much fun you can have or skills you can gain when playing alone. Bringing other musicians into your world can elevate the experience and help you improve your skills by teaching you how to coordinate with other players and pushing you to be better.
But how do you find the right band members? In this blog, we provide practical steps to find and recruit your ideal bandmates to help you form a successful band.
Joining a band vs. creating a band: Which is the right choice for you?
You have two options if you want to play in a band — you can either join an existing band or create your own. To decide between the two, consider factors like your personal goals, willingness to compromise, leadership capabilities, and readiness to handle logistical tasks. Let's take a deeper look at each choice.
Joining an existing band
Joining an existing band may be best if you want to start playing as soon as possible. An existing band will likely have well-established schedules and processes, as well as an audience, which may mean less administrative work on your part. If they're good and your visions align, it won't be long before you start performing.
Seems like a dream, right? However, before you start looking into how to join a band, you should know there can be some challenges too. Your new band members will have a history together, so there will be pre-existing dynamics and relationships. You must learn how to fit in to become a part of the band.
Further, it's unlikely you'll have much say in the rehearsal or performance process and song selections. Only join an existing band if you find it easy to fit into different dynamics and don't mind giving up creative control.
Creating your own band
If you have a strong creative vision, this is the perfect route for you. As the band founder, you'll likely have the biggest say in everything, including band rules, potential band members, and your band's image. You can choose to include only players you have chemistry with, play songs you enjoy, and determine the overall creative direction your band takes.
But, as with joining an existing band, it isn't all easy. More control means more work. You'll have to search your musician network for potential bandmates, shoulder the initial band costs, look for venues and promoters, build your follower base, and manage gigs.
You'll probably be the unofficial brand manager in the initial stages. But if you value your creative freedom and don't mind putting in the work, starting your own band could be a great way to go.
6 Steps to easily create a band and find bandmates
Decided to create your own band? Here are six steps to guide you:
1. Define the band's vision and genre
In the excitement of starting a new band, it can be easy to jump right into recruitment. But it's important to first define your vision, as this will inform many of the decisions you'll need to make. Do you intend for your group to record an album, perform locally, or simply hold jam sessions to help you relax and enjoy music?
Outline your vision and set realistic goals to keep you on track. To set smart goals, look at where you are now and where you want to be in the future. This will give you something to work toward and a way to measure your success, so be sure to set both long and short-term goals.
For example, if you intend to record albums, a short-term goal could be: "Get five talented musicians to join my band within the next three months." Your long-term goal might be: "Record our first album and make a name for ourselves in the music industry within the next two years."
Also, choose your band's genre before you start looking for bandmates. This way, you can target musicians who are skilled or passionate about your preferred genre and ensure alignment from the beginning. With a defined genre, all bandmates can be on the same page regarding the kind of sound you intend to create.
Ensure every potential band member, from vocalists and violinists to guitarists and bass players, knows which genre you'll focus on. This can help them decide whether your band is the ideal choice for them and prevent future conflicts.
2. Choose platforms to advertise the band
With your genre and vision set, the next step is to advertise your band to let fellow musicians know you're looking for members. There are numerous options to choose from, including social media platforms like Facebook, online communities like Craigslist, and subreddits like FindABand and Musicianfinder.
Alternatively, you can connect with local music schools, clubs, and community centers. They usually have online or in-person billboards, forums, and groups where you can post wanted ads to find people who may be interested.
Platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Trala are also great options. You can showcase your work and music styles, helping potential bandmates see what you're interested in creating.
When you take lessons with Trala, you not only get personalized one-on-one lessons with world-class violin teachers, but you also get access to a diverse music community of over 400,000 students. Here, you can find and connect with fellow musicians to build a strong network. You can also leverage Trala’s Discord community to engage with other musicians and find the best potential bandmates.
3. Create a band profile
Your band profile will determine whether you attract the right talent. Think of it as your sales pitch — only instead of selling products, you're selling your vision to talented musicians.
Create an engaging profile highlighting all the must-know info, such as your band goals, musical influences, and expected commitment and skill levels. Listing your needs and goals allows potential members to determine if they'll be a good fit for your band before they audition. And be sure to mention why you'd be a good bandmate too!
If you’re unsure how to create your profile, look at examples of band bios online to see what musicians typically add to their profiles.
4. Go to local music events
You don't have to rely solely on online music communities to find bandmates. Your local community is also a great start.
Attend open mic nights and local music shows to meet potential band members in person and see them perform live. This is an excellent way to see if they’re a good fit for your band. You’ll get to see them play and assess their stage presence, which is vital if you intend to perform gigs.
5. Organize meetups with local musicians
Once you identify potential candidates, organize meetups to assess their compatibility with your vision. You can plan music group activities for adults, like karaoke, to create a relaxed environment or schedule auditions to assess musicians' skills and chemistry on stage.
Whichever you go for, create a comfortable environment to allow potential bandmates to perform at their best. Also, prepare a set list and allocate sufficient time for each performance to ensure order and fair assessments.
During the auditions, communicate clearly and constructively to ensure all parties are on the same page. Let them know your expectations, listen to their ideas, requests, or questions, and offer feedback, highlighting not only what to improve but also areas they excel in.
6. Evaluate potential band members before inviting them to join
Evaluate each candidate's performance to determine who best fits into your band. Look at their technical skills, adaptability, stage presence, and ability to coordinate with other musicians.
However, remember that musical skill isn't the only factor to consider. To build a successful band and create a cohesive unit, you also need to consider potential members' personality fit, work ethic, reliability, and overall alignment with your band goals.
So look at how potential members relate with other people, their commitment to joining your band, and their aspirations as musicians.
Tips on how to find band members faster
In a post-pandemic environment, it's harder to be a smaller act due to the multitude of small local venues that have closed. This means it may take more time and effort to find bandmates now than it would have a few years ago. But we can make the process easier for you with these tips to guide your search.
Use multiple platforms
Don't look for bandmates in just one or two places. You can post across multiple platforms to cast a wider net and increase the likelihood of finding compatible members.
For example, you can use a combination of Trala's network, social media channels, musician forums, and dedicated websites like Bandmix, ReverbNation, or Gumtree if you're in the U.K. Ensure you create a compelling profile on each platform and highlight precisely what you need in potential bandmates.
Network at local music events
To supplement online postings, attend local music events and festivals to meet aspiring musicians face-to-face and pitch your band idea. To maximize your exposure and interactions, look for volunteer opportunities that let you talk to attendees. For example, you could check tickets, give out wristbands, or serve as a valet.
Create clear, attractive posts about the band
Whether you plan to advertise your band on online music forums or community bulletin boards, how you create your posts will determine if you attract the right people.
Create clear, detailed, and attractive postings that detail what you're looking for and what you have to offer. Include vital information, like your band goals, musical influences, and rehearsal expectations, to avoid getting calls from people who wouldn't be the right fit for you.
For example, rather than say, "Bass player looking for bandmates to play gigs," be specific and say, "Experienced bassist with an interest in classical music looking for a songwriter, guitar player, and violinist interested in making music and performing live to join my band."
Start your band's journey with resources like Trala today
Starting or joining a band is a great way to meet people, explore different musical styles, and amp up your musical experiences. And by following these tips (and practicing a little patience), you can find the perfect bandmates to partner with and fulfill your musical goals.
Trala can help you in your journey with violin lessons for all skill levels and vibrant communities where you can engage with fellow music enthusiasts.
Explore our lessons and practice app to improve your musical skills, use our networking tools to meet like-minded musicians, and participate in community discussions to gain insights and advice from other music professionals.
Ready to connect with other musicians and find your future bandmates? Start with Trala today!
