How do I get started playing in a band?Finding people at your level matters more than being a shredder. Here's what the forum's been through on this over the years. Be honest about your level singemonkey says if you're upfront about where you're at, nobody can hold it against you — post an ad stating your level and the style you want to play (Gumtree was his pick back in 2010, but the principle holds: state it plainly) 1. You'll find people at a similar stage, and if you practise you'll catch up fast 1. DDonovanB stresses everyone must be on the same page about commitment, goals and musical taste — mismatched expectations are where band politics start 1. Attitude beats chops Bob-Dubery, our Resident Finger Picker, quotes B.B. King's rule: a 100% person who's only 80% as a player can be taught the rest — the reverse doesn't work. He played a gig with better musos, they kept egos on hold, and his playing tightened up hugely 1. Keira-WitherKay, our Session Ace, would rather be the worst player in a band (still good enough to keep up) — that's where you grow fastest 4. Why join at all V8 found the learning curve went exponential once he left the bedroom for the jamroom, even when the material was way out of his comfort zone 4. PeteM, our Golden Ear, has seen dormant players transform once they perform live regularly — it forces you to actually finish songs 2. Covers as a starting point Warren, our Theory Whisperer, reckons a cover band is a great place to start: you learn loads about music and about being in a band, which is mostly non-musical stuff 3. Keira-WitherKay adds that learning covers of great players is like getting master classes for free 6. For finding members, the practical move is ads and local jams/open mic nights — mentioned across the threads. Want punk-specific pointers? Ask the community. From these forum threadsHow to join or start the right band (2010): Bob's B.B. King attitude-over-chops band rulewhere do i start if i wana take my playing up a level (2012): Why performing live fast-tracks your playingAre you in a cover band? (2010): Warren on what cover bands teach youPoll : In a band? (2016): V8's learning curve explosion after joining a bandPlaying covers: sell-out or survival skill (even in original setting)? (2009): Keira on covers as free master classes
