Bass Players Near Me? 300 Most Correct Answers

Dave Baker from

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Being a musician can be lonely. You want to make music with other people, but it can be difficult to find the right chemistry between you and other artists, let alone people who are genuinely excited and motivated to put in the time and energy it takes. Don’t despair. In today’s technologically connected world, you can find like-minded musicians to play and record with. All you have to do is get out there and connect.

Use MeetUp

MeetUp is a wonderful tool. You can literally search for groups and events full of like-minded or likely like-minded musicians. Looking for some hardcore kids to talk shop with? Well, you’ll probably be able to find them on MeetUp. Are you looking for a group of electronics manufacturers? You will find her. They are there!

Issue a Craig’s List Add

It’s not glamorous, but it works. If you’re trying to find a specific type of person or musician, Craig’s list can really help you. You’ll find this vegan oboist in no time! Your band just got so much stronger my friend.

Go to shows and meet people

This is the old-school way of making human connections, and arguably still the best. You need to go out and get involved in a social scene. You need to develop a social currency. You need to go out, see bands and really invest in the culture. You must have a blast getting your groove and mingling with other living, breathing people. Meet the scene fixtures and their young upstarts, plan those jams and start playing and recording. There really is no substitute for it.

Messages to other musicians on SoundCloud

All up-and-coming acts present their work on SoundCloud. If there’s someone doing something you’re really interested in, send them a message. You never know what might happen; Collaboration, a new friend, or a lifelong artistic partnership. Don’t forget that some really great collaborations have taken place between musicians living on different continents or across the country. Learn about a Nashville RC student’s collaboration with a fellow musician as far afield as Adelaide, Australia!

Connect with friends of friends

Making music with people you meet spontaneously is still the best way to do it. Most people forget the fact that your social circle includes not only your friends, but also the friends of your friends. However, it’s something that really matters when you really go out there and start looking for people to work with.

Music is a social endeavor in itself. Arguably the oldest art form, it has always been about communication, telling stories and transferring emotions from one person to another. Artists need support and collaborative cohorts to fully express their emotions, make music and share it with the world. As technology has advanced, it has become easier and easier to truly delve into the abyss of human connection. It’s nothing short of exciting to see how technology has transformed human interaction and connection both literally and artistically. Today, more than ever, you have access to numerous people who could potentially work with you as artistic collaborators. Make it happen.

Find out more about jobs in music.

Get real-world audio advice at recordingconnection.com/blog.

Use these 11 tips to find band members who fit your music style, personality, and work ethic — and who have similar short- and long-term goals.

Unless you’re a solo artist or songwriter who buys your material, a great melody and lyrics mean next to nothing if you don’t have a band to perform them with. If you’re a singer, drummer, guitarist, or other musical artist looking for band members or fellow musicians to jam with, you’re in luck: there are a wealth of resources to help you.

While some of these approaches require you to be creative and expand your comfort zone, it can be worth going the extra mile. Ultimately, the goal is to find quality musicians who are compatible with your musical style, personality, and work ethic—and who share similar short- and long-term goals for the band.

1. Promote band members locally

A good way to find potential band members who share the same musical interests as you is to advertise where they are, e.g. B. local music stores, record stores and local clubs with live music. In most cases, a quick chat with the store owner is all it takes to get approval to post your flyer on their bulletin board. You can also call local restaurants and cafes that host open mic nights to see if they’re willing to let you advertise there. If possible, create a creative, eye-catching flyer that conveys your style. This can help you find band members and demonstrate your professionalism.

2. Contact recording studios and rehearsal rooms

Calling studios and rehearsal spaces in the area is a great way to find people who might be looking for band members, but it also extends a line of communication that could serve as a useful connection in the future. At least you could ask there to promote your flyers too.

3. Ask your friends

Never underestimate the power of Aunt Stacy’s connections in the next town! Mentioning to family that you are looking for a band member can spark an unexpected connection with someone you might not otherwise have met. It can also be surprisingly fruitful to ask around in your friend group, because while you may not be friends with many musicians, everyone seems to know one. Even if these musicians are already in a band, they may know someone to refer you to, or they may be considering a new project, creating another opportunity to make an unexpected connection.

4. Place a print ad for band members

Placing an ad in the local paper is a great way to reach a lot of people, but the key here is to be specific. Be sure to include what type of genre you play, how many members you’re looking for, the best way for them to reach you, and perhaps your age or age group you’d like to reach out to. Believe it or not, many people are still looking for “wanted” ads in the newspaper, and it’s a cheap way to get the word out. Try local newspapers that reach your target audience.

5. Post online

Perhaps the most common way to meet other band members is to search sites like Craigslist. Sure, you’ll be contacted by a variety of people, but you can always screen interested applicants by asking them what their goals are for the band’s future or if they could send you a sample of their sound. You want to be sure you are being contacted by the most qualified people, and you don’t want to waste your time with musicians whose experience is vastly different from yours or whose goals are incompatible.

6. Join a musician search site

There are a handful of websites specifically designed to put solo musicians in touch with interested band members. Websites like MusoFinder, Bandfinder, and Jamifind can be effective in helping aspiring or solo musicians find other band members. Often these services are free and as simple as creating a profile and searching for musicians in your area.

7. Join forums

Visiting sites like reddit.com/r/FindABand can help you meet new people who are looking for band members. By joining the conversation, you can get answers to specific questions and learn the basics of the industry for yourself. The connections you make here can be as personal or as public as you like, and there’s no pressure if it doesn’t end up working out.

8. Use social media

Another great way to show yourself and spread the word is to connect through social media platforms. If you don’t already have one, create a Twitter account or put your music on SoundCloud and encourage people to share it with others. Getting involved and building a legitimate following can help cement your place in the industry and among those in your area.

Letting people know you’re starting a band and looking for members can be as simple as posting on Facebook, joining a Facebook group, tweeting about it, or making an Instagram post tagged with your location is. Also, try searching for popular hashtags relevant to your search.

9. Create a website

If you have a website, advertise there. If not, consider buying one! It doesn’t have to be fancy, but having a place for your music or even just an “About Me” section can help people get to know you and see what you’re about. As you probably know, the first thing someone does when they hear a name or band is often an internet search to verify their legitimacy, so make sure people can find you easily and give them all the information they need which they need. However, just having a website is not enough. Direct people to this URL by placing it on your flyers, ads, and social media—and do the same with the SoundCloud URL or Facebook page you create.

10. Record a demo

This can be difficult, especially if you don’t have the funds, opportunity, or equipment needed to record. However, this is something all solo artists should consider as it’s a great way for people to hear exactly how you sound and can be easily shared and used to recruit fellow musicians. Having a sample of your music is like having a physical resume of your work—and just like a resume, it can help you “get the job.” And if you’ve played in a band (or two) using recorded material, do a “best of” with songs that highlight your playing or songwriting.

11. Play or attend open mic nights

Don’t just post a flyer and hope for the best, stake out open mic nights and meet people. If you can play, do it, and if you’re just there to try and make connections, introduce yourself and have everything you can (demo on CD, business card, flyer) to get in touch with interested parties exchange that you meet.

Hopefully these 11 tips will help you find band members who are just as committed to the music as you are. If you’re looking for session players for your studio recording instead, check out this article. Do you have any other ideas or great stories about how you met your bandmates? Share them in the comments section.

If you’re an aspiring musician in the NYC area, starting a band, or need space to rehearse, check out The Music Building in NYC. The Music Building is NYC’s largest music rehearsal studio and can help you establish yourself as a musician by providing you with a professional space to practice or record music.

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Q: I was wondering what do you think makes a good bass player?

A: This will most likely be the most subjective article I have ever written and I imagine many of you will more or less have a different view. There are many valid viewpoints that can be shared.

I think this wording is important. In my opinion the best bass player might not be the best bass player and vice versa. It’s semantics, but I’ll define these two things like this:

Bassist: Bassist who fulfills the traditional role of bassist in a group (of any size).

Bassist: A musician who demonstrates some level of skill on the bass guitar. Or rather be called a “bass guitarist” (without trying to sound snotty).

Those aren’t definitions that will stand the test of time, but that’s what I’m going for in this column.

I see a TON of very impressive bass players on social media. There are also a lot of great bass players on social media, but you don’t usually notice these guys that much.

I see a TON of great bass players out and about with different bands with a lower proportion of bass players than on social media.

The bassist.

I’m sure you all know what I’m getting at with this. I think a good bass player is one who selflessly serves the music. Generally, the bassist does this by providing a solid bridge between the drummer and the rest of the band. It’s more about time, tone and feel than anything else. They have the right sound, they play at a volume that gets the bass right into the kick drum and/or works well with the volume of the drummer. They play softer than the singer and soloists at the appropriate points, and they bring energy to the big moments and understate the sensitive moments. They are not afraid of long tones or long silences within a bass line. They’re not about getting noticed for anything other than being incredibly solid and consistent and making the music sound and feel good.

The bassist.

A lot of great techs I know are great bass players too. There are also many that aren’t and can only really function within the confines of their “thing”.

The bassist (or bass guitarist) has achieved above-average technical proficiency on the instrument and feels that everyone needs to know. I was that player for many years when I first got my skills together, but before I learned to be a better team player. I could play chords, play fast licks going up and down my fretboard, I could play each line as 16th notes, etc… the list goes on. I was having so much fun entertaining whatever came to mind that I stopped listening to the music and just listened to myself. When I listen to recordings, it’s painfully obvious that the music has suffered from my need to show off what I can do (or just try to do nice things on the instrument because it’s fun). There is a tendency to focus on execution and technique at the expense of the musicality of the group/song as a whole.

Many bass players tend towards jazz fusion and/or solo bass, since this style is more closely based on chops and the playing style “more is more” is more justified here. I would argue that if you listen to much of the gold standard fusion in the early days there was a better balance of technique and musicianship. I find this balance increasingly difficult to find in recent technical fusions.

One thing I want to emphasize is that one isn’t necessarily better than the other. It’s only when a good band and good music are sacrificed for someone who doesn’t have the best interest in the overall musical message in mind that I cringe inside.

I love all the hyper technical solo bass stuff out there. I love seeing what people can do with the instrument. I also love technical hyper chop fusion (generally in small doses). Generally, when I listen to technical music, it’s because I focus on the technical aspect, and I really enjoy exploring a lot of those things. However, when I feel inspired to listen to something because I love good music, that’s almost never what I tend to do.

I think that’s why most technical music is only heard by musicians. The general public has nothing to grab if they’re not interested in the technical side of it all.

The true legends of an instrument are generally those who find a balance between the two (on any instrument). Chick Corea will never play too much. Christian McBride, Jaco Pastorius, Oteil Burbridge, Pino Palladino, Richard Bona (goes crazy when he plays a solo but check out his albums and live shows. Nothing but great delicious bass playing), Etienne Mbappe, Dave Holland, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones…any genre you choose when you think of the crème de la crème, they generally play to the music.

Victor Wooten is another. We all think of his otherworldly skills and rhythmic prowess on the instrument, but when he plays bass it’s rock solid bass lines the whole time. He supports the groove when playing bass. (Before anyone mentioned Victor’s first album, A Show of Hands, I actually put it in the “listen to get excited about technical things” category. I feel like I’m practicing when I watch this one really listening to the album. A lot of his music is like that to me. I don’t actually listen to much Victor, if I’m just throwing on a few tunes to groove.)

I’m going to go ahead and create a controversy here. Honestly…I love hearing Jaco, Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker in Joni Mitchell’s Shadows and Light concert video. There is so much beautiful play in this concert and Joni Mitchell rocks. But when I listen to it because of the music it contains, I think Jaco is overdubbing, it’s too loud in the mix, and it annoys me at times. (There. I said so. All I can do from now on is pray for the safety of myself and my family.)

Seriously, it doesn’t overplay consistently, but it’s so loud in the mix that it starts to sound like it. His volume blends in with Joni’s vocals and in front of everyone else. It’s not really his fault. Jaco was adept at actively and playfully moving through the changes without stepping on anyone’s musical toes (similar to how James Jameson played, but in an improvisational framework).

Even if Jaco lays it on a bit thick, he had so much feeling and vibe that it still comes across musically. He played jazz and made it feel like soul music. He was a master and innovator. That said, it’s Joni Mitchell… it feels weird (to me) that the bass player is almost impossible to hear.

I’ll say that too: I started working a lot more when I was really focusing on my feeling and playing along with the song. I call it the “art of reduction”. Of course I still do fusion gigs and play a million notes if that’s the tune, but I’ve also learned to really focus on simple lines and focus on the feel and my micro-timing (put back vs. on the beat play vs. play). before the hit). I found that there is an art to playing different genres related to the sense of time and that’s when I really started to get enough sideman work to make music for a living. Basically, I started making music for a living when I realized that the music as a whole was the most important thing I was doing when I got my bass in my hands.

Remember, this was a column where someone asked me what makes a great bassist. I hold love and acceptance for each and every style. No style, technique, approach is better than the other in my opinion, but I have preferences and feel that some things are inappropriate in certain situations.

Let’s keep it factual in the comments, but let’s also start an honest discussion. How do you feel about this? What does it mean to you to be a “good bass player”? Please share in the comments.

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Is it easier to learn bass than guitar?

Which of the two is better to start with?

Check out our comprehensive Bass vs Guitar FAQ

The question “is bass easier than guitar” is an age-old curiosity among newcomers and veteran musicians alike.

Electric guitars and basses obviously have a lot in common. The bass looks like a guitar with fewer strings, bigger frets and a longer body/neck. It intuitively seems to be a simpler instrument.

But is there a clear winner, and is it really that simple or obvious?

People learn guitar because it is appealing, widely used, and versatile. People learn bass because they love the fat bass, tight rhythms and funky grooves.

As someone who can play both instruments reasonably well, I look forward to answering this question factually.

Guitar or bass, what’s easier?

Bass is easier than guitar in the early stages of music learning. With a bass guitar, you can play or cover famous songs faster. Most bass parts are monophonic, so you don’t need to learn chords.

The guitar learning curve is steeper when it comes to being able to play an entire song on both instruments, but the skill ceiling is the same for both. Both instruments play different roles and require different skills and musical ability.

Honestly, this is an apples-and-oranges discussion, and picking an instrument just because it’s easier isn’t the healthiest approach to music. As with so many things in music, what works best for you is the right choice.

Rather than looking for a clear winner, let’s explore the nuances of learning these instruments. This will help you find the right instrument to start your musical journey.

Long answer: bass vs. guitar

Overall, is bass guitar easier than guitar?

While it’s easier or quicker to learn in the early stages, bass isn’t an “easy” instrument unless you’re content to play a few notes over four chords for a lifetime. As I said, the capability ceiling is the same for both instruments, and I don’t think there’s a reliable or definitive way to measure how “better” either would be.

Sure, you can join a band long before a guitar student even touches barre chords. That’s how we get the joke – a bass player’s third hour is a gig.

But the gig will be an overwhelming experience once the novelty wears off.

There are many incredible bass players who have shown us that the bass is by no means an “easy” instrument to master. Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Jaco Pastorius, Squarepusher and Thundercat are examples of bass virtuosos who demonstrate exceptional talent and a deep understanding of their instrument.

What is the difference between guitar and bass?

Acoustic, nylon-string, or electric guitars are generally six-string instruments tuned E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high).

An off the shelf acoustic or electric bass guitar has four strings and is tuned E-A-D-G except everything is an octave lower than the guitar.

There are two key points to remember:

Bass and guitar have significant tonal differences

The role of bass and guitar in a song is very different.

The guitar is a recognizable and versatile instrument. A guitarist plays rhythm (chords, riffs) and lead (solis and embellishments), all of which are prominent parts that draw more attention.

Bassists work alongside the drummer, often following the bass drum.

Drums and bass contribute to the groove/rhythm, which is the backbone of a song. Bass is structurally significant but lurks in the background, in part because lower frequencies simply sound softer to humans than higher frequencies.

If you cut out a bass part, it’s immediately noticeable, since apart from short bursts from the kick drum, nothing else fills the lower frequency range. When you take out a guitar part, it feels less wrong when the vocals and other guitar parts occupy a similar frequency range.

Just because guitar parts stand out more than bass lines doesn’t mean the guitar is more important as an instrument.

Which is better for you?

In short, figuring out which instrument suits your preferences, personality, and musical aspirations is crucial. A few courses of both is the ideal choice, but understandably not everyone has the time or money for it.

Both tools require different mindsets and skills.

Objectively, the bass is a better instrument if you like to groove, stay in your pocket, keep the rhythm, and enjoy an integral but less conspicuous role in a band.

The guitar is better if you like chords, soloing and playing with effects. It plays a versatile, dazzling and more expressive role in music.

So if you’re struggling to learn bass or learn guitar, all you have to do is ask yourself a few questions to figure out which one is your cup of tea.

If you don’t have a preference, start listening to the masters. Check out bass virtuosos like Joe Dart, Jaco Pastorius, Thundercat, Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke.

Follow him with great guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, John McLaughlin and Tommy Emmanuel.

So let’s start with Jimi…

Now listen to John Entwistle’s frenzied bass playing versus the guitar parts in The Who’s Real Me. They call him “Thunderfinger” for a reason.

He is one of many bassists who show how remarkably wild and complex bass playing can be.

Following the previous example with The Who’s Baba O Riley, the bass has a more relaxed role and simple arrangement.

John Entwistle dials it down to support the feel of a simple four chord song. We can experience the same band and bass player, but a completely different taste and application.

You can pick up the bass and play it within days. The other song could take months, if not years, to get through at a concert.

FAQs

Is bass more painful to play than guitar?

The bass can be more painful to play than the guitar as it is more physically demanding. The bass has a longer neck, thicker strings and larger frets.

You need more force/pressure to press the bass strings against the fret. Bass guitars are also heavier than electric or acoustic guitars, meaning playing the bass also requires more stamina and strong shoulders.

Is bass or guitar better for smaller hands?

Objectively, for students with small hands, the guitar is better than the bass. Guitars are more manageable in weight and size, particularly folk-sized electric and acoustic guitars.

If these factors play a part, you will have an easier time learning to play the guitar. People with small hands may struggle with neck profile, scale length, weight, and string spacing when learning bass.

If you have really small hands, you might want to consider one of these half-sized acoustic guitars. There are also short-scale bass guitars that are popular with smaller players.

Can Any Guitarist Play Bass Easily?

Guitarists can easily play bass compared to someone with no musical experience. This is due to the similarities between the two instruments.

The familiar shape, tuning and scales of the guitar carry over to the bass. However, the plucking technique, scale length, and role of the two differ significantly. This means there is still a significant learning curve when transitioning from guitar to bass.

Why don’t bass players get respect?

A bassist is everyone’s fool, especially when the drummer isn’t in the room.

From the keyboardist’s left hand to the failed guitarist, I’ve heard them all.

At the end of the day, these are just jokes. Any mature musician understands and respects what bass playing brings to the table (and it’s not dinner or a date night).

Is it harder to sing while playing bass?

It’s generally accepted that it’s harder to sing while playing bass than it is when playing guitar.

With bass, you need to keep the rhythm, remember the lyrics, sing the melody, and stay in tune and beat. It can be an overwhelming process, stretching the ear and brain in too many directions.

Bassists often play syncopated grooves or riffs. Trying to sing over a syncopated groove can be seriously confusing.

It’s not impossible, but singing while playing bass is gnarly, as evidenced by the lower numbers of bassists/vocals compared to guitarists/vocals.

Is bass cheaper than guitar?

Playing bass isn’t cheaper than guitar for three reasons:

Bass guitars are bigger The components are more expensive The demand for acoustic or electric guitars is higher than for basses.

For example, an entry-level Squire Precision or Jazz Bass costs a lot more than a Squire Stratocaster electric guitar.

You can find similar trends in most head-to-head comparisons, quirky exceptions notwithstanding. It also applies to acoustic, upright and electric bass guitars.

As you move upstream into boutique or premium categories, the price points of both instruments align.

Why is guitar more popular than bass?

Guitars are more popular than basses because they are more versatile and responsive. Acoustic and electric guitars are readily available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs.

They are cheaper and portable. After all, a guitar is a cultural icon associated with creativity, rebellion, and virtuosity.

Many students learn guitar because of its status in rock music and pop culture. It gives them an appeal (read: boom) that the bass lacks.

The bass, on the other hand, is a valuable auxiliary instrument that is less noticeable to the audience. The scope of a bass guitar in performance and composition is relatively limited.

It is possible to compose with a bass, but its versatility makes it much easier to compose with a guitar. It’s also easier to hear a guitar when playing unplugged, but an electric bass generally requires amplification to be useful.

Can you practice bass without an amplifier?

In theory, you can practice your scales or chops on the bass without an amp in a quiet room. But you can only do this in a quiet space, which can be a limited, tiring, and unsatisfying experience.

However, an electric bass guitar needs amplification for rehearsals, to play along with an accompaniment track, to use effects pedals, or to practice certain techniques that involve dynamic playing.

There are alternatives to a bass amp for quiet practice, such as a headphone amp or a multi-FX pedal (and we explore those in this article).

Of course, this does not apply to upright or acoustic basses that are loud enough for home use and practice.

Why is bass so quiet?

The electric bass is quieter than most instruments. It really has more to do with human hearing – we’re just more sensitive to mid to high frequencies, but lower frequencies need to be louder for us to hear them properly.

The low-frequency sounds can easily be drowned out by distorted guitars, keys and drums.

A bassist can turn up the amp (volume). Still, the gentle finger-plucked phrases and low notes can be too nuanced for a layman.

Finally

I personally refrain from calling the bass a simpler version of the guitar.

Trying to find an “easier instrument” is not a fruitful way to approach music. Each instrument requires rigorous practice, study of theory and dedication to life.

There are, and always will be, exceptional bassists or guitarists who will lure you into the herd and tempt you to choose one instrument over the other.

Remember, if you aspire to be a musician, an instrument is just a conduit for your creative expression and musicianship.

Plus, at the end of the day, there’s nothing stopping us from learning both. It doesn’t even have to be a choice! If you have the time and patience, this might be the best solution.

No matter what you choose, I think you need to diversify.

Be able to play bass and guitar, piano, banjo or pedal steel guitar. You will be available for more stuff.

Consider songwriting – and get in the ASCAP/BMI game, release your music.

Run a Band – I suspect many more guitarists run bands and hire bassists than vice versa.

Etc…

Click to expand…

Freeway Music – Columbia, SC’s Premier Music School Myths and Facts Behind Bass Guitar Playing

by Jennifer Hughes

Bass players always seem to be in the background, with the exception of a few who occupy the front and center stage. This is why many bass players seem so mysterious and why there are many myths about them and bass playing in general. Some bassists may have even believed these myths themselves before picking up the bass, only to eventually learn the truth.

So what are the most popular myths about learning and playing the bass and what is the truth behind them?

You should start with the cheapest bass guitar you can find.

If you’re a beginner, it’s generally not a good idea to go for the cheapest model you can buy. Bass guitars in the lowest price range are rather poorly made and can only cause frustration instead of joy when playing. Instead, go for cheap basses that are recommended for beginners. These bass models are built tough and have good sound quality, they are also wallet friendly but not too cheap to make you doubt their quality.

The bass is easier to play than the guitar.

The bass may only have four strings compared to the electric guitar’s six strings, but that doesn’t make learning to play it any easier. It’s a different instrument, played differently than the electric guitar. Playing bass requires a different knowledge base and skills, so to speak. So no, the bass isn’t necessarily easier to play than the electric guitar.

If you can’t play guitar, just play bass.

This is somewhat related to the myth above. While there are some bassists who have switched from guitar to bass, that doesn’t mean they’ve failed as guitarists. Some guitarists who are used to playing leads may even find it difficult to play bass. Circumstances vary, but in some cases a bassist picked up the bass because it was necessary, or because there was no one not only playing it, but playing it well.

John Deacon played the bass notes on his guitar during his pre-Queen years in a band called The Opposition because their bass player wasn’t that good. Eventually, like Paul McCartney a few years earlier, he devoted himself to playing bass full-time.

Being able to read sheet music is a must for bass players.

Um, no – but it’s a plus, especially if your goals include building a music career that requires you to read music, such as: B. teaching or transcribing your compositions. Being able to read and understand sheet music is definitely useful knowledge to fully understand music theory, but you can play bass without reading sheet music.

Bassists get stuck in the background.

This may be the reputation of bassists in rock bands simply because the lead singer is more active on stage, and frankly many bassists would love to stay out of the limelight.

The truth is, they might not look that haughty on stage, but they’re what keeps you bobbing and grooving to the music. They are like the puppeteers behind the curtain, concentrating on their craft to set everything in motion for your pleasure. They’re not trapped in the background – they’ve chosen to be in a place where they can take control and push the music forward.

We hope these help put things into perspective. What other bass myths do you know and what are the truths that disprove them? Share them with us!

Good help is hard to find. It’s true whether you’re looking for a good computer programmer or an experienced barista. This also applies when you go into the recording studio and need someone to help you fill out your sound.

Hiring studio musicians is no longer just for solo pop stars and mega-famous musicians. As the music industry has become increasingly competitive and revenue streams less lucrative, many talented players are turning to session work to pay their bills. This means that the talent pool is relatively large depending on where you live.

There are many different reasons why you might want to hire a studio player. Maybe you’re a singer-songwriter trying to make your vision a reality, or maybe you’re a producer looking for a unique sound to make a song really pop, or you’re in a band and your guitarist is too drunk to pull off that banging guitar solo you need. In any case, there are plenty of resources to find a gun for hire.

1. Ask the recording studio staff

The first thing you should do is talk to the people at the studio you are recording in. The producers and engineers there likely have longstanding relationships with many local session players.

If you speak to an engineer working on your project, he or she will likely have a better idea of ​​what musicians fit your style. Engineers can guide you to the right people. The engineers and producers will also have a good working relationship with the players. That means it probably won’t take very long to start work, which will help save money in the long run.

2. Talk to other musicians

However, there will be times when engineers or producers simply don’t know of anyone who is suitable. Or the people they contact are otherwise busy. That’s when you need to start making calls and sending emails.

Call all your musician friends and ask if they know any studio musicians. Some of their bandmates might be doing session work, or maybe their band hired someone to do their record. Networking is important in the music community, so there’s a good chance someone you know knows someone else.

3. Ask your favorite local players

Sometimes there is a local musician who simply embodies the sound you are looking for. When you envision the final recording, all you hear is that specific drum sound or vocal harmony that you know you won’t find anywhere else.

Ultimately, if you don’t have the right players, the end product suffers. So just ask the person you have in mind. The worst that can happen is they say no.

4. Use online resources

A great way to supplement your real-life, personal methods of tracking session gamers is to turn to online resources. Of course, there are disadvantages and advantages to finding someone online. You can search for better prices but the product is unknown. And even if the player doesn’t deliver what you’re looking for, you still have to pay them – but that’s true regardless of whether you find them online or not. As long as you do some research, get references, and chat with them beforehand to make sure it’s a good fit, you’ll find some outstanding musicians online.

Here are some of the best resources for finding a musician online:

Whichever route you choose, remember to stay true to your vision. If one of your friends can’t make it behind the kit, don’t be afraid to hire an outsider. Don’t skimp when it comes to making your record a reality.

Ty Trumbull is a Canadian musician and writer based in Mexico City. He’s played banjo and guitar in a number of bands you’ve probably never heard of.

week in the life of

The right way to jam with other musicians

by Alec Plowman, November 26, 2019 . 3 min read

We’ve already talked about how jamming with other musicians is an amazing way to learn how to play guitar quickly in this blog.

But before you start spamming those sought-after musician forums to teach yourself how to play guitar, you need to understand that there’s a right way and a wrong way to jam with other musicians.

Some of this is a matter of etiquette. Other things depend on good playing practices. It’s all important, though, and keeping that in mind is what separates a good jam session from a train wreck.

Dynamism counts!

There’s nothing worse than jamming with another guitarist, only to find you’re both fighting to be heard. Chords, licks and solos are hammered out with such unrelenting intensity that the whole thing turns into a sonic mush.

Remember that a great jam comes from working together with the other guitarist. It’s about the sound as a whole, not pushing your game to the top of the stack.

Notice what the other musician is doing and react to it. When they have a subtle lead, start palm muting your chords to give it some space. Don’t just go on with what you’re doing; learn to react to the other musicians around you and adapt your playing to the mood of the jam.

Dynamics are a key to great guitar playing, whether you’re playing solo or in a group. But when other players are thrown into the mix, they matter even more.

communication too

…And by that we mean both verbal and musical communication.

See a great band on stage – one known for their improvisational skills – and watch the musicians interact with each other. They don’t just stand there and look at shoes. They make eye contact, gesture and give signs for the direction in which the music should go.

Learning to read these signifiers is really important for several reasons.

First, adapting your playing to the needs of a performance is an incredible ability.

Second, good communication makes the jam session more satisfying for everyone involved. There’s nothing worse than feeling like an outsider during a rehearsal – like other musicians in the band are pulling in a different direction than you. It’s discouraging and makes you want to walk away.

Learning good musical communication skills takes time, but it’s worth the effort. While those organic nods, gestures, and eye-contact signs don’t work right away, talking old-fashioned about what you want to do between songs makes for a more satisfying session.

It’s not a ping competition!

Jamming should never be about showboating! You work with other musicians and you don’t try to prove that you are the best and most talented musician.

Tapping over everything with endless snippets of lead is a surefire way to ruin a jam. Again, ensemble playing is the sum of its parts, not the parts themselves.

That’s not to say that you don’t make your place shine, just that it’s not all about you.

What is your experience jamming with other musicians? And how do you get the most out of your rehearsals? Let us know in the comments.

Do you want to find band members? Here are 3 ways to find a perfect match

Finding reliable and talented band members is difficult – in fact, this seems to be the biggest struggle for musicians who want to start a new project.

In my experience of starting my own band, great musicians are all too often terrible band members. Bad experiences have changed the way I try to find band members.

When I was putting my band together I tried everything – Craigslist, putting up flyers at universities, posting on Facebook groups, etc. Some of these worked well with some tweaking, and others didn’t generate any leads or gave us too few to join worth the time.

In this article, I’m going to share with you what, in my experience, are the 3 most efficient ways to find band members.

Before you start searching, you need a demo.

Putting together a demo is an important part of finding a band member, as your demo will give potential band members an idea of ​​the musical direction you want to take and weed out any uninterested prospects.

If you’re an instrumentalist, your demo doesn’t necessarily have to be a full song, lyrics and all, but it does need to show what you’re capable of in terms of your own instrument. You also don’t have to go to a studio to get something fully mixed and mastered to perfection (although if you can afford it, a better quality recording will help generate more interest).

For example, if you play guitar or bass, you can create a fairly clean demo using your own electric guitar, GarageBand, and a cable running from your amp’s headphone output to your computer’s USB port.

For vocals and drums, a performance video is enough, even if it’s a cover.

Once you have a demo you can start searching for band members. Here are the 3 strategies that I have found most effective in my search.

1. Post on Craigslist

Craigslist continues to be a great source for leads, but there are certain posting methods I’ve found to increase the overall effectiveness of this channel.

When I originally posted to Craigslist I was talking about the genre of music I wanted to play, but the problem with this is that the genre is too subjective. For example, if I write on Craigslist that I want to play in a metal band or start a metal band, it can be perceived as a desire to play in a band like Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold or A Day to Remember, depending on who sees the post.

To get a wider supply of leads from Craigslist that are more into the type of music I wanted to play, I kept the genre in the title to appeal to a wider audience. But instead of discussing genre in the post, I just listed bands that interest me.

As an example, here is the exact post I used on Craigslist to find singers for my band:

This format has generated most of the leads that are actually interested in the style of music that my band and I want to play. It eliminates some of the subjective opinions surrounding a genre-based post and lists enough bands to welcome some overlapping interests and give an idea of ​​the musical direction our band wants to go.

Facebook groups

Facebook groups with musicians in your city are a great way to find potential band members. You can easily find groups of musicians in your city by searching for “[your city] musicians” on Facebook and checking out the groups section.

post in groups

In my experience, simply treating these groups like a bulletin board hasn’t worked.

When I started, I made very passive posts that didn’t engage the Facebook group members at all – often saying something like, “Hey guys, my band is looking for a singer. Let me know if you’re interested, thanks!” Normally I’d add some details about how we sound, but they pretty much all followed that format and didn’t get any results.

+ People receive mysterious tapes in the mail

The problem with posts like this is that they don’t engage people at all. If you frame your contribution in the form of a question instead, answers from other musicians will be collected much more effectively.

So instead of something similar to the post above, think about turning your post into a question. Posts like “Hey guys, are there any singers interested in joining a band?” will work much better than a pitch-and-thanks-style post.

Reach group members directly

Aside from posting in the Facebook groups I could find, it was a productive use of my time to message some of the members directly. Often people in these groups are very open to helping their fellow musicians.

If you do, it’s a good idea to browse members’ profiles to see if they’re into your style of music. If so, you can reach them with a message like this:

“Hey [name], I saw that you’re a member of [facebook group name].

My band is looking for a [Member Type] and I thought you might be able to help me.

Do you know anyone who might be interested?”

For every 10 messages I send this way, around 3-4 people usually reply. And many of these end with solid recommendations. That’s how I found my bassist.

Facebook Ads

Facebook ads have been by far the most effective source of leads for me. Once I figured out what I was doing, I was able to get new leads for about $2.50 each.

To set up a Facebook ad, you need a Facebook Page. If you don’t have a Facebook Page, you can create one here. The ad doesn’t have to be created on your band’s Facebook Page – for my ad, I simply created a generic Facebook Page titled “Rock” and placed the ad on it.

Creation of your ad

Once you’ve set up your page, you’re ready to create your ad. Here’s exactly how I set up the ad I used to find singer leads. After you decide to create a new ad, select the Reach option.

Next, you want to select your age, gender, and location preferences. My band was looking for a male singer in Jacksonville, Florida, around the age of 20.

Ultimately, you want to target people who play the instrument you’re looking for and have musical tastes similar to the music you’re trying to create. To target people by the instrument they play, click Browse –> Interests –> Hobbies and activities –> Art and music –> and then select your desired instrument.

You can also enter vocals, guitar, drums, etc. in the field, but make sure to include in your selection the option found in the subsections above to appeal to people interested in learning these instruments to play. Facebook’s advertising platform seems to do an excellent job of only showing the ad to the people who are most interested in your choices.

+ Warning: Facebook will not help you if your page is hacked!

Next, click on the “Narrow down further” targeting option and add bands related to the style of music your band plays like here…

Add as many bands as you can imagine here. The more bands you add, the bigger your audience.

After adding your audience, choose your budget. I recommend spending at least $5 a day to see results fairly quickly.

Finally, select “Next” to start creating your ad.

When creating your ad on Facebook, you can choose from a selection of free stock images. Choose a stock photo that shows a musician performing on the instrument you’re targeting to grab the attention of the people who actually play that instrument. These stock performance images work much better than images with any amount of text.

+ Why I recently deleted my Soundcloud account

As for the copy, craft your ad so that interested Facebook users like or comment on your post. This way, not only will you collect leads (which I’ll get into in more detail later), but increased engagement shows Facebook that people are interested in your ad, which can lower the cost of reaching your target audience.

After weeks of testing, here’s the version of the ad I created in our search for singers that worked best for collecting likes and comments.

After you’ve composed your ad, click Confirm at the bottom of the screen to publish your ad.

Once published, your ad must go through a verification process where Facebook ensures that you haven’t violated their terms by, for example, using offensive language or using more than 20% of your image for text.

Get leads from your ad

Once your ad is running, check the notifications on the Facebook page you created and you will see that people like and comment on your ad. The people who liked or commented on your status are your leads. Click through to their profile and send them a message from your personal account mentioning the ad you made and asking if you could send them a demo to see if they like the style of music are interested in what you want to do.

Here’s how I collect leads with Facebook ads. On average, it cost me about $2.50 per lead, which I think is a pretty good price compared to the time I spent collecting leads without Facebook ads.

Contacting your leads

After connecting with potential leads from Craigslist, Facebook groups, or your Facebook ads, ask if you can send them a demo to see if they’re interested in working with you.

If they’re interested in your demo, ask if they can send a recording showing off their talents. Asking to be recorded is a good test of reliability, and having reliable members is extremely important to your band’s progress. Without reliable band members, you probably won’t move forward fast enough to get everyone interested in the project.

After you’ve listened to each other’s demos and feel that your musical skills would be a good match, set up a jam session to see if you’re musically and personally compatible.

Be aware that your first impression of someone determines your opinion of him or her—whether positive or negative. It’s very easy to like someone when you first meet them, but having 3-4 rehearsals with someone before deciding if you’re in the band can give you both enough time to figure out if you are a perfect match.

Conclusion

These are the most effective strategies I’ve found for finding great band members. I’ve spent a lot of time trying things that didn’t work and I’ve tried almost everything you can find online about finding potential bandmates.

The Facebook ads were by far the most effective channel of the three for finding potential band members. The best part is that once you set up the ad, all you have to do is message people who came to you — no more manually searching.

Hopefully these tips will give you a better chance of assembling your band with the perfect line-up so you can start releasing music and playing shows!

You spend weeks on a song.

It sounds great. Nearly.

Something is missing.

Singing.

If you’re like most producers, you struggle with one thing: finding a singer.

“What’s the process like? where can i find someone Am I looking for the right person?”

I’m here to tell you this…

A) You shouldn’t shy away from working with singers and…

B) It’s not that hard to find them.

This article will help you get started.

We look at:

Who is a singer and what he does

Why your current approach isn’t working and what you can do about it

Different ways to find a singer

Use your existing network to reach the desired person

How to hire a singer and what not

Let us begin.

Who is a singer?

In case you don’t know, a singer (in the context of music production) is simply a singer that you feature in your track.

Maybe her name is on the track, maybe not. But they offer a top line that can take your track from background music to full blown hit.

But maybe you’ve been trying to reach out to a singer or vocalist and something just doesn’t hold up.

Your approach doesn’t work

It’s true. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.

Here are three possible reasons why your approach isn’t working:

Your track is not ready yet

You’re aiming too high

You’re looking in the wrong places

Your track is not ready yet

First, keep in mind that your track may not be ready for vocals. It could be the track itself, the level of quality just isn’t there yet. Or it could be your general production skill level, in which case you need to work on that first.

Maybe the chord progression doesn’t make sense, or there’s no clear distinction between verse and chorus. Maybe the mix is ​​bad and the singer can’t hear what’s going on.

Remember, if your track doesn’t make sense, a singer will have a hard time hitting a top line.

So take a step back and make sure the production and arrangement is as good as it can be.

You’re aiming too high

Your track is polished and professional, it sounds as good as any song on the radio.

You only have a small following, but that shouldn’t matter, right?

Unfortunately it does.

For many people, collaboration is a numbers game.

Many singers are put off by their small following. You can not change it.

You can complain that “real music” won’t be recognized for the rest of your life, or you can actually sit down and get the job done.

Keep your expectations within bounds and find a singer that’s a little closer to your level.

We’ll take a closer look at that later.

You’re looking in the wrong places

The last possible reason is that you are looking in the wrong places.

Or rather, you’re not looking in enough places.

As the rest of the article will show, there are many ways to find a singer.

When you’re done hitting dead ends on subreddits and Facebook groups, read on to learn new approaches to finding a singer.

Use your network

The first and most obvious piece of advice is to use your existing network.

It’s more likely that a friend or mutual friend of yours will sing on your track than someone you don’t know.

You can ask your friends for recommendations or post on social media that you are looking for a singer. You will be surprised how many up and coming singers are in your network. Ask your friends to share the post to increase the chances of finding the right fit.

Unfortunately, many people are afraid of this approach.

Maybe you don’t want your high school friends to know you produce (I was for a while), or you’re too embarrassed to share your music online (I was for a while too).

Whatever the reason, this is something you will have to get over at some point.

If you want any semblance of a career in this industry, you’ll have to get used to showing your music to complete strangers.

Use this as an opportunity to overcome your fear of rejection.

A sample post

An example of a social media post could be:

“For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been producing for a little over a year now. I’m looking for a singer for my own track. It’s a style (artist/genre) track that I’d like to have original vocals on.

If you or a friend are interested, write a comment or send me a PM. You can also PM me the demo.

(If you are a beginner you could include the following)

I’m just starting the production so the track isn’t too polished yet. Nevertheless, I would like to work with anyone who is interested!”

You’ll be amazed at how many singers will turn you on. These posts can get between 5 and 15 brand new connections (in my experience).

But what about vocal recordings?

Many singers don’t have access to a recording studio.

This is a loophole that many of you have to jump through. If neither of you have a location to record, consider renting a local studio to record them.

A recording session at a local studio isn’t as expensive as you might think, especially if you agree to share the cost (about $20-$50 an hour in my area).

Scour the Internet

If you want to find a singer, you have to go where singers go.

Where do singers meet?

Soundcloud, YouTube and Instagram.

Sure there are others, but these are the big three.

Soundcloud singer

The Soundcloud approach should be pretty obvious.

Look for celebrity singers or, even better, independent artists who need original music.

Use Soundcloud’s Related Tracks section to find artists similar to the style you’re aiming for.

Try connecting with these artists through social media or email.

Aren’t you the type to just DM them “collaborate”?

Be respectful and polite.

Here is an example of a range:

“Hello (singer), my name is (blank) and I’m a producer from (city). I heard your track (blank) on Spotify and was blown away. My friends and I have been playing it non-stop since you released it.

Would you be interested in singing on one of my tracks? I have an instrumental that I think your vocals would go well with. I envision a (genre) style voice similar to your track (blank). You can watch the demo here (private Soundcloud link).

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to hop on Skype or Facetime to talk about track direction.

Otherwise keep up the good work!”

you have the idea

Introduce yourself, compliment the artist, offer some basic direction to the demo, and give it a way to move on.

Recommended: How to get more plays on SoundCloud

YouTube singer

Soundcloud is just one way to find a singer.

The next port of call is YouTube.

YouTube is where aspiring singers are discovered.

It worked for Justin Bieber, so it might work for her too, right?

Maybe.

In any case, it means there are thousands of aspiring singers on YouTube who would be willing to work with you.

Many of them only release covers of popular songs and don’t know how to find instrumentals or a producer.

I recommend searching for a title similar to yours and adding “cover” at the end.

For example, if you want vocals similar to Sam Smith’s Latch, you could search “Disclosure Latch Sam Smith Cover.”

Go through the results and use your best judgment to find a singer that you think would be a good match for you.

Finally, we have Instagram.

Similar to how singers post covers on YouTube, there is an increasing wave of singers posting snippets on Instagram.

Probably because it’s easier to hide her imperfections in a low-quality 15-second clip.

Sarcasm aside, Instagram is a great place to find singers who need tracks to sing. Think of hashtags that you might associate with singers in your style.

Using #coversong should give you more than enough results to go through.

hire singers

Leveraging your network and using social media are great, but often these can lead to dead ends.

From finding a recording studio to writing lyrics to processing vocals, it can be difficult to achieve a finished product that you’re excited about.

If you’re tired of dead-end collaborations, consider hiring a singer.

Hiring a singer saves you the time and effort spent with unreliable singers.

For a one-time fee, you can get the vocals you need to turn this powerful demo into a polished original.

If the only thing keeping your music from getting done is original vocals, bite the bullet, find the money and hire a singer.

Here are my favorite resources:

Soundbetter.com – The most professional and comprehensive website to find a singer.

Melody Nest – Has a wide range of singers to book.

Voclio.com – Think of it as a vocal beat shop. You can buy both exclusive and non-exclusive vocal acapellas and have your own for sale.

Vandalism Sounds – Vandalism Sounds offers high quality custom vocals at great prices.

Craigslist (or your local classifieds site) – I found a lot of singers for sample pack work on Craigslist. A $50 session gives me 2-3 packs worth of content.

There are many other examples such as Vocalizr and Airgigs.

Hiring a singer is a great option if you are a beginner and just want to work with original vocals. It’s a great practice that can prepare you for future possibilities.

Conclusion

I hope this has given you a better understanding of finding the right singer for your music.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!

[x_author title=”About the author”]

Jam sessions are one of the best ways to improve your guitar playing skills and have a great time playing with other musicians. However, the prospect of a jam session can feel daunting for many players.

Jam sessions are complex endeavors, from calling out tunes to comping other players’ songs to improvising solos. Beginners can have trouble absorbing everything at first — or worse, feel left out and abandon the session altogether. This guide aims to explain everything you need to know to shorten your learning curve and help you get the most out of your next jam.

Regardless of genre or style, many jam sessions feature long rhythmic vamps, individual solos, and collective “swapped solos” throughout the course of a tune.

Jam Session Basics

First of all, no jam session is the same. A variety of factors can influence the character of a particular jam, from time and location to music genre and regular crowd of musicians. Even two different dates of a periodically organized jam can be significantly different.

The first takeaway from this is that you shouldn’t be easily discouraged by a bad jam. The next jam might be better. If not, you can probably find other jam sessions that offer a much more enjoyable experience.

That being said, most jams tend to follow a similar structure, especially those in clubs, bars, or other music venues. Players rotate on and off stage, and everyone generally gets a chance to call up a song to play.

Depending on the format, this song can be a popular hit, a jazz standard, a basic blues progression, or anything in between. While tune-callers are generally expected to offer some tips on the basics of their song to those who don’t know, you may need to keep the rhythm alone from their instructions, or play along changes from a sheet in real-time.

Playing solo is an essential part of jamming – after all, playing with other people is part of the fun, showing off your skills! Solo protocol can vary from jam to jam; The size of the session or the skills of the participants can determine the soloists and the order of the solos. Most jams structure the songs to allow for multiple solos of those on the bandstand.

A good rule of thumb is that when you call out a melody, you make room for a solo. If the jam changes guitarists (like most do), you might be able to solo for each song when you’re on stage. However, you’ll probably only be able to play two or three songs at a time, so it’s a definite compromise!

Most jams tend to be welcoming to newer and timid players. If you’d rather just play rhythm, you can let the other players know. However, don’t be surprised if they gently urge you to give solo play a try. Jams are a great way to hone your skills, and friendly encouragement is often the way to push yourself just a little beyond your comfort zone.

How to find jam sessions

Before you can play at a jam session, you must first find one! The easiest way is to do a quick Google search for jam sessions in your area. Many bars or clubs host weekly or semi-weekly jam nights in a variety of genres.

Local musicians are another great way to find jams. Look for online groups (especially on Facebook). If you don’t see any, don’t be afraid to ask any musician friends or even take a trip to a local guitar shop. Chances are the staff or musicians will be happy to let you know if they know of any traffic jams in the area.

How to prepare for a jam session

Before you go to a jam session, take some time to prepare yourself so that you go into the event as relaxed as possible.

Do your research online: go to the venue’s website, see if there is a dedicated page for jam information, get a feel for the venue’s style and character. If there is no information for the jam, you can try some musician forums or call the venue to ask a few questions.

Some jams offer a backline for guitarists, meaning all you have to do is bring your instrument and hook it up to their amps, while others expect you to bring your own amp as well. A quick Google search or phone call can save you from playing unamplified, so don’t forget this step!

You should also have a rough idea of ​​the music style before coming to the jam session. If the website or login page (if any) doesn’t provide enough detail, keep researching! Videos from past jams or information from other participating players might be helpful.

While you don’t have to come with a full setlist in mind, it’s always a good idea to think of a few songs that you can enjoy and play, that are easy to explain, and offer solo opportunities.

Depending on the theme of the jam, you might find some jazz guitar standards or popular rock songs for inspiration. Try to be original with your choices – no, “Smoke On The Water” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” don’t count.

In any situation, a blues is a great backup plan. Whether you’re at a blues-focused session or someone stole your song idea, calling out a blues form is an easy and fun way to please everyone else at the bandstand. Change the key up or switch to a 16-bar form (instead of the standard 12) to keep things interesting, and especially avoid overdubbed keys like E and A.

Make sure you can play smooth rhythm guitar without slowing down others! Before jamming, practice playing songs with just a chord sheet in front of you. Knowing your different chord shapes is essential to this skill.

If you’re not clued up on a song while jamming, you can always ask the person who called it up for a quick explanation, but your goal should be to play through the session without stumbling or holding up the whole band. Luckily, most songs will be popular enough or simple enough that you should be able to “compensate” (play rhythm) without serious problems.

Preparation basics:

Think of 3-5 potential songs to name

Work on your rhythm game

Practice soloing over backing tracks

Explore the venue to determine the equipment required

What to do at a jam session

When you arrive at the venue, take a few minutes to check in and chat with the other musicians there. It’s always helpful to get there early as it gives you a little more time to settle in, calm your nerves and get ready to play when the jam starts.

If there is a dedicated MC or organizer, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. A little introduction will help him or her connect you with other musicians who share your skills and interests in the bandstand.

Game tips for jam sessions

Once the jam session begins, the organizer or MC usually directs traffic. Some sessions may have a house backing band playing a specific set and then invite Jammers to join in, or the jam can start right outside the gate.

calling songs

At some point during your time on stage, you’re expected to call out a song that anyone can play. If you’ve brainstormed a few ideas before the jam, this shouldn’t be too difficult. Just make sure you explain the changes for everyone and include any tips on the structure or melody of the tune. For example, if you just want to play the verses while people play solo, remember to tell people when you call out the melody.

Make sure everyone is clear before you start playing! Usually, a quick glance at each player is enough to get a thumbs-up or similar sign of approval, but be ready to clarify any questions other players might have. Once you’re sure everyone is ready, count the song and get started!

playing rhythm in a jam

The quickest way to ingratiate yourself with other players during a jam session is to keep a good rhythm. If that’s not reason enough to practice your rhythm guitar, nine times out of ten you’ll spend the majority of the jam playing rhythm anyway, so it’s something you can get used to beforehand.

Seriously, rhythm playing is an essential guitar skill to master. A steady, precise rhythm part drives a song and anchors the groove for soloists and other instrumentalists.

It is the melody caller’s responsibility to ensure that you know the shape and general chords of the song they are calling. If you’ve never heard the song or its explanation doesn’t make sense, try finding a chord sheet to play on, or record the chords by ear as the melody progresses. If you’re really feeling lost, you can always rest for the tune – if you’re not sure you can make it through the mold this can be a great way to tune your guitar, enjoy a quick drink and take it just up the atmosphere before the next song.

When playing rhythm, the most important thing is to keep the initial tempo and establish a steady pattern. As a guitarist, it can be especially hard to resist the urge to speed up or embellish! Instead, follow the example of the other musicians and stay relaxed. Turn the volume down a bit when playing rhythm to give the soloists room to shine.

Once you find the groove and feel comfortable playing with the chord structure, don’t be afraid to add a few contemporary accents to liven up the beat. If several guitarists play rhythm parts, you can also find different chord voicings or play partial chords. A little creativity and coordination can take a tune from mediocre to rock solid.

Just make sure you don’t overdo the accents or sacrifice the groove to liven up your part. Jam sessions are all about collaboration. Be a team player and take extra care not to take the spotlight or ignore your job when you’re not alone.

Jam Session Rhythm Tips:

Concentrate on the groove, not the accents

Keep the pace

Don’t step on other players’ feet (play different voicings)

Make the soloist sound as good as possible!

playing solo

Soloing is the essence of any jam session. And while it may seem imposing for new players, with a few simple guidelines you should be able to deliver effective solos and keep up with any jam session.

If you’ve never practiced improvising a solo or wouldn’t feel comfortable jamming anyway, don’t go. Practice your scales (major, minor, pentatonic, modes and arpeggios) through the circle of fifths and improvise some solos over backing tracks or with a looper pedal. Listen to some of your favorite solos and notice what licks and techniques players use to guide you. You can also read our article on basic guitar improvisation techniques to focus on this area.

If you’re a more advanced player with some solo experience, keep practicing! Pentatonic soloing should work well for most jam session songs. If it’s not a standard blues shape, you can use major pentatonic scales to play over the chords of a specific shape. If the changes in a particular section are happening quickly, focus on sketching out the chords—that is, use the notes of the chord shape you played for the rhythm to guide your improvisation.

For intermediate players, focus on developing your improvisational vocabulary and delivering focused, articulate solos. Stay away from the pounding and shredding (nobody likes showing off) and aim for clear, flavorful licks with feeling. Your goal should be to improve your own game and work on improvisational methods you’ve never used before, rather than showing every other player at the jam. This advice is especially important if you wish to be invited back to the next meeting.

Regardless of your skill level, there are a few logistical tips to keep in mind when playing solo. If you’ve set the tone, you’ll be expected to take the first solo, so be prepared! When you get into your solo, crank the volume up a bit so you can be heard over the mix. Just don’t drown out the rhythm section and remember to turn it down when you’re done.

A rule of thumb for solo length: Every solo gets a chorus, a good one gets two, and only good ones get three or more choruses. In a jam session environment, everyone deserves a chance, but no one should dominate. Keep your solos short and sweet! As you near the end of each chorus, look around the stage and communicate with the other musicians; If they encourage you to keep playing solo, do it! Otherwise, get ready to pass it on to the next soloist.

Jazz Session Solo Tips:

Prioritize feel and ideas over speed

Outline chords over more difficult changes

Focus on your solos and communicate with other players

“trading foursome”

On certain tunes (especially jazz jams), the players “swap” after each person has played a solo. This means multiple players take turns delivering a four-bar lick and building each other up. The compromise can apply to one or more choruses, but the basic idea remains the same.

The order of the players is usually based on the solo order from earlier in the song. Just remember your place in line and the rest is pretty easy. Again, be considerate of other players – don’t turn on too early or let your licks run a pole – and you should be fine.

Conclusion

If you’ve never jammed before, jam sessions can feel overwhelming or overwhelming. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’ll never understand the process or keep up with the musicians.

But with some general etiquette and practice, jam sessions can become a unique opportunity to hone your skills and have fun making music with other people. We hope this guide has been helpful and has given you all the tools you need to get the most out of your next local session. Enjoy the jam!