How to find people to jam with when you don't know anyone?

[Maisie Watson]

Hi all!
Just wondering if anyone has advice as to how to meet like minded musicians? I play guitar for songwriting purposes and for fun, but my main instrument is actually the drums! I’ve had this problem for years of not being able to meet people to play with and it can often be a little discouraging, seeing as I want to pursue this wild machine as a career!
Thanks!!!

 

[Daniel Sobota]

Man, you just have to go out and meet people haha. If I was able to find a community of musicians in my shithole town of 40K residents, I’m sure you can do it as well. Going to shows is the best opportunity for meeting someone to jam with. Just try to connect with people from your area.

 

[Maisie Watson]

Thanks for the reply!! Do you think just sparking conversation with random people at shows helped you?

 

[Daniel Sobota]

Absolutely. Especially if you see someone wearing a shirt or a patch of a band that you like. That’s the ice breaker.

 

[Maisie Watson]

Awesome! Thanks so much!!

 

[idssdi]

Try to find jam sessions in your neighbourhood might work

 

[Nic Cullen]

If you have any Sam Ashes around you, they have jam nights almost every night. Just look on their website and find what works best for you.

 

[Maisie Watson]

Thank you so much I’ll definitely do this!!

 

[Maisie Watson]

Perfect! Thank you

 

[Peter Mrozik]

See if there is a School of Rock in your area. I was a part of one in Florida before I moved to New York and I’m planning to join one in New York when things settle down. They all have their own way of running things so the one near you might be different but the one I went to had an adult program. We had a music director and he compiled a 20+ song setlist (with our inputs) and different people were on different songs. We met every Wednesday for 2 hours and at the end of the 3-4 month season, we performed in front of a live crowd (the school arranged the shows). I played both guitar and drums and it was one of the best experiences and I learned so much from it. It didn’t only improve my playing but taught me how to play with others and how to stay on the same page even if we’re just learning a song.
Here are some songs we’ve done (including Seize The Day and Gunsliger where I got an opportunity to play lead guitar… not well but I tried my best!):

 

[Julian Barton]

The absolute best way to find people to jam with in my opinion is to go to an open mic night or a local concert venue where local bands play. Network at these events by playing if possible like at an open mic but also just talk to people if you are there to listen. I have found that when you talk to people about music they will get very excited. This will allow you to make new friends and increase your talent with your guitar by learning from other people.

 

[Maisie Watson]

Thank you so much, this is beyond helpful for me! I’ll be sure to check them videos out, you seem like an amazing player from the first one!! Thank you again my man!!

 

[Maisie Watson]

Open mic nights are definitely a great idea! Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, it helps a bunch

 

[Flip Twogood]

Yo where do you live? You’d be supprised but I found my band on craigslist As well As a face book musicians page for my local area that I didn’t even know existed until last year!

 

[Maisie Watson]

I live somewhere between Birmingham and Manchester in the UK! It would be a good idea to look into those sort of websites, I never thought of that! Thank you!!

 

[Kevin Welton]

Have you tried http://www.bandmix.co.uk i’ve heard it’s pretty good for meeting local musicians if you can find local jam sessions

 

[Maisie Watson]

I’ve never heard of that! I’m checking it out now, thanks for sharing that!! Super helpful

 

[Laís Muniz]

there’s an app called vampr, it works like a tinder for musicians to find band mates, friends, or whatever.

 

[Maisie Watson]

I’ve never heard of that, that’s awesome! Thank you

 

[Tim Hutchins]

I’m also struggling meeting like minded musicians to jam with. Hoping this site helps a little bit with that. Seems great so far.