If you have an itch to start a band, but don’t know where to find people, don’t worry! Thanks to the internet, finding like minded musicians is easier than ever.
I will let you know now, though, that the first people you find may not be the people you later perform with. You’ll be dealing with different personalities, tastes, interests, goals, commitment and skill levels.
It may also take some trial and error to learn how to lead a group and get people to work together. However, once you find your group, you’re ready to take on the world. All the blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it.
So if you’re curious where to find these potential band mates, check out this list. Also, be sure to check out my article on what to include in your band listing to ensure you attract the right people sooner.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2024: “No Longer Dreaming” Published!
If you’re a beginner or inexperienced musician who wants to break out in this competitive field, check out my new eBook! I started this blog when I was still a rookie guitarist with no experience, but with confidence and a plan, I created a band and we performed at a venue, conventions, and a festival in the span of 2 years.
As a solo musician, I’ve played for a church, got to be part of a high production music video, and was offered to perform at a huge event and play on an album. In this guide book, you’ll learn how to choose your style, niche & target audience, what to practice, how to find bandmates and organize rehearsals, how to promote yourself and/or your band, where to look for gigs, how to dress for photoshoots and the stage, how to network with people, and so much more! If you’re interested, click here for more details!
Facebook is a great place to start due to amount of active people on there. You have quite a few options. You can try posting an ad in their marketplace. You can join a local music/musician group. You can also join a general local group and make a pitch there. Perhaps keep an eye out for local music events as you can always meet people to jam with in person.
Classified Sites
Kijiji has been my personal method of finding band members. You’d be surprised how many people are browsing regularly or just happened to feel a spark and will come across your ad at the right moment. I prefer detailed ads to filter out people sooner, but you do you!
Band Meet Websites
BandMix | Join A Band | MusoFinder
There are actually sites out there to help you find band members locally. The ones above are worldwide, but you may also find one’s for your own country, like BandFinder for The States, JoinMyBand for the UK, and FindAMusician for Canada. If you’re based in Toronto, you may also try MusiciansWantedToronto.
These sites tend to work like a dating site and/or classified place at the same time. You can create a profile that includes your musician interests, links, and what you’re looking for, and then you can create or reply to ads looking for members.
Your Local Music Shop
What better place to find other musicians than at a music shop? If you’re interested in rock especially, you can probably get along with the staff, and not only ask to post an ad up in the shop, but perhaps then can help connect you with other musicians who are also looking for members.
Don’t expect to find the perfect band members right away though, and you’ll understand why if you read this article about people’s experiences at music stores.
Rehearsal Studios
Where better to find musicians than a place where musicians practice? Introduce yourself to other groups in the halls, and speak to the staff about posting an ad near the entrance.
A lot of advanced musicians may be be jamming with multiple groups and projects, or maybe a band that’s been practicing there for months just lost it’s drummer. Or maybe a band that you overhear is open to a 2nd guitarist or singer. You never know! Some studios offer discounted rates if you’re a solo musician, so don’t worry about finding an excuse to hang around.
Bonus: Try Reddit
I’m not sure how successful finding someone could be on here. There is a Find A Band and Musician Finder subreddit, and you can probably try local subeddits as well. Depending on where you apply, your post may not be on the front page for long, so depending on your city and what you are looking for, this could be a hit or miss. Most of the ads on here receive no replies, so let me know if you’ve tried it and if it worked for you!
Conclusion
Finding band members isn’t easy. Even when creating this band, I had ads up for over a year, spoke to probably 20 different people who showed interest, and still had to refresh my ads when they expired.
Even if you find people, it’s hard to tell from the start if you will vibe and connect, or if they will commit and put in the work for your band to go places. Not everyone is lucky to have musical friends from school, but we do our best regardless.
Just keep trying and keep posting. Use multiple platforms. If a person isn’t working out, don’t get discouraged. Always remember that there is someone better, even if you’re in a small town.
As mentioned before, definitely check out my article for tips on what to include in your band ad, and don’t give up! If you have a band dream, keep searching. You’ll find your people sooner or later 🙂
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