Talk to Friends
One of the best places to start when on the hunt for new band members is with mentioning your goals to your family and friends. You may not think it, but a quick conversation with one of your nearest and dearest could lead you to an unexpected connection. If your phone book isn’t filled to the brim with musicians, it might just be that one of your friends has one or two in theirs who share the same passion as you.
Even if you find these musicians are already in a band, they could know someone who is the perfect fit for your needs. It always pays off to network, and in many cases, it’s not what you know, but who you know.
Contact Rehearsal Spaces and Recording Studios
Rehearsal spaces and recording studios in your area are a great way to find individuals with common interests, and most importantly, people who are on the lookout for band members. PIRATE.COM, for instance, has a worldwide network of DJ, rehearsal, production, and dance studios. They also have these tips for finding band members which are worth checking out. If you want to know how to join a band, PIRATE.COM is a useful resource. Once you engage with the owners of the rehearsal spaces and recording studios, you could even place your own flyers in their premises which can advertise the kind of band members you’re looking for.
Advertise for Band Members Locally
Another great tactic for finding band members that share common musical interests is to research your local area and find where they hang out. This may include local clubs that feature live music, as well as record stores and music stores. In most instances, all it takes is a brief discussion with the store owner to get the go-ahead for hanging your flyers on their bulletin board.
You can go one step further and ask if local coffee shops and restaurants would be willing to put up your advertisement. You will need to stand out from the crowd, so ensure your flyer is eye-catching, creative, and reflects your style. Not only will this help you find the right band members, but it will also show you’re serious about your craft.
Post Online
A common tactic that musicians and singers use to find other band members is to look on websites like Craigslist. While you may initially be overwhelmed with the variety of people who contact you, you can whittle down the list by asking them about their aspirations for the future of the band. Also, make sure they send over a sample of their sound. This will give you a better idea of whether they fit your criteria.
You want to ensure you are getting the most qualified musicians to join your band and elevate your sound. Although you may find it tough to reject candidates, the last thing you want is to pick people whose experience is completely different than yours, or whose goals don’t line up with your own.
Join a Forum
As well as trailing websites to find band members, you will benefit from joining a forum like Reddit. Signing up to a forum and conversing with like minded individuals can be a great opportunity to make connections and get specific questions answered. Another great thing about joining a forum is that you can learn more about the music industry as a whole. If you’re new to the music scene and just starting out on your journey, you can get handy tips and advice from those who have been there and done that. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself at first to find the perfect band members. Instead, be patient and spend time formulating friendships.
Use Social Media
When you factor in that over 4.48 billion people around the world use social media, it’s safe to say that you’ll have a good chance of finding new band members there. Whether you head onto Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, connecting with other musicians on these platforms can help you find exactly what you’re after.
To get yourself noticed by other musicians, you should consider joining specific groups, writing tweets, and using relevant hashtags. When you use the latter, make sure you add your location too. You don’t want a budding musician to be interested in joining your band, only to find they live thousands of miles away! You should also set up a business page on Facebook that cements who you are, what kind of music you create, as well as what your ambitions and goals are.
Attend or Play Open Mic Nights
Rather than just sticking up flyers and hoping for the best, why not head down to an open mic night in your local area to meet others? If you play an instrument or sing, what better way to showcase who you are than by getting up on the stage yourself and performing? This will show attendees everything they need to know about you, and whether they want to form a band with you.
When engaging with potential band members, be sure to have a business card readily available so they can contact you. You can also hand out demos of your work. Even if you don’t get on stage, you can watch local homegrown talent which can give you plenty of opportunities to network.
If you’re committed to music and want to find others who share the same passions and dreams as yourself, there are lots of ways to find new band members who can complement your musical style and bring out the best of your work.