why is it so difficult

jonrox · #1 November 12th, 2006

why is it so difficult to find ppl to play guitar with, does any body find this a problem? if not then plz tell your secret, i know lots but most are to young ie,under 12 or already engaged in a band or constantly drunk, i have tried many ways to find folk but the usual crops up i play in a pub on a open mike night from time to time which is good but i dont sing cant sing but hope to sing so i have to rely on others for that. so is there any one else with that prob?

doug russell · #2 November 13th, 2006

Hey jonrox, to play and sing is one of the most trickiest things to do. Some people can just do it naturally, not me! I'm still trying.

coldethyl · #3 November 13th, 2006

I have a friend who I get to jam with once in a while, but unfortunately our sessions seem to be decreasing since he's found himself a new girlfriend.

cshude · #4 November 13th, 2006

If you take lessons, ask your instructor if there are other students around your skill level (preferably a bit better, so you can learn there, too) that are interested in getting together to play. It's pretty likely that there will be at least a few that would be interested.

krissovo · #5 November 13th, 2006

Open mic nights is how I started and I met a singer one night and we did a few together, I have also had a few sessions with a guy from this forum! Since then I have met people through comunity web forums and I even played with a guy who had a advert in the local papers. My new project is playing in band made up from people at work. I have also spoken to people in the street who are carrying guitars on their backs and a local blues bar has a jam session every thursday night and I have met people through that.

With regards to playing and singing, I always learn the guitar work while singing along and never try to lean just the music on its own and that seams to work for me. I cannot play anything complicated so I save that for a solo type thing.

jonrox · #6 November 13th, 2006

ive tried adds on the web got a couple of complete idiots

,tried local paper got a chap said i can play this that n other when he turned up he had a bass nothing wrong in that i hear you say untill you find out he cant play ANYTHING

and i had teach him! that was a very painful 30mins nothing wrong with being at that level but you dont go around saying one can play at a better level than what you are not so much anyway,i teach myself so i dont have the same sort of contact as i would if had lessons i suppose,i do sing a little in the house with guitar i know i can do it but its having the confidence to carry it out in public so its a wait see what happens.

thanks all for your input

jonrox · #7 November 13th, 2006

pity your how many thousand miles away perhaps we could meet up say mid europe somwhere!

reedrainey · #8 November 13th, 2006

I'm 63, so I've got a certain perspective on this. Since the 1960s, there have been more and more activities and things to do with the advent of computers (especially), so many leisure activities are in competition for that same one hour of time. That, plus the fact that many people are jumping on the band-wagon of instant gratification, leaves guitar playing getting a

short shrift.

D-Dawn · #9 November 14th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonrox

why is it so difficult to find ppl to play guitar with, does any body find this a problem? if not then plz tell your secret, i know lots but most are to young ie,under 12 or already engaged in a band or constantly drunk, i have tried many ways to find folk but the usual crops up i play in a pub on a open mike night from time to time which is good but i dont sing cant sing but hope to sing so i have to rely on others for that. so is there any one else with that prob?

Same problem here sadly

I know a few people who play tho none that I click with (egos and all that ...theirs..not mine lol) and others who either live too far away or work way too much....hopefully I'll get in some playing time with my youngest brother come Christmas time

lorispencer · #10 November 14th, 2006

I'm lucky in that i ran into someone that ran a 'jam' night at his house weekly and invited specific guitar players that he met at open jams. He only invites people that he meets or that are friends of people already in the jam. this jam has been running on wednesday night for 6 years and has a great group of people. you go when you can so the mix of people is constantly changing. We met at an open mic that i did 4 years ago and have been friends since. i met the lead singer of my band at that open mic and it is a contstant source of stand in jobs as most in the group have bands.

jonrox · #11 November 14th, 2006

yes i know what you mean about egos i used to jam with a bloke near by he plays banjo,guitar,mandolin,bass ect and if you couldnt get what he was doing he would become very impatient which i find rude and lack of understanding but what i dont understand is with an ego such as that why play with folk less talented or is that the very escence that fuels the ego who knows who cares glad its not me!i hope you have fun with with your brother over xmas...

kiendoc · #12 November 14th, 2006

The only time i get to jam is when i get together with my daughter, but that's only about once a month or longer, she sings really nice and she's really coming along with her playing really well (young brains have more room for input don't you know

) but it gives me something to look forward to so it keeps me diggin' a bit harder. just keep on keepin' on jonrox, we'll make it yet.

justinthyme · #13 November 15th, 2006

The only jamming I do is with my toast in the morning ... need to change that!

alan_gregory · #14 November 22nd, 2006

Anything on Google? Ask your local friendly guitar / music shops?

There are a couple of regular sessions in Chesterfield. One is held every Monday night where you join in with the house band (scary!) and there's also a last-Tuesday-in-the-month at a different pub, where you (as a band) book a slot - the instruments, amps and mics are provided by a local music shop. The Monday session seems to attract all ages, and the Tuesday one is full of youngsters ("We have to finish at 10:30, 'cos they're all at school in the morning").

I must admit that acoustic/folk open mics are more popular though.

doug russell · #15 November 23rd, 2006

Hi jonrox. I understand how frustrating it is trying to find someone to jam with or just do a few songs. I had the same problem. I went to a few jam/open mike nights, and found that you can get up there for a couple of numbers, but the the regulars tend to hog the stage, then there are the primadonna's who are there to just get up there and do the "look at me " thing. I've started a jam club of my own, we have members whom are there to set up and ensure the night is run fair and organised. We (the members) invite players to the club, and that is the only way you can get in to play.
We don't just let people walk in off the street, "they have to be invited" that way we 're not chocker and everyone gets to play.
There is a UK website that you can join and get in touch with other players. Try it you may be surprised at the responce.
http://formingbands.co.uk/site/index.php
If you were in my area I would invite you.
I hope you get something soon.