Advice Please - re : jamming, starting a band

[KeithH]

Hi,

Although I have been playing for years, but I am still what you would call a beginner. its only jamming bits around my house, I have never studied music and never played my guitar outside my house, its just a hobby.

I have never had a lesson, and dont know anything about music theory, reading music, I dont know one chord or scale from another. I know loads of songs but mostly learned either by ear or tab.

My playing is mostly Metallica, a little Van halen (not the solos of course, way too difficult) and a little Gary Moore, the odd blues lick etc.

My question is, am I good enough to jam or be in a band ? I am never going to develop just stood in my house, and I dont want lessons (mostly because theres only one guy near me and he is a dork) Ive bought books on chords, scales etc, many times but never stuck with with them because I just cant stand all the studying, I would rather play by ear and enjoy the instrument.

My gear is an Ibanez RG2550EX and a washburn 25w Amp, and a few effects.

Should I get together with people and jam ? if so, should I advertise for a jamming session ? Where should I look ? Will I need to know loads of theory of can I just learn song by song ?

Thanks in advance

[damo7v]

it's tricky.

because i almost always play alone, i have developed a style whereby i accompany myself, but it's no substitute for the experience of working with other musicians.

consider going along to an open mic jam night. even if only to meet the players in your community.

[nickcoumbe]

If you can pick up a guitar and make a noise you are good enough to get up and give it a go.

The good news is that you will get better by playing with other people.

Might need a bigger amp though, particularly if you are playing with a drummer.

[KeithH]

getting the gear is no problem, I want to go and see what I need, then look around and buy it.

what I want to know is how to find other people of my level ? I dont want to answer an ad for a professioanl band and stand there as they say "now we will do mozarts third symphony in e minor " and I'm stood there with my enter sandman riff looking stupid !

any ideas please ?

thanks in advance

[King Knall]

There are a LOT of bands that make crap music (not saying you of course). But you should just pick up your guitar and give it go. It will help you progress further as both a musician and band member.

[Mr. S]

try to jam with people who are a similar level to you, altough i find it better to jam with people who are better than me since you have to adapt their more skilled playing and thus (hopefully) improving yourself...

but of course the best thing to do is to just get out there and play really, youre bound to feel nervous, i remember the first time i played with other people i was sh#ting myself and these guys were my friends.. it happens but you'll soon know what youre capable of and then you star going 'oh crap this isnt so hard, in fact this is fun... now i want a band!!!! STADIUMS HERE I COME.....' well mabye.. but good luck all the same, you'll soon find out how fun it is

[vette6600]

yea, lots can be learned by playing with others. i remember when i first played with someone, they started off by playing some megadeth solos and i was like, wow, i'm not even using my pinky yet! Up to that point, i didn't think it was possible to play that stuff. i thought only the famous guys could do it. but hey, a few years later and now were on the same level. so get out there and play, no matter what level you think you might be at. happy jamming!

[toma]

play with oters, preferably ones who are better than you, or do their own songwriteing. it gets boring if you have to teach all your songs to some uninspired guitarist who happens to be the only other person in 20 miles who playes the guitar!

[timi_h]

i found everything came leaps onward from where i was from the moment i learnt where all the notes are all over the guitar for a particular key (start with E minor and adapt it from there, that way u have the most guitar songs available to u as is possible with one key as E is the fave for loadsa bands speshy metallica)

[Distantshore]

Why not try. I am in the same boat...holed up in my house for 15 years playing my own stuff, can't read music, and couldn't tell you what chord I'm playing, yet I love playing...Don't be me...Go for it!

[KeithH]

Thanks for the replies and advice so far.

what is the best way of meeting others ?

I mean in a band, not a dating agency !

Not Professional musician newspapers I expect, just local people.

Which is the best method ?

[toma]

do some open mic nights, meet others who like the same type of music that you do- take it from there.