How To Find A Band To Play With? Tips for Beginning Drummers

​Playing drums alone has its joys, but eventually you likely want to try it with a group. I've been playing over 45 years with groups great and small: Forty-five years of joy, excitement, disappointments, embarrassments, and more than a few triumphs. I've a few miles left in me yet too. So, let me offer some general suggestions for those looking for their first group. 

Prepare to play: A review of critical skills to play in a band or orchestra

• Work daily on your time sense with the pad, metronome, and rudiments. It really makes a difference.
• Know exactly what kind of music you want to play.
• Learn to read drum music well. This really opens your options. 
• Be sure your gear is in order. You don't need fancy gear, just well tuned and in working order. 
• Repertoire development. Those who know the most tunes win. That has been one of my secret weapons. I had played professionally for decades across the music business before I took up the drums. I knew thousands of tunes and had acquired professional skills that I could use.  So, I found myself early in my drumming career welcomed to play with musicians much more skilled than myself. 
• Understand what musicians are looking for in a drummer, regardless of what level you are playing at. From garage band thumpers to stadium heroes, it's pretty much the same. 
  1. time sense
  2. fun to be with
  3. dynamic control
  4. plays the song.
  5. doesn't showboat.
  6. practices at home
  7. punctual 
  8. cooperative attitude
  9. sober
  10. looks the part.

Conclusion: Be ready to play, be confident, know some tunes. Do you need to have professional skills to play? No, there is a group for everyone. 

The Hunt: Where beginners can start.

For school age musicians.

1. Join the school music program.
2. Introduce yourself to the music teacher.
3. Talk to your drum teacher.
4. Join an afterschool music club.
5. Join a community drum line.
6. Have your parents contact guitar/keyboard/bass teachers in your area and ask them for the names of students looking for a drummer. Yes, start your own band. 

For Adults: Have or fake some confidence. You will have to put yourself out there. 

1. Join a community band, offer to play triangle if you must. Just get yourself in and build from there.
2. Go to community jams in pubs. Just hang out for a month or two and get the lay of the land. Become a recognizable figure in the crowd.  
3. Call music teachers of other instruments and introduce yourself. They all have adult guitar/keyboard/bass students looking for the same thing.
4. Online might work. I've never tried it myself though. Search, "seeking musicians in my area".  Online etiquette and safety rules apply.  
5. Become a fixture at the local music store. The staff know everyone. 
6. Put your name up on the "seeking musicians board" found in every music store I've ever been in. Something like" Adult drummer with a great attitude looking for others to jam with. I like rock, and blues. Available on weekends to jam Text me 000-000-0000"
7. Go visit the local rehearsal rooms, there will be ways to communicate with musicians there. Just ask the proprietor. 
8. Let all your friends know.
9. Talk it up on Facebook and your other social media posts. Something like a “seeking musicians” to jam with thread. Keep it lighthearted, and keep it going with regular updates on your quests. People will love it. 
10. Go to a adult music camp. Really, I've been to them in 3 different countries. Studied and played in some really great venues: under the stars in Rome, in Polish jazz clubs, and American concert halls. Really!

​David