Having trouble finding others to play with

John Parker · From: Golden Valley, Az. USA

I am having a terrible time finding other musicians to play with. I'm at the point where I need to play with other people to get better. Don't get me wrong, I know I need to constantly be practicing but it seems that I'm not doing much improving playing by myself.

I've tried running an ad in the paper, asking around at work and at the music stores. Either they're already with a group, don't want to commit, don't want to play country, etc. I've even got the feeling from some that they didn't want to play with a beginner-intermediate player, such as myself.

I just got told by a band that I had been talking to about playing with that they decided that a steel guitar wasn't the way they wanted to go after all because they want to concentrate on playing more rock and less country. If that is what they want to do then I wouldn't have fit in anyway but I was kind of led on for a few days that they wanted a steel player so they could do more country.

Lately I've been feeling so frustrated by this that I've thought about giving it all up but then I come to my senses and tell myself that I will not be defeated. I will continue my search for others to play with.

Thanks for letting me rant, I feel a little better now. Guess I'll go play by myself some more.

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John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400
Fender Steel King

ray qualls · From: Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)

John, where is Newark located at in Arkansas?

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Ray Qualls
President(KSGA) www.rayqualls.com

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

For heaven's sake -- cheer up! I guess we all have different needs, and if yours is playing out, then place a different advertisement, unless you just want to play country (and even then, you'll find a band -- believe me). There are many, many types of bands out there that want a steel player, not just country. Keep looking and practicing, but try to get some happiness out of just playing and getting better.

Al

John Parker · From: Golden Valley, Az. USA

Ray,

Newark is close to Batesville, Ar. About 75 miles from Thayer, Mo.

I really am trying to stay cheerful, it just gets frustrating because I want to do better. I've been told I need to find others to play with but it's been hard to find anyone.

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John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400
Fender Steel King

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Look for an open mike night at a cafe. If you hear a tolerable singer songwriter offer your services for the fun of it.

Good luck,

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Bob beat me to it..

the Open Mic nights are a great way to meet musicians..just show up with your gear, set up and join the action...

This is how I met the guys I play with...and many more..

There is an open mic jam on Thursdays Uptown where we can pretty much go to any Thursday night and have a great time hanging out, playing, seeing friends...

this is just one of several..

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

John,
If you are not already doing so, have you considered employing rhythm tracks? There are several available of standard country tunes and some later hits by Jeff Newman as well as others. Every instrument but the steel is on the track, you supply the steel parts. (These are the best band you will ever work with, they will practice whenever you like and don't mind playing the same song several times if necessary!)

Rodney Garrison · From: Montague County , Texas (deceased)

John, Davids' idea is a great one. Here in North Texas almost every Saturday night there is a gathering of folks at community centers or that areas local meeting hall. Some come to play, some to sing, and best of all some of our friends look forward to getting out of the house for fun, food and fellowship. Lots of good clean fun for all and usually some great pickers show up. I always look forward to these.
RG

George Wixon · From: Waterbury, CT USA

John,
Another thing to try is to do a search on the web for "Musicians want ads" or "Jam session" in your state or area and see what comes up. I'm in the same boat you are and I just happened to be searching around and just found a country jam session held every 4th saturday about an hour away from me and it's mostly classic country. I also found a jam session in upstate NY where my wife and I go camping and I play there when I can during the summer.
You may have to travel a bit but there are things available.
Playing to tracks are fine and I do it all the time but I know what you mean as it's great to get out and play with live musicains and you'll learn a lot more as well.
Good luck with your search.
George

Mike Ester · From: New Braunfels, Texas, USA

When I started out, I always ended up with out-of-town bands. It was as if I couldn't get arrested in my home town, from a musical standpoint.

Finally, a local band recruited me and I've been with them for the past 15 years.

I'm not saying that you have to wait 15 years to find a group. You may have to go outside your town to find it. YMMV.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

John, I'll give you some ideas, but they are nonpaying, BUT will get you in the saddle and ridin', to get you some experience and a TON of fun. All entry level.

Join the Siloam Springs Steel Association, and the Kansas Steel Association (just across the state line from Joplin, MO.)These Associations have a monthly meeting/jam that you can get involved in. These associations are DEDICATED to having a way to help entry level steelers, like you and me, as well as the pro pickers who like to drop by and help newbies, too. They are all dedicated to YOUR success with learning steel. You will meet pickers from all over Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma. That will give you some EVENTS to look forward to that you could come and PLAY, no matter what your level.

Also, check your local Senior Citizens homes and functions. They could tell you who comes to play them occasionally, (usually retired musicians), and most of these guys would love to have a steel picker, or can steer you towards the right guys. Also, see where your closest homespun Saturday Nite opry is, and hangout and meet folks---you will soon "get recruited", or come up with some folks to go meet.

Also, Go to Heber Springs, and look up my buddy Jay Cupit, of Cupit's Music, and tell him what you are up to. He knows ALL the pickers around, and every little opry and function in 100 miles. If none of this works, pack your bags and come see me, and by cracky, we'll pick awhile!!

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

John, you can do it like I did. Walk into a club and ask to sit in. I haven't found a band yet that said no,especially if they didn't have a steel player.

I got hired the first night barely knowing how to tune it and that's been 24 years ago and I'm still going strong and still trying to tune it.

You can do it!

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

Don't give up JP! There's a lot of American Legions, DAV's and alike that have jam sessions but don't advertise. I would check a few of those places too.

You are right about one thing. Playing with a band makes a huge adjustment in the learning curve. When I first got into steel, I was taking my MCI D10 to a jam every Sunday, by the 3rd week they were throwing solo's my way and I had to step up to the plate. I even noodled out some C6th once and astonished myself. Even the band accused me of sandbaggin' about my abilities.

Hang in there John, Don't give up!

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Tele-Bender-Blaster-Caster
Line 6 Amps
www.jimwalkeronline.com
Steelin' Again Too!

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I quit looking and bought BIAB.
It works for me!

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

John, I bet if you check around you will find an opry type show somewhere close by. Fifteen years ago, my wife and I just happened in the Little O' Oprey in West Fork, Arkansas. They asked me to sit in and I have now been there 15 years and had a blast. Also, there are Country Gospel groups everywhere looking for a steel player. I think steel has a greater roll in Gospel than in country. Many Churches have a praise and worship band that could use a steel guitar. If the distance is not to great for you the best advise I have seen in this thread is to join up with the Siloam Springs, Ar. club and the Baxter Springs, Ks. club. This is the absolute best environment for improving your playing and doing so in front of other people. It is good to get used to an audience so your nerves won't get the best of you when playing for a crowd and the support is just great plus there are always guys there ready willing and able to help you along the way.
Jerry

Billy Wilson · From: El Cerrito, California, USA

Is there a Craig's List where ytou live? The one here is always solicititng musicians of all kinds for projects of all kinds for musicians at all levels.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I found out around here that rather than get together and just play, people would rather know “How much work do you have lined up?” Kinda gave up on it several years ago!

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
’05 D–10 Derby
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15”
Current Equipment

Jack Mansfield · From: Reno, NV

Get some rhythm tracks like I did, practice and do some nursing homes, coffee shops, etc. you'll have a lot of fun, and you will meet other musicians like I did at the coffee shops, espscially if there are two or three performances that night.
Good Luck!

Nigel Mullen · From: Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada

Get some rythm tracks. Call someone who sings and start a little group of your own. Always worked for me

Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

You might consider that if you really want to play in a band, you might not get to play exactly what YOU want to play. Unless you put the band together, handle bookings, etc., you're going to play alot of stuff that may not suit your taste. That attitude will not land you in a band. If that's the case, get BIAB. I play in a band and do 80% steel & 20% guitar. I can tell you, it's more rock than country. But it beats sitting at home playing with rhythm tracks ALL the time. Music tracks can get boring. A band can give you all the dynamics, good & bad, that goes with being a band MEMBER.

John Parker · From: Golden Valley, Az. USA

Thanks for all the replies and support, I really appreciate it. I guess I was feeling a little frustrated the other day after several attempts to get some people over for jam sessions kept falling through. And then on top of that a band that I had been talking to decided that they didn't want a steel because they wanted to do more rock and less country.

I do have some rhythm tracks that I use. I just have to keep the faith that sooner or later the right people and situation will come along and it will all work out.

Again, thanks for all the support. That's what makes this forum so great.

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John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400
Fender Steel King

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

Hi John, there is software out there that let's musicians hook up live on the internet and jam in real time which is cool. When it first came out in 2001 it was a little buggy but it still worked. I know because I was a beta tester for it.

Well as I understand now it's really working great. I'll insert this link for you to read a little bit about it. This link is just one of 100's if you google "jam live on the web" so if you have a broadband connection I'd give it a try.

Like I say I jammed with it in the early stages and it worked great except a disco once in a while and once in a while it would get out of synch but it was also in beta at the time.

Well here is a link to an article that will tell you about how it works and keep in mind this is just one software that you could use I know there are many more if you just look around.
http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-11-29/tabachnick-ejamming

Bob

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

I even sit in with some Punk Rock bands every now and then!
Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

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