Something which I have always done is been in bands, with friends and with colleagues, ever since I was in high school. As a guitar player I have never been on my way to stardom, but I have always enjoyed playing with people and in front of people. This is something which many musicians, amateur musicians at least, are a little fearful of, but the benefits are just so great that you should do all you can to try and join a band, regardless of how good or bad you think you are. Currently I am in a cool little rockabilly trip called the Owen Group ( because there are 2 Owens in the band) and we have a great time each week playing in a local bar. If you aren’t sure whether or not this is for you, here is why I’d recommend that you make a band with your friends or people you know.
Improvement
It is all well and good sitting in your room practicing the bass guitar or the drums, but the truth is that you don’t know how good you really are until you start practicing with other people. n fat I have alway preferred playing with people who are better than myself, because as uncomfortable as it can feel, you improve greatly when you do so. Playing with people gives you a far better understanding of how to play a song, how to manage timing and how to read the cues which others give you. I am most certainly a better guitar player when I play in a group with others.
New Music
Normally when I join bands there is a group of people with different musical tastes and we generally try to play songs which everyone in the band likes. This is something which I really enjoy and learning to play new genres and styles can really add something to your playing. In fact I have discovered many bands that I love to listen to because my bandmates have suggested that we play a song by them.
Camaraderie
There is a very special feeling about being in a band and you feel like this united team, something which I have always really enjoyed. If you are in a band with friends then you will certainly become better friends as a result, despite the occasional in-band fight. If you aren’t friends with those who you are playing with then it will not take long before you are, and this is a great way to bond with people.
Play More Music
When I am not in a band I find that I play much less than when I am in the band, and in truth this is one of the reasons why I dislike being out of a band for any period of time.
If you love music and you love playing your instrument, I would urge you to get involved in a band and just see what you can do.
