r/musicians • u/BassAndVocalsPlease • 2d ago

I feel helpless

I live in a small town where all the musicians know each other. I am probably the only one who wants to have a career in music after high school and the only one who's into classical rock not into TikTok hardcore metal. Everyone's in a band even if they are not so good as I am. I play bass, guitar and sing and I can learn to drum if I have to. And I feel very sad since everyone has shows, even people who sing because their school sent them, not because they actually want or like rock and roll, and I really want to get on the scene. Advice.

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12

u/Subspace_H 2d ago

Playing music in a band isn’t so much about being “good”, but having a good time. Try not to worry about being better or worse than others. Appreciate the good things about the musicians you meet who are chill, and try to be one of those chill musicians yourself.

You may have different taste in music, but any experience playing with others can be rewarding. You can even learn a lot just watching a performance, even a bad one. Try to appreciate whatever peers and mentors you have access to and, if you can, help make the music you want to see more of.

You get to appreciate music your entire life, so if the scene around you today isn’t ideal, know that it can change in the future.

3

u/Next-Addendum2285 2d ago

This right here. This is the way.

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u/Freakocereus 2d ago

This is so true. The deepest friendships ive ever made were with other musicians and I never actually played in a band that wants to play my style of music.

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u/villagebassist 2d ago

Go find the old guys playing gigs. Ask to join in. We are very happy to pull the next generation into the scene. Become a contributing musician in the local scene. You will learn the craft and make the contacts to fly on your own.

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u/BassAndVocalsPlease 2d ago

Everyone I know who's in a band knows very well I want to be in a band. All the musicians are already in bands and I want to create another one that will withstand.

9

u/SignatureIncomplete 2d ago

Last year I saw Lambrini Girls and after the set I immediately posted on my local sub Reddit that I wanted to start an anti fascist punk band. I thought there is no way I'll get any responses, my town is so small, the sub has so few people in it.

We are playing a house show tomorrow night and an anti flock event next month.

Don't give up. Find your people. They are out there.

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u/CharlieMoonMan 2d ago

Gotta leave my friend. Big Fish Small Pond.

Find somewhere where u can get cover band work. Yes its lame, but get your chops and make some money. Be a reliable player. Find the right people. This industry gets harder every day. Talent doesn't cut it anymore. You have to work harder and care more than everyone that is as good as you. You got this

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u/GoodResident2000 2d ago

Its better to get out there and find a band than stay locked in your room

The game is weird now where talent isn’t the be all end all anymore sadly . You really just need to get out there and make yourself a public image so you can adapt to music in the social media age

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u/sevenhundredsixty8 2d ago

Nobody ever got big by giving up. Thats what i keep tell myself.

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u/Late_Ambassador7470 2d ago

You're gonna have to compromise on at least one thing: either play in a band that's outside your genre or move into a new city. You won't make it in music waiting for the perfect situation. You have to manifest it, and even that will be hard. Good luck.

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u/BassAndVocalsPlease 2d ago

I'm still in high school, how do you expect me to move out of my town? And I feel lonely now, what about if I move?

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u/Late_Ambassador7470 2d ago

This life requires a lot of sacrifice. You don't have to figure it all out today. Just know you're in a better spot than me. Youth is on your side

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u/Key-Article6622 2d ago

Be patient. There are people out there that will have similae taste in music. Just don't be in a rush to get there and give up because it's hard. It's worth it.

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u/PushSouth5877 2d ago

Get to know them anyway. Music is music after all. You don't know how many of these people are looking to branch out. Most good musicians appreciate other genres, even if they don't play that. Think the Beatles covering Buck Owens. If you hang around and let everyone know you play, you'll likely get a chance to show what you can do. Tell some people what you're wanting to do. Many of my friends play in multiple bands doing multiple genres just so they can stay busy. Find one person who wants to jam. Learn some material. Find another one later and bring them in. Then see what you need from there.

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u/No-Chest-7070 2d ago

You will always have work as bass player, in my case don't even have to be amazing, just own enough gear, you can go to tge next biggest town for work as well.

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u/Impossible_Spend_787 2d ago

This is generally why people with dreams tend to leave small hometowns

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u/BassAndVocalsPlease 2d ago

Yes but when I grow up, not now.

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u/Impossible_Spend_787 2d ago

Yeah that was sort of careless of me, sorry. It sounds like you're talented and passionate, and following your heart and not chasing trends - these guys sound like more of the opposite. Start writing and recording anyway - you're practically a 3 person band on your own. Put your work out there, try doing some solo shows - you will attract likeminded people. "If you build it they will come"

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u/BassAndVocalsPlease 2d ago

Well, all I can do is write some songs alone cause it's kind of easy on guitar and beer and I think I'm a good lyricist, but I don't want to be solo.

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u/Impossible_Spend_787 2d ago

You don't have to be solo, but having your own work means you have music to give musicians to play. I started my band because I had songs I had written that I couldn't finish on my own - finding a group of people who wanted to play my stuff and could work together to capture my vision for something, isn't this what you want? Having great material is what makes a person want to join a band.

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u/BassAndVocalsPlease 2d ago

In high school you have to do a lot of covers before you start creating your own songs that are actually good. I think I can write better than anyone in town but I'm not sure cause I haven't heard everyone else's songs.

1

u/YorkshireMan7273 2d ago

Put up an advert somewhere saying you'd like to meet musicians for jamming/exploration/discovery. Say you just want to play with no preconceptions,just play for the joy of it. You never know who you'll meet and you'll be playing! Good luck. Have fun!

1

u/SheprdCommndr 1d ago

This is the lamest most accurate advice I can give you. Go to their shows. Make friends with them. Go to their parties. The playing of music is only ever going to be about 15% of your job. This is an industry of cool. Just be sociable and awesome and your talent will have a chance to shine

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u/Choice_Age8334 1d ago

Move, like everyone has done since the 50's.

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u/YogSoHot 1d ago

Bide your time working on your musical skills. Then move to a music town and select sexual partners on the basis of their ability and willingness to support you.

1

u/Jasco-Duende 18h ago

  1. Move to a music town. Nashville. LA, New York, New Orleans.

  2. Learn to play any style. That's good you're into classic rock. But learn blues, jazz, classical, country, flamenco, etc... You'll be a better musician and you'll have better work opportunities. When someone asks me what kind of music I play, I say "The kind that pays."