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Needed someone to jam with...getting discouraged


Rampdog

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Posted

I put all my music away 23 years ago...a year ago, july 4th, I played for about 15 minutes with a friend of the family...It was a hoot and the burn started inside me...I bought a Peavey Classic 30 (with you guy's help), picked up a new Strat, still had my Gibson L6-S, a Fender G-DEC (your suggestion again) and with the help of this Forum, started playing. I had nobody to play with as I don't have any of the connections I had back when it was a living... I met a guy my age (guitarist) and he invited me to jam with he and his pals...drummer and bass. I've been working hard on getting tones from the Peavey and Strat but these guys played Barry Manilow stuff, Kingston Trio, Popsicle toes, you know what I'm talking about. While playing I could carry on a normal conversation, (that's how low we played). I didn't want to bring blood to anyones ears but I needed to open up a little. They never called me back... I played with another dude my age the other day and, although he fingerpicked better than me, it just wasn't happening. I feel I'm looking for something that is no longer there. I don't have the chops I had in my twenties but it's coming back.

I guess I'm feeling embarrased, like a ball player that thinks he can play another season but in reality he should hang up his cleats and glove.

Sorry for whining but I needed something cathartic to bring me out of this discouregment. I'm still the biggest kid on my block... I just can't hang with the kids....

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Posted

Not sure where "South of the South" is, but start by doing an Internet search for open jams in your area. Talk to people at music stores or at clubs where bands play. Introduce yourself to local bands. Put up signs at music stores.

Good luck!

Posted

Don't get discouraged....it could be worse-you could be a chick in her early 40's looking for other chicks to jam with. I'm in a similar boat-and it's wierd to see the difference between men & women. Guys have a tendency to keep playing no matter what,which is great! A lot of women,on the other hand,seem to have this programming that they have to "pack it all in" when they get married or have kids. Age is also a factor-a lot of chicks felt they had to "grow up" in their 30's and that meant to quit playing & be dull.

Do check out the local jams,check online classified listings for jam sessions (or post one yourself!)The people you're looking for are out there-you're not the only "big kid"! :D

Posted
Originally posted by Batgirl7:

Don't get discouraged....it could be worse-you could be a chick in her early 40's looking for other chicks to jam with. I'm in a similar boat-and it's wierd to see the difference between men & women. Guys have a tendency to keep playing no matter what,which is great! A lot of women,on the other hand,seem to have this programming that they have to "pack it all in" when they get married or have kids. Age is also a factor-a lot of chicks felt they had to "grow up" in their 30's and that meant to quit playing & be dull.

Do check out the local jams,check online classified listings for jam sessions (or post one yourself!)The people you're looking for are out there-you're not the only "big kid"! :D

but WHY limit yourself to just playing with other chicks? Tons of bands have chicks playing instruments ..not just vocals!
Posted
Ellwood- I haven't limited myself to chicks entirely as far as jamming goes,but I would really like to get a good "all girl" band going. I've been in mixed bands before,and have nothing against it. :cool:
Posted
RAMP! you should be participating in the JAMS thread that FumbleFingers started! that would help you get rid of that lonley no band feeling you are having right now! You can jam over the tracks we made up and it's kinda like sitting in with a band ... at least you know the guys doing the backing tracks for ya!! Give it a try!!! :thu::cool:
Posted
Ha ha school started for you! :P

"My two Fender Basses, I just call them "Lesbos" because of the time they spend together in the closet."-Durockrolly

 

This has been a Maisie production. (Directed in part by Spiderman)

Posted

I know how you feel Rampdog. Just keep jammin'. You'll find what you need.

 

I try not to let myself dwell too much on how much better I used to play. I know I can get there (and beyond) again with some practice and time. Dwelling on "what used to be" is just too much negative energy that doesn't do me any good (I'm fighting enough negative energy right now).

 

If you ever make it up to L.I., I'll jam with you.

Posted

Rampdog... You're not the only one to ever feel that way... Don't give up the search! Guitar players and other musicians are all over the place working normal 9-5 type jobs. I'm one of them!!!

 

Ever look through Craigs List? Its sort of an internet classified that has a version for each major area in the country. Check it out there is a musicians subsection where folks place postings for players available or wanted. Just be carefull, who knows whos out there reading those listing though!!!

 

Not sure where south of the south is, but here is a link to the Miami Craigs List Musicians listings.

http://miami.craigslist.org/muc/

"Spend all day doing nothing

But we sure do it well" - Huck Johns from 'Oh Yeah'

Click to Listen to Oh yeah

Posted
Originally posted by Rampdog:

I put all my music away 23 years ago...a year ago, july 4th, I played for about 15 minutes with a friend of the family...It was a hoot and the burn started inside me...I bought a Peavey Classic 30 (with you guy's help), picked up a new Strat, still had my Gibson L6-S, a Fender G-DEC (your suggestion again) and with the help of this Forum, started playing. I had nobody to play with as I don't have any of the connections I had back when it was a living... I met a guy my age (guitarist) and he invited me to jam with he and his pals...drummer and bass. I've been working hard on getting tones from the Peavey and Strat but these guys played Barry Manilow stuff, Kingston Trio, Popsicle toes, you know what I'm talking about. While playing I could carry on a normal conversation, (that's how low we played). I didn't want to bring blood to anyones ears but I needed to open up a little. They never called me back... I played with another dude my age the other day and, although he fingerpicked better than me, it just wasn't happening. I feel I'm looking for something that is no longer there. I don't have the chops I had in my twenties but it's coming back.

I guess I'm feeling embarrased, like a ball player that thinks he can play another season but in reality he should hang up his cleats and glove.

Sorry for whining but I needed something cathartic to bring me out of this discouregment. I'm still the biggest kid on my block... I just can't hang with the kids....

sorry to hear that.

don't quit you will find someone.

i went through a long period not knowing a soul who played. now i know a lot of people.

finding someone who is on the same wavelength can be a stumbling block. but not impossible.

keep looking, get out there and check those jams out.

Posted
Originally posted by guitarzan:

Originally posted by Batgirl7:

Ellwood- I haven't limited myself to chicks entirely as far as jamming goes,but I would really like to get a good "all girl" band going. I've been in mixed bands before,and have nothing against it. :cool:

i am not above wearing a dress. black of course.

call me Betty :D:D

Oh...Black Betty...Bamba...Lamb? :freak:
Kerry
Posted

Rampdog...check out this site. It's a national listing, but it's not just for musicians wanting to form a band as the name would imply. Lot's of cats on it looking for someone just like you. Hit the classifieds. It'll also notify you when someone in your area with your interest comes through the system. Covers the UK to for our tea drinking brothers across the pond.

 

Good luck!

 

http://www.formingbands.com/site/index.php

Kerry
Posted
Originally posted by Zephyr:

You know, i havent been able to find a decent guitarist to jam with either.

 

But there is hope as school started today and i met another guitarist in band class, there will be jamming tomorrow! :D:thu:

Jommin iz guud, mon...Rasta Zephyr be jommin soon! :cool::P:D (doing a happy dance for Zeph)
Kerry
Posted

Well, reading through your post, you played around with a band that wasn't really "rock and roll" and you wanted to rock out a bit more than they did, and then you had a jam with another guy and nothing happened.

 

You haven't really "left no stone unturned", have you? ;):)

 

I don't know how many bands I've auditioned for, over the years, that I realized I hated as soon as we plugged in. One time, a band invited me to see them live and as soon as they finished I rushed up to the stage and started yelling at them that they were the most horrible band I'd ever seen. I was stone cold sober too!

 

So, moral of the story: keep looking. Nobody's gonna die if you don't join the first band you meet.

 

 

Oh, and another possibility is to put something together with people you know. One time, my wife and I used to hang out with this woman. We'd drink beer and sing along with records. So we formed a band. Taught my wife to keep the beat on some drum pads and we were off. You don't really need a lot to put a band together.

Posted

You guyz (and gals) made me feel a lot better... I haven't turned over every stone ... I was just a bit down at the time... I'll check out some of the sites ... I already tried 'BandMix' but it hasn't produced for me... You all just gave me a kick in the ass which is what I needed... Thanks.

PS. South of the south is St. Pete FL.

Posted
Originally posted by ellwood:

RAMP! you should be participating in the JAMS thread that FumbleFingers started! that would help you get rid of that lonley no band feeling you are having right now! You can jam over the tracks we made up and it's kinda like sitting in with a band ... at least you know the guys doing the backing tracks for ya!! Give it a try!!! :thu::cool:

Do you have the link to that site?

Disreguard this question...duh...I just found it.

Posted

Hey Ramp, I undestand... I hadn't played since 94'. I put everyting away, that didnt get stolen and had to leave dodge so to speak... lets just say bad habits die hard!! Finally after years I bought an acoustic but still wasn't into it untill just very recently so I bought myself an Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 60 and an electric along with a Tascam GT guitar trainer. Its so frigging cool to get back into playing but like you said the chops are very rusty but its coming back. Haven't really played with anyone yet but I am going to check out the FumbleFingers thread.

 

A buddy of mine just converted an old ruff mix of a couple songs that me and 2 other guys recorded back in 94. I will try and get them up soon.

What can this strange device be?

When I touch it, it gives forth a sound

It's got wires that vibrate, and give music

What can this thing be that I found?

Posted
Originally posted by mdrs:

I've got a kilt....would that due???

 

:D

Mdrs

what you doing with a Kilt???? is this Scottish heritage stuff?? :D

But yes post yourself out on the web Ramp and as Ellwood etc... say try the jam thread, but you gotta keep going mate.

G

Love life, some twists and turns are more painful than others, but love life.....

 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=592101

Posted
Maybe we need a Lonely Hearts Club for guitarists looking for jamming partners... or maybe a few 911 numbers, where even if you don't get to actually play, you can fantasize about for $3.50 a minute......
Posted
Too bad rampdog; I'm in the same boat but I live north of the south...and wearing a kilt in an all woman band would be too distracting..hehehe

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