Key to not getting fired from the band.... own the van.... and the PA equipment... and rent the garage/room where practice happens. And make cookies/brownies from time to time. If you can do that and semi-reliably hit SOME note on the 2/4, you'll stay in the band forever :)

I’m a lead guitarist and I also play drums bass and keyboards but my main instrument is guitar. In 2017 I audition for a band that plays all classic hard rock tunes. I went to the audition and we jammed on wasted by Def Leppard, armed and ready by Michael Schenker and Lights out by UFO. The guys are all around my age, in our 50s but the drummer was a little younger. I thought I nailed the audition and then we sat down and started talking and then I asked if I got the gig Lol... and they replied... we have a few more guys to audition but will let you know. A few days later the bass player called me and said I got the gig, I was so happy because these guys are really cool, no drama and super easy to get along with. I thought this was gonna be an awesome band. Fast forward to 2021...I’m still in the band and we’re doing better than ever. The band is called Arminius. it’s a blast to play music with great musicians and great guys that you get along with and we’re playing all the songs we love 🤘🏻😎. We’ve opened for Pat Travers 3 times, The Iron Maiden’s, The bulletboys, Dios Deciples, Hookers and Blow and many more great touring bands. You’re never too old... 😉

I think that being like minded and a good “ hang” trumps virtuosity every time.

I'm waiting for Baxter to ask me to play bass in his Cure tribute band.

You guys, Rick Beato, and JHS Pedals motivated me to start playing again. Always love the content and your positive, carefree attitudes. I’m 50 and quit playing about 15 years but your content really has motivated me as I’m sure it has others. Thanks again.

I play in six bands right now. (I play keyboards guitar and I sing.) I have a three leg rule for playing with others in a group. Two of the three things need to be there. Money, good music, good people. If only one of those things exist in the group, I'm not there. But if two of them are there I'll do it.

I'm moving home in a couple of months after almost 15 years away..... and getting the old band back together. And the biggest thing is that we just simply enjoy hanging and playing tunes together.

We are a 3 pc ...blues/rock group. 56,63, and 66 yrs of age. The most fun of our lives.

I got invited to jam with a group. They also invited another guy. He was really good but spent most of the jam fidgeting with his sputtering pedal board. I had a simple rig - Tele into a Carman Ghia with a TS808 and a Traynor 12” closed back cab. The leader liked my sound and ask me to switch to bass so he could play my rig. I killed it on the bass. Next thing I know I’m getting an email with a song list and simple chord charts and the date and time of their next practice.

Been in the same band now for 20 years. As you guys know that's amazing. 3 core members for the entire time. This is also actually the 50th Anniversary of being in local bands. I absolutely love finding the right people to make music with.

Keep throwing around words like "summation" and people are going to start thinking you're a lawyer... A blues lawyer.

I've auditioned a lot of players. Looking for a drummer is literally the worst hell imaginable.

I play in a Bluegrass band and wer'e all over 60 (I'm the youngest at 64), but we all can relate to things from growing up around the same time. That helps with getting along together👍 PS...I play jazz trumpet along with guitar, bass and mandolin😆

Keeping A Band Together may well be a much longer episode.

Baxter, I literally play those instruments you listed for a utility player. Let's do some work! Great episode guys. Always looking for more gigs and opportunities and you have some great advice.

I think one of the main things of starting a band is having a rehearsal space...that can be tricky depending on money, living situations, available places to rent. If you have the space that makes it much easier to lead a band.

I was really blessed hooking up with some pretty cool cats to form a band for a bit. We were able to run an open mic at a local tavern - paid live practice twice a month and even better, we met some unbelievable musicians!! One dude went on to come in first place at the Nation Finger Picking Championship a few years later....thanks Craigslist!!! Anyway, to your point, I was probably the least experienced guy on stage in many occasions, but playing with musicians way beyond my capabilities at the time was beyond valuable. And the fact they were all so cool to be around made it an incredible experience. Thanks Jim, Craig, Roberto, Roger, Marty, Jack, Bill, Sean, Frank...the list goes on, and most importantly the owners of the establishment - Paul and Robyn!!!

Speaking of band that have learned hard lessons, I saw GNR last night in St. Paul. Duff did his solo stuff, Axl sang Velvet Revolver, they covered Glen Campbell, The Who, Dylan (Minneapolis, so imagine), 12-bar-blues (Slash!). Half the show was instrumental. All members got their moment in the spotlight (Richard's front & center solos, guitar duals sort-of, two keyboards & drummer included). There were many "jam-band moments" within this "choreographed hits machine." Hammond, three acoustic pianos, Slash played two of his teenage B.C Rich's, Axl made fun of his past, three hours & on-time.

After 40 years in the biz I believe the salient question is "why"🤣🤣🎸

I'm the phish guy, super dope you mentioned fifa as well. Made my morning lol

Fired from a band in 1983 for being too pop for a punk band and then fired in 2003 for being too punk in appearance for a Beatles cover band. So I started my own punk blues Beatles jam band and lived happily ever after.

Hi guys, keep up those good videos coming. Suggestion: what about a video on In Ear Monitors and how to protect your ears?

I'm in North East Georgia and been learning by myself for the last 3 years and severely struggling to find people to jam with...

Wives tend to get in mix at some point and complicate things, and work hours tend to also complicate things. When you're younger the parents can be a problem. Nowdays your political views and religious views can bring a sudden grinding halt to the whole affair.Fun as it may be.

Non-stop wisdom dropping in this video I met a few bandmates in the past just by hanging out at guitar shops because that's where you can find em. Outside of that, just being friends with people and getting asked to sit in with their band. Hardest person to find is a singer since everybody kinda can do it but being able to really do it is rare

The band I had back in HS fell apart after the 2 seniors in the band graduated and went to college out of state and fell off the planet, never head from them again, we went on for a year, then me and one other member graduated and we couldn't find the time to get together to try to restart the band and eventually we fell out of contact after he moved 4 hours away for college. Only for the remaining member to also move out of state, while still in contact, shes like 7 hours from where I live... kind of sucked because we were good friends outside of being a band so we were able to go from band business' to being buds, f##kin around and enjoying fun times. Breaks my heart.

Somehow I missed the bandwagon! Cheers Baxter and Jonathan!!

Its often amazing what competent players pull off when feeding off each others energy, because they are cool people. I find that I have thrived in that area.

Always had trouble finding the right combination at the same time, but had a lot of fun

Another great episode gentlemen as always

I showed up for my first ‘audition’ for keyboard player with 6 harmonicas and the ability to play by ear. I got the gig and in about a year I taught myself to sight read and became the…” dick “ Nobody really practiced their parts but me and the drummer and he kept his kit at the rehearsal spot. Several bands later and many years and I still have little patience for slow learners and people who only pick up their instruments when we rehearse. If everybody practices I’m happy, if people suck I get frustrated. I’m just better at hiding it but not by much just a bit more subtle.

Forget the crowd! I've worked too hard to care about them and their issues.

I got a kramer strat copy for my birthday on 1990. A month later I started a band with my buddy who could really play. It was really beneficial, had to play all the time and improve rapidly

"Trumpet + background vocals, that's my fantasy person." - Baxter '4th WAVE SKA' Clement

Karl killing Doyle broke up our band. Some folks call it a Kaiser Blade. I call it a Sling Blade. Mmm hmm.

What a coincidence Baxter, I was a teenager for about seven years too.

I want a pedal steel player in my band……….there just aren’t any in my city!

I’m very fortunate to play with my best bros!

WVH has pipes, played a Gibson hollow body most of the show. He reminded me more of a singer-songwriter that could done the material Neo-acoustic. I bought a Mammoth T-shirt. $50. I don't wear R & R branding.

I had a guy singer in a band one time who was suoper good looking and girls would just flock to him. He was a theater signer type voice so okish for a rock band, but man he had the look. It did not take long before he was blowing off gigs because he would double book himself for modeling shoots. The eventually lead to the end of that band.

I am literally the guitar player…..that plays bass, drums, keys….trumpet…and I have pretty good range for background vocals. You guys anywhere near Texas? 😊

Any advice on how to find or join a touring band? There are many bands out there, but most have day jobs and just want to play local shows. I want to quit web development (was formerly software engineer at Sweetwater) and play music full time. I have pro gear. I play guitar, bass, drums, fiddle, mandolin, lap-steel, and I'm picking up keys (I bought a Nord Electro5D). I also sing backup vocals or lead. I am a Christian and currently work as a church musician. Genres: Red Dirt/Texas Country, Americana, Folk, Rock, Southern Rock, Bluegrass, Western swing. I'm open to anything right now.

Ok I like both of you guys. I’m going to let you audition for my band LoL.

The best bands seems like the members live in the same area, usually a couple of young bloods that can play a few chords, get a couple more friends and learn music at the same time. Then in a few years hall of fame.lol

In highschool I played trumpet for marching band and keyboard for jazz band/personal, but I'm shit at vocals so I'm 2/3 perfect lmao

The bass player I played with in high school summed up being in a band very well. He said "playing in a band is a lot like marriage. You'll put up with crap from them that you wouldn't put up with from anybody else, but you'll also not put up with their crap that you would put up with from anybody else". Rings true to me. I later ran over his foot intentionally as he was screaming and leaning into the window of my Firebird with the big fat tires on it. That was 40 years ago but we're still friends today.

Hey I just have to put my feelings out there I just watched this for about 5 minutes and I had to say this it’s almost as if you were talking to me I played trumpet ( but can also sing) starting in the 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, (not the 9th grade) 10th grade, 11th grade. But I never got into the marching band pep band jazz band I mean practically nothing except for the regular core concert band class. (I did pretty good in the band in general but never ventured into it because my true passion in life is to be a private marijuana farmer and hopefully own my own dispensary) but for me it helped me get through a lot of pain but anyway I wouldn’t say I am a prodigy or anything but basically all I think about is music. 🙏🏽 I was trying to join a band I am 18 and just graduated high school last year but I would love if you could refer me to somebody or maybe I could get a chance to speak with one of you two

Nice to meet you

Drummer that doesn't drink ✅ Bass player that doesn't want to try and run sound ✅

My band history since the early 80s has been off and on with long dry periods between them. My steady "gig" since 1990 has been as an unpaid bassist in several Catholic churches playing both worship modern and old school / traditional choir. I do enjoy it but there is nothing like a fun blues/rock/country band to jam with. The problem is finding the "right people," clicking with them, and having common values (not showing up drunk, missing rehearsals, attitude problems, in band fighting over petty things, etc.). It's not easy.

I found my ppl, Star Wars, Ateam, FIFA.....I thought I was alone....

I think my problem now is actually finding those people. It gets harder when you're in your 40s and have 3-kids. Plus, not many places having bar bands right now. I do have a nice jam room that isn't getting enough use.

Buddy of mine has an established band and has in the past invited me to sit in. Problem is he lives an hour to the west of where I live. I work an hour to the east of where I live. So by the time I would make it there for practice, it would already be time to turn around and go home to get ready for bed…..sigh…🎸🎸

Wow...'Bands'...right? Even The Beatles had to go through it all. Agreed, I played any and every style of ensemble I could find in my younger years. Learned the hard way more than once regarding 'personality issues'. I always call it: "THE ULTIMATE ENCOUNTER GROUP"

Too many guitar players here in Bklyn to form a band-maybe if I move to Nashville (not too many guitar players there), I’ll have a shot. Ot maybe I’ll just move to Southern Pines. Lol! Great topic!

I have never been in a band. My brother tried to form a band a few times but there's never a time when everyone can go to practice. I guess its very difficult to get that worked out

I am the only guy in my band who isn’t from the worship band at their church. I think they just like my shiny orange Gretsch.

Nowadays things are complicated because everybody pretends to be an expert while they all have their own taste in common bands like Dream Theater. It's hard to find people who have that uniqueness that makes a band special, but none of the musicians know what to do with.

My last band broke up in late 97 while in negotiations with Epic records because I fell off the wagon, and became addicted to Heroin again. I've now been clean and 100% sober for 20 years. I'll be 60 in January, but don't look it, and even though I get rusty when not in a band, it only takes a couple of months to bond with a good bassist, and drummer who love classic rock, but want to play originals. I write, I sing lead, and harmony vocals, and have opened for most of the big punk bands of the late 70s, and early 80s, and moved on and opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, then the last band who got the call from Epic until my idiocy, played straight up classic inspired rock n roll, and I want to start a similar band now. Any bass and drums who have played together for a few years, and lives in or near Richmond VA, reply to this comment, and let's give it a few jams! Thanks My Casino Brothers And keep up the videos. I will get down there this fall to see you! Peace, Keith in RVA

This is great!

Blazing freely is a requirement for me.

Last ‘band’ was an acoustic duo with my buddy singer who had stage fright..who would then drink and get high to the point where they couldn’t sing live or worse…would pick up a guitar 😞. I’d be left attempting to play triads or lead to an out of tune, out of time, guitarist playing ever song as a variation of D C G chord progression. Black Hole Sun- classic 3 chord song for beginners..right?! 😳🤯 ha.

If you want to play BASS for our band... nows the chance. Hit us up. (Indiana)

Hey guys, what's the best way to find a local jam session? Don't want to join a band but it would be cool to get a group of musicians together to just play some songs we all know. I did this a few times with a group of people and it was a blast but I relocated and now am missing this aspect of playing. I asked a local guitar shop and they just shrugged their shoulders. Thoughts?

I can play guitar, bass, drums, a bit of piano and I produce. And I sing. 😂 Am I turtly enough for the turtle club? 😅

I thought the answer would be to hold up a sign that reads, "I don't play guitar".

I was in, what I thought was the start of a band. But they just stopped reaching out to me. So I am pretty sure I am no longer in said "band". Oh well.

Being in a band was the best experience I ever had. I found out I had a good sense of time, greatly needed in a band. As for drama, the GF of the bass player started going out with the singer. And I forgot to mention both were skin heads. Insert explosion here…

If anyone's looking to play, I can sing, play guitar, I'm okay at bass and a decent drummer. I also play tuba if that blows anyone's skirt up 😛

⚓️ Thanks Casino 😎

I bought a looper , cause' musicians be crazy .

Well…..LOL I was in with a group of guys for a few months at my “studio” , after awhile it wasn’t fun anymore , I’m better solo-meo ! LOL

Virtual is the way to go

Rhet and Link, but metal musicians

even the losers get lucky sometimes

10% = how well you can play. 90% = are you a good hang. Exaggerating a bit here of course...or am I??

The two of you are not old! Stop it, you’re old I must be dust. 59 still going and still getting calls to go on the road.

Also, WVH is not EVH 2.0 - don't

played in a christian rock cover band for 12 years, was stoned all the time lol

Ha! Baxter, that's nothing. I'm in a J-Pop coverband with 20 year old front women.

Guitar players that cant sing harmonies are an inconvenience on their band. Sorry yer mad.

Like Ringo not the best drummer but in the pocket like few others.

#1 tip - own a van

In my experience, most drummers are complete flakes. Remember this and hopefully you won’t be completely bummed out later on.

Go to art school.

Really like this channel, but sad to see the blithe attitude towards substance abuse so prevalent among musicians perpetuated here. There is nothing smart or cool about people who can only achieve satisfactory metabolic levels through the ingestion of mind altering substances.