Trying to form a band and pick an instrument!

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I am a teenage male from Sarasota, Florida, and I wish to form a ska punk/metal band, but I have three problems.

(Be specific with this response, for if the answer is vague, such as if you said, "Look for people at your school", I may end up looking stupid.) How can I find people my age to form a band with me? (Also, I have Asperger's syndrome.)

Should I play the trumpet or the bass guitar? This is so that I can limit the amount of band members, but I have little experience with either.

I am also influenced by jazz ("Head Hunters") and avant-garde music ("Disco Volante") so I was wondering if it would be a good idea to add either or both to our sound. If so, how do I tell my band members, and should we use two keyboardists (the trombone and saxophone players have to suffer) or one?

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View best answer, chosen by Everybody Hates Me

@Everybody Hates Me,

Everybody Hates Me wrote:

Should I play the trumpet or the bass guitar? This is so that I can limit the amount of band members, but I have little experience with either.

Learn to play an instrument at a reasonably proficient standard before you even think about forming a band.

Go to gigs in your local area, get to know the local musicians.

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@izzythepush,

This. ^ Anything else is just putting the cart before the horse.

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@Everybody Hates Me,

Everybody Hates Me wrote:

Should I play the trumpet or the bass guitar?

Have you played either instrument?

If not, start by trying both of them out. On a very very general basis, bass guitar is easier as not everyone has the right embouchure to be proficient on woodwind or brass instruments.

Whichever is determined to be best for you, you will need to play well before you become involved in a band.

Keep in mind that if you are much past the age of 12, it is likely you would start as a band member, not a band leader.

__

1. go to a music store, or to the music program at your school (if you have one). Try both instruments.

2. take lessons in the one that is determined to be best for you.

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@Everybody Hates Me,

Thank you, everyone! My apologies if my question seemed ridiculous. I wrote it at midnight, with my eyes rolling around their sockets. I will consider the bass guitar. I will ask my father to purchase an acoustic bass guitar this Christmas, and if I like the instrument, I will stick with it. NO MORE REPLIES!

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@Everybody Hates Me,

Have you been to a music shop to try a guitar out yet? please don't ask for a gift of something you haven't tried - or at least not the investment in a new one.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

Electric guitars are pretty damned expensive, too. High-end is over $1,000. Low-end is still over $100. That's a lot to plunk down on something you're right now only fantasizing about.

In all seriousness, it will make a lot more sense for you to try a guitar or any other instrument out for a few months before making a purchase. If you can practice at school with school instruments, or get instructions from a teacher who brings their own or lets you rent, that would be better all around.

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@Everybody Hates Me,

Ska is pretty good, musical equivalent of ketchup,makes everything sound better.

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@jespah,

Not sure about the OP's community but they have instrument libraries here where you can sign instruments out for weeks/months at a time for very very very little cost (other than the deposit on the better gear).

There are also instrument libraries at several regular libraries in our area where all you need is a library card to reserve/take out an instrument.

https://www.kpl.org/instruments

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/musical-library-1.3524976

Pretty freaking awesome.

0 Replies

Not quite the same but Sarasota offered an introduction to instruments event earlier this year.

https://scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/saturday-sounds-musical-instrument-show-and-tell

I'd suggest checking with the library to find out if they're doing something similar again.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

STUMPF GEIGE (or in Amish, das boombass)

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.0aCplFULkoUK1d8ne4AxeAHaJ4&w=174&h=232&c=7&o=5&dpr=1.25&pid=1.7

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I'm partial to the didgery doo.

1 Reply

@edgarblythe,

The Texas Prairie Didgery doo/Boombass Ensemble!!!!. Howa that for a band?? Well need an accordianist and an agent

0 Replies

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