You can start a band with no friends who play. Decide what kind of band you want, record a short clip of yourself playing, then put out a clear "musicians wanted" post saying the genre, the instruments you need, where you are and how often you want to rehearse. Post it on musician apps and sites, local Facebook groups, Gumtree and the noticeboards in music shops and rehearsal rooms, and go to open mic and jam nights to meet players in person. Start with one other person, jam a few times before committing, and build from there.
Most bands are not made of childhood friends. Plenty start with one person who wanted to play, put up a post, and met strangers in a rehearsal room. If none of your friends play, or the ones who do want to make completely different music, that is normal. Here is how to start a band from nothing.
1. Decide what band you are actually starting
"I want to start a band" gets no replies. "Indie rock band in Leeds, influences Arctic Monkeys and Wolf Alice, looking for a drummer and bassist, rehearsing once a week" gets the right ones. Before you look for anyone, write down:
- The genre and two or three bands you sound like, or want to.
- The line-up you need: which instruments and whether you need a singer.
- Originals or covers. These attract different people. Covers bands can gig sooner and get paid; originals bands are more about writing and building a sound.
- How serious it is. A fun weekly jam, a band that gigs locally, or a band that wants to release music and tour. Being honest here saves months of arguments later.
2. Make yourself easy to say yes to
People want to hear what you can do before they meet a stranger. Record a short clip of yourself playing or singing, even on your phone. If you write songs, record a rough demo of one or two. A link to a profile with your music on it does more than any description of your playing.
3. Write a "musicians wanted" post that gets replies
Keep it short and specific. Include:
- What you play, and a link to hear you.
- The genre and your influences.
- Exactly who you are looking for.
- Where you are and where you would rehearse.
- How often, and what the goal is: jamming, gigging or releasing.
For example: "Guitarist and singer, 22, Manchester. Writing originals somewhere between The 1975 and Paramore, demos here. Looking for a drummer and a bassist to rehearse weekly and start gigging in the spring."
4. Where to find band members when you do not know anyone
Musician apps and websites
Apps built for finding musicians let you search by instrument, genre and location, hear people's music first and message them directly. We compare the main ones in the best apps to find musicians.
Local listings
Gumtree's music section, local Facebook groups for musicians in your city, and Reddit communities for your town are all full of people looking for bands. In the UK, Join My Band is another long-running listings site.
Music shops, rehearsal rooms and venues
The noticeboard in a music shop or rehearsal studio still works, because everyone who reads it plays something. Ask the staff too; they often know who is looking.
Open mics and jam nights
The best way to meet players is to play. Go to the same open mic or jam night regularly, play when you can, and talk to the people whose playing you like. Asking someone for a jam after hearing them play is much easier than a cold message.
College, university and lessons
If you are studying, music societies and practice rooms are full of people in the same position. Music teachers and lesson schools also know students who are looking for a band.
5. Start with one person
You do not need to fill the whole line-up at once. Find one person you get on with and whose playing you like, and the rest gets easier: two people writing songs and posting about the band attract more interest than one person with a plan. A singer and a guitarist, or a guitarist and a drummer, is enough to start.
6. Jam before you commit
Before you call yourselves a band, play together a few times. Try a couple of covers you all know and one original. You are checking three things: can they play, do you like the same sound, and are they reliable? Turning up on time and learning the songs between rehearsals matters as much as talent. Meet in a public place or a rehearsal studio rather than someone's home the first time.
7. Make it work once you have a line-up
- Book a regular rehearsal at the same time each week. Rehearsal rooms usually charge by the hour, so split the cost.
- Agree how songs are credited before you release anything. If you write together, put the splits on a split sheet; our free split sheet maker does it in a couple of minutes.
- Set a goal, like a first gig in three months, so rehearsals have a point.
- Record early. A rough live recording of a rehearsal is enough to start getting gigs.
If you cannot find anyone nearby
Some people live somewhere with very few musicians, especially in less common genres. You can still make music with others: lots of bands now write and record remotely and only meet up to play live. How to collaborate on music remotely covers how it works.
Common questions
Can I start a band on my own?
Yes. Most bands start with one person who wants to do it. Decide on your sound, record a clip of yourself playing, and post a clear "musicians wanted" listing to find the others.
How do I find band members near me?
Use musician apps that let you search by location and instrument, local Facebook groups, Gumtree, and the noticeboards at music shops and rehearsal studios. Going to open mic and jam nights is the best way to meet players in person.
How many people do you need to start a band?
Two is enough to start. Plenty of bands begin as a duo and add members once they have songs and a sound people can hear.
Do I need to be good to start a band?
No. You need to be honest about your level and find people at a similar one. A band of beginners who rehearse every week will get better faster than any of them would alone.
How do I start a band as a teenager?
The same way, with a few safety steps: look in school, college and music lessons first, involve a parent when meeting people from online, and rehearse in a public studio or someone's home with an adult around.
A note from us
Tonivo is a free place to find artists, producers and musicians and message them directly. You can browse rock and indie artists, hear their music before you message, and post a call saying exactly who your band needs, so the right people come to you. For more ideas, see how to find people to make music with.
The short version
Decide what band you want, record a clip of yourself, and write a short, specific "musicians wanted" post. Put it on musician apps, local groups and music shop noticeboards, go to open mics, start with one person, and jam a few times before anyone commits. Every band you love started with strangers in a room at some point.