Musician Tips, Advice & Guides

You pull the case out from the back of the closet. The latches are a bit stiff, and when you pop them open, that familiar, nostalgic smell of wood, brass, or guitar polish wafts up. You pick up the instrument, sit down, and try to play a song you used to know by heart. Then […]

When you mention to a non-musician friend that you’ve joined a new band, the questions usually follow a predictable script: For teenagers and twenty-somethings, the standard dream of music-making often involves packed vans, late-night highway drives, merch tables, and the elusive hope of “making it.” But when you’re returning to an instrument in midlife or […]

Whether you’re looking to join a band, get back into playing or simply meet a few like-minded musicians for a regular jam, finding the right people can make all the difference. There’s something special about making music with other people. You can spend hours practising guitar, bass, drums or keyboards at home, but nothing quite […]

Think your band days are behind you? Think again. Whether you’re 40, 50, 60 or beyond, there’s no age limit on making music. Perhaps you played guitar in a band years ago, but life, work and family commitments got in the way. Maybe you’ve been practising bass in your spare room for years, wondering what […]

Haven’t picked up your guitar, bass, drumsticks or microphone for years? Thinking about making music again but not quite sure where to start? You might be surprised how quickly it all comes back. There was a time when music was a big part of your life. Maybe you played in a band, rehearsed every Thursday […]

Looking for a band, searching for a drummer or just fancy a jam? A good advert could be the first step towards finding your next musical adventure. You’ve decided it’s time to get out of the spare room, dust off your instrument and start making music with other people. Excellent! But before you can start […]

You’ve posted your advert, somebody’s got in touch and suddenly the prospect of playing music with other people is getting real. So what happens next? You’ve done it. You’ve put yourself out there, posted an advert on Up For A Jam and told the world you’re looking for musicians. Then one day, a message arrives. […]

Fancy starting your own band but don’t know where to begin? You don’t need a rehearsal studio, a record deal or even a full line-up. Sometimes all it takes is two musicians and a good idea. You’ve been browsing musician adverts, looking for a band that plays the kind of music you love. There’s a […]

You’ve found some musicians, arranged a time and booked a rehearsal room. Now comes the exciting bit: actually playing together! Whether you’re picking up an instrument after twenty years away, joining a new group or playing with other musicians for the very first time, that first jam session can feel a little daunting. What should […]

A little planning, a few good songs and the right attitude can turn an ordinary rehearsal into a great one. Here’s how to make the most of your time together. You’ve found some musicians, arranged a rehearsal and everybody’s looking forward to making some noise. Brilliant! But there’s a difference between getting a few musicians […]