Why play with others
In a group, you have to keep going when you miss a note, listen to the people around you and stay in time with them. Those skills are hard to learn alone. Groups also give you regular rehearsals, music chosen for you, and people to talk to about the instrument.
Kinds of groups
| Group | Instruments | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Community concert band | Woodwinds, brass, percussion | Weekly rehearsals and concerts; some bands have beginner or adult learner sections |
| Community orchestra | Strings, plus winds, brass and percussion | Often expects some reading experience; some areas have learner orchestras |
| Choir | Voice | Many community choirs accept members without an audition |
| Ukulele or guitar circle | Ukulele, guitar, sometimes voice | Informal, song-based, usually reading from chord sheets |
| Jam session | Varies by style | Folk, bluegrass, blues and jazz jams range from beginner friendly to advanced |
| Duet or small group with friends | Any | You set the pace and the music |
Finding a group
- Ask your teacher or a local music shop. Both usually know the local groups.
- Check community centers, libraries, adult education programs and places of worship.
- Look for adult learner bands and orchestras, which exist in many areas for beginners and returners.
- Search local event listings for open jams, and go once to listen before you bring an instrument.
When you are ready
You are usually ready for a beginner group sooner than you think. A reasonable sign is being able to play a simple piece or a few songs at a steady tempo without stopping. Ask the group leader what level they expect and whether you can sit in on a rehearsal first.
Your first rehearsal
- Arrive early to set up, tune and meet the leader.
- Bring a pencil for marking your music, plus a stand if the group asks.
- Play quietly at first and listen to the players around you.
- When you get lost, stop, find your place by counting or watching the leader, and come back in.
- Take home the hardest passages and practice them slowly during the week.
Simple group etiquette
- Don't play while the leader is talking.
- Tune before rehearsal, not during it.
- At a jam, follow the leader's cues for who plays when, and keep solos short.
- Wear musicians' earplugs in loud groups. Ongoing ringing in the ears is a reason to see an audiologist.
For more on keeping going between rehearsals, see staying motivated.