Using music to expand social circle.

I have a really hard time fitting in places. I'm really not into any sports or anything and all I really love in music. I have no interest in learning to play an instrument (besides drums but that's not possible where I live) but I do love listening to music and finding new music. I'd like to use music somehow to make more friends and meet new people and somehow have it as a career. How is this possible without being in a band? It'd be easy if I played guitar...then join a band...etc. This is probably a dumb question and discussion. But I'm really lost here.

You'll have to find people that share your love of music. As that might not be as easy as it sounds, you just have to get out there and find others like you.

Originally Posted by Blade55

I have a really hard time fitting in places. I'm really not into any sports or anything and all I really love in music. I have no interest in learning to play an instrument (besides drums but that's not possible where I live) but I do love listening to music and finding new music. I'd like to use music somehow to make more friends and meet new people and somehow have it as a career. How is this possible without being in a band? It'd be easy if I played guitar...then join a band...etc. This is probably a dumb question and discussion. But I'm really lost here.

You could go into the music production side of things. My roommate in college did that. Mixing and recording and that kind of thing. You have to have a good ear for it though.

Start going to concerts. Find a music scene you like, go to local concerts. After you start recognizing people there, start talking to them, talking about your interests, favorite bands, etc. and go from there.

Small local concerts. Find a band you like and see them often. You may even find a drumming gig out of it.

Consider joining www.last.fm, it's a social music site that recommends music, videos and concerts based on what you listen to. I'm sure you can easily find some local concerts to attend and people to talk to online.

That's a problem for me...I like punk music...but I don't like punkers

Talking to Viking. I am pretty sure he goes to a lot of entertainment type stuff and then takes pictures and writes about things, ranging from movies and social events. I bet you could do something similar for the local music scene - maybe start a blog for your local town and go to the local shows and interview the local bands. Get them to give you audio files so you can post their music on your blog. Get a camera and take pics of the band and the people at the scene. Talk to the bar owners that have the bands. You can get sponsorships from bars if you get enough traffic and post their music schedule. From that you should be able to meet tons of people.

what type of music do you listen to TS?

Originally Posted by Altephor

You could go into the music production side of things. My roommate in college did that. Mixing and recording and that kind of thing. You have to have a good ear for it though.

It's hard and almost pointless to go into the production side without having some musical background (knowing an instrument, etc). From experience, it's also very hard nowadays to make a decent living at it. I spent a few years engineering and had to move into another sector of the music biz as I enjoy eating and not having my car repo'd. I still do it on the side and as a hobby it's a great thing. But, there are a many other career paths that deal with music that don't necessarily call for musical skill. Just research if a career is something you're interested in. Just be aware it's a tough industry to really make it in, but rewarding when you do.

Originally Posted by Off Road

That's a problem for me...I like punk music...but I don't like punkers

Same problem here. I like screamo/metalcore/ melodic death metal and im the only one of my kind who listens to it.

Maybe I can relate a little bit here.

I'm a fan of all things metal/hard rock. I got the E Minor music symbol tattooed on my arm as a tribute to Black Sabbath and how they've changed my life. But I am the only one into that sort of music. So, what I realized is that its not so much about what your into as your ability to communicate with others. You have to ask yourself, why do you feel the need for music to be relevant as part of people "knowing you?" Do you listen well? Do you talk clear? Are you proactive in making friends?

While I am not saying this is you, a lot of people want and not many do.

By saying all your really into is music, your limiting yourself big time. Your on a sight about lifting weights and your telling me all your into is music? There isn't a certain ice cream that you like or a book that you've read that your into as well?

It sounds like your being a little closed minded and too introverted to make friends. You don't fit in because of the musical limitation you've put on things.

Want a challenge?

Go out tonight or tomorrow and talk to five random people. Don't ask questions, just do. It could be the person in front of you in the food store or the guy next to you curling. Most people like to talk and being spoken to gives them a forum to do so.

Shyness, anxiety, fear of approach-these are all normal. Embrace your music, let it be part of who you are, but don't let it DEFINE who you are!

-Mike

Originally Posted by Mike Pelosi

I got the E Minor music symbol tattooed on my arm as a tribute to Black Sabbath and how they've changed my life.

Thats so funny, I was really considering getting a nirvana tattoo for the same reason. Do you play?

Yes, I do, guitar and bass...one of the best decisions in my life ever, period. I'm starting to learn piano right now as well. For me has a harder learning curve then the bass and guitar but I'm getting there.

if your at college or uni, you probably have a radio station so maybe start your own show. That will certainly get you out of your comfort zone and then you will feel like you can do anything. Or you can do 1 from home I think...