"I can't play an instrument, but I want to be in a band" — That feeling is everything
You've seen a band playing with massive sound in a live house and thought, "I want to stand on that stage." You've watched band performance videos on YouTube and felt, "I want to try that too." But in the next moment, you think, "I can't play an instrument though…" and give up.
Wait. More than half of all band members started with zero musical experience.
I moved to Tokyo in my 20s and started playing in a band based in Kichijoji. I frequented UZUYA in Fussa and met countless bandmates along the way. With over 30 years in this scene, I can say with certainty: being able to play is not a requirement for starting a band. The desire to do it is 100 times more important. I have bandmates now who started guitar in their 30s, picked up drums in their 40s, and first touched a bass in their 50s. Every single one was a beginner at first. But now they perform confidently on stage.
This article is a complete guide for those hesitating with "I want to do it, but can I actually do it?" I'll explain everything — from choosing an instrument, to finding bandmates, to preparing for your first studio session.
3 reasons why you can join a band even without musical experience
Are you thinking all bands say "beginners not welcome"? Actually, that's not the case at all.
Reason 1: "Beginners welcome" bands are more common than you think
When you look at member recruitment posts, you'll find quite a few that say "beginners welcome" or "no experience necessary." The reason is simple: it's hard to assemble a band with only experienced musicians. Especially drummers and bassists are chronically in short supply. Many bands eagerly welcome motivated beginners.
Reason 2: No one starts out excellent
Even professional musicians were beginners once. Hotei Tomoyasu had only about three years of guitar experience when BOOWY started. What matters isn't your current skill level, but how seriously you're willing to pursue it going forward.
Reason 3: You improve fastest by playing in a band
You'll improve far faster playing in a band than practicing alone. Solo practice can't teach you the tempo feel, volume balance, and groove that only come from playing together. The answer isn't "get good first, then join a band" — it's "join a band and get good."
Which instrument should you start with? — Beginner-friendliness by instrument
When you decide to start a band, the first hurdle is choosing which instrument to play. Let me be honest about each one's characteristics and beginner-friendliness rating.
Vocals — Beginner-friendly rating ★★★★★
You don't need to buy an instrument. Your practice space options are unlimited (karaoke works). Vocals has the lowest barrier to entry for starting a band. If you can't play instruments but love karaoke, starting with vocals is your best bet.
- Initial cost: Nearly zero (mics are available at studios)
- Practice space: Karaoke, home, car
- Demand: High. Vocal positions are constantly being recruited
- Note: Pitch and rhythm sense improve with practice, but choosing songs suited to your voice type is important
Bass — Beginner-friendly rating ★★★★☆
It might sound surprising, but bass is the most beginner-friendly instrument. Three reasons: it has only four strings, so there's less to learn. Root position playing (playing just the basic note of a chord) is enough for minimal band performance. And the bass scene is severely understaffed, so recruitment is everywhere.
- Initial cost: ¥30,000–50,000 (starter set)
- Practice space: Home OK (silent with headphones)
- Demand: Very high. Bass recruitment openings are everywhere
- Time to basic performance: 2–3 months of root position practice gets you ready for band play
Guitar — Beginner-friendly rating ★★★☆☆
The most popular instrument in bands. That's why competition is intense. There are many guitarists interested, but relatively few openings. However, if you start with chord playing, you can reach usable performance level fairly quickly even as a beginner.
- Initial cost: ¥30,000–50,000 (starter set)
- Practice space: Electric guitar OK at home with headphones; acoustic requires sound consideration
- Demand: Moderate. Guitar market is somewhat saturated, but lead guitarists are in demand
- Time to basic performance: 3–6 months (3 months if focusing on chord playing)
Drums — Beginner-friendly rating ★★★☆☆
The heartbeat of a band. Demand is highest, and drummer shortage is serious. Beginner drummers are often welcomed. The downside is limited home practice options (requires electronic drums or practice pad).
- Initial cost: Sticks ¥2,000 + practice pad ¥3,000 (minimum)
- Practice space: Studio individual practice (¥500–1,000/hour) or electronic drums
- Demand: Highest. Drummers are always in demand
- Time to basic performance: 2–3 months (can jam once you can play eighth-note beat)
Keyboards — Beginner-friendly rating ★★★☆☆
If you have piano experience, you're immediately useful. Even without experience, chord playing is relatively quick to master. Adding keyboards makes a band's sound fuller, so it's often welcomed.
- Initial cost: ¥30,000–80,000 (stage piano or synthesizer)
- Practice space: Home OK (with headphones)
- Demand: High. More bands are adding keyboards
- Time to basic performance: Immediate if you have piano experience; 3–6 months if not
My recommendation: if you're unsure, start with bass or vocals. High demand and easier band entry. Even if "I really want to play guitar but…" — start with bass or vocals for band experience, then switch to guitar later. That's totally fine.
Expected practice timeline before joining a band
"How much practice before I can join a band?" — That's the most frequently asked question. Here's an honest answer.
| Instrument | Minimum Timeline | What You'll Be Able to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Vocals | 1 month+ | Sing 3–4 songs with lyrics sheet |
| Bass | 2–3 months | Play 3–4 songs through with root position |
| Guitar | 3–6 months | Basic chords (C/G/D/Em/Am) for solo playing level |
| Drums | 2–3 months | Eighth-note beat + fills for 3–4 songs |
| Keyboards | 3–6 months | Chord playing (left hand bass + right hand chords) through songs |
The key is not waiting until you're perfect. Jump in at 70% completion. You'll gain the remaining 30% in the band. From what I've seen, people who kept saying "let me get a bit better first" and never actually joined a band far outnumber those who made it.
Spring is the perfect season to start something new. Act as soon as the impulse strikes.
Finding band members — How to locate beginner-friendly bands
Once you've practiced a bit on your instrument, it's time to find your crew. Here are several ways beginners find bandmates.
Method 1: Search member recruitment sites for "beginners welcome"
The most reliable and efficient approach. Filter member recruitment sites for "beginners welcome" and "no experience necessary." Membo offers multilingual support and lets you filter by area and genre.
Tips for applying as a beginner:
- Be honest and say you're a beginner — Hiding it will be obvious anyway. Honesty from the start makes everyone comfortable
- Show your enthusiasm with "I practice daily" — Motivation matters more than skill
- Write specific favorite artists and songs — Shared musical taste is a key decision factor
Method 2: Music school band courses
A two-for-one approach: learn an instrument while experiencing band play. Having an instructor provides peace of mind. However, there's additional tuition (roughly ¥10,000–20,000/month).
Method 3: Session bars and jam sessions
Improvised performances among strangers. Many venues host "beginner sessions." I myself restarted my band in my 50s by beginning at session bars. It's nerve-wracking, but the people you meet are genuinely passionate musicians.
Method 4: SNS and video posting
Post your performance videos on X or Instagram to recruit bandmates. Even as a beginner, posting "practice recordings" will attract like-minded people.
From my experience, beginners find bandmates most easily with "recruitment sites + session bars" combined. Attacking from both online and offline angles dramatically increases your chances. If you want to play with international bandmates, check this article too.
Your first studio session — Preparation and mindset
Once your band is set, it's time for studio practice. Everyone gets nervous at their first session. But don't worry — we've all been there.
What to bring
- Your instrument (for vocals, bring your own mic if you have one; studios provide mics)
- Cables (guitar/bass connection cables; studios have them, but yours is safer)
- Tuner (smartphone app works)
- Ear plugs (in-ear monitors): Critical and often overlooked by beginners. Studio volume can damage hearing permanently. Get music-specific ear protection (¥2,000–3,000) to keep
- Lyric sheets and chord charts (smartphone or printed)
- Drinks
Studio etiquette
- Be on time: Arrive in the lobby 5 minutes early. Lateness destroys band trust fastest
- Don't turn up too loud: Beginners often crank volume when nervous. Match the volume so you can hear the other members
- Don't fake knowledge: Ask openly when you don't understand. "How do you do that?" isn't shameful
- Tune individually before playing together: Mistuned instruments make everything muddy
First session mindset
Don't try to play perfectly on your first session. Just "produce sound," "stay with the rhythm," and "listen to others" — that's enough. Don't stop if you mess up. Follow the others and finish the song. That alone is a legitimate band practice.
Five common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
With 30 years in bands, I've watched beginners make the same mistakes repeatedly. Learn from them beforehand.
Mistake 1: Starting with difficult songs
"I want to play X JAPAN's Kurenai!" — I get it. But beginner bands tackling difficult songs end up where no one can play it properly and everyone quits. Nailing easier songs is 100 times more fun. Try Cherish Spa, Mongol800, or similar three-to-four-chord songs.
Mistake 2: Skipping personal practice
"I'll just learn it when we jam together" — That burdens other members. Studio time is expensive. Practice at home what you can. At minimum, run through the songs the night before studio.
Mistake 3: Not listening to other band members
Beginners often focus only on their own playing and miss the other musicians. Lock in with the drummer's kick. Bass moves with drums. Guitar doesn't bury the vocals. Bands make "one sound together."
Mistake 4: Overspending on gear
Some people buy ¥100,000 guitars and ¥50,000 effects before starting. If you quit later, it's all wasted. A ¥30,000–50,000 starter set is plenty at first. Buy better equipment once you're skilled. Tell a shop clerk you're a beginner and they'll recommend the right fit.
Mistake 5: Giving up too early
Some people quit after three months saying they "lack talent." Don't judge in three months. Instruments get fun around six months. Real band joy starts around one year. The vista beyond that first wall is incredible.
Case studies: Bandmates who started from zero
In my 30+ years of bands, I've seen plenty of musicians start with no experience. Here are some stories.
A 35-year-old salaryman who started bass
He always said, "Should've done a band in school." He applied to my band saying, "I'm a beginner but want to play bass." That first studio session, he struggled with eighth-note root playing. But practicing 30 minutes daily, after three months he could get through songs. Six months later, he stood confidently on stage. Now he says, "Without the band, life would be empty."
A college student who started drums to play her favorite band
She wanted to cover her favorite band's songs, so she picked up drums. Self-taught through YouTube videos with a practice pad. After two months, she was doing studio individual practice and met bandmates there, forming a group. "Drummers are valuable," so she was welcomed. Six months later, she was playing live houses.
A 50-something who started guitar for "post-retirement hobby"
This one's great. "I'll learn by retirement in ten years, then play band full-time after." Very organized. He applied to adult bands writing "currently practicing." An enthusiastic band took him on. Now he spends weekends as a dedicated bandman.
What they share: none waited to be perfect. They jumped in incomplete and grew through the band. That's the fastest path.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. What should a beginner band start with?
First, assemble members and pick one easy cover song. I suggest Mongol800's "Chiisana Koi no Uta" or Spitz's "Cherry" — songs with just three to four chords. Each person practices 2–3 months, then jam at a studio. Not fitting together at first is totally normal. Check studio selection tips too.
Q. How do I find bandmates?
Membo's member recruitment page is easiest — search "beginners welcome" bands and filter by area, genre, and part. Other options: music store events, practice studio bulletin boards, music school friends, SNS band recruitment communities. Using multiple channels simultaneously boosts your odds. This bandmate-finding guide has more detail.
Q. Can I join a band with zero experience?
Yes. Beginner-friendly bands are more common than you'd think. Especially drummers and bassists are chronically short, so zero experience often gets a warm welcome with motivation. The point isn't "get good then join" but "join then get good."
Q. How often should a beginner band practice?
Aim for twice to four times monthly. Adult bands do fine twice monthly. The key is solid personal practice before studio. Thirty minutes daily + twice monthly studio gets you live-ready in six months. Check band activity costs beforehand too.
Q. What instrument is best for beginners?
Bass is most beginner-friendly. Why: ① four strings are simple to learn, ② high band demand (bassist shortage means you're welcomed), ③ cheap entry (¥20,000–30,000 starter kits). Vocals are even lower-barrier (no instrument needed).
Summary: Take your first step today
Here's what you need to join a band without experience:
- Pick an instrument: Unsure? Choose bass or vocals — high demand, easier entry
- Practice 2–3 months: Thirty minutes daily is enough. Don't aim for perfection
- Find members: Search Membo for "beginners welcome" bands
- Jump into the studio: Making mistakes is okay. Play. Listen to others
- Keep going: Six months and it clicks. One year and everything changes
I'm in my 60s and still in bands. Nationality, gender, age — none of it matters when music connects us. I want to play and session for life.
If the 20-something version of me who jumped in with nothing but "I want to do this" hadn't existed, I wouldn't be here. So I'm saying: "I can't play" isn't a reason not to start.
Today, peek into a music shop. Check band recruitment on Membo. Search nearby session bars.
The moment you take that first step, you're already a bandmate.
Looking for bandmates? Find beginner-friendly bands on Membo.
