: Do I need my own guitar or bass?
: You do need to have a guitar or bass of your own, whether owned or borrowed to participate in the club. However, if you are coming to a meeting for the first time just to check it out, you might not want to cart anything over, because you might think it sucks and then you'll feel awful that you had to haul your guitar all the way from the intramural fields, or somthing. We usually have at least a couple of extras to try, but pbviously, it's still a good idea to bring one... as, were there are more than a couple of people sans guitars, you might end up just sitting on your hands. Then it truly would suck.
: Can I bring an electric guitar?
: We're trying to focus on acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, and electric bass. Acoustic/electric guitars are welcome (including archtop jazz guitars), in other words acoustic guitars with electric pickup/output. The reason for this is that there is already an active club for electric guitar players, the Electric Bass and Guitar Society. Though, we're nice guys, and if you show up with only an electric guitar, we're not going to yell at you.
: Is there any cost to participate?
: There are no membership fees or dues. If members of the club wish to go to a performance, lecture, or workshop as a group, the members will be responsible for those admission costs.
: How often does the club meet?
: It depends, really. Reserving good room is difficult. In a perfect world, we'd have meetings held on or around the campus once every week or two. Meetings are usually from 8-10pm, with an extra hour available 10-11pm if we need it. The locations and dates should soon be (if they are not already) available on the announcements page.
: What will we do at 'meetings'?
: Historically, the meetings have been "jam sessions" as well as opportunities to talk to others in order to learn techniques, get advice, and just sit around and talk music. We will also be trying to arrange guest speakers, attend performances and seminars, and perhaps host workshops and clinics if they were to become available.
: Do I need to call ahead to attend a meeting?
: Please try to call or e-mail if you would like to come by and check it out, but again, it's not going to bother if you sneak a peek at the announcements page and just drop in.
: I have a guitar/bass but do not know how to play. Is this a good place to learn?
: Yes... While it is no substitute for lessons (and especially private study), the club is a good place to learn by doing and to ask questions. Also, some of our members have been excellent guitarists, they have always had advice on where to get the best lessons, if they do not offer it themselves. The "jam session" meeting format will afford you an opportunity to pick up what you don't know, at any skill level.
: I have a guitar and I'm freakin' fantastic. Why should I join the club?
: If you're truly a good musician, then you'll know that you always have more to learn. The club offers a chance to play with other people and showcase your talent. (However, the club does reserve the right to tell you to go home if you're being a pompous asshole.) It is also beneficial to be involved in a campus organization, if only for your resumé.
: Who can join the club?
: Membership is available to all students and faculty and is, again, awfully free.
The University Guitar and Bass Syndicate Webpage is published by the Acoustic Guitar and Bass Syndicate, a registered student organization. The Acoustic Guitar and Bass Syndicate webpage is not an official publication of the University of Texas at Austin and does not represent the views of the University or its officers.