So you want to start a band? You've got the skills, but are you ready?
Being in a band is an excellent creative outlet which takes dedication, patience and a somewhat surprising amount of people skills; but it has a lot of rewards. Fame and fortune may be possible, but for starters let's just focus on making a band, having some fun, and making great friends with similar interests.
Being in a band is an excellent creative outlet which takes dedication, patience and a somewhat surprising amount of people skills; but it has a lot of rewards. Fame and fortune may be possible, but for starters let's just focus on making a band, having some fun, and making great friends with similar interests.
It's important to have an idea of what you want to play before you start off. Of course bands adapt and the style and genre's start to blend into something different on occasion, but first try writing down three of your favorite bands and imagine what they would play if they were put altogether. Have one or two genres in mind, a rock band with metal influences or a metal band with classical music influences for example. Sticking with a specific musical idea is a faster way of deciding, rather than sitting around for hours jamming and hoping something comes from it.
Bandmates
Finding musicians isn't as hard as you'd think, even in small towns you can find musical talent - that doesn't mean it's easy to start a band with these musicians though. It might take a few try's and a few switches before you find a group of people that work well together. You can start finding musicians by taking out an ad in a local paper (this does cost some $), leave cards in instruments stores, and use sites like craiglist - of course use caution when meeting people and always meet in a public spot first. Leave a description of your influences and what instruments you are looking for.
Meeting Up
Ideally, you want a big space; like a garage or a basement in which you can comfortably fit a full band. This can create noise and sometimes safety issues and you should let your neighbors know when you'll be practicing. Keep reasonable hours (12am isn't reasonable by the way) and make sure your gear is kept safely locked away when you aren't practicing.
Sometimes local music shops have practice rooms that you can rent by the hour, and occasionally you can find places to practice through online. Hiring a room for a couple hours once or twice a week is reasonably inexpensive and they usually already have the equipment you need, like drums and a vocal PA, to save money bring your own microphones, guitars and amps.
When arranging a meet up, make sure that everyone knows the time and place. It's a good idea to send a list of 3 or 4 well-known songs that people can practice on their own in preparation - these songs should also be in similar genre as the band you're wanting to start. Turn up early so you're the first there (this should be easy enough if it's at your house), and when the others drive, keep things relaxed and keep the conversation geared toward the music.
Practice
The first practice should be focused on seeing how everyone plays without taking things too seriously. If the talent is there and everyone seems to be working together as a group, this is where you should step up; it's important that one person is a clear leader - and it isn't always the vocalist. Having someone to make the big decisions and keep the band organized will help you immensely in the future.
Without being a dictator, you have to take the role of manager, conductor and negotiator. Always ask and value every member's opinion and feelings before making a decision and remember that without them there is no band. Take charge by arranging practices; soon after the first practice set up another soon after and agree on a few more songs to cover. This is also a great time to ask people to try and write a riff or a few lyrics to bring back and work on during the next practice.
Songs
When you get together again, spend a little time on covers to help warm you up, and then ask someone to throw out an idea or two. Try writing an 8-bar riff that's catchy and memorable, and then change up the chords to come up with a verse. Conduct people, start when needed and stop when needed. Let them know when something sounds great or if something needs a little work - don't be harsh.
Keep things simple. Get a quick song down with a short intro, first verse, chorus, second verse, final chorus and end together. Go over it a few times, get everyone to write down their parts so that it won't be forgotten (even if they say that they'll remember, they'll forget some of it, trust me). And there you have it! Your first song.
Practice
Arrange regular practice sessions and ensure that people turn up regularly and on time. Set a rule, let everyone know that if they can't make it to let you know at least a day before and then be sure to inform the rest of the band, get someone to fill in if necessary. After a few weeks, it's time to get serious. Unless it's of a conflicting schedule like work, they shouldn't just be skipping practice for parties.
Naming The Band
Get suggestions from friends and family, write them down. Decide with your band what you don't want. Get everyone to bring a shortlist and then slowly narrow it down. Take a vote and stick with it, this is going to be the first thing that potential fans hear or see, so it should fit with the band's identity. Your band name needs to be memorable.
Demo
Put some money together to buy a few hours time at a small studio. You might have friends with little home studios, but it's best to place your money in the hands of those that have training and know what they're doing. Know exactly what songs you want to record during your session and have the, polished - three to four is a good start. Be ready to put max effort into this.
Get the artwork done by a friend and then make copies and burn your own CD's. These CD's should be given out for free at first or sold very cheaply to get the maximum amount of people listening to your tracks. Internet promotions can also really help your band (wink wink).
Gigging
Give those CD's to local bands, venues and promoters, include your contact details. Before your first gig, decide on an image you'd like to present to the crowd. Get everyone pumped up and moving about, don't let this just be the vocalist's job. Make sure you mention the band name and include where you next show will be, where your table is, ect.
Promotions
Set up social media, like sound cloud, twitter, ect. with songs available for free listening, regular gig and blog updates. Consider a website and start thinking about merch if you're going to be serious about this band thing. Most of the time, when you're starting out you won't make much from gigs or from CD's, but a well designed t-shirt can sell well.
Making A Future
Interact with other musicians. Build meaningful friendships and relationships, support other bands and they'll likely show you the same support. Never trash any local bands (or any bands really) on social media or bash them around your friends, trust me it'll get around and can ruin your reputation in the music scene.