Starting a Band

[rclite]

Hi Guys!

 

In your opinion(s), What is the best way to go about starting a band?

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[jsull]

If you have some buddies who are good enough players, I really recommend it for your first band. Makes it more relaxed and fun. Or at least friends of friends. Get the word out.

 

Putting up an ad requires that you have a clear idea of what you're looking for, and are able to sift out people on the phone. Auditioning players can be a real drag. You end up meeting a lot of wanna-bees with attitude. And it goes better if you have some material prepared, if you're doing original material.

 

It depends on where you live. If you're in a small town, you can't be too choosy.

 

Remember, you're doing this for fun. Don't stick yourself with pains-in-the-ass you'll just have to dump later. Sometimes the best player isn't the best bandmate. If you do it right, your bandmates will end up as close friends, and your music will have more personality.

 

Good luck and don't give up.

[Tedster]

Right on about everything JSull said. I'd just add that sometimes, you'll have a really good friend that's starting to play something that you want in your band...but soon on it becomes apparent that your friend isn't as enthusiastic about the "band" idea as you are. That's okay...but, you'll have to find other folks that are, and your friend can continue to be just that, a friend, not a bandmate. Don't burden yourself trying to prod a friend who isn't really into it into being a bandmate.

[Rim]

I agree with jsull and Tedster. I've found that the most challenging thing in being in a band is the personnel, not the actual playing of music. What can help is having a defined idea of what this band is going to do. What music style will you be playing? In general, it can make it easier to get gigs if you are in a certain style of music. How often do you want to play and practice? 3x a week, once a week, once a month? What is your overall goal? Are you going to try to make music your livelihood and make it big or do you just want to have fun and play out once a month?

 

Finding people you know or kind of know is better in a lot of ways. If you don't know enough people, you can try creating a profile of your band at www.musician.com and post what members you're looking for. It'll take a while, but I've actually gotten some people to audition for the band through this.

 

Remember to have fun. And when problems arise, just think of it as a learning experience. Two people in my current band have "quit" but after talking to them and finding out what they felt the problem was, we're all still together. We just can't find gigs.

[Nollykin]

I'm agreeing with all these things arc.

 

I have a makeshift "band" with 3 of my mates. We cant play well yet, but that isnt a problem. The problem is, Nathan, the lead guitarist, is a heavy / death metal fan... who would like to be playing music so heavy and so loud your head is likely to explode. David, our "chords man", 2nd guitarist, prefers the heavier side of things, and also leans toward industrial music. Myself, I prefer all types... but really would like to play my own stuff, which is very melodic metal, with a tune. Rachel, our bassist, is into the softer rock, smashing pumpkins, pearl jam, etc, as well as grunge - nirvana, etc... something I cannot STAND (grunge. heh. cant handle it ).

 

As you can see, the clashes are a problem.

 

Nathan doesnt like the music I make, and he cant really make his own so he just goes along with it, but really doesnt like it. David doesnt care, he just wants to be bigheaded . Rach, has low self esteem and so she prefers to just sit by and be pushed around, not offering input. As frontman, this is one motley crew... one that would be a disaster.

 

Sometimes, friends are not the best bandmates. We all like the same music, but we would all prefer to PLAY something different. Make sure the members want to PLAY The same thing, or you'llhave trouble.

 

For those wondering, no, I doubt our band will ever even play one song together - we cant decide on one hehehe

 

we're kinda just learning together.

 

Thats why I just want to be a solo artist, getting other people to fill in for the guitar, drum and bass parts, not as part of a BAND, but more as a backing band... that changes all the time. I want total control - because I cant handle dysfunctional groups. hehe

 

Nolly

[eh steve]

take your rig down to the local pub and entertain some people. at the least you'll get a pint or two.

if an old man with a soap board wants to sit in, let him.

find some open mic's in your area and you will find some kindred souls.

avoid primadona's like nole.

gl

[Nollykin]

primadonnas?

 

were you talking to me?

 

You've got some nerve... but at least you said it to my face. Im not strutting around declaring I'm the best, nor am I ordering band members around. I dont like their styles, they dont like mine, we argue, and cant decide. I dont like working with others, and yes, I like a degree of control - total control was ... wrong to say. I do like input, but everybody wants to get along with their band members.

 

Noone wants to fight kick and squeal with a band... we all just want to play.

 

Nolly

[Mad Russian]

I'd rather agree with Nolly: to take full control over creative process is better than find yourself in a centre of creative mess. It would be even worse, if you finally find this mess is not creative

 

Meanwhile, there is a sort of people who prefers to take not a full but a slight control over the process. I.e. imagine you're a kind of "boss" having good respect and credit among other bandmates. You come to the band with a new concept, explain them your view, provide a direction and leave enough space for personal creativity of each member. Then all of group members do their best... then some corrections follow... then another set of corrections. And, finally you and your friends say - OK, let's go with it.

 

Of course, this is a very abstract and ideal picture of creative process

 

Regards,

Denis

[TurboDog]

I'm going to disagree just a tad here. Friends are GREAT to jam with. But be careful starting a band with them. Kicking a best friend out of a band is always a nightmare situation. And, as Nolly pointed out, too often their styles don;t reflect yours.

 

As mentioned above, first decide what music you want to do. Be it original or covers, you want everybody on the same page.

 

Then just let the word get around. Open mic nights are great, even if you don't play. You can still talk to others.

 

It would be a huge help if you could get at least 1 person who has gigging experience. This will save everybody a lot of "live and learn" time.

 

Oh yeah, also look for people who have the same dedication as you, whether that is little of a ton. When 1/2 of the band want to practice 3times a week and the other 1/2 only every other week, youre doomed.

 

But if your pickings are slim, grab the best you can and have a great time.

[TurboDog]

I'm going to disagree just a tad here. Friends are GREAT to jam with. But be careful starting a band with them. Kicking a best friend out of a band is always a nightmare situation. And, as Nolly pointed out, too often their styles don;t reflect yours.

 

As mentioned above, first decide what music you want to do. Be it original or covers, you want everybody on the same page.

 

Then just let the word get around. Open mic nights are great, even if you don't play. You can still talk to others.

 

It would be a huge help if you could get at least 1 person who has gigging experience. This will save everybody a lot of "live and learn" time.

 

Oh yeah, also look for people who have the same dedication as you, whether that is little of a ton. When 1/2 of the band want to practice 3times a week and the other 1/2 only every other week, youre doomed.

 

But if your pickings are slim, grab the best you can and have a great time.

[henryrobinett]

Everyone here has great suggestions. I'd add a few things. It all depends on what level your doing this and/or hope to do it as. If it's just for fun almost anything goes. But one thing holds true for everyting, I think. Make sure you guys/gals AGREE on the goals and purposes of the group. What are the objectives and what is everyone willing to do? If you establish a lot of this stuff early on it saves a lot of headache, heartache later on. So try to find people who agree with the overall goals. That way you can avoid what Tedster referred to where one person is enthusiastic and another it feels like pulling teeth to get him to do anything.

 

I write it all down so we have a record of our agreements. Sit down and have a bull session. When a group just evolves on it's own it tends to do so unevenly and that's where problems begin. You just have to exert control, that evil word. It may be a little anal but I like to have a game pplan that we can look at and agree/disagree with. But it's not a working plan until everyone can agree with it. If not we don't yet have a "group".

 

If you are serious then you have to agree on how much you rehearse, style of music and the hats various members are to wear. Someone generally has to be willing to call the shots and others have to be willing to let him.

 

As far as finding people I think word of mouth is the best. Go out to where music you like is played and make yourself known. Let people know what you want to do. Most times you'll find folks or they'll find you.

 

My two cents.

[Rim]

Originally posted by Nollykin:

The problem is, Nathan, the lead guitarist, is a heavy / death metal fan... who would like to be playing music so heavy and so loud your head is likely to explode. David, our "chords man", 2nd guitarist, prefers the heavier side of things, and also leans toward industrial music. Myself, I prefer all types... but really would like to play my own stuff, which is very melodic metal, with a tune. Rachel, our bassist, is into the softer rock, smashing pumpkins, pearl jam, etc, as well as grunge - nirvana, etc... something I cannot STAND (grunge. heh. cant handle it ).

Hey Nolly,

 

If I remember correctly, I read the original members of Rage Against the Machine had a similar situation and they made it work. I think the drummer liked Metal, the bass player funk, dela Rocha liked Rap and I think Morello like classic rock. They were able to come up with something they all liked. Diversity can be good.

 

Try sticking with it a bit longer and see what develops. If you come up with something that everyone in your band likes, which is very important, then maybe your audience will dig it, too.

[michael saulnier]

It's fun to have or be in a band. But these are two different things.

 

If you HAVE a band, you're in charge, you're picking players who are willing to follow your direction and leadership in most things... you might have creative control, own the sound system, pick or write the songs, and so on. It's YOUR band.

 

Many top performers go this way. Jeff Beck's not in a band, he has a band that plays his music.

 

On the other hand, being IN a band is a much more democratic, (and often more problematic situation). Because there's often no clear leader, there can be more friction and heat... (but that's not always a bad thing, just different). But the advantage to this tradeoff in control is each player can bring more of themselves to the band, and the sum may be greater than the whole... The Beatles are a great example of this synergy.

 

If you go with the "in a band" thing, watch out about buying things like a PA or recording systems together... if you decide to leave or the band breaks up, it can be challenging to split things up fairly. It's okay if you buy the board, the bass player buys the monitors, the drummer has his own mic's and snake and so on... then everyone can take their things and call it a day!

 

Is it fun? That's always a good measure of whether you've made the right choice or not!

 

guitplayer

[jsull]

guitplayer said "watch out about buying things like a PA or recording systems together... if you decide to leave or the band breaks up, it can be challenging to split things up fairly."

This is EXTREMELY good advice. If you do that, you'll only do it once, believe me.

[Nollykin]

Originally posted by riffing:

Originally posted by Nollykin:

The problem is, Nathan, the lead guitarist, is a heavy / death metal fan... who would like to be playing music so heavy and so loud your head is likely to explode. David, our "chords man", 2nd guitarist, prefers the heavier side of things, and also leans toward industrial music. Myself, I prefer all types... but really would like to play my own stuff, which is very melodic metal, with a tune. Rachel, our bassist, is into the softer rock, smashing pumpkins, pearl jam, etc, as well as grunge - nirvana, etc... something I cannot STAND (grunge. heh. cant handle it ).

Hey Nolly,

 

If I remember correctly, I read the original members of Rage Against the Machine had a similar situation and they made it work. I think the drummer liked Metal, the bass player funk, dela Rocha liked Rap and I think Morello like classic rock. They were able to come up with something they all liked. Diversity can be good.

 

Try sticking with it a bit longer and see what develops. If you come up with something that everyone in your band likes, which is very important, then maybe your audience will dig it, too.

You DO have a point there - sometimes it works. And in RATMS case, they ended up with a unique style and sound. And that can be great... if that is what you are after, and all the band members are willing. Remember, most people dont want to play anything else.

 

 

Nolly

[eh steve]

primadonnas?

 

were you talking to me?

 

You've got some nerve... but at least you said it to my face...

yeah. sorry dude. i don't even know you. you make some very valid points and even though i don't know you , i was really just busting your balls.

 

GP said it well...

If you HAVE a band, you're in charge, you're picking players who are willing to follow your direction and leadership in most things... you might have creative control, own the sound system, pick or write the songs, and so on. It's YOUR band.

 

Many top performers go this way. Jeff Beck's not in a band, he has a band that plays his music.

just hire a band and tell them what to do, dude.

there is nothing wrong with that.

call a spade a spade and you have my respect.

 

i owe you a beer.

[timrocker]

Hi All;

Things I wish I had known and practiced when I was 18 and green. Bands are no different than any other cluster of people coming together in space and time. If there is no purpose, there is no purpose. Talent won't get it. Someone needs to know where the bus is going. Friendship can be "engineered", too. Fun can be engineered, too. Most bands operate on the idea that somehow a miracle will intervene and bring about the level of organization and focus that is necessary to get success. Any kind of success. That is similar to the suggestion that you can throw a deck of cards out of a 747 at cruising altitude and when it hits the ground it'll spell out your name with all the suits in order. If you can organize people and conduct business, my hat is off to you. There is a gentle and diplomatic way to achieve those things, and friendship often results along with fun and good times. But without organization, it won't happen. Good Luck!

[Nollykin]

Originally posted by W8less:

primadonnas?

 

were you talking to me?

 

You've got some nerve... but at least you said it to my face...

yeah. sorry dude. i don't even know you. you make some very valid points and even though i don't know you , i was really just busting your balls.

 

GP said it well...

If you HAVE a band, you're in charge, you're picking players who are willing to follow your direction and leadership in most things... you might have creative control, own the sound system, pick or write the songs, and so on. It's YOUR band.

 

Many top performers go this way. Jeff Beck's not in a band, he has a band that plays his music.

just hire a band and tell them what to do, dude.

there is nothing wrong with that.

call a spade a spade and you have my respect.

 

i owe you a beer.

haha - its cool, man. I thought you were just quick to criticise thats all.

 

Like I said - to put myself across as such a control freak is wrong, really. I like to be the frontman - but I sure as hell dont want to do it alone. I can work in a group, or in front of one... either way im not fussed. I expect I will be part of a band one day - I doubt I could ever hire one hehe

 

Im not as up myself as you think

 

I'll hold you to that beer one day.