If you have been playing your instrument for a little while and have started to get a bit fed up of posing in the mirror, maybe it’s time to think about forming a band? Music is supposed to be shared and you will have 4 times as much fun if you ask your buddies to join in. You may be a little worried about where to begin, this article will give you a few tips and you will soon be on your way to rock and roll stardom, hopefully!

You Need Musicians!

 

Sorry for stating the obvious, but this is where it all begins. You will need a drummer, a bassist, at least one guitarist and a singer. This is easier said than done, most youngsters tend to start off playing guitar and there ends up being an excess of ‘axemen’ as a result. Drummers and bassists are particularly hard to come by, not many parents will relish the thought of their Sunday afternoon being ruined by a twenty minute drum solo. It is a good idea to choose mates, especially if you are still at school or college. If they are really bad, just tell them or you risk months or even years of musical torture.

Musical Style

 

You should all be on the same page regarding the genre you wish to represent, choose something that you all like, or otherwise there will be a split before too long. Think about your vocalist and his ability. It’s no good starting up a Led Zeppelin tribute band, if the singer can’t hold a tune. Your image also needs some consideration, in fact, these days the image is more important than the talent, sadly. As well as the style and the image, you have to find a name that is worthy of your time. Pick something unique with a little twist, alternatively just ask the next person on the street for a random name.

Rehearsal

This is where all of the hard work begins, and you can often end up hating the drummer or the vocalist after 30 minutes in a practice room. Bad habits will come to the fore and you need some real staying power to craft some tunes out of the mess you will start off creating. You should aim to rehearse for at least 2 or 3 hours once a week, after 3 months you should be able to hold a tune. If you can’t do any song justice, take a look at your group and think about the weak link.

The First Gig

Once you are confident that you don’t suck too badly, why not see if you can get a support gig somewhere locally? Pick a band that you know and see if they are happy to let you die on stage before they do. Choose a set list of about 10 songs and continue practicing as much as possible. When the big day, or night, arrives, just give it your best shot and have some fun. It will probably just be a blur and you will not remember too much about it.

No Looking Back

If your band has made it this far, you have outlasted about 80% of new bands already! Just keep on improving and honing your craft, one day you may just be quite good!

Attached Images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://pixabay.com/en/night-ranger-band-rock-music-83512/
•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source

Mike Miller is the author of today’s guest post. He is passionate about music and that’s what led him to work for Music Mart– a music school specializing in training amateur musicians. It is also a retailer of musical instruments.