Tips for starting a band.

Okays, I'm currently in a band and I think we're doing well, we're about to do our first ever show, we have a solid line up and are currently having the time of our lives. I'm gunna give some tips I've picked up from my current band and past bands...

The most important thing to remember is, that when your starting a band its supposed to be fun. Don't let it stress you out. Get together with some mates and play music, make sure the band members you choose are the members who you get on with and who you love. Otherwise there is no way it will work, in the end your creating together and sharing emotions and you can't do that with someone who you don't know well/like.

Make sure everyone in your band is as serious as you. I've been in bands where people can't be bothered to turn up, have other commitments or just turn up and muck around. A little bit of joking around is one of the best things about being in a band, but as long as your still getting stuff done it can be rewarding.

Weather someone is self taught or had a teacher shouldn't matter. Just make sure you can play you instrument and your band mates can. There is nothing more annoying than having a band mate who can't play. And when writing always keep in mind all your knowledge from the basics to the more technical stuff.

Compromise. Your not always going to agree. It's all about a bit of give and take. Kinda like being married!

Don't spend a fortune on your rehearsal space. My band practice at a youth club, and its £2.50 for our whole band to practice for as long as we want. We also get cheap recording for when we record our demos etc.

You are in no rush to start gigging/build a fanbase or whatever, nor are you in a rush to think of a name. Take your time, get enough DECENT songs before you perform. You have no idea how nerve wracking it is when your supposed to be on stage in 10 minutes and you KNOW the crowd are gunna think you suck because you've rushed writing your songs and aren't rehearsed. And a name should represent you as a band.

Get to know people in your local music scene, it will make it so much easier when it comes to booking gigs.

When you get to touring/playing shows, don't be suprised if its not what you expect. People will fuck you about. Other bands, promoters, venues. ANYONE. There are decent guys doing things well and are willing to help you out, but keep an eye open, not everyone is gunna be that legit.

Touring isn't what it seems. It's low pay (if your even getting payed), and hard work. I know a band whos bassist only gets £6 a night. Now think that he has to pay for rent, petrol, food, drink, instruments/van maintance...on £6. It's tough. I also know of a band who did a 31 day tour around the UK in support of a band, and they were only given £200 for petrol for the whole tour. They weren't getting paid, they just wanted to play shows. So yeah, just remember, its a hard fight to the top.

These are just from personal experience, so these are tips for when you're just starting up:

-If you're too shy to put out an advertisement for players or other musicians, another good way to find guitar-players/singers etc. is just by asking around. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher if he knows anyone else who plays, or friends if they know any drummers. You'd be surprised who you could get introduced to just by asking a friend of a friend if he knows any musicians.

-It also helps if you tell people that you play, I know that sounds kind of stupid, but it helps. I kept telling people who I met that I played, just in a casual way, and one day I got a call from someone who needed a fill-in guitar player. Eventually, I became permanent. I've been in that band for almost a year and it's probably the best thing ever.

-I know it can be awkward getting together for the first time, because some times, the band consists of people you barely know. If that happens, just put yourself out there, don't be afraid to play in front of them and definitely don't be afraid of playing badly. Sometimes playing, and having a good time is way better than being all self-conscious as to whether or not you're good enough. Chances are, the band is looking for someone who is comfortable with what they're doing and having fun, not all paranoid and self-conscious.

-I know some female guitarists are all scared of sexism or whatever, but here's a tip, don't even acknowledge it. If you go into an audition, or want to start a band, don't be afraid of being 'discriminated' against. Just play, and have fun. I was talking to the lead singer of a local band I know, and he told me that he has nothing against chicks playing guitar, he just cares whether or not they can play. So, don't freak out, don't even acknowledge it. That's only if your scared. Personally, I don't think there's anything to be scared of. Most people don't care if you're a guy a gal or an alien from Mars...okay maybe they'd care about that, but that's not the point. Just practice, practice, practice and don't be afraid.

- Also, if you're the only girl in the band (like me) don't be intimidated. Haha. I know it sounds stupid, but I can't count how many times someone has said, "Wow. All of them are guys? Sounds scary."

- There's a zillion different ways to go about writing songs, so I don't know what tips I can give anyone, but an easy way to go about things is to write the lyrics, then find a melody, then write the music itself. Another way would be to find a riff that everyone likes, then write lyrics and a melody to it. That's pretty much all I can say.

-Myspace is your best friend, love and nurture your myspace like a child.

-Show up super early to gigs, as early as possible, make sure your wearing something comfortable and make sure you're equipment is functional. If something weird happens to a piece of equipment, like your amp suddenly starts making freakish noises when you're not even doing anything don't be afraid to ask someone who knows what they're doing for help.

-If you don't feel well before a gig, say so! This is majorly important! You do not want to end up like me, going on stage and sitting on your knees for two songs before barfing your guts up in front of everyone. It's not fun! If you start feeling really nauseous or light-headed, tell someone. Chances are, they can find you some help, some Pepto Bismol, I don't know, but it's better if your band-mates know so that if worse comes to worse and you get sick, the whole song won't be ruined, they'll at least be somewhat prepared.

That's all I've got for right now. Haha.

I'm thinking of starting a band in my senior year. My question though: what about age differences between members? I've seen ads on the bulletin board in the guitar shop I go to for lessons, but I was wondering about that.

^^^ It's not massively important. But I suggest as your 15, don't join a band with anyone older than 18. Above there, your other members may have a different veiw of where they can take the band, and no longer being in school, you may find it difficult to make practices/travelling.

I want to sing more than anything in my life, and I think I could make it; not to sound stuck up or anything, but I can sing really pretty well. I don't know of any bands around where I live that need a singer, and I can't play an instrument. I'd like to start a band, but I can't write songs worth anything. I was thinking about kinda starting out on my own, and getting someone to write songs for me, but I think that's kind of taking the easy way out, and I don't remember ever hearing of a rock singer (I do not sing anything other than rock), only rock bands.. I've gotten some ideas on how to start a band by reading this forum, but think I have any hope? And I dunno if there's a technique or anything and I feel kinda stupid for asking, but how do you write a song?

Not really any technique, a lot of people focus on structure because it hold the song together. Honestly, you can write anything and sing it. Music is expanding these days and people are accepting more. The most popular songs have one of a few standard structures, because choruses are what listeners remember and if you surround the chorus with complementing verses, interludes, bridges etc. then it'll be a good song to listen to. There's not any 'rules' per se.

Starting a band can be troublesome. Your best bet would be to avertise either your abilities or asking for band members and hope. I found the easiest way to start a band was by surrounding myself with musicians, you get to know them and opportunities come up. You can start going to local gigs or just start making more friend who are musically inclined, even studying music somewhere is great. If you study modern music they'll usually break the classes up into bands anyway, and even though you may not get along with every band member you get assigned (you may get along with all of them perfectly! But not always), you usually leave having a couple people you keep in touch with to pursue opportunities later.

If you sing rock, you may want to start small, maybe find a guitarist that can play a mad acoustic and start doing small acoustic gigs around town? There's bound to be people who'd be interested in scaling that up.

Hope that helped