Any tips for a first band?

[nicktheninja222]

So I just joined the first band I've ever been in. Go me! I'm the guitarist, since they already have a bassist and I play both instruments. We're all 16. Any tips for a dude in his first band?

[peetey]

Yeah, listen to your bass player.

[nicktheninja222]

Definitely.

[BadB]

Keep the bass down on your EQ.

[Dave Muscato]

Read this thread, all of it:

If only I knew then what I know now...

This one is good, too, if I may say so myself

TB Compilation: Must-Read Book Recommendations

Hope this helps. Let me know after you've read it if there's anything specific you'd like to talk about... also feel free to check out my Q&A website (see my link below, Go Ask Your Mama) and if there's anything else I can do. There's lots of good info already here if you look for it! Take care,

[ForSix]

Originally Posted by nicktheninja222

So I just joined the first band I've ever been in. Go me! I'm the guitarist, since they already have a bassist and I play both instruments. We're all 16. Any tips for a dude in his first band?

Learn to read music and wear nice clothes.

[BillMason]

Get started on a song list - pick about 30-40 songs that you all agree are cool. Arrange a 2-3 hour weekly band practice, where the intent is to make it through 5 songs at first, then 10, and keep pushing it up to about 20 or so. Be prepared for your first few band practices to not get through five songs, but make that your goal. Your 30-40 song list will change as you try songs and discard them due to difficulty, singer's level of comfort, etc. Make sure everyone commits to attempting to learn the songs outside of band practice, and make sure everyone is available through the week to help anyone else who is stuck. Give everyone an opportunity for input, too, and also an opportunity to sing. Drummers and bass players typically find singing and playing difficult, but don't let them cop out - allow them to say no, but make sure they at least try first.

And above all, don't be a d!ck.

[BillMason]

Also, take care with your volume levels - it's really difficult to make it through strange songs when you can't hear anyone else, and besides, how will you know if they're pulling their weight? Play as quietly as you are able, with the drums. And no noodling between songs or when someone is trying to talk, try something, or tune!

[IvanMike]

have fun

keep the volume down to a reasonable level

be super polite to whoever is letting you use their house to practice (i'm 40 and my old band still plays our old drummer's mom's parties for free and we haven't practiced in her house for 20 years)

make sure the drummer and bass player are locked in and that everyone else follow them.

have more fun

don't take yourself too seriously

play easy songs at first

have more fun

relax

[low-endz]

Originally Posted by BadB

Keep the bass down on your EQ.

+1 I wish my guitarist would do this.

He's all " Sorry man I dont play high bluesy stuff"

So then I go all treble and He's goes " He man you gotz no low end" IN wich I respond drop the EQd bass and stop off the damn octave pedal and I'll ease off the bass treble.

[Stumbo]

Wear ear plugs. Get some custom made ones asap.
Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs Protect your hearing! Wear ear plugs!

[bassninja7]

1. boot the bassist and YOU play bass.
2. thanks us later.

[hbarcat]

Establish your goals, ambitions, practice and gig rules and other important band decisions UP FRONT. Especially decisions involving money.

You don't want to find the band breaking up 6 months from now because you all argued about logistics when the music was going great.

[theshadow2001]

Have fun.

It's going to be a long time before this gets serious.

Don't get caught up in teenage drama

Keep playing bass

[IanStephenson]

Play in time.
Wear ear plugs.
Don't sleep with anyone in the band and/or their GF/BF.

Don't take it too seriously, and learn from the experience - it won't be your last band.

[jsingles]

dont play freebird

[dreadheadbass]

main thing is have fun

the other thing i'd say speaking from personal experience is be nice to other bands you play with,
there seems to be a growing trend in younger bands where they view every jam night as a competition and act like mortal enimies towards any other band on the night.... dont be one of them

dont be the guitarist who drowns the bass out

be prepared for singer hissy fits and storm outs

be prepared for some older bands to treat you like amatuers (i met a few in the early days)

1st gig always goes one of two ways complete success or total failiure there is no inbetween dont let it go to your head and dont let it get you down

be warned playing guitar for long periods of time can cause the arrogance gland in the brain to swell and can lead to shrinking of the genitals

[jsingles]

Originally Posted by dreadheadbass

be warned playing guitar for long periods of time can cause the arrogance gland in the brain to swell and can lead to shrinking of the genitals

hahaha

[bluewine]

Establish a mission statement outling the goals of the band.

An example of a goal might be to pick 3 sets of songs that you all agree on, then learn them, practice until you can play them blind folded.

Another goal might be that you want to have at least 3 Gigs a month.

Then be a Band, don't just play together, hang out together, become friends, and show up at places together (make a scene) get to know the parents of your band mates at your age they might prove to be helpful.

Oh, one last thing wear cool clothes, don't look like bums. If you do, nobody will take your band seriously.

Hope this helps

blue

[JohnnyPustular]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Then be a Band, don't just play together, hang out together, become friends, and show up at places together (make a scene) get to know the parents of your band mates at your age they might prove to be helpful.

Oh, one last thing wear cool clothes, don't look like bums.

blue

+1 and listen to the same music and some different music each.