Not Really A Band (advice)

Icarus26 · #1 11-04-2008, 10:04 PM

There's a group of friends that i jam with and were thinking of making a band with, but it's been a month since we've rehearsed. ive jammed with the guitarist, just us two, since we were the closest from the get go, but either than that we havent rehearsed as a full group.

i'm a firm believer that you get better when you practice with others and thats just not happening. i mean like all these guys well enough and share classes with all of them.

having no experience of being in an actual band, i have no idea where to start. i really want the band experience, so i'd like some tips on what i should be doing while we're not rehearsing and advice on moving towards the future.

llacnayr · #2 11-04-2008, 10:09 PM

Try desegnating a time of the week to have band practice. It also helps if your band starts off with a few cover songs that you all know before you go right into writing material.
Playing cover songs gives you a good idea of the style that everyone plays at, an example would be my drummer is REALLY heavy fisted and loud, so we have to turn up and play with more 'umph'

Good luck starting out though!

Icarus26 · #3 11-04-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llacnayr

Try desegnating a time of the week to have band practice. It also helps if your band starts off with a few cover songs that you all know before you go right into writing material.
Playing cover songs gives you a good idea of the style that everyone plays at, an example would be my drummer is REALLY heavy fisted and loud, so we have to turn up and play with more 'umph'

Good luck starting out though!

we try setting up a date. i have after school classes from 3:30-5:30 on tues and thurs, so thats out of the question. and then the other three weekdays, one of the other three members can't make it. i know it's partly my fault, but we don't even talk about what songs we should cover so we can practice individually.

being my last year, should i just practice by myself until i reach college and try to meet musicians that are interested in making a band there?

llacnayr · #4 11-05-2008, 07:07 AM

My band is always active on school days too, but what about like sunday nights when normally no one does anything?

What I do is establish a genre that everyone likes, then find an artist, then song. Just having a song that everyone already knows can help you.

You could, but it's always nice to play with other musicians because the bass is an accompaniment instrument that should be played with other instruments.

ErebusBass · #5 11-08-2008, 10:26 PM

In my experience, trying to get four or five musicians in the same room at the same time is one of the most difficult things in the world to do. Good luck.

**Stumbo** · #6 11-08-2008, 10:53 PM

Here's some TB threads that might interest you. Take a close look at the first one.

If only I knew then what I know now... If I only knew then
Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice
How to fire someone from a band How to fire a band member
Starting a cover/tribute band from scratch Starting a new band- how to audition
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/band-practice-tips-479102/#post6485940 Band practice tips
Band Practice Tips? Band practice tips
How often does your band rehearse? How often to have a band practice

bggeezer · #7 11-09-2008, 11:48 AM

First, you have to find 3-4 hours once a week which can suit you all. If you cant do that then its a bit of a non-starter.

Second, to kick off i would go for a genre, as has been stated.
Then find a few tunes you all like (three of four to start with will do).

Third, once you've got them down as a group, and you understand how you all fit together (strengths/ weaknesses etc), then go for half original material and half covers. Then dump most of the covers gradually as you get more of your own stuff.

That's what I'd do. Course by then you'll probably be at college!

lamonica78 · #8 11-09-2008, 12:04 PM

Let me ask you this....why haven't you all been able to get together for over a month? Have you tried scheduling a weekly practice?

From my experience, sometimes you just click with certain players and it becomes such a highlight of your week that you make it a priority to practice.....which will inevitably lead to some personal sacrifices. If your current jam-mates (for lack of a better term) are not interested in sacrificing some time each week to get things off the ground, you may just have to begin to look elsewhere because it certainly sounds like you are ready for something more serious.

Believe me, life is too short to waste time doing something that you are not 100 % into. I spent 5 years in a band that was going nowhere and I finally decided to make the jump to a band with more dedicated players. Since then, the last two years have been the best of my life and only looking to get even better in 09.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!