Young Musicians in Need Of Tips!

[buddysilver]

So I am in a band with my friends, as we are all freshmen in high school and we pretty much suck IMO.

My best friend is the spazzy guitar player and always lives in his own world pretty much (is this like most guitar players?) and always argues with us for no reason. We have the best singer available (not even with his voice, just his musical ability, and his preparedness and responsibility) and the drummer is good for how long he actually played.

So me and our guitarist DO take lessons from the same teacher down the street. Great guitarist and amazing bass player, he plays in a local band named Frog Holler. So we are always improving.

There is this rival band who ALWAYS try to show us up either in gear (they brought 400 pounds of equipment to play 1 song at a school TALENT SHOW) or in gigs , like today they played after the football game and STOLE OUR set because apparently "We stole theirs." But we atleast write some material.

But anyway this is our set:
Seven Nation Army
Beverly Hills
Wonderwall ( for the girls )
Plush
Signs by Tesla
Peaches
Santa Monica
Free Falling (unfortunately)
Ain't No Rest for the wicked
Our first original song
Our second original song (in progress)

We just started to have a set band practice every monday and i was wondering if any more experienced musicians out there with any great useful advice for finding gigs, playing together, playing easy covers, and writing good original songs would like to share some tips for the future generations

[bassybill]

Practise constructively every day if you can, listen as widely as you can, learn some basic music theory, learn to read music, play as much music in as wide a variety of styles as you can find, and play with all the people who will let you, especially if they're more advanced than you are.

Did I mention learning to read music? Oh yeah.

[Chuck King]

If you really want to be good, it's important to be very realistic assessing your own performance. Always try to improve. It's nice to get compliments from your friends and relatives, but take that kind of praise with a grain of salt---that audience is not objective. It's not a big deal if you "pretty much suck" now; as long as you make improving your performance a priority, you may be surprised at what you can accomplish with some work.

But to keep clear on what you're doing, you should record rehearsals and listen back to the recordings. It can be a merciless mirror!

There may not really be a way around it when you're a beginner playing with other beginners, but . . . there are dangers to forming bands with your friends. I'm not sure if that's what you've done or not, but many people have introduced stress into their lives and friendships by forming a band with other people who, as they grow and progress, turn out not to have the same level of talent or drive, which puts them in an awkward position of either limiting their musical options, or having to fire a friend, or walk out on friends.

You won't be playing gigs in bars for a while, so you will need to find other alternate venues to perform. House parties are an obvious option, and community events like block parties may also be a possibility. Your set list should go over with a wide general audience. Don't overlook the possibility of promoting your own shows: get a few bands, rent a space and a PA, and charge a cover to recoup the cost. You may need the help of a parent to sign the contracts.

Good luck!

[thehippie]

what is so unfortunate about Free Fallin?..

I mean ya gotta love Tom Petty...

[Wasted Bassist]

I just started my first year of college, and I'm currently with my band that started when we were all freshmen in high school. Some words of wisdom from someone who was in your position not too long ago. Coffee shops are always a good bet. There are a few places that have bands play on weekends. I'm sure there's something similar in your area. One important tip is to try hard to meet other bands in your area. Making connections with other bands is the best way to get shows. If someone hooks you up with a show, try to repay the favor. Having a good business relationship with other bands (especially those that've been around longer/are more experienced) is absolutely vital. I've seen plenty of bands fall to the wayside for being dicks to other bands or the people that come to their shows.

As for writing material, theory will definately help you write songs so you don't just sit and diddle with chords thinking "Does this sound good? Nope... How bout this?"

Playing together is something that starts with you and the drummer. If you two are in synch, you'll be a good foundation for the rest of the group.

Also, the guitarist sound like a bit of a douche. Sort that out.

[Crazyeelboy]

Buddysilver - first off, congratulations on putting a band together! Lots of good advice above, so I won't repeat what they said so much, but here's some more stuff:

1) Practice all the time - get to know music and your instrument as well as you can - it is a lifetime learning process and you are setting the foundation for yourself as a musician now.

2) Don't worry about competition with another band. Be the best band you can and be friends with these guys - they are your colleagues. You may even find that you will want to play with them later.

3) Don't take things too seriously between the band members. It does not matter that much exactly which songs you play so long as you play them well. Back when I was doing the band thing in high school - I was happy to play any song so long as we could do it well.

Realize that as young musicians, there is a lot of insecurity in the band and don't let that mess up your relationships. Be cool about things.

4) Play as many gigs as you can and jam with as many people as you can. Get out and circulate.

5) Never say a bad word about your band, another band or other musicians. Never.

6) Have your stuff together - make sure your gear is ready to go when needed. Show up on time. Know your parts before rehearsal and gigs and expect the same from your bandmates.

7) Don't let being a musician be an excuse to drink or use drugs. It is not cool, it does not build a cool image and it does not make you play better.

8) Wear good hearing protection now. This is as important as wearing a helmet in football. Really. You WILL damage your hearing if you don't wear protection. Tell that to your parents today and go to a hearing aid place to get some made. You need protection before you need a new bass, amp, strap, effect or anything else.

[JoZac21]

Practice a hell of a lot and simply up stage them.

Also, I was 9 when most of these songs came out... meaning, if you're in high school, you were maybe 4... perhaps update your set?

[Joronamo]

Originally Posted by JoZac21

Practice a hell of a lot and simply up stage them.

Also, I was 9 when most of these songs came out... meaning, if you're in high school, you were maybe 4... perhaps update your set?

Whats wrong with playing old classics? At least their not playing fall out boy or something.

[eddahenry]

Play your original songs mid set and not back to back .
Unfortunally where you will be playing with a younger crowds you are lickley to lose them because they dont know the songs.
so dont finish with 2 original songs stick to the ones people know so they remeber you for you
its unfortunte but true

[JoZac21]

Originally Posted by Joronamo

Whats wrong with playing old classics? At least their playing fall out boy or something.

Old classics?? Are the tunes of my childhood now "oldies"? OMG... I'm not even married yet!

[EatADeadGoat]

Toss in a Metallica song. Even if you're not metalheads, people will recognize it. Play an easy one, like For Whom the Bell Tolls. Just don't let them know it's easy. People automatically think that being able to play metallica = god.

That could help if you want to one up the other band, who seem like they're being a bunch of dicks.

EDIT: And stop saying that you suck. There is a difference. Playing for a few months and not being good = lack of experience. Playing for 12 years and not sounding good/unable to work with a group effectively = suck.

[Joronamo]

Jozac you are the one that implied they are old classics because you said they need to update their setlist.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

5) Never say a bad word about your band, another band or other musicians. Never.

This should have been #1!

At the stage in the game where you guys are at the moment, I'd say 2/3rds of the people playing in bands will not be playing after the age of 25 or so.

One of the guys from the "Other band" may just end up being your drummer or guitar player in 2030.

Network. Do it early, do it often.

[JoZac21]

Originally Posted by Joronamo

Jozac you are the one that implied they are old classics because you said they need to update their setlist.

Truth, but "old classics" was your phrase... it's just funny to think of "Peaches" as an old classic. Sarcasm is very difficult on the computer...

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by buddysilver

My best friend is the ...guitar player ...and always argues with us for no reason.

been there, done that.
long story, ultimately the friendship died painfully.

Having close friends in band can be great, and is typical for young players. But realize that the adage "never go into business with a friend" exists for a reason. When the importance of the friendship and the importance of the band become confused, bands and friendships can quickly explode.

For the sake of your friendship establish and get him to agree to some boundaries for what is appropriate to argue about in a band setting. Do your best together to resolve disagreements quickly and get back to the music. Refuse to drag an argument across several days/weeks/years. Find out what's up with him, why he's always arguing, be sure he is not taking musical /band /artistic differences personally.

I could be wrong, but if your situation is similar to what mine was, you're walking a tight rope. good luck.

[omnimutant]

Young Musicians in Need Of Tips!

1. Make sure your having fun, because without fun it's pointless. Your enjoyment carries into the crowd and they feed of the good vibe, and return it, which is a really cool feeling.

2. Take some time off from gigging( if you are) and write an entire set worth of originals. If your going to play any original music, it's best to make that the meat of your set. A few covers here and there that fit your style thrown into the mix doesn't hurt, but if you not aiming to be a "cover band" then you should have enough original music to fill a 30-45 minute set at the very least.

3. Getting gig's depends entirely on your local scene. For example, in Phoenix where I live, it's almost impossible to find all ages shows, and most of the Local Music consists of a rather large bar crowd. Most the bars around here you can just call up and ask, and will provide you booking info. Out here, it's usually 3 - 5 bands a night on weekends, doing about 30 minutes of material each and the Headliner Plays a little longer. It's really laid back out here and unless a promoter has specifically set up a show with an out of town band, chances are your not getting paid or getting free beer and maybe a couple of bucks on a good night. But every city is different.

4. Competition makes your stronger. If you have a band that's becoming a rival, aim to crush them the next time. Then when you do, kick back and make friends with them. You'll find in the music biz, the more people you know the better. Different Bands have different connections, and all those resources may become valuable to tap into in the future. Not to mention, some of those Cats you hate right now, may end up in a band with you later on down the road.

5. It's good to take some aspects seriously, but don't take it too seriously all of the time. See Tip #1

[Stumbo]

Check out the link in my sig. below. Lots of great TB info there for you and your band.

Good luck.

[scsm]

You situation sounds exactly like mine when I started. I had a band with 3 other friends, and we had a "rival" band.

1. Don't worry about gear.

Seriously, the name on the headstock does not make you or your band any better musically at all. Trying to have more expensive gear then the other band doesn't prove anything other then you probably have rich parents and are spoiled brats. When my band started we also were constantly having gear wars with the other band. As long as you have enough gear to be heard by the audience just call it good.

2. My guitarist was spazzy in the beginning too. I have no pointers on that he just eventually got out of it.

3. Pay attention in your lessons. If he gives you "homework" practice it until you can do it in your sleep.

4. Don't worry about the other band. You'll find you spend most of your band practice b@#%$ing about the other band instead of writing/learning new songs. Its a waste of time and accomplishes nothing.

5. With that said when you learn new songs don't tell anyone until you play them live. That way you the other band can't steal them.

6. Practice your bands songs everyday. If its a cover or original run through them everyday multiple times. You should know them like the back of your hand.

7. Practice like you are on stage. My high school choir teacher actually told me this. It might feel REALLY stupid in the beginning but it DRASTICALLY helps your stage presence. When you are just running through songs with the band stand up, jump around, do whatever you would do on stage. If you are sitting in band practice you fail. If you are working out difficult sections of songs or learning one for the first time you obviously can focus on the playing correctly but once you get the idea then you need to move around. With that said if you have space set up your practice space like you would set up for a concert.

8. Video tape your performances. Watch it as a band and take notes and then discuss what you need to improve on. "Time between songs, singer never faces crowd, we played way to fast, etc"

[buddysilver]

Thanks everyone! We have been doing your advice and have now distanced ourselves from the other band. We played quite a few local open mic nights and are now have a paid gig in the near future.

Hopefully we will now have enough to get a decent recorder, apparently flip video cameras do not have good audio quality AT ALL. So after being ridiculed (apparently our guitar player sounds like a PANFLUTE ) we decided on getting a Zoom H2 or H4.

The only obstacle now is trying to schedule around sports but we'll make do

But thanks everybody for your input, and expect me to hang around this website more.

[Wasted Bassist]

Originally Posted by buddysilver

The only obstacle now is trying to schedule around sports but we'll make do

Sports? Who the hell plays sports?