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Any tips for a first band?

#5
#7
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. :)
 
#8
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!
 
#9
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
 
#13
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.
 
#17
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
 
#19
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
 

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