I would recommend exactly the opposite. I would NEVER join an existing band unless I was in it purely for the cash. I started my own band, handpicked my band mates and I pretty much decide what music we play. I get very little dissent from my band mates because, well, I picked them for their ability, style and taste in music.
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Getting A Band Together: Do's and Don't's?
- Thread starter MarcTheRogue
- Start date
I would recommend exactly the opposite. I would NEVER join an existing band unless I was in it purely for the cash. I started my own band, handpicked my band mates and I pretty much decide what music we play. I get very little dissent from my band mates because, well, I picked them for their ability, style and taste in music.
Perhaps not for you, but every band that Ive ever started from scratch was definitely worth every ounce of effort that was put into it.
Every band that I joined up with seemed to never get their crap together.
My band has not even got off the ground yet. We don't have a drummer (we're working on it. not many drummers, though the guitarist is thinking about switching to drums) The singer isn't all that great, and the second guitarist isn't improving at all. (she's been taking lessons for quite a while now)
We're probably changing the lineup soon since me and the guitarist are the only ones with any shred of musical skill, and the others aren't taking it seriously.
I'd think a major don't would be to set up a gig without making sure all the members can make it, so they don't end up bailing.
We're probably changing the lineup soon since me and the guitarist are the only ones with any shred of musical skill, and the others aren't taking it seriously.
I'd think a major don't would be to set up a gig without making sure all the members can make it, so they don't end up bailing.
i would second that you check how much people actually listen. We had a keyboard sub in the cover band and he was playing solos over the guitar player's solos. Neither one realized that the other person was *also* soloing.
and be realistic about people's vocal abilities. Everyone can sing but some people just don't realize what they actually sound like, and the bandmates are sometimes too busy playing their own parts to realize that their singer stinks.
Record rehearsals and even auditions and listen back.
and be realistic about people's vocal abilities. Everyone can sing but some people just don't realize what they actually sound like, and the bandmates are sometimes too busy playing their own parts to realize that their singer stinks.
Record rehearsals and even auditions and listen back.
Exactly, because if you distract them by doing that mid-solo or with their back turned, they might mess up or turn around and accidentally whack you with their headstock. So make sure to do a friendly wave or wait until you can catch their attention afterwards....
Thanks, Pow! I can sort of relate to your recording studio story. This guy came to me and asked me to play for his "death metal" band. I knew right from the start it wasn't death metal at all. Read off some his lyrics that totally didn't fit the genre. He claimed that he had a professional studio set up at his place. I never bothered, thankfully, since my other bassist friend tells me that it's just a walk-in closet with a laptop, an amp, and a crap load of knockoff instruments. That, and he was apparently the cousin of the drummer for The Devil Wears Prada.
Yeah, it was an instantaneous "no."
Now I hear one of my friends is his bass player. I tried giving him bass lessons, but he pretty much completely ignored them. Then he tried telling me that he mastered the instrument. Which was a total lie, since he doesn't trim his finger nails and rests his thumb on the body of the bass. Then he tried telling me "How does it feel to play an instrument that I mastered in 8 days?" I laughed so hard that he thought I was a psychopath. He's jealous of my bass playing anyway, and he thinks that I am godly at bass. I take it with a grain of salt, since there are a lot better bassists out there than me. However, most of the bassists around here are awful. So I guess that's a plus?
That band has never gigged, though. But I expect that just through studio-guy's connection with his cousin, they'll get famous just because of that. Not through actual gigging or work, but by privilege.
Prepare for another generic metalcore band, ladies and gents.
Been there, done that. Tried rhythm guitar for a pop-punk band that had just got rid of their vocalist and only guitarist. They told me that I would be tried out for a month with the whole band. I got cut in three days because their vocalist came back and then kicked me out without other band members' consent. Douche..
However, that band broke up 3 weeks later. They tried giving their guitarist crap for being an actual prodigy, claiming that his style of music was "too old and outdated." Which was total crap because after they did their first show with him, like ten girls all lined up to get his photo and give him their numbers. The look of jealousy on their faces was priceless.
After he left, that band died in an instant. Nobody could play guitar for them (even though it was ever-so simple) or would play for them because the vocalist's attitude gave the band a bad reputation.
Around here, not usually.
Oh, I've had to deal with the couples in bands sort of thing. It was two singers, and they both ended up making out in our drummer's kitchen. On top of that, our drummer had an attitude problem and threatened to kick everyone out of "his" project one hour into the first rehearsal. What's worse is that I could out-solo the guitarist we had. There really isn't a word to describe that one and only rehearsal without having the word "cluster" in it.
Thanks for the posts everyone! You all make me very happy to be a bassist.
Thanks, Pow! I can sort of relate to your recording studio story. This guy came to me and asked me to play for his "death metal" band. I knew right from the start it wasn't death metal at all. Read off some his lyrics that totally didn't fit the genre. He claimed that he had a professional studio set up at his place. I never bothered, thankfully, since my other bassist friend tells me that it's just a walk-in closet with a laptop, an amp, and a crap load of knockoff instruments. That, and he was apparently the cousin of the drummer for The Devil Wears Prada.
Yeah, it was an instantaneous "no."
Now I hear one of my friends is his bass player. I tried giving him bass lessons, but he pretty much completely ignored them. Then he tried telling me that he mastered the instrument. Which was a total lie, since he doesn't trim his finger nails and rests his thumb on the body of the bass. Then he tried telling me "How does it feel to play an instrument that I mastered in 8 days?" I laughed so hard that he thought I was a psychopath. He's jealous of my bass playing anyway, and he thinks that I am godly at bass. I take it with a grain of salt, since there are a lot better bassists out there than me. However, most of the bassists around here are awful. So I guess that's a plus?
That band has never gigged, though. But I expect that just through studio-guy's connection with his cousin, they'll get famous just because of that. Not through actual gigging or work, but by privilege.
Prepare for another generic metalcore band, ladies and gents.
Been there, done that. Tried rhythm guitar for a pop-punk band that had just got rid of their vocalist and only guitarist. They told me that I would be tried out for a month with the whole band. I got cut in three days because their vocalist came back and then kicked me out without other band members' consent. Douche..
However, that band broke up 3 weeks later. They tried giving their guitarist crap for being an actual prodigy, claiming that his style of music was "too old and outdated." Which was total crap because after they did their first show with him, like ten girls all lined up to get his photo and give him their numbers. The look of jealousy on their faces was priceless.
After he left, that band died in an instant. Nobody could play guitar for them (even though it was ever-so simple) or would play for them because the vocalist's attitude gave the band a bad reputation.
Around here, not usually.
Oh, I've had to deal with the couples in bands sort of thing. It was two singers, and they both ended up making out in our drummer's kitchen. On top of that, our drummer had an attitude problem and threatened to kick everyone out of "his" project one hour into the first rehearsal. What's worse is that I could out-solo the guitarist we had. There really isn't a word to describe that one and only rehearsal without having the word "cluster" in it.
Thanks for the posts everyone! You all make me very happy to be a bassist.
Lol, sound like you had a bad run. Gotta admit, I love hearing dysfunctional band and rehearsal stories, and I've got a few of my own
Lol, sound like you had a bad run. Gotta admit, I love hearing dysfunctional band and rehearsal stories, and I've got a few of my own
Yeah, my primary genre is metal. However, when I say metal music, these kids think I want to play that post-hardcore garbage. That's one of the main reasons that I haven't had such a good run with joining a band. Even the older metalhead crowd can get a little ridiculous.
There is one metal band here whose name I can't even post on this forum it's so vulgar. They play their shows live in barefeet with tank tops and exercise shorts. They have an album out, and have been recognized on death metal websites, podcasts, and magazines across the country. However, it just irks me how unprofessional they are about it. Wear some pants with a chain and some combat boots for metal's sake!
My new Peavey bass that I got was from an another metal bassist. When I saw a video of what that guy did to that bass in a jam session, I cuddled it. I cuddled it a lot and said that everything would be alright.
Just because of the utter poser doucheness on the high school side, and the unprofessionalism and pure instrument abuse on the older metalhead side, it has been making me lean to more blues, jazz, and progressive music just to be able to play with people who know how to be musicians.
Just don't get me started on the acoustic hipster crowd.
Yeah, I guess you can say that I am rather disappointed by the music scene in my area.
Oh, if I knew then what I know now!
Although, really just three things:
Oh, and it's much harder to fire people than it is to hire them.
Although, really just three things:
- Show up on time
- Come prepared
- Be easy to work with
Oh, and it's much harder to fire people than it is to hire them.
You sound like me a few years ago. The scene still sucks, but I started playing in cover bands because A. You actually get paid and B. the other musos are more professionally oriented, at least the ones I play with. Yeah, some of the songs I play aren't songs I actually like, but they make women dance. I'm still doing a couple originals bands, but we're taking our time and not rushing for the next pay-to-play show with a bunch of crappy bands sharing the bill. It's working out alright for us.
Wouldn't it be great If all musicians could just show up in an established band, learn the songs and start playing gigs? Don't worry about all that management and booking crap.....just play bass!!!!!
Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way, especially at the OPs age. Somebody has to do the work and put forth the effort. So many musicians, especially around here, just want to show up and play, and think all the work of being a band just happens by magic. There are a lot of opportunities for those willing to do the work. If you just want to show up and play, you're pretty replaceable.
Do's and Don't's
Do's
I hope some of this has been helpful to you. Good luck on your endeavor, and remember, once you are in a good band, there is no need to get a job, finish school, or do anything else, because you are pretty much guaranteed the good life of a major international rock star. Get used to the idea of limousines, private planes, women throwing themselves at you, and buckets and buckets filled with gold coins, because from this point on, there is no chance of things turning out any other way.*
*Do not actually take this advice
Do's
- Do talk to everyone about their musical vision
- Do make sure everyone's on the same page
- Do make sure and only use people who can actually play their instruments
- Do make sure and only use people who actually own instruments
- Do make sure everyone can supply gear, (amps, mics, cords, etc)
- Do get a PA
- Do actually have rehearsals where you get the songs to sound good, and not just jam sessions
- Don't hire Steve. Steve looks good, and the girls like him, but he is a jerk
- Don't hire Unicorns. Unicorns can do a lot to bring in an audience, but the drawbacks outnumber the benefits. First of all, Unicorns are notoriously bad at timing. Secondly, Unicorns are very sensitive, due to being mythical creatures. Most importantly, Unicorns don't exist, and have never existed, and having one in your band doesn't say anything good to potential backers, players and audience members about your sanity
- Don't hire Edna. Sure, Edna can sing, but Edna is vain, and will make everything about her. And frankly, no one wants to come see a singer named Edna
- Don't play gigs in your striped pajamas. It's been done before, and it will make the audience sleepy
- Don't have the entire band diagnosed as depressive, and then have them put on Zoloft. Bands on Zoloft are never very interesting, and have little chance of making it
- Don't eat razor blades. They may look appealing, being all shiny, but they are simply not worth the pain
- Don't eat yellow snow. There's a reason that snow is yellow, and it's not a reason that involves proper nutrition
- Don't hunt Yaks. No matter what you've heard, Yaks do not like being hunted. And remember, sometimes when you are hunting quadrupeds, you have to be conscious of what may or may not be hunting YOU
- Don't put all your money into savings. Savings pays a ridiculously low interest rate, and you are pretty much helping to finance the bank. Take the time to learn about proper investments, and you can build yourself a nice little nest egg in no time. DO NOT eat the nest egg. It may be tasty, but it will be far more rewarding once it has developed into a cheese omelet.
I hope some of this has been helpful to you. Good luck on your endeavor, and remember, once you are in a good band, there is no need to get a job, finish school, or do anything else, because you are pretty much guaranteed the good life of a major international rock star. Get used to the idea of limousines, private planes, women throwing themselves at you, and buckets and buckets filled with gold coins, because from this point on, there is no chance of things turning out any other way.*
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*Do not actually take this advice
Dont
- sign a contract without taking 24 hrs to look it over with your band mates
-show disappointment with band mates or critique each other after you get off stage save it for the next day enjoy the night.
-sleep with your fans. Flirting is fine, most girls can't seperate sex from business and playing music is your business.
- believe anyone who promises to help you till they actually try to help you, there are alot of bs people in this industry that get in to live a fantasy and will talk them selves up, and try to ride your coat tails and waste your time.
-show up late to a gig
-insult the sound guy or venue owner, these people are all connected and you piss off one it will get around.
-talk **** about other bands, that will end your career real quick
-get drunk before a show. Thats stupid and ur gonna suck
Do
-show up during the day to inquire about booking
-follow up on emails and phone calls with in person visits
- treat the bartenders, sound guys and door guys with respect
-be nice to other bands and help them promote, it will come back to you. Other bands are the best source for information about your particular scene and more established bands are always looking for good openers, and will help you get paid.
- sign a contract without taking 24 hrs to look it over with your band mates
-show disappointment with band mates or critique each other after you get off stage save it for the next day enjoy the night.
-sleep with your fans. Flirting is fine, most girls can't seperate sex from business and playing music is your business.
- believe anyone who promises to help you till they actually try to help you, there are alot of bs people in this industry that get in to live a fantasy and will talk them selves up, and try to ride your coat tails and waste your time.
-show up late to a gig
-insult the sound guy or venue owner, these people are all connected and you piss off one it will get around.
-talk **** about other bands, that will end your career real quick
-get drunk before a show. Thats stupid and ur gonna suck
Do
-show up during the day to inquire about booking
-follow up on emails and phone calls with in person visits
- treat the bartenders, sound guys and door guys with respect
-be nice to other bands and help them promote, it will come back to you. Other bands are the best source for information about your particular scene and more established bands are always looking for good openers, and will help you get paid.
This. My band was stuck in start up mode until we committed to play a couple of Open Mic nights.
Also, if you can find someone with previous band experience, it will help your learning curve.
I'm not sure if these were covered already, but try to get all your players from the same location as you - a 20-30 minute drive at the most. And keep the band as small as possible - it's hard enough to schedule rehearsals with a duo and it gets near impossible scheduling 6-8 people for free. At 16 years old these points may not be as important as the other ones people have made, but you'll want to remember them when you're older.
