Setting up first band - what should I do?

[pengyou40]

Is the guy who will play drums the only one with no experience with his instrument? If I understood your post correctly, you said you're new at bass but are practicing frequently. My advice would be to just focus on having fun right now. If the drummer has never tried it before in his life, it could take six months, one year or even longer before he is able to be proficient enough to keep time and be coordinated enough to play a song. Drums are deceptively difficult to play well, despite what you may have heard.

The same goes for the other members, too, though. Does the guitarist or keyboard player have any experience playing their instruments? Like I said, just have fun for now and don't expect to be able to sound like a band for a while. If you try to push things too fast and expect to sound great right away, it may be a big disappointment and very frustrating for you guys if that doesn't happen.

My own experience: I learned to play electric guitar when I was 12. I stopped playing and didn't start again until I picked up bass guitar at the age of 39. I'm 42 now and have logged about 800 hours of practice in those 3 years. I am in a band currently, but it took those first 500 hours of serious practice before I felt I was good enough to be able to hold my own in a group of musicians. Others may tell you it takes more or less practice to get proficient, but that is my experience.

Good luck and have fun, man!

 

[pengyou40]

and...always, always, a l w a y s ( did I mention always? ) use either a metronome, drum machine or computer program like Band in a Box to keep time. Practicing without something to keep you guys in time is pointless.

Also, whenever possible, record yourselves and sit down together to listen to how it sounds. It can hurt the ego a bit to do this, but it will be invaluable to your progress as a musician.

 

[st00f]

Is the guy who will play drums the only one with no experience with his instrument? If I understood your post correctly, you said you're new at bass but are practicing frequently. My advice would be to just focus on having fun right now. If the drummer has never tried it before in his life, it could take six months, one year or even longer before he is able to be proficient enough to keep time and be coordinated enough to play a song. Drums are deceptively difficult to play well, despite what you may have heard.

The same goes for the other members, too, though. Does the guitarist or keyboard player have any experience playing their instruments? Like I said, just have fun for now and don't expect to be able to sound like a band for a while. If you try to push things too fast and expect to sound great right away, it may be a big disappointment and very frustrating for you guys if that doesn't happen.

My own experience: I learned to play electric guitar when I was 12. I stopped playing and didn't start again until I picked up bass guitar at the age of 39. I'm 42 now and have logged about 800 hours of practice in those 3 years. I am in a band currently, but it took those first 500 hours of serious practice before I felt I was good enough to be able to hold my own in a group of musicians. Others may tell you it takes more or less practice to get proficient, but that is my experience.

Good luck and have fun, man!

All have minor or better experience with instruments and music, and they can keep time.

and...always, always, a l w a y s ( did I mention always? ) use either a metronome, drum machine or computer program like Band in a Box to keep time. Practicing without something to keep you guys in time is pointless.

Also, whenever possible, record yourselves and sit down together to listen to how it sounds. It can hurt the ego a bit to do this, but it will be invaluable to your progress as a musician.

Will do!

 

[mikegug]

Nope, worse than that.

Dude, if there's anything worse than Glee, I'll shoot my TV. ...well, maybe yours.

 

[madurolover]

Start by pulling down backing tracks to the songs you want (kareoke-version.com) is a good start or free midi files but you usually have to mess with the key. You can pull out vocals and any instrument. Leave in the drums. You may want to keep more instruments in including bass until your timing is perfect. Your amp will over power it. Live keyboards can enhance the track until everyone has thei part down. You may keep the tracks for instruments you may not have. A lot of artists do this. Van Halen does not tour with a keyboardist - its recorded.

 

[st00f]

Dude, if there's anything worse than Glee, I'll shoot my TV. ...well, maybe yours.

Good point.

Start by pulling down backing tracks to the songs you want (kareoke-version.com) is a good start or free midi files but you usually have to mess with the key. You can pull out vocals and any instrument. Leave in the drums. You may want to keep more instruments in including bass until your timing is perfect. Your amp will over power it. Live keyboards can enhance the track until everyone has thei part down. You may keep the tracks for instruments you may not have. A lot of artists do this. Van Halen does not tour with a keyboardist - its recorded.

Alright, thanks for the link. I will do.

 

[bluewine]

Your in your early teens which is a good time to start.

You sound motivated, the other guys not so much. Even if your doing this just for fun make sure the others guys are on the same page as you. Otherwise it won't be fun.

Don't invest money in anything until you know these guys are thinking like you.

blue

 

[st00f]

Your in your early teens which is a good time to start.

You sound motivated, the other guys not so much. Even if your doing this just for fun make sure the others guys are on the same page as you. Otherwise it won't be fun.

Don't invest money in anything until you know these guys are thinking like you.

blue

Me and my to-be drummer talked about this Friday. He seems really excited about it, I think I got him onto this so he's totally onboard. I'm not sure about the others.