Starting a Band?????????????

Okay, junior -- first slow down. Breathe.

In...out...in...out...that's it, you've got the hang of it.

The key to putting together a band is finding other people who are of the same mind as you about playing, and figuring out it what works musically as well as personally.

Is the "cool" guitar player the same guy as the "ass" guitar player? I can't tell. If it's the same guy, dump him. If not, go with the "cool" guy and dump the "ass" guy.

Start poking around to find others who are into what you're into and reasonably close to you in ability. Check with your friends and other musicians you know to find out who THEY know who might work well with you. Hang out at the music store and chat with the staff and other players who come in.

It's all about networking.

Then start pulling the group together piece by piece, play together, see if "the hang" works and go from there. It's really not that complicated.

Good luck and have fun.

 

Moved to MISCELLANEOUS.

 

Put up "Forming Band" ads on bulletin boards at your local music stores (that includes where you buy gear and where you buy CD's). Stores that provide music lessons are especially good for getting better musicians. That's how many, many, solitary musicians get hooked up. A couple of tips;

- Be sure to specifically mention what kind of music you're wanting to play. Saying "into nu metal and rap metal" doesn't say nearly as much as "into Linkin Park, Bizkit, Mudvayne...." whomever.

- Provide tear-off strips on your ads with your phone/email by cutting the strips on 3 sides, (well one side is the edge of the paper), leaving the fourth attached to your ads. Don't just write your phone number/email once on the ad.

Also, if there's any place like bulletin boards or student papers at the local schools, use `em.

 

Since you have the nucleus of a rythym section already (Bass, guitar) I would specifically look for a drummer. As a bass player, you will find that your playing will improve by leaps and bounds when you have a steady timekeeper to work stuff out with. He doesn't have to be a virtuoso, in fact it would be better if he wasn't. That way you'll keep him longer and he can grow with the group. Just keep in mind that the bassplayer holds a unique position in the band. He helps with the timekeeping but he also is the harmonic basis for all that goes on around him. Very special people play this instrument (I'm sure you are one of them ) and as the leader of this venture you should maintain that leadership role in every aspect of the formation and development of the project.

 

Dude I'm startin up a band
We have me
My guitarist and my other guitarist, and we get along really well and have the same interests and the sorta stuff, problems are we can't find a drummer to suit, damn it.

One day it'll come good I spose.

I think this is about the third time I've vented on this subject..all my drummerless rage is now successfully vented <in...out...in...out...in...>

 

Rickbass is absolutely right. Put up plenty of flyers, and be very specific as to what you are looking for.
In the meantime, you and the cool guitarist should sit down. and start figuring out songs you really want to do. When you get people to respond to your ad, it makes auditioning that much easier.
I lost my weekly gig 5 days ago, when the lounge manager in the hotel I played in, got tossed out on his rear end. I've gotten together with a drummer who is really good, and has the same interests as I do. Everything Rickbass said, I plan to do. Let you know how that goes.
Good luck to you. If you play your cards right, you could end up with a pretty good band. You're right-there is nothing like playing the music you love in front of a live audience.
Peace brother.

 

another way to attract band members(and chicks) is sit at a guitar store and show off till ya cant show off anymore. eventually, someone will start complimenting you, and maybe be a drummer or whatever, and ask if you need a band/he can join yours type deal. and if it doesnt work, its not my fault...

 

Canadian guitar stores have chicks in them

All those I go to usually look like a meeting of the He-Man Woman Haters Club.

 

Yeah, make sure you include your name and phone number! Someone had an ad up at my local music store and not only did they not do the cool li'l "courtesy strips," they forgot to even include their name or number in the body of the ad!

1) Be as specific as you can afford to be in describing what you are looking for. I always try to use the following phrases: "Solid musicians," "creative," "dedicated and dependable" and I always include something about perspective members not being potheads or ripping alcoholics (hey, it's important to me). Be as professional about the whole deal as you can be. If you can make the flyers/ads on your 'puter -- do it. Try not to just scrawl an ad onto a cocktail napkin. You want to have some fun with what you're doing, but you don't want to get involved with another "ass," or someone that isn't as dedicated or serious about the band thing as you are.

2) Try naming your band ahead of time. This way, you don't have to worry about naming it later -- when there are 4, 5, or even six opinions involved.

3) If and when you put up an ad, write a "posted on..." date somewhere on it and check back every-other week or so to put up a new one, if necessary. If and when you complete your band, make sure that you take all of your ads down (don't call the store owners and expect them to do it for you -- it most likely won't get done).

4) Decide that if it's your band, then it's your band. The more opinions you have in the band, the harder it is to agree on something and the harder it is to get something done. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to rule with an iron fist, but the other members should know that you do have the final say. Don't be afraid to say "no" to someone if they aren't what you are looking for and don't think that you have to take the first guitarist, drummer or singer that comes along.

5) Lastly, make it a point to respond to all replies that you receive. This is the courteous and professional thing to do (even if they are not what you are looking for in a member).

That's it from my end -- back to you Bink!

 

Wow, does this thread bring back some great memories! Hategear makes some great points BP101...words of wisdom.

You are now at the most critical stage in forming a band, finding a drummer. A band is only as good (or bad) as its drummer, and the key to a good drummer is good time. Don't be dazzled by flash and great gear. Ask any potential drummer what he or she feels is their most important role within the band, and if they don't answer "keeping time" or something similar, move on to the next cat. Drummers who rush (speed up) or drag (slow down) are equally evil, and should be avoided at all costs. A band with a rock-solid drummer (and good material) has unlimited potential, even if all the other players are mediocre (i.e. The Rolling Stones).

Having said all that, the reality of the situation is that you will be limited to who's available and willing...and the solid time keeper of your dreams may not be among them. Then revert to Plan B...hire the one with the best potential, the one you get along with best, or if all else fails, the one who is willing to show up and work hard!

Best of luck to you...and let us know when you have that rehearsal where you finally make it all the way through the tune you're working on with zero mistakes. You'll have a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.