Dear Checking SF,
There is no one "recipe" for a rock band. There are several ways to do
it. The question is also what's your objective: to be famous and rich
like pop boys/ girls bands, nevermind the music? To play a specific
type of music (hard rock, folk/rock, punk/rock, etc.) with friends,
and *hopefully* get famous (but main thing is to create your own
music)?
First Stage: Concept
===========
What is your goal is forming this band? Having fun with friends who
share the same love for music? Expressing yourself through music?
Becoming the next Robbie Williams (hopefully, not the next Kurt
Cobain)? The ways to reach those goals might be similar, but it must
be clear to you what you want, and also, you must be realistic:
thousands of bands form every year accross the globe, but only few get
famous or popular.
This also has to do with your style of music. Bands and musicians
evolve throughout their way. Nobody (OK, maybe AC/DC) stays foot and
does the same music for 20 years. But it is good to start with other
people who are like-minded. If your style is trashy-punk, don't take
that dreamy Joni Mitchell lover, who hates noise.
Second: Find Mates
======
Some people have their family-members to play with (Ramones, Beach
Boys), some people have best friends. If none of your friends is
really passionate about the band idea, it might be a good idea to
check the local newspapers, and/or local music stores. There are
always classifieds in both places looking for band members. You can
publish your own ad or join bands, based on what they have on those
boards.
On the point of choosing your band members, eHow has several important advices:
"1. Find a drummer. Everyone plays guitar. Once you locate a good
drummer, the band will fall into place. More important, find a drummer
with a drum set and a place to play it. An area that tolerates a drum
set will usually be a suitable rehearsal space.
2. Find a bassist. Bassists are almost as hard to find as drummers,
but once you get a rhythm section into place, things start looking
up."
(SOURCE: eHow, "How to Start a Rock 'n' Roll Band",
<http://www.ehow.com/how_3296_start-rock-n.html>).
See more on how to Audition a Bassist on eHow:
" How to Audition a Bassist"
<http://www.ehow.com/how_7872_audition-bassist.html>.
Askmen writer Steve Richer also suggests:
"There has to be harmony in a band -- both when it comes to the genre
of music you want to play and personal relationships. Remember that
your bandmates will be with you through thick and thin so they should
be people you trust, creatively and personally. As well, a band needs
a good leader, and although that role is oftentimes assumed by the
singer, this rule isn't carved in stone.
Upon the formation of the band, discuss with your partners what kind
of goals you have with this venture and make sure that everybody
agrees. Do you want the band to be nothing more than a Sunday
afternoon distraction? Do you want to make a record and hit the charts
someday? Are you planning on staying local or do you want to tour the
country? As long as everyone has the same aspirations, fun will be had
by all."
(SOURCE: Steve Richer, "How To: Start A Rock Band",
<http://www.askmen.ca/fashion/how_to_150/156_how_to.html>).
Three: Decide on a Name
=======================
Stupid, and you can always change it later. But you must have something though.
If you really lost and can't decide, here are some name generators :-)
The Band Name Generator
<http://www.elsewhere.org/cgi-bin/bandname>
Band Name Maker
<http://www.bandnamemaker.com/d/docs/index.html>
Band-o-matic
<http://www.joescafe.com/bands/>
Four: Get the Gear + Rehersal Place
===================================
Reagdring the gear, eHow suggests:
"3. Invest in a microphone and keyboard amplifier. When a band
first forms, a common problem is that everyone shows up with a guitar
and an amplifier, but overlooks the importance of hearing the singer.
Purchasing a P.A. system is a daunting task and very expensive. A
keyboard amplifier is a cheaper way to make the singer's voice heard."
(SOURCE: ibid).
They also suggest to buy a musicians' earplug and not the regular,
foam, one: "Using foam earplugs is an effective but annoying way to
reduce hearing damage. Musician's earplugs are the way to go since
they do not muffle sound as foam earplugs do.". (ibid).
However, if you haven't got a place to practice, this is also
important. As teenagers, you might be able to convince one of your
parents to do the rehersals in their basement or garage (yes, this is
why they are called "Garage Bands"). You might be able to get a room
at a local community centre, school, church (depends on how Christian
your rock is, I guess), etc. Check everywhere.
Five: Start Practicing
======================
eHow suggest to start with a song that everybody knows and wants to play: "
4. Start with a song that everyone in the band knows and wants to
play. It might be helpful to go over the song at a low volume to make
sure everyone knows all the parts and chord and time changes. Pick a
relatively easy song in an easy key such as G major or D major. Start
with no more than three different chords in each song.
5. Practice the song with little or no amplification at the
beginning. Concentrate on making the chord changes at the same time.
6. Practice it more. Learn to listen to one another. Keep the same
tempo. Stay together.
7. Practice it until the band is playing something that people would
want to hear."
(SOURCE: ibid).
Six: Perform
============
After you practiced the song, it is time to show other people what you've got:
"8. Showcase your hit to family and friends. Pay attention to their responses.
9. If you get positive feedback, keep on playing together. If you do
not get positive feedback, keep on playing together anyway. It takes
time to become a great band.
10. Learn some more songs. This is a very gradual process. One
well-rehearsed song is better than ten sketchy songs."
(SOURCE: eHow, ibid).
Getting wider audience could be done, when you reach that stage, just
by going to clubs in the area: many clubs have a night for newcomers,
where you can play your song/s.
Seven: Making a Demo:
====================
Richer writes: "When you feel you've reached the level of a qualified
musician, make a demo. A demo is a recording of a few of your songs,
usually around three, that will serve as a calling card for your band.
You can always record it yourself with basic equipment, especially if
you don't have lofty aspirations, but a professionally made demo will
be much more impressive."
(SOURCE: Richer, ibid).
Richer goes on to describe what happens once you "make it": getting a
manager ("you can get a friend who has sales abilities to act as a
manager."); getting gigs (as I mentioned before); sending out your
demo (also see the link I added in the end of this answer - "so you
wanna get signed" ; and getting signed.
Shortcuts
=========
There are several foundations helping teens to establish a rock band.
You should check out at the local community centre, they might have a
programme for young bands.
Plugged In
<http://www.pluggedinband.org/> in the Boston, MA area.
Links
=====
So You Wanna get signed to a record label
<http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/recordlabel/recordlabel.html>
ePinions have many advices here, some of which has been quoted by Tar Heel:
How To Start A Band
<http://www.epinions.com/inst-start-a-band/sec_~opinion_list/pp_~1/pa_~1>
Few Books
=========
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Band by Mark Bliesener, Steve Knopper
A bit old, but could be still probably used (I haven't read them, though):
Starting Your Own Band: Rock, Disco, Folk, Jazz, Country and Western
by Lani Van Rysin (1980), totally for kids and maybe early teens.
Starting Your Own Rock Band by Cynthia Dagnal (1983)
I hope this answered your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarifications on this answer before you rate it. Search strategy:
starting, start, establishing, a rock band. |
