How to Start Your Own Band
Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a desire to be in a band someday.If this is your ambition too, then read on. Whether you're a guitar player or not doesn't really matter. If you are a talented singer or musician then the question is, do YOU want to be in a band? In this article you will find some helpful ideas on how to get started in that direction.
One of the first things you will need to do is gain EXPOSURE for yourself. This can be as easy as following three simple steps:
1. Tell everyone you know that you want to start a band.(Word of mouth advertising is one of the best advertising strategies)
2. Make a flyer to put up around town (in music stores, at schools, on bulletin boards, etc.)
3. Place a classified ad in all the local newspapers
Here is an example of something you might say in your advertising:
"Lead guitarist seeking individuals interested in starting a Christian Rock band. Looking for a lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, bass guitarist and drummer. The emphasis will be on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. If you have a desire to use your musical gifts in this way, please call (give your name and phone number) for an interview."
You can make the ad as detailed or generic as you need to. The important thing is to have a clear idea in your own mind of who you want in your band. Do you need a bass player, singer, drummer...? What type of qualifications or experience will you expect? Is age a factor? Jot down a list of questions to ask and keep it by your phone. When someone does call, you will be ready to have the interview right on the spot. Try to make your questions require only a very short reply, or yes or no answer. That way, it will be easier for you to take notes. If someone looks like a good potential band mate, get their phone number and tell them you would like to call them back after you are through holding your interviews. Try not to keep people waiting too long (between 2-4 weeks) if possible. When you're ready, review your notes and decide who you want to call. Set up a time that is convenient for everyone you've selected to meet at YOUR CHOSEN LOCATION. This is important if you want to establish yourself as the originator of the band in order to maintain an influence on its direction. I should insert a word of caution here. You might want to "play it safe" by not inviting them to your home until after you get to know them a little better. After all, they are strangers, but it's your call of course.
You may want to keep the first meeting with your new band members very low key. Use the time to make introductions, share past experiences, set goals, discuss ideas, etc. This will give you the opportunity to gauge whether you think each personality is going to be able to work together and get along. Avoid egocentric people like the plague as they will just create friction with other members of the band. Assess everyone fairly, but realistically. It's better to get rid of a bad apple right away, rather than allow them to spoil the enthusiasm for the rest of the group.
After your first band meeting, you can aim for the next one to be an informal "jam" session. At this time you will be able to get a feel for whether the group is going to gel or not. But don't be too hasty in your decisions! I remember one time "auditioning" for a band and being so self-conscious that I just couldn't relax and enjoy the experience. It was a local band that I had known of for some years and often desired to be a part of. Even though I had already acquired quite a bit of experience performing on my own, this was different. It was someone else's "thing". Nothing seemed to go right! After I got home that evening, I was sure they would never call me back. The surprise was, they did! However, the second time wasn't much better, but they decided to give me another chance and invited me to come back one more time. It's a good thing for me, because the third time was the charm. Our voices and music blended so perfectly that I just knew I was in. I share this story so that you might give your new fledgling band some time to get off the ground. If nothing seems to ignite a spark after giving it a fair amount of time, then you might want to reconsider your options. That's something only you will be able to determine.
Well, that's about all there is to it really. Once you've got your band members picked, you're ready to start making music! If you have some original tunes, be sure to share them with the others. See if anyone else in the group has written any songs too. Be open, honest and ready for almost anything. If you establish your own priorities first, it will help you to stay focused through whatever ups and downs may come along. And always remember, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following information:
Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:48:34 GMT Mammals facing extinction threat - BBC News
BBC News - By Richard Black At least 25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade. Many, many mammals face extinction One Quarter of World's Mammals Face Extinction Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:37:47 GMT PGA -- 2008 Turning Point Championship Recap - Pro Fantasy Sports
Pro Fantasy Sports - Hello in the second of the “Fall Finish” series, a unknown rookie birdied the 72 nd hole to earn a hefty paycheck and a spot on the PGA tour for the next two years. Johnson earns first win at Turning Stone Rookie posts first victory Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:07:14 GMT Angelina Jolie Debuts New Movie and New Ink - Actress Archives
Actress Archives - Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently attended the movie premiere for Jolie’s new film “The Changeling” directed by Clint Eastwood, and the film wasn’t the only thing on display. Video: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at Premiere Angelina Jolie’s New Tattoo Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:09:31 GMT For Some Animals, There's No Place at Home - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - By Amanda Gardner MONDAY, Oct. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposing your children to the joys of pet ownership may, in some cases, also mean exposing them to infections and injuries. Keep Kids From Exotic Animals, Docs Say Doctors: No hamsters or exotic pets for young kids Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:06:44 GMT Obama accuses McCain of looking for distractions - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday charged that Sen. John McCain's campaign is launching "Swift boat-style attacks" on him instead of addressing the country's problems. Health Care: Coverage -- But at What Price? Health Care Destruction Publ.Date : Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:30:50 GMT Ask.com Sails into Semantic Search to Differentiate from Google - eWeek
eWeek - By Clint Boulton Ask.com's search engine market share is minimal at best, but the company keeps on plugging away in application development to keep from being extinguished by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Ask.com Amps Up Search Again Ask.com, now with more answers Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:04:07 GMT Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BOSTON (AP) - Josh Beckett waited four extra days for a chance to show his postseason brilliance. That shine wore off with his very first pitch. Video: Angels, White Sox Each Force a Game 4 Red Sox's injuries could prove costly vs. Angels Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:11:21 GMT Amazon Associate Software |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Problems with humidity can lead to heartbreak for the classical... Read More This is counterintuitive, I know. Our natural response to seeing... Read More The Greg Koch Fender guitar began to take shape all... Read More Out of the 250 million people in the United States,... Read More Pop/Rock Recording Artist Amber, who has scored seven #1 Billboard... Read More Already making plenty of noise in the marketplace is a... Read More If your band is in rehearsals, either preparing for gigging,... Read More The music of Rush influences and inspires, at least that's... Read More How many times have you turned to music to uplift... Read More I can't believe how much of the year has gone... Read More The idea of actually creating a complete piece of music... Read More Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More I have always had a big problem with my addiction... Read More Do you want to learn how to play chords on... Read More Chopin used them extensively. So did Beethoven and Mozart. Arpeggios... Read More Should you copyright your song? If you're a songwriter, sooner... Read More John Lennon wasn't always my favorite Beatle; at first it... Read More Finding a good teacher is not always easy, at any... Read More "For optimum amp tone onstage, plug your amp into your... Read More Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More You may have heard that bagpipes are a Scottish invention;... Read More The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper... Read More
Adsense
websites
Guitar Humidification
Is Your Child Struggling in School? Get Him (Or Her) Music Lessons
Greg Koch Fender Guitar History
Can You Really Learn To Play a Musical Instrument From an Online Course?
CD Review: Amber - My Kind of World
Taking iPod Culture into Clubs as Well as Cyberspace: Jonny Rocket Interviewed by The G-Man
Effective Band Rehearsal
Say Something
Music & Emotions: Can Music Really Make You a Happier Person?
The Need To Perform
Creating Your Own Compositions
The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison
Dont Go Tubthumping
Learning to Play the Piano with Chords Part 2
Arpeggios and New Age Piano Playing
Copyright Basics for Songwriters
JOHN LENNON - The Man and His Times
How To Find The Right Guitar Teacher
Performance and Gigs
How to Create Hip, Mature and Lush Harmonies
Setting Up In-House Retail Sales
The Bagpipe and Its History
New M3 with Competition Package
How to be Creative at the Piano
10 Ways for Unknown Musicians to Get the Word Out
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Piano Playing and Performance Anxiety
I'll never forget the first time I played the piano... Read More
Flaming Guitars! Minarik Fuels The Excitement of a New Generation of Musicians
From the Telecaster to the Flying V to the Iceman... Read More
12 Reasons You Should Learn to Play the Piano
All right, folks, here you go: My 12 reasons why... Read More
Suzuki Violin Vs Traditional Violin
The Suzuki violin method has come to dominate the way... Read More
Creating Your Own Unique Music
Have you ever dreamed of penning your own compositions? Writing... Read More
Launch Pad Introduces Subliminal
Who would have ever thought that a call out for... Read More
Music Making as Spiritual Experience
If you've been playing piano for some time, you may... Read More
What is Piano GHD Syndrome?
Do you remember the movie, Groundhog Day? In this wonderful... Read More
How Many Songs Are In Your Pocket?
The portable MP3 player continues to be the hot item... Read More
Writing Hit Songs
There are a lot of factors to writing a hit... Read More
CD Review: Amber - My Kind of World
Pop/Rock Recording Artist Amber, who has scored seven #1 Billboard... Read More
Live Music!
"Live music." That common saying may contain some truth, but... Read More
Does Reading Make Music?
When you read music you are deciphering the printed page... Read More
The Time Machine Exist!
We call it music, ever noticed how vividly music triggers... Read More
Hip Hop Clothing
Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More
Dont Go Tubthumping
I have always had a big problem with my addiction... Read More
Jealous Again - Jealousy Among Musicians
Jealousy ? do you feel it? Do you sense it... Read More
Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor
U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More
Ouch, It Hurts When I Sing!
When I first set out to write this article about... Read More
How to Compose Using ABA Form
ABA form is like a musical sandwich. You have the... Read More
JOHN LENNON - The Man and His Times
John Lennon wasn't always my favorite Beatle; at first it... Read More
How to Construct Chords and Improvise
How To Construct Basic Chords on the PianoThe easiest way... Read More
Piano Chords and New Age Music
There are basically two ways you can compose a piece... Read More
Piano Teachers - Whats Wrong with Them?
Most of us like to use what we learn right... Read More
Free, Legal Music Online
Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More
Music & MP3 |