How To Start A Rock Band
So you have been drumming for a few years, months, or even weeks now and you feel it is time to create a rock band. This is not an easy task; however the reward is great. As drummers, we generally have a tougher time putting together a band, and organizing song structures ect… In this article I will demonstrate some easy to follow tips and pointers for getting a basic rock band started. Remember to be patient when going through this process, the men and women you choose may be with you for a long period of time!
First and foremost, before you even start recruiting, you must figure out what type of band you would like to start. If you do not know the exact style of music you want to create, then you may end up choosing the wrong musicians. For example, if you want to start a fusion rock band, then a metal guitarist may not be your best option. So take a few days to g
ather your thoughts and figure out which style of rock band you want to start. A few examples of rock styles are:
- Classic Rock
- Contemporary Rock
- Fusion Rock
- Punk Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Metal Rock
- Blues Rock
Once you have decided on the style of rock, it is time to start looking for musicians. This is where most bands fail to start. First off, the drummer does not fully know which style of music he wishes to play; second, he does not know how to find proper musicians for his band. This is where you will succeed; with these next few tips, you should be able to find competent musicians to accent your drumming styles.
The first and obvious place to start looking is in your own group of friends. The reason for this is because you will get along with your friends a lot easier than a random stranger. Plus you already know their style of playing and personality. If you have a few talented friends in your group, see if they are interested in starting a band up with you. It is important you DO NOT choose your friends just because they are your friends. If you know a buddy who can hack away at the bass and wants to play with you, think twice. A lot of times a friend who is brought into the band to learn an instrument will hinder your progress. Instead, hire musicians based on their talent; if they happen to be close friends, all the better!
The next step you want to do is to start advertising yourself and your band idea. This way you get a variety of different musicians and personalities that you can choose from to accent your style. The easy way to do this is to go to your local music stores, newspapers, and websites. Make a brief description of yourself, along with the style of music you are looking to create. I would suggest making an advertisement to hang in the local music store, as that is where most local musicians gather. Another great place to advertise is a website called Cragislist. This site is a virtual classified ad based in any location. Post a few ads here and you are sure to get a few emails and phone calls.For more ideas of where to post your classifieds and information, check out the drum forums links section where you will find a number of links directing you to numerous drumming resources.
Once you have your band members selected you are on your way to creating music. To make sure the band stays together and productive, you need to make sure you have a few things. One – make sure you have a proper band practice location picked out. Since you are the drummer, you will probably want to have it where your drum set is stationed. The worst thing you can do is choose a place where you have to move you kit to every practice time. Eventually that will wear you out. So make sure you have a solid place big enough to fit your band in to practice in. Two – make sure you set a regular practice time. At least once a week if you want to stay on top of things. If your band decides to practice when they feel they can, then you will end up falling apart. Remember to treat your band as a business, one that needs practice regularly to succeed! Read through these essential practice tips before you start your regular practices; they are beneficial for you as a drummer as well as your band!
Finally, make sure you have a common goal! If all the members of your band have different ideals of where they want to take the band, then you will end up going nowhere. Some members may not be able to commit to a full tour, or a life of playing shows. So before you really start digging in, make sure you all share the same common goal for the band. Make a one month, one year, and 5 year plan!
These are basic steps any musician should take when starting a band. They are essential if you want to succeed in the music world. It is a dog eat dog world in the music industry out there, you need to make sure you are a solid group with a strong back bone if you want to survive! Good Luck!
