Need tips for starting a band!

[ListenerFriendly]

Okay guys, I have finally thought it through and prayed it through. Spent the past few months sorting my emotions out and have decided to start a band. I know nobody but my brother on keys and me as vocalist (who will write lyrics, plays violin and is learning guitar). I took some advice and put up a poster at one of my local music store three weaks ago and have gotten no replies. But now I have found the drive to do it full force. I am going to try and make a new ad (learned a few things from the first one) and put it up at many more locations. Monday I called a drum teaher who gave me good tips and said he might no some students, one inparticular he thought might be interested, but I've heard nothing. i still am planing on calling other teachers as well! Now give me and tell me anything an evrything. Expieriences, not to-do's, to do'd whatever. Odd thoughts anything I DON"T CARE, JUST SHARE !

I think I want a Vocalist, Keys, Guitarist, Bassist and Drummer. But should I try and get two guitarists or stick with one at the start? Hmm.

Right now, I am just getting my feet wet. I have the drive to do it and I could, but if God doesn't want me to do it, then I won't! Like the dru teacher said, there are musicians out there, just finding them can be tricky!

SPEAK, PLEASE:

ROCK ON

 

[alphadog808]

Where are you located? I'd be interested...but I'm in Hawaii..

 

[ListenerFriendly]

maryland, quite a distance heh?

Yea, anybody... dude, I'll take any sort of advice guys!

ROCK ON

 

[MillionPieces]

Well, why not start a band over the internet? I'd join!
All you need is a microphone. You can buy one easily to plug into your computer. Then you need a program to record onto your computer. Ask for some info on that, or google one, I'm sure there are free programs. I use Acoustica MP3 Audio Mixer, but that costs money.
Anyway-if you want to start a band, me and my brother can join! My brother's really an expert, he's made a couple songs already, I'm just starting to attempt to make songs with my brother helping me. I don't know how to play instruments but we have a guitar, a keyboard, this crazy machine thing my brother bought, and Accoustica... You can edit soundfiles so much on Accoustica that you can make songs with any small noise...
So, yeah, you could start a band over the internet, but the only problem would be where to upload... I'm still trying to figure out how to upload this song we made... I guess my computer's too slow to upload anything onto the web, sadly. But I'm sure I might be able to get it to work eventually.
And I'm a Switchfoot fan too, by the way.

 

[peanutbutter12]

Why not try to look for an already established band who is looking for a new member? You would save yourself a ton of work.

What I would do is visit a lot of churches in your area (if it's a Christian band you are making) and get to know musicians in different places. Let them know what you're trying to do and see if they might be interested in jamming sometime.

CJ

 

[ListenerFriendly]

Why not try to look for an already established band who is looking for a new member? You would save yourself a ton of work.

I've actually considered that... but since I would kind of be put in the lead singer position, I think it would be kind of touchy there. BEcause an already established band will probably already have an established sound or influences and probably a lyrcist. I would come in with my sounds and influences and would probably be heading in a totally different direction, unless of course I found a band who has a similar sound. I am felxible though, not as difficult as I might sound! See my lyrics tend to be deeper, more thoughtful and reflective (but still from a Christian standpoint)... I'm would imagine another band would want to push me into writing overtly CCM or Praise and Worship lyrics. But I might check around the area and see about that. I know there is another sign up for somebody trying to start a CCM band who needs Vocalist, bassist, drummer, and guitarist... but right now I'm better off then them! I have a keyboardist (my younger brother) and a lead vocalist and violinist (me).

Well, why not start a band over the internet? I'd join!

Well I was at first going to work on recording an album, but I put that aside to start a band! I thought about this, but I basicly face the same problems you do, and I think creativly it would be easier to work with someone in the area. But I will definatly remember you guys! You sound pretty professional... if I ever record anything or attempt to and need help, I'll definatly contact you. Stay open for ideas!

SWITCHFOOT FANS ROCK!

ROCK ON!

 

[12ogue]

Make sure you get a drummer first out of all people. Guitars and others are easy to find as that many people play those.

Honestly, I tried making a band with my Japanese friend, and we had everything up to par but a drummer. When my friend left for Japan, the band idea just went to waste.

Gl with your finds

 

[ListenerFriendly]

Good advice, maybe I should call more drum teachers?

ROCK ON

 

[MillionPieces]

Alright. =D

 

[jeronimoblack]

Okay guys, I have finally thought it through and prayed it through. Spent the past few months sorting my emotions out and have decided to start a band. I know nobody but my brother on keys and me as vocalist (who will write lyrics, plays violin and is learning guitar). I took some advice and put up a poster at one of my local music store three weaks ago and have gotten no replies. But now I have found the drive to do it full force. I am going to try and make a new ad (learned a few things from the first one) and put it up at many more locations. Monday I called a drum teaher who gave me good tips and said he might no some students, one inparticular he thought might be interested, but I've heard nothing. i still am planing on calling other teachers as well! Now give me and tell me anything an evrything. Expieriences, not to-do's, to do'd whatever. Odd thoughts anything I DON"T CARE, JUST SHARE !

I think I want a Vocalist, Keys, Guitarist, Bassist and Drummer. But should I try and get two guitarists or stick with one at the start? Hmm.

Right now, I am just getting my feet wet. I have the drive to do it and I could, but if God doesn't want me to do it, then I won't! Like the dru teacher said, there are musicians out there, just finding them can be tricky!

SPEAK, PLEASE:

ROCK ON

You seem to be on the right track. Have you considered starting your band electronically. Since you play so many instruments you could easily make some anointed music with just you and your brother.

What I would reccomend is that you get multi-track recording software i.e. Adobe Audition. You can also purchase cheap music production software like fruityloops by FL studio to program some cutting edge music that glorifies God.

Jeronimo Black

 

[JSoldier]

Hey ive tried to start a band too here in Boston, but up here theres WAY more drummers than anything else!!! Believe me i had a hard time finding guitarists!!! so i guess it depends on where you live....

 

[jeronimoblack]

This is a great idea! I think we will see a lot more of this in the future. Great idea.

 

[JediMobius]

I've been trying to start a band here in Michigan for a while now, but for years I've simply made my own music on my computer. Using Fruity Loops Studio, I could synth elaborate drums and bass, then record guitar into Cakewalk, and record vocals at my buddy Ryan's (he has a decent mic).

Ryan and I, instead of delving into songwriting and worrying about all our band members, have been jamming whenever we get the chance just to get a feel of each other's musicianship and style. He and I can both play the drums, but we've jammed just guitars before.


Sounds like you and your brother are really the driving force behind the band, so I suggest the two of you create and create now, and when other musicians come along, see how they fit with what you've started.

 

[JediMobius]

*Afterthoughts*

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty picky about my rhythm section (drum and bass). It's my experience that these carry the foundation of a song, and dictate it's mood and movement. How many guitars you want depends on what you would do with them. Since you already have keys, a second guitar may be a little unnecessary at times. With recording, you can have the same person layering many different tracks, so it al depends on what you want your live sound to be (you can always cross that bridge when you come to it)

 

[laptoppop]

One thought -- the fewer "regular" members a band has, the easier everything goes. Its easier to arrange rehearsals, gigs, travel, etc. It also means that any $ gets split fewer ways. You can always get extra people to play along if you have a giant gig somewhere, but keep the core of the band absolutely as small as you possibly can.

 

[ListenerFriendly]

excellent, excellent advice guys... thanks so much!

 

[Fidei]

Like it was mentioned earlier in the thread, I think it would be a great idea to look for band members at churches, since that's where you will likely find people who are philosophically aligned with you, and are interested in making music. I'm not in music right now, but I was in a "house band" for my church youth group for a few years. If you're a multi-instrumentalist you'll have a better chance of trying all your skills too.