How To Start Your Own Band :: Formation & Foundation

Discussion in 'Guitar Lessons, Tutorials & Tips' started by atiq, Sep 8, 2007.

  1. atiq

    atiq 4amanth2_2t1q

    Bands are a prime source of inspiration for many guitar players out there, both young and old.

    As your guitar skills progress, it is often a logical step to start thinking about forming a band, especially if you know people who have some musical flair as well. So how does one start a band?

    There is no set way to start a band, as bands like The Killers, U2, and Hanson, have all proved.

    You can start a successful band in a variety of different ways

    Putting an ad in a newspaper
    Playing with your mates
    Getting the family involved!
    However, all good bands have one thing in common -- a solid foundation.

    Creating a solid foundation for your band is important to prevent structural failure (commonly known as splitting up!) down the track.

    Continual success for the band (whether you judge that by the amount of gigs you play, the enjoyment you get out of jam sessions, or the amount of hits on your website) is largely dependent on getting all the components right from the start. This is the foundation.

    Building on a faulty foundation will produce a shaky structure at best. It is therefore wise to iron out even the smallest issues in the band from the very beginning. Here are a few tips to getting a band started and building a solid foundation.

    The first components to think about are the people, the music, and the instruments.

    They all need to meld together seamlessly for your band to get off the ground. Decide what music you would like to play, decide on the people you would like in the band, and know what instruments those people play. Difficulties will arise if the people in the band don't want to play similar music, or you wind up with three drummers and no vocalist, or if you all have different ideas.

    Talk in depth with the people you would like involved in the project. Once you have that sorted, do you have the minimal instrumental requirements for a band? The basic band will have a vocalist, a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer. At the very least, do you have these covered? When you have the right people, and have sorted out their roles, it's time for a jam session.

    The jam session is where creative difference, individual playing styles, and personal thought processes will become apparent. It will also be one of the most crucial times for the band, as differences of opinion frequently arise. Be patient! Your first jam session could be difficult as you learn each others styles and habits. Take notes on the events of the jam session. Also allow solo time for each individual member, letting them voice their thoughts as well.

    Finally, you need to open up channels of communication between band members now! Band members should have the opportunity to express their thoughts on the other members playing styles, as well as the general direction of the band, and the music that the band is playing. It will be impossible to survive if you take each others advice and suggestions as criticism. Don't site Oasis as a reason to continually feud. It is only a very special kind of relationship that can turn feuding into productivity!

    When the band feels harmonious, and the jam sessions are going well, it is time to belt out some tunes.

    Avoid doing original material first! Producing original material is a complex task at the best of times. It should not be attempted immediately by a fresh band. Instead, get a list of five simple cover songs that everyone in the band likes. Get band members to write a list of five simple songs on a piece of paper. From each list, allow the band to vote on one song to play. Everyone will then have a song from their list, and everyone will be happy with the songs chosen.

    Finally, take it one song at a time. Allow plenty of time to get a song right. If one is clearly not working, move on or leave it for another day. But be prepared to put what you learnt in your jam sessions to good use. Take notes, keep communication lines open, make suggestions. You're band should now be well on it's way to belting out some solid tunes... you're thinking about performing live now right?
     
  2. metalhead

    metalhead New Member

    Ok! now tell me, where did you copy that from?:p:
     
  3. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    Nice One..........
     
  4. radicalz_adi

    radicalz_adi New Member

    gud one i liked it but can u explain how to start a band in india
     
  5. UjSen

    UjSen *#!EVIL*!!

    this is my version>

    get a vocalist, a second guitarist, a bassist nd a guy who has a mapex Q or a peace drum kit at the least nd have a few jam sessions, then try for gigs here nd there. once u got the gig, put it all out, if the response is good, then ur on track, if u suck, then tell them u'll jam later nd get a new line up.


    @ atiq

    even jimmy page couldn't(or wouldn't sounds more like it) put a piece like that together^^. reading tht thing was interesting, but it reminded me of one of those hugo van lawick documentries on the discovery channel somehow.
     
  6. madhuresh

    madhuresh madhuresh

    copied thought or configured...
    the idea behind is good and imp !!
     
  7. Logical Paradox

    Logical Paradox New Member

  8. Logical Paradox

    Logical Paradox New Member

    My next tutorial will be , How to Copy Paste from a Website!!

    you should add the source of the data you have posted !!
    do not Copy + Paste !!

    Original Written by:
    GUITAR TIPS
     
  9. radicalz_adi

    radicalz_adi New Member

    cmon wats the big deal copyin i mean u get to know somethin new....
     
  10. atiq

    atiq 4amanth2_2t1q

    I never said it was my work. It came to me as a newsletter from some site (not guitar tips) and found this info. useful. so i just thought of sharing it.
     
  11. 123_guitar

    123_guitar New Member

    yup.....:beer::think::think::think::think::think::think::think:
     
  12. @ ATIQ....

    You r doing great work.... Sharing information is not a crime...

    But the next time dont forget to past the link from where you are pasting the info on IGT, so nobody pin points you on silly things.....

    Take Care...
     
  13. kristinapetrico

    kristinapetrico New Member

    Sharing great information is a good work and i can't consider it a crime. What is the crime for that?
     
  14. alevainnage

    alevainnage New Member

    How To Start Your Own Band Formation Foundation

    Thanks for the feedback.* Much appreciated.* Your points are well made and correct.

    Thanks for pointing out the typo.* I will fix that right away.

    d.
    EDIT: cjaghblb - your correction and feedback have now been reflected into the tutorial - thanks
     
  15. Abrarne

    Abrarne New Member

    Indian Guitar Tabs - Reply to Topic

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(
     
  16. Fefflugflem

    Fefflugflem New Member

    How To Start Your Own Band Formation Foundation

    its not necessary to create one called "alarms" because the alarms just use the ringtones found in the "ringtone" directory anyway.
    only 3 are needed - ringtones, mp3, and notifications


    or you can install ringdroid or other app
     

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