Starting a band requires first deciding what type of music the band will play and what the band’s goals will be. These two characteristics will assist a person in locating musicians who share a similar band style and work ethic. These factors may also influence the type of musicians required for the band, as some musical genres necessitate specific instruments and vocals, while others necessitate entirely different instruments and vocals. A person starting a band should be patient, as finding other band members will most likely take time, and some members will not work out as planned.
It’s a good idea to post an ad in a local music store or on online message boards to attract the attention of local musicians. Make the band’s musical goals as clear as possible: if the band will only play cover songs, make that clear in the ad. If the band will only write original songs, this may influence a musician’s decision to assist with the formation of the band. Consider how often the band will practice and perform, and whether the band will be performing in bars or other venues. If the band will be performing in bars or other venues, it may be prudent to require band members to be 21 years old or older.
The real work of starting a band begins once the band members have been assembled. Because musicians do not always get along, this period of trial and error can be stressful. Some band members may decide to leave the band, and others may be brought in to replace them. Rehearsals will be required once a good dynamic has been found. Depending on the complexity of the songs and the skill level of the band members, this phase can last a long time. Before performing in front of an audience, the band will want to get a good understanding of the songs. It’s a good idea to come up with a good band name that’s relevant to the music the band plays and memorable enough for advertising during this stage of starting a band.
Booking shows can be challenging, and having a CD or mp3 of the band’s music to play for a venue manager can help make the process go more smoothly. Although recording rough demos is often sufficient, a full-length recording is far superior. Even if the band intends to do the recording themselves, recording can be costly because equipment is expensive and software is sometimes difficult to use.