how can i start my own band?

Question

i want to know i can play the guitar and sing but how do i start a band and when i have it were should we play and how hard is it to write songs

Answer 1

It depends what sort of songs you want to write. Punk songs are famously very simple to write - sometimes just chords I, IV and V. Why not start by writing a 12 bar blues, then write some punk songs and then take it from there? That's what my band did when we first started. A good way to get used to playing together would be to perhaps play a couple of covers to start with - but adding your own edge to them - making them different from the original. And obey the golden rules of covers - never EVER cover Queen, Rage Against the Machine or Nirvana, unless you play it exactly as they do. You can't top them, so don't even try.

When writing songs, he thing to remember is the melody needs to be catchy - something that people will remember. Also you may need to think about your USP - unique selling point, what makes you different from everyone else. For instance Yellowcard use a violin, SOAD have lots of eastern european elements - but this is not as important as the music of course.

As for starting a band if you're at school/college it should be relatively easy to find other people to be in a band with you - if you don't know any other musicians then put up some posters asking for a "drummer/bassist etc for a" whatever type of music "band".

Good luck!

Answer 2

You may want to check out your local music stores to see if they have bulletin boards where you can advertise for the band members you're looking for. But it's not as easy as getting a bunch of people together -- everyone has to have their own gear and you'll have to find a place to practice. You'll also need to invest in a PA system so you have something to hook the vocal mics into. Once you have all that down, check out the smaller venues near your home and start there. Writing songs isn't terribly difficult, but writing GOOD songs is. The best thing to do is just keep tossing out ideas, even if they seem lame, and work on them with the other guys/girls in the group. Good luck!

Answer 3

You can start it with friends, if all else fails...

But most bands that put out ads are also going to be scouting exhibitions- they want to see how you handle yourself on the stage. My band did that to me- they said I did very well in the audition, but they wanted to see if I could do that well on a stage, so they signed me up for a singer's exhibition. I still did well enough to pass, especially since I opted to play an instrument while I sang.

That said, here's places where you can find ads for musicians:

Music stores (already said)

In the paper, house bands sometimes advertise in the classifieds.

Talent exhibitions usually have bands looking for an unfilled slot in that instrument (or wanting to replace someone who's not working out) watching them.

If you go the music store route, you can ask about music teachers, see if any of them have a student asking around that's not up to putting out an ad yet.

Find out who plays at your job/school that isn't already committed to one.