If you really want to form a band, you will need motivation, talent and confidence to build a fan base. The following tips will help you become a successful artist while having fun and creating great music.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Find musicians
Your band may only be one piece, but if nothing else, you'll want to have someone to split the cost of gas for your first tour. Generally, to form a rock band, you will need at least one guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, a singer (who can play an instrument or not) and possibly a keyboardist / pianist. Of course, it all depends on the type of group you want to form and the genre of music you will play.
-
Online you can find many sites to find artists, such as Band-mix and Whosdoing. If you don't have any friends willing to start this adventure with you, use these sources.
You can try using Facebook as well
-
Place ads in bars, music stores and on car windows. What places do your ideal band members go to? Go to those places too.
Don't just post flyers in one place; use as much as possible
- It would be helpful to choose musically trained members. At a minimum, someone needs to be able to offer reasonable advice that others may be able to provide.
- It is not always important to choose the best artists. In many cases, groups of good-natured, easy-going musicians who are willing to learn to play together will have better luck than groups of great musicians with overly big personalities.
Step 2. Choose your gender
If you can't find a chord on one genre, play two or create your own unique genre by merging others. Have everyone bring a compilation CD with their favorite music. Listen to all the CDs and you can get an idea of what your peers like. Has anyone already written a song? Great! Is the band able to play them at their best?
Choose songs that you can play well and that your singer can sing. At first try out a lot of simple songs and try to figure out which style suits the musicians best
Step 3. Take care of the look
Now that you have enough members and a musical genre, what will your band style be? What kind of audience do you want to propose yourself to? The look of the band must be clear and consistent for all members.
Without a defined look, it will be harder to get gigs (and fans). Without a precise style you will find it hard to be accepted at the various events, so find the way to follow immediately
Part 2 of 3: Once you find the other musicians
Step 1. Consider entering into a contract between group members
It is difficult to get 4 or 5 musicians to commit to a music project. A member who is never available for rehearsals or performances can result in the end of a group. This "contract" will limit the freedom of action of those who leave the group, regarding the name, payments, ownership of the songs, instruments, etc.
- Resolving these issues right away will help you avoid problems in the future. However, remember that these types of proposals can alienate potential members. So make sure everyone is convinced of the project before forcing them to sign a contract.
- Have the contract drawn up by an impartial third party (or download a template from the internet). If a member of the group wrote it, the others might think it was a power grab.
Step 2. Find a place to rehearse
Will you play in a basement or garage? Will you keep all the tools there? Ask the owner for permission before starting the tests.
Step 3. Practice
Becoming a close-knit group takes time and a lot of effort. With practice, you will develop a deep relationship that will help achieve better results. Remember that recording rooms are expensive and rates are timed. The more talented and close-knit you are, the less time it will take to record the pieces and you will be out of the recording studio in no time. As an artist, you probably have no money to waste.
A good work ethic is important for success. If someone does not want to try, it may be necessary to remove them from the group. Make rehearsals a fixture - the band has to be everyone's priority if you want to be taken seriously
Step 4. Start writing songs
Write as much as you can, without sacrificing quality for quantity. But remember that a repertoire of 11-12 songs will be enough to complete a concert as the main group.
- An opening group usually only plays 4-5 songs, so in the beginning aim for 5 really good songs and try to enter the scene by opening up for other groups.
- You could register your songs at the SIAE. This is a pretty straightforward process and you can find all the information on the official website.
Step 5. Find a name
You can choose something that has a special meaning for you, or a name that is simply beautiful. Generally, group members make this decision together. The best names are short and simple to understand, read and pronounce, so people will remember them more easily. It is the same principle with which product brands are chosen! In any case, do not under any circumstances use a name that is already protected by copyright, unless you intend to create a cover band.
- Research other bands. This way you can avoid choosing names that are too similar to other local bands.
- If you can't really choose one, each of you might think of 5 adjectives and 5 nouns, and then create the name from a combination of those words.
Step 6. Record a demo or cd
It will be your calling card when you try to advertise the group. You could sell it at concerts or use it to get gigs, contracts, an agent, a manager or simply to make yourself known online and broaden your circle of fans.
- Currently, the best way to make yourself known to the music industry is bandFIND.com. As always, he also uses Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.
- Consider recording short bits of songs for bar and club managers to listen to. You could send a short email saying that you would love to play there - and that if they can give you thirty seconds of their time, they can listen to your songs.
Part 3 of 3: Preparing to Live the Dream
Step 1. Start looking for gigs
It might be useful to create a press kit as well, which is the equivalent of the resume in the musical environment. Locals will listen to your electronic press kits (EPKs) before deciding whether to give you an evening. The current standard of the music industry is Sonic Bids. Playing live should be your goal - it will earn you money, exposure and wonderful sensations.
- For your folder, you will need some images. Does a team member have experience in graphics? Otherwise do you know someone who can help you? You won't need a logo, but you will need to have flyer images to attract people to your events.
- Think about hiring a photographer for a rehearsal shoot or a concert. A beautiful photo is a great image for a poster.
Step 2. Buy the equipment
Some locals will tell you "We would like you to play, but we don't have a suitable sound system". If you have your own equipment, the problem will be solved. You can also ask for a higher fee!
Also invest in good quality recording tools if you don't already have them. The less addicted you are to the recording studio, the better
Step 3. Spread the word
Print flyers and take them to work, school and post them in public places where potential fans might be. Ask your friends to help you spread the word faster.
Create merchandise - stickers, business cards, t-shirts, decals or whatever you like. To your concerts, bring them
Step 4. Create a mailing list to communicate with fans
Always advertise your band, online and in person. A Facebook account of the group will allow you to let people listen to your songs and make yourself known. Another site to consider is SoundCloud. Do some research!
You may also want to consider joining the newer music communities, such as Artistir.com, as anticipating trends can be very helpful
Step 5. Post a video of the group on YouTube
Many people will be able to see it, who will leave their comments. Use the best comments in your ads.
You will also receive a lot of criticism. Ignore them. This is YouTube - not all users are music savvy
Step 6. Look for an accountant, manager and other professionals who can follow your group in the future
Starting right away to nurture relationships with the professionals you will need in the future can greatly simplify the transition from local band to interplanetary success.
- Consider hiring a consultant. Such a figure can direct you in unexplored directions and make you understand how to be successful.
- Try to learn from friends and other people who have made it. They will be able to give you a lot of advice, most of all free!
Step 7. Don't fool yourself too much, but never give up
If you want to be successful, the road is long and winding. You will find many obstacles on the way and you will be told many no. If you don't lose the passion, you will still be happy and have the strength to carry on.
Put your whole soul into the music. If you don't have the passion, you will never be successful. Bands are not life contracts; if you feel the need to change, do it
Step 8. Remember that promotion is important in the music industry and if you want to have positive publicity, what better way to do it through charity events
They allow you to experience and the public will be able to admire your goodness of mind, a characteristic that everyone wants from their idols.
Step 9. Don't be afraid to ask
"If you don't ask, you get nothing", the simplest way to put this concept. So why not inquire about the festivals and contact the organizers to say that you are eager to gain experience, that you would also be willing to participate for free and to send them a copy of your CD. But be careful not to be too insistent because the music scene is a very small circle where everyone knows everyone; always try to be in the good graces of all. Other than that, however, you only live once, so asking doesn't hurt; they might perhaps say yes.
Advice
- Have fun! Live the passion for music with spontaneity and fun, and enjoy every moment, even if you are not successful.
- At first, you may have to play covers. You are not selling out, you are doing what you have to do.
- If you can't find any paid gigs at first, go to the park or look for public events to play at. Try performing at all the concerts you can find.
- Don't be afraid to experiment! You won't have to follow trends. Be yourself! Be creative!
- Keep a band notebook. It will help you organize everything and you can write down ideas.
- Never make a group member play something that is too much above or below their musical level. He will be bored.
- Try to create a band with your friends who can play an instrument and have similar musical tastes to yours. A band of friends usually offers a much more supportive environment.
- Create a site for your band and use it to publish your music. It is a great tool to give visibility to the group, make your music known and find new fans.
- Be prepared for compromises. When a group is made up of several components, it means that there will be different points of view and aspirations at stake. Work together, as a team, without fighting over trifles.
- When looking for members for your band, don't pick friends out of desperation; find someone who has a passion for music similar to yours.
Warnings
- Protect your work with copyrights and never show it to agents and producers without first registering it.
- Don't change your personality, but try to understand when your ego interferes with the good of the group.
- Don't let someone join the group just because they are romantically linked to another member. The consequences of their love problems would affect the group. Remember Yoko Ono?
- Don't allow a single person to have complete control of the group, letting them make all the decisions.
- Make sure everyone likes the singer and is on good terms with him. It doesn't matter how much importance you give to the individual members of the group, asserting that everyone contributes enormously to the creation of the pieces: nine times out of 10 the singer automatically becomes the face of the group, probably the only one people will remember. If this person is not well liked by others, it could become a big problem.
- Stealing someone else's music or name is illegal. Therefore always create original products.
- Do not give the group the name of one of the members. Even the best people could get their heads off. Everyone would only remember him and you would end up hating him.
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol as much as possible.
