When you’re starting out as a new band, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet or you’ve been playing together for years, the first few months are always the most difficult as a band. You don’t know what each other like and how things will work – and even if they will! If you’re new to being in a band, a little extra support can go a long way. Here are some of our favorite pieces of advice for anyone looking to become a member of their roaming band.
Pick a Show and Stick to It
In your first few months as a band, you’ll spend a lot of time thinking about shows. But while these are important, they’re also the most difficult. You’ll have to navigate a whole new set of rules and you’ll have to be at your best every time you play. If you pick a show, stick with it. Don’t switch to different venues, don’t switch to different nights, and don’t switch to different bands. If you pick a show, stick to it. You’ll be a lot less stressed out and a lot more likely to get the results you want.
Play Your Own Music
When you’re starting out you’ll be playing cover songs. It’s a way to sound like a band and to get your name out there and on people’s radars. But you need to make sure that the music you play is yours. If you’ve been playing as a band for years, it’s tempting to bring over some of your older songs.
But you need to make sure that the covers you’re playing are your covers. If you’re having trouble here, it’s okay to ask the other members of the band. You don’t want to be “that guy” but you do want to make sure that you’re being 100% authentic with your music.
Play Only Other Band’s Songs
This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, covering other bands’ songs is a great way to get your name out there. You’re not inventing the wheel here and there are plenty of other bands that do exactly the same thing. On the other hand, covers can get really old really fast.
They’re one-dimensional and often just a poor imitation of the original. But here’s the thing. Good and original songs are great and important. But there are lots of bands out there who are playing covers and it’s a lot easier to stand out from that crowd if you’re covering other people’s songs.
Play From Audition Material
If you pick a show, make sure you have audition material. Audition material is what you use to warm up and practice songs before a show. It’s not so much about learning the songs as about getting your fingers and your hands used to playing them. Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep. Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep.
Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep. Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep. Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep. Audition material should be short, simple songs that you can play in your sleep.
Record Your Shows and Share
If you pick a show, make sure you have a recording. A recording is like a live set so that you have some extra material to play at practice. It’s also a good way to get the other members of the band used to hearing your music and to get them used to hearing you play. Even if you don’t share the recordings, you should still make sure you have a recording.
It’s not a good idea to rely on your memory and when you start playing shows that are a bit bigger and you want to quit recording you’ll want to be able to get back to it and not have to start from scratch.
Don’t Take it Too Seriously
Keep it fun. This doesn’t only apply to the music but to everything in your life. Sure, you have to be serious about playing music but you also have to be serious about having a job, paying your bills and keeping yourself fed and happy. If you take things too seriously, you’ll get stressed out and you’ll end up missing opportunities because you won’t be able to capitalize on them.
Wrapping Up
The band is not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s not for the lazy. It’s for those that have a strong passion and want to see their dream come to life. It’s not for those that want to make a lot of money. It’s not for those that want to be famous. It’s for those that want to spend their time with their friends and family creating something special. When you pick up a guitar or a bass, you’re picking up a tool that can take you to places you never thought possible.
So don’t be afraid to make it yours. And when you do, make sure that you enjoy it as much as you can. There will be plenty of times when you can’t play and there will be plenty of times when it will seem like nothing is worth doing. But when you’re having fun, you’ll remember what it was like to play and you’ll be able to keep pushing forward.
