Needs For Starting A Band

AshleyNirvana

I know people are getting fed up of my noobish topics, but hear me out! I'm battling with the idea of starting a band, but I know it's something I really want to do, the things putting me off being nervousness and lack of equipment and understanding for the basics of music (like how many bars to play in a song, not knowing many guitar techniques I imagine everyone knowing, to not knowing what a band would need.

To play live, here's what I can think of:

tragictravisty

just play music with your friends.

AshleyNirvana

tragictravisty said: just play music with your friends.

Well when I say 'starting a band', I mean playing live. You're right though.

AnotherTool

You need two things, songs and an instrument, worry about the rest later.

einseins

Usually the venue will supply the PA (including mics) and a technician to run it. You'd want to check every time though. As for rehearsing you don't really need a PA, just all the instuments obviously and a mic and amp for the vocals. Another thing may be some kind of recorder for the jams, anything from a 4track to a PC. I was once a bit nervous of the thought of performing, but when you're up there its just the music and your mates, they'll luv ya because they want to be up there like you.

Mustang-Pete

Yeah, I used to get pretty nervous before gigs. But you've just gotta get up there and do it. Once you've done it, you WILL want to do it again. It's infectious.

Although, some nerves are usually a good thing before a gig. It means you're kinda awake and a bit on edge, so therefore you're probably gonna perform well.

Dad also taught me a trick for when you really are nervous before a gig. Take a bit of time before you go on stage to stand at the side and just look at the audience. That way you'll get used to them, and you'll realise that they are all individuals like you. I don't know why, but that seems to help.

phaeton

a practice space is a good one, there was an indie band in my area when i was little and my dad gave them an old upstairs barn to practice in and converted it into a proper practice space, we even got an old pool table and slot machines out of a nightlcub, they played there for 10 odd years.

plus it needs to be a place where you wont get noise complaints, which isnt so easy to find.

something to hump gear and selves around in, like a van.

you'll probably find playing to teens the hardest gig, they can be very 'i just want what i like'.

(never try and turn teens with poor taste onto good music, they just wont listen)

i saw a school gig once with two bands playing (one a proper functioning band and the other a pretty sterotypical school band)

you could see the other band were never going to go anywhere but you could clearly see the guitarist would, he totally played the #### out of his guitar and gave it everything to make it a good show but the kids were like 'i'm bored and want the other band'

they went ape #### when the main band came on and i saw the guitarist outside after and could tell he was so pissed off at the crowd, i felt sorry for him but knew he was going to go onto better things. that was 7 years ago now

nirvana23freak

just play with your friends to start, write some songs, play some covers to get off the ground maybe, and worry about gigging when your at the level when your serious about actually playing live.

Fran

Yeah, covers are a great way to get things rolling. Its common ground you all share, it bonds you as people and musicians and gives you ideas for writing songs yourselves.

Dont worry about stuff like a PA. I've been gigging 18 years and never owned a PA, most venues or rehearsal rooms supply one or you just hire one. Thats not saying if a cheap one comes your way you should'nt consider buying it.

You just need your amps, your guitars, mic(s), some leads and drums. Vocals can go through a guitar amp at rehearsal.

AshleyNirvana

Ta Fran. I guess I'll have to get a mic when I know some other people are serious about it for sure; do you mean for vocals, or to be used for amps live?

I reckon if my friend keeps his word and gets a bass and starts getting good at it (can't be that hard!) I'll play Nirvana songs with him, some other ones we both learn, then once I have the confidence to play with him a lot, start playing with a drummer friend of mine who I've talked about this to. Probably won't even need to sing for the first few rehearsals. Sweet! 😀

SmutVendetta

AshleyNirvana said: the things putting me off being nervousness and lack of equipment and understanding for the basics of music (like how many bars to play in a song, not knowing many guitar techniques I imagine everyone knowing, to not knowing what a band would need.

You don't need to know the basics of music, unless you plan on being in some sort of lame play-by-he-book, zero creativity band, like Van Halen. Unless you plan on writing music for Brittany Spears, Hannah Montana, (sellout) if that's not the idea of the band you're going for, then don't worry about that now, and learn it while you go. Music isn't about rules, and you don't write music accordingly. If what you play with others sounds good, then you're set.

SmutVendetta

AshleyNirvana said: Ta Fran. I guess I'll have to get a mic when I know some other people are serious about it for sure; do you mean for vocals, or to be used for amps live?

If you get serious about getting a microphone, I got some good never used ones for cheap-er.

BanditGuitarist1

Learning the basics of your instrument wont ever hurt your band, I really feel knowing how to use your instrument really well and understanding what you like helps the creativity process flow really easy. No offense to Smut or any other players but I hear way to many people scoff at learning about music because they think its all rules and dribble, but its all how you choice to look at it. I have been going to music lessons for awhile and I understand alot but I don't let that be the deciding factor in my music I play from the gut understanding music helps you to take ideas from the gut and develop them.

and Ashley I wouldnt worry about all the equipment yet you seem to have a big concern about playing shows and that doesn't really come into play till you have enough songs and writting songs and music you love isn't always the easiest thing I would say get a mic to sing if you sing get a drummer a bassist and have fun playing music and writing songs then when you guys think your relaly ready for shows etc worry about it all.

SmutVendetta

BanditGuitarist1 said: Learning the basics of your instrument wont ever hurt your band, I really feel knowing how to use your instrument really well and understanding what you like helps the creativity process flow really easy. No offense to Smut or any other players but I hear way to many people scoff at learning about music because they think its all rules and dribble, but its all how you choice to look at it. I have been going to music lessons for awhile and I understand alot but I don't let that be the deciding factor in my music I play from the gut understanding music helps you to take ideas from the gut and develop them.
and Ashley I wouldnt worry about all the equipment yet you seem to have a big concern about playing shows and that doesn't really come into play till you have enough songs and writting songs and music you love isn't always the easiest thing I would say get a mic to sing if you sing get a drummer a bassist and have fun playing music and writing songs then when you guys think your relaly ready for shows etc worry about it all.

Well I'm not saying don't learn the basics, all I said was, start a band and worry about it later.

kieran-grunge

dont worry about anything except basic amps, effects etc. to get involved in pa systems, racks and stuff would be pointless unless your doing a really large venue imo.