General Music Chat

I was wondering if anyone can give tips when it comes to starting a band. Me and a buddy (I play guitar and bass and keyboard and harmonica and sing, he is a phenomenal percussionist) started a band (basically me and him, trying to train a friend and my bro to play) but we dont have enough time for them to get acclimated.

1. We know alot of songs already and can play alot of acoustic material

2. What songs should we choose to learn? (We are not limiting ourselves to any one genre)

3. Why is it so hard to find musicians our age that will be compatible with us? (Can you help me figure out how to find a singer and a bassist and guitarist?)

4. We have a name already. What kind of equipment do we need to play shows? We have a PA and a Half stack along with a killer ludwig drum kit.

5. How do we book shows?

6. How many songs should be prepared on a setlist for a show?

7. I was into theatre alot and love to talk and entertain and be in front of many people, but my drummer doesn't want me to become a singer, because im the only guitarist he would like to play with, he says he needs me to play guitar, that we have bonded and it just cant change. I can welcome that but How can I find a front man that I would be alright to deal with?

8. What can you tell me about recording?

9. Les paul or PRS or strat?

10. How much money can you make playing shows?

11. What other questions should I be askking?


Any answers/opinions I can get would be phenomenal!!!

Thank you so much!

Mt B -

1 - It's good to have material
2 - Learn stuff you can play that your audience is interested in
3 - It's hard to find ppl at any age, so broaden your horizons to also accept other age-groups that may have EXPERIENCE that can help you throughout your musical career - sometimes you may not even be the band leader doing this, but you will learn & find good places to play with your own project later. Look where the music IS - open mics & music stores etc & talk to lotsa ppl until you find those you need & can get along with.
4 - You'll need that PA - the 1/2 stack is optional as for most venues it's gonna be too big & bulky & too loud & it's a hassle to lug around but it looks good, doesn't it?
5 - Beat the pavement, talk to bar owners or other venues - NETWORK with other ppl who can refer you to places that accept new acts
6 - Rule of thumb I always used was about 10 songs per set, inless they're particularly long - a set is an hour, including a 10-20 minute break
7 - Lower your standards - no one is gonna do it your way, so either accept that fact & let 'em do it their own way (unless they have substance issues or can't handle a crowd), or do it all yourself
8 - PREPARE before you bother or it'll be costly. Zoom makes a good lil home system that you may wanna get to get the feel of what it's like to record, but if & when you go into a studio, you're gonna be nervous at 1st so again I repeat myself saying PREPARE - know your stuff better than you've ever known anything before & THEN go in to record it
9 - I like Strats. Lotsa ppl like LP's. I also like PRS. I like licorice. Some ppl don't. Don't sweat the small stuff. Can you make any of them sound good is the big Q
10 - I won't play for less than $100 per man per show unless it's for a benefit I believe in - then it's a freebie
11 - Whatever comes to mind

Having heard your posted song on your profile, I'd add that practice is golden. You have a start, but you need to work a bit more before you start gigging.

Good luck & welcome to the forum.

After checking out your profile, I'd also add that you need to choose, or make clear, what your primary instrument is (outside of any vocals), you pretty much say you want to join a band, and you play guitar, bass, keys, harmonica, etc..

Most bands are looking for a guitar player, a bassist, a drummer, a frontman, etc... but not are not looking for someone with all those instruments. We all play secondary instruments to some degree.

I say this, just because back when I was searching for a bassist, I found early on that contacting everyone who played bass was futile, I'd get messages back like "oh, I just play it on the side, I really want to play guitar in a band", so eventually I stopped contacting people who didn't make it clear exactly what instrument they played primarily.

I'd start by reading all the band and equipment related threads on here.
And forget about being an age-est. You want friends, take a lot of money to the bar. You want a band, play with compatable musicians reguardless of age gender race or any other lable you might stick on people you dont even know.

I'd start by reading all the band and equipment related threads on here.
And forget about being an age-est. You want friends, take a lot of money to the bar. You want a band, play with compatable musicians reguardless of age gender race or any other lable you might stick on people you dont even know.

I see a lot of adverts where the band had has age-requirements. "must be 18-23". Hurts my feelings but i guess one reason is they want teen chicks to dig them, and having "dad" on stage would just be, um. wierd

I am sure you are right about the age req. Its been my experience though that a lot of the "old guys" of rock are the ones who the ladies prefer. Maybe its the good music that has the sex apeal, not he age of the band members.