How To Start a Rock or Metal Band With Your Friends In High School

How To Start A Band

Something tells me you are interested in knowing how to start a band. If so, forming your own band can be a fun

and exciting experience, but also difficult. When it comes to finding players who are dedicated and as serious

about the music as you are, it's not always as easy as it may sound. From my thirteen years of experience playing

guitar, drums, bass, and occasional vocals – I will admit it was tough. You can have a room full of great

musician's, but if they all treat it as an after school gig, it's going to affect those who are in it for the long haul

and you are going to go through many members. But for those who are willing to hold it together and persevere,

here are some tips that should guide you through the process and hopefully help you along the way when starting

your own band.

TIPS ON HOW TO START A BAND

Whether you decide to start a rock, metal, or maybe even a country band, it doesn't matter what type of music

you decide to pursue. What matters is that you have some decent players who all agree on playing the same

style of music and more importantly – there minds are set in the same direction. You want to have a group of

guys (or gals) who are either in it for something to do after school or looking at it from a long-term direction.

Either way, as long as everyone is on the same page, it will be a hell of a lot easier and less-stressful when it

comes to decision making and getting everyone in the same room together for rehearsal.

Many say they would love to know how to start a band, but very few will actually take action and follow through.

If you are one of the few who have managed to get some players together that are all on the same page and

agree with each other, decide whether or not you will be writing your own material or playing covers. Those who

are in it for the long run will most likely want to write original music and play to a more broad audience then

those who play cover songs and won't make it much further then the local bar.

Once you have your mind made up and figured out what you and the rest of the members would like to play, it's

time to get a jam room. You are going to need a place to practice and it will have to be some place where you

are not going to upset the neighbors or relatives on a daily or weekly basis. From my experience, jamming in you

parents house – out of your bedroom – will piss the neighbors off and they will call the police. Try and go for a

garage and if you don't have one available, ask another member if they may have one that can be used at least

once or twice a week to practice.

An alternative to a garage would be a mobile shed or anything that can fit up to 5 people and their equipment

inside.

If you made it this far and are ready to start rehearsing with the other band mates, it's time to schedule a band

meeting – one of many to come – and figure out at least 1 day out of the week that everyone can get together

and start writing some music. You need to work out a day with everyone that falls in line with their schedules as

well so that you can all get together on the same day and get as much band practice in as possible. It's going to

be tough at first, but if your serious about getting the ball on the roll and cranking out some material you can be

proud of, you and the guys will work something out. Those who want to butt heads and show a lack of dedication

to go forward will be the ones that are left behind and eventually replaced with someone who is fit for the band

and can make practice as scheduled.

A band is suppose to be about having a good time, playing some good tunes, and getting along while doing it.

Sure it is going to be tough at times and there will be those who are going to argue – I have been there. But even

though I have found myself down to two band members at times, I stuck with it and managed to come across

some great musician's who were more dedicated then the previous. It all fell together eventually and the writing

process fell in place and seemed so much funner.

If you happen to end up in the same position I was in – which no doubt you will – remember that dedication and

a love for playing music will pay off in the long run. I hope this article was helpful in some way for those of you

wanting to know how to start a band and that you will now have a guide to go by and some motivation to keep

you going.