Opinion Thread: Advice for a young band starting out...

[Mysterytrain]

Advice for a new/young band starting out...

Tip #1

I would have to say that young bands should find members with the same level of abilities and talent.

Doing so will avoid frustration on both sides of the talent line. Especially when performing in front of a crowd.

[tonefight]

Ability level is one thing but that can sometimes be overcome by commitment level. I really think that is the main issue in a band . Some are part time, some give it everything they have, some wanna play part time but give it their all to prepare for when they do, some wanna play all the time but they don't wanna put any off time effort in.
I say find everyones commitment level is the focal point, understand where everyone is on commitment level and make it work.

[Hawk]

1. Perseverance
2. Perseverance
3. Have an idea of what your target audience is.
4. Go knocking on doors looking for gigs. No one is looking for you.
5. Dress well and have a good attitude when you do number four.
6. Remember 1 and 2 if you have a gig that does not go well.
7. After you are gigging HAVE FUN ! It shows...

[witchhunt]

Just as important as similar levels of ability is that everyone is pretty much on the same page as far as material, gigs, practice, etc. If not completely on the same page, then be willing to bend a bit for your bandmates.

[kayla]

Even though im still a "newb" my advice is dont be afraid to fail. And the best advice i ever got was to jam with everyone, no matter what the talent level you can always learn something from them.

- kayla.

[songsmith]

Here's one:
Your mom, your girlfriend, and your best buds are not accurate judges of your talent or ability. Thank them for their praise, but pay more attention to the guy that thinks you suck. People aren't always honest about how good you are, but they sure as hell are about how bad you are.

[bassluvver]

Here's one:
Your mom, your girlfriend, and your best buds are not accurate judges of your talent or ability. Thank them for their praise, but pay more attention to the guy that thinks you suck. People aren't always honest about how good you are, but they sure as hell are about how bad you are.

This.

Mom & your buds will always say you sound great, even when you don't. That's why I like to play to new crowds from out of our area. No friends = honest opinions.

[Jasaoke]

Listen.

Listen.

Listen some more.

Don't just 'hear'; listen.

Music is a listening art. The more you train your ear, the more effective you become. A writer must be able to read, a photographer must be able to see... you get the idea

[bassist_25]

If someone is trying to get you to do something with the selling point being "exposure" (e.g., selling tickets to open for a national, playing a battle of the bands, etc.), walk away; nine times out of ten, they're trying to exploit you.

[Mysterytrain]

If someone is trying to get you to do something with the selling point being "exposure" (e.g., selling tickets to open for a national, playing a battle of the bands, etc.), walk away; nine times out of ten, they're trying to exploit you.

I second that... in a lot of cases.

Advantage:
Yes, you are on festival flyers with top bands. Pretty exciting.

You have access to backstage, hospitality tent and prominent people that may be listening when you are playing. Be nice. You never know who you're talking to in those restricted areas.

Last summer I saved about $1500. of admission prices to festivals I would have attended by not playing in a band. My advice, once you're there enjoy yourself, the bands, the scene and the weekend break from life.

If it's a benefit, you can at least know you helped someone.


Disadvantage:
At a festival your slot will probably be first band of the day when no one is even there or awake. Or sunday late afternoon when they all went home. In a bar setting you'll be first and playing if/when people are just arriving.

You will most likely be the "soundcheck" band. That's where the guy uses you to dial in the pa system. Ignore all the feedback, terrible monitor feeds, and when you finally get settle in the mix, your time is up.

You might get $10. of each ticket you sell. But it takes the band $200 in gas to get there. And the promoter will look at you like "you ONLY sold 20 tickets"?

[Mysterytrain]

More advice...

Pull your own weight!

I prefer to be responsibly, irresponsible! I have enough things to deal with before a show.

So, if someone is pulling extra weight for you then show them you appreciate it!

Such as:

If you need rides then pay for your share of gas even though it may cost all the money you got at the gig. Without being asked for the money. This includes the local gigs too. Someone went out of their way to and from the gig for you.

Help carry and set up the pa system, not just your own stuff.

If someone invests their own money in the band then make sure they get paid back before any money is divided up after a gig. Or at least partial payments until it's paid.

Finally, it may work at first but after awhile a person can feel taken advantage of if these types of problems continue.