Steps to Forming a Band

When you hear the word band, what do you think of? Most of us think of a group of musicians playing music they love in someone's garage or basement. The small 15-watt practice amps that buzz in the corner often tell stories of lost love or teenage rebellion. Many think that a band is just a bunch of people playing music that sounds good. To the band members, it is an unbelievable feeling to compose something that sounds good. There is an amount of pride that goes into every riff and chord. Regardless of how it looks to start a band and keep one together, the fact is that it isn't easy at all.

The first step when starting a band is finding the right people. All too often, bands are cursed with an undetermined, uninspired, wannabe who can't play music. It is important to be able to throw ideas back and forth to each other without fear or embarrassment. Having good chemistry among members is important since there is so much time spent together.

It can be difficult to acquire the equipment needed to play in a band. Local musician Michael Coleman-Berry said, " The first guitar I ever bought was from a pawn shop, and I used all of my money to buy it."

Even at pawnshops, instruments and amplifiers can be expensive. To buy a guitar worth playing and an amp worth plugging in will set you back at least $500. Sometimes, places like Guitar Center and Sam Ash will have special deals.

Once a band is formed with members that are devoted and inspired, the writing process begins. It is easy to lay down a heavy power chord with an intricate base line and steady drumbeat and call it a song. It is important that every member of the band likes the song so that they are able to put everything they have into it.

Every band that has ever been formed knows when the have struck gold. It is obvious when a band has written a song that all the members like by the looks on their faces and the quality of the sound and the effort put forth. Some songs are constructed too quickly and often sound sloppy. This is the song that is quickly played and rarely worked on. Then there is the song that is played over and over. This is the song that members of the band can be proud to call their own. The song will showcase every musician's talent in the best light at the best time. To write the golden song, every musician must be completely involved.

The next challenge is to find a place to practice these songs. There are rentable practice studios, but for teenagers who don't have a job and lack support from their parents, it can be hard to come up with the money. Rentable practice spaces are hard to come by.

Coleman-Berry states, "One time my band and I were jamming in the guitarist's garage and all of a sudden we hear a knock on the garage door. When we opened the garage there were two police cars and a K-9 unit on his driveway telling us that almost everyone in the neighborhood had called and complained. We never jammed at his house ever again."

It is difficult to get permission to jam anywhere. It is about getting lucky and finding a place where the people don't mind listening to you, or where they can't hear you.

Once the songs are written and equally perfected by each member, the time has come to begin booking live performances. Shows are good for exposure but can also be disastrous.

Kyle Peek, a drummer for the band 'Huh' said, "It's hard for us to get a big turnout sometimes because 'Huh' was a band started with Taylor Hawkins of the 'Foo Fighters, so people expect him to be there, and then they see me instead, it just causes people to have high expectations, it's stressful."

Some bands get lucky with their success, and some end up running in circles with no recognition.

Everett Debree says "My band 'Sacred Storm' got lucky enough to be able to tour the country next summer."

Most new bands play with other local bands, and if getting everyone together isn't hard enough, finding a place to play can pose a problem as well. Coffee houses and small cafes are a good place to start. The owners like it because it brings in business. They only become uneasy about it when 50-100 people start moshing in their shop. Backyard shows are usually a safe bet, except for the occasional drop-by from the police. The best way to book shows is to get a booking agent. Having an agent can be pricey, charging at least $100 per show, but it will be worth the money in the long run.

With the many uncertainties in our world today, there is one thing that remains constant, and that is the music. It takes passionate and determined musicians to keep their future alive and bright. If musicians can see through the hard times, it is possible to turn ideas in their head into the next big thing in the years to come. Maybe things will become easier for musicians. Cheaper equipment and more accessible places to play would help, but until then they will have to do it the hard way.