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Post subject: band
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:22 pm
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i am starting a band, any sugestions?


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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:28 pm
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85tyZNiSyTk


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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:22 pm
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Ahhh ... I remember those days (and they say memory goes with age :)

Anyway, some random thoughts from having been there several times.

1. Decide whether the band is a democracy or features one person with the rest as role players. (And "role player" does not mean stepped on, ignored, etc.) I've been in both types of groups and either can work. What doesn't work is no clear way that decisions are made.

2. Now, decide the general type of music you'll play and whether you're primarily a covers or originals band. That will make a big difference in your game plan. For instance, I know a couple all originals bands that as a group have a set list of less than 25 songs! You'll never find them doing 3 sets at some corner bar or something like that.

3. Style is important too. In my first band, we decided on primarily known covers but with some originality. That is, unlike a strict cover band, we didn't play exactly like the record -- but we didn't go into 1/2 hour jams either. You could try to emulate the styles of what you play but ... just my opinion ... creating your own style and touch will get you more notice.

4. Along similar lines, do you want to narrowly restrict to one type of audience (demographics) or are you playing for a more diverse crowd. If one wants to stick with early 20s "rocker types" and another argues that you'd be working more if you played "30 something" music ... could be trouble!

5. Plan to evolve. My cover band started with straight old school rock requiring only one singer. But we had to evolve as the 60s became the 70s. Fewer and shorter solos, more vocals, more tunes needing harmony, etc. Naturally, you always have a choice and ours was to stay with the old school album rock (and look for whole new audience), go completely commercial (play it like the record, get the platform shoes, etc.) or at least evolve into a more modern style -- vocals over guitars, etc.

6. Finally ... agree to be serious about rehearsal time and gigs. No drugs, no booze, no outsiders or "guests" at rehearsals, etc. Trust me -- playing straight adds to the fun 'cause when you step on stage, you have the confidence of knowing you "got it cold!"


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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:35 pm
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thanks!


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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:48 pm
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whatever you do music wise, no'6 is the most important. You dont need wives or G's interfering on the band. Be decisive, be a control freak but most of all be your own band with your own direction. not any outsider's.

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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:36 am
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philip602 wrote:
Anyway, some random thoughts from having been there several times.


Excellent advice! Very well said.

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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:39 am
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Have fun! 8)


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:59 am
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Do not do it with friends.

Do it with musicians you are prepared to work with and likely build and un-build relationships with.


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:03 am
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Well you have to find soulmates if you want to sound right. This is the only and most important rules when forming a band. Many really good bands broke apart because of this. The Blues President 8)

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Last edited by DBluesN on Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:15 am
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Don't be a cliche.
Lots of bands out there now are so terribly cliche and predictable and boring. And don't be afraid to take chances. :wink:

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:25 pm
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Have fun -> band members must be friends -> no girlfriends/boyfriends (and some would say not even friends at all) at rehearsals -> read the Badfinger's (a notorious 70's band) story.


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:44 pm
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Some good stuff there from Philip602, I always liked to work with guys I felt comfortable with and I hoped they felt the same about me. It made rehearsals and the general work behind it all, go easier somehow.
Above all keep it interesting and it will stay enjoyable.


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:30 pm
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Have fun, for sure. But when it's time to practice, there should be no screwing around. And the term "band practice" is wrong to me. It should be rehearsal. The practicing should be on your own, that's the homework. When you get with the band, you should all know your parts already and you're just running through them together and working out some small things.

There shouldn't be any "Ok, how do you play this song again?". There's nothing worse than spending time practicing things, only to have your time wasted by some lazy band member that never touches their instrument outside of rehearsal and has to learn them there with you. They need to get in line or get booted.


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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:42 pm
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JSJH said:
Quote:
Do not do it with friends.

Do it with musicians you are prepared to work with and likely build and un-build relationships with.


This is so true! I joined a band that friends of mine formed. Needless to say, they no longer speak to me.

But, the people who were in my first serious band are still friends of mine to this day. And it's been over thirty years now. Even now, if I go out to see them play I usually wind up sitting in for a couple songs.

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