well, the other day i asked my friends and we're doin' it., we're starting a band. Our name is Cold Runnings, so any advice would be appreciated

_________________


I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

There is a lot of good advice on this forum regarding bands. Just look around and you will see two current posts on that subject.

Best of luck to you and your band. Don't forget us when you cut your first CD.

congrats

have you decided what kind of music yet.

advise? be a team. imo, i've always admired the way gentle giant put their music together. no one instrument or musician overpowered another. drums and bass were always synchronized and distinct. the rhythm arrangements left enough space for the melody to shine. if you work as a team, everybody has fun, and that will be communicated to whoever's listening no matter what style you're playing.

lots of luck! and congrats!

_________________

Advice on what exactly, just starting a band in general?

Some quick notes...

- keep it fun

- make sure you all agree on what songs "the band" will do. often someone will HATE certain songs or styles, and you want to try to avoid that whole scenario if possible

- when learning songs, it's VERY important for everyone to do the learning and tweaking on their own as homework. band "practice" should be more of a band "rehearsal". there's nothing more annoying and time-wasting than playing the same song 100 times because one person can't learn their stuff or take the time to do it on their own

- know each others playing styles, strengths and weaknesses.

- set goals: a friends party to play at, or some performance. it sucks to be a perpetual practice band that never does anything, plays anywhere or never gets their songs together. some goals will light a fire under you all which we all need sometime

- play out as much as you can. paid gigs are obviously what you want, but just play somewhere as much as you can. it will tighten you up more from the pressure of performing than basement noodling. and the more you perform, the more you'll learn about a lot of things you can't learn in a basement or garage.

- back to the first note - keep it fun. when you perform, you want to love what you're doing. if you're having a good time, most likely the audience will too. and a happy audience will follow your band, tell friends and buy CD's and tshirts. most people want a good local band to follow and brag about.

- when you're on stage, keep in mind that the vast majority of the audience wants to be entertained more than they want to be impressed. we all make little mistakes here and there. learn from them, try not to do them again, and don't freak if you make some mistake playing a gig. chances are, most people won't notice if you don't make a big deal of it. there's a jazz saying that if you make a mistake, do it twice. it'll sound like it was meant to be.

good luck with that. being in a good, tight, fun band is one of the greatest most fun things you can ever do. but if you all don't keep it fun, it can also be the biggest nightmare you've ever had too.

[quote="dgonz"]Advice on what exactly, just starting a band in general?

Some quick notes...

- keep it fun

- +1 , d , put that on your website 'Tips On How To Start A Band'.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

yeah we're gonna start out covering classic rock stuff, i personally have come up w/riffs and so has my friend, we just need a singer, and someone to write the lyrics along w/my riffs, b/c im no lyricist

_________________


I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

Congrats, have fun

Thats awesome!! You guys should video yourselves so that you can see whats good and whats not so good, you'll also see how much you've progressed in the long run too...Have fun!

I love this book ... "Running Your Rock Band" by Bill Henderson.

http://www.amazon.com/Running-Your-Rock ... 657&sr=1-1

_________________
http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab