StartBands

Normally I would not focus on a particular instrument, but I have been asked to add some guitar-specific resources, so here we go.  As I stated in an earlier post, I think that learning one’s craft should be paramount.  I know, figuring out what cool shirt to wear, or how much gel, or how long the beard should be is cool too, but the craft is key.  Having said that, guitar players can use the web as a great resource for more instruction.  Let’s say you are a beginner who is broke (a very common situation amongst musicians) and you can’t afford lessons yet, or even a seasoned player who wants to learn some more tricks, well here are some options.  First, I would try to go out and see as many live acts as possible.  That means ANY live act!  Seriously, you can learn plenty from people doing things “their way” and try not to copy them.  Watch for guys who talk while they are onstage….talk way to long.  Or the drunk bass player (or any other drunk musician) playing at the local pub or tavern who can’t seem to tune his bass in under five minutes.  One of my favorites is the lead singer who NEEDS to use a cowbell or tamborine on every song…nothing like a ballad with a mambo cowbell on 2 and 4 of every measure.

Of course, you can always learn from real pros who can play.  Those are the best lessons.  Take notes (bring a pen and notepad, or add notes on your cool phone) and enjoy the reason why we musicians think it is worth it to have to load up at 2:00 in the morning in freezing weather.  What about online stuff for guitarists?  Here are some of my favorite sites:  If you can play a little and know basic chords and scales go to All Guitar Chords and I also find that most guitarists find songs at Ultimate Guitar. One of my favorite teacher sites that I found a long time ago is JustinGuitar and he is great. Check out his site and the videos on youtube!

There is a start.  If you know of any other helpful sites, please feel free to add them!  Now go polish those dirty cymbals……

so if learning your craft is of the utmost importance, then why don’t music instructors throw in a little bit of performance tips.  what kind of tips?  how about these:  guitar players must bring extra strings to gigs, guitar players should face the crowd when playing, drummers should bring a large carpet or rug to put under their entire drumset so it won’t shift at all, and most importantly BRING DUCT TAPE!  yes, that is the new order:  1.  learn your craft, and 2.  bring duct tape to gigs…….

at the end of last month I was able to watch a brand new band play their second big show.  they are a rock band and I was impressed with their playing and stage presence.  some kids just have it figured out, and these guys do.  they did a great job playing in front of 600 people!  check them out at:  Remedy I may even interview them for this site, because there are so many young musicians who want to form a band right now, but they may not know how to.  here are a couple of tips…..after you can play your instrument well enough, put the word out that you want to join a band.  then, try to go see bands or listen to local bands at high schools and at small venues like “Friday in the Park” and that fun stuff.  get up the courage to approach someone with the band and give a couple of GREAT compliments.  then ask if they need any help loading or unloading stuff.  if they do, HELP!  get to know some of the people and get their numbers.  keep going to their gigs, and offer your free services to them.  I started as a photographer.  all it cost me was film (yes, I am old) and time.  but within a month I learned how to run the light board and help setup the PA.  I worked for free, and then became the “sound guy” and started getting paid.  here is another common rule of thumb in the music business:  PEOPLE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS TEND TO BE FLAKES!  so be the opposite and you will get to know plenty of people in your local scene.

ok, I will continue to add more content…..please be patient.  go play your guitar, or learn pro tools now.

I guess we are official now that we have a Technorati Profile

Part 2 coming soon, as well as band stories!

So many of my friends are having a great time playing rock band, and watching them is fun.  I wish I would have thought of the idea first!  It looks like so much fun, and I must admit that it would be great if starting a “real live” band was just as easy as connecting some peripherals and powering up the latest gaming system.  The problem with reality is that learning to play an instrument takes time, and then finding other musicians that have similar interests can sometimes seem like it can take an eternity.  I think that if I had to create a list of how to start a band, the first item on that list would be:  1.  Learn my craft.  It wasn’t until I had been playing in bars, taverns, and small town functions for about three years that I truly saw the value in those long practices in my tiny bedroom (my door could barely open because of cymbal stands and makeshift “toms” I made out of old buckets just so I could have a huge drumset like Neil Peart).  Granted I had the 80s rocker look (think more Van Halen than Poison), and the gear, well different brands of drums all hand-painted the same color, but what mattered most was that I could keep time and learn songs quickly.  There was much more to just learning how to play patterns, rudiments and beats.  I also had to learn how to begin to be in a band, which includes learning how to pack all my gear up quickly (I used blankets and pillow cases to haul my stuff around for the first year).  The most important, and I think the coolest part of being in my first band was that we already had gigs lined up.  We just needed to become a band.  Luckily there were other small bands in my small Maryland town that we could borrow and steal ideas from….and we did.

This is a good start.  Part 2 coming soon.  Oh, I will try to start adding some cool photos from way back.

in the very near future this will be THE site to learn how to form a band and keep it together.  plus it will feature articles from top music professionals that will give advice on the music business.