Being in a band can be a lot of fun. You can play cover songs from any time period, or you could even write your own. There are so many different types of music, and it really is possible to make it. All you need is a few people and a few instruments and you’re set to go. Here are some tips on starting your very own band.

1. Find some friends who can play instruments

It’s a given. If you want to play music, you’ve got to do it with people you enjoy. Spending time on developing song arrangements with people you despise wouldn’t be the best use of time, and it probably wouldn’t be very productive either. So for this first step, find some people you can stand. Oh, and they should also probably play an instrument.

2. Set up times to practice

Setting up a day and a time that works with everyone’s schedule is essential. If you have a planned time, then things will get done. It’s probably also a good idea to practice songs beforehand so that you can walk into your band practice prepared to be productive.

3. Pick songs

You’ll have to make sure to dedicate one practice to picking songs. There are probably a few ways to do this but in my experience, the best way is to have each band member bring a few songs they believe would be fun and suitable to the band’s ability. Then, everyone can vote on their favorite songs. When there are a few clear winners, the band can talk over which songs everyone can and can’t play on their respective instruments, and from there you can pick songs to work on.

4. Practice songs

Between each band practice, you’ll need to learn your instrument’s part. Make sure that you have a specific key decided so that you don’t have to transpose the song during your set practice time. Also, if there is a riff in the song, dedicate it to one of the instruments in your band so that the person playing that instrument can learn the riff on their own time.

5. Find somewhere to perform

There are a few ways to go about this step. Just try to be aware of the places in your community that have live music played there, and of school events (particularly at elementary schools) that need someone to play music. Then you can reach out to whoever is in charge of the venue. Sometimes people will ask for a video to see what your band is like, so make sure to have a few ready. You can also enter in competitions with your band online by sending videos in, so having videos of your band is really important.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your brand new band!