| Once you've decided on a career in music, pursue | | | | charges a reasonable rate. Not having a place to |
| it!... and don't give up! With enough practice and | | | | practice is terrible reason to trash your dreams. |
| proper management, you have a decent chance | | | | Ok, so you've got the band assembled, a great |
| at becoming successful. It doesn't happen | | | | place to practice and everyone's committed. You |
| overnight. There are bands who've played | | | | or even some of the band members may already |
| together for years and not hit the big time. | | | | have songs written so you'll be ahead of the |
| Others who have never given up on their dream | | | | game. Let that be a starting point for writing |
| have been rewarded with record contracts. It's | | | | more songs. Not everything you and your |
| just like most everything else in life that's worth | | | | bandmates write will be a Top Ten hit but the |
| pursuing. The harder you work at it and the | | | | point is to keep the creative juices flowing. |
| longer you stick to it, the better you become and | | | | Next step is easy: |
| finally, one day the call comes and you've made it! | | | | It's something you already enjoy doing - |
| Even though your music may be an esoteric | | | | PRACTICE! The more you practice as a group, |
| expression of you, played from your heart and | | | | the better feel you'll have for one another's |
| soul, there are some practical matters in the real | | | | playing style, sense of timing and on-stage |
| world that need to be attended to before you | | | | personalities. It makes for great music when a |
| can strike up the band. | | | | well practiced, cohesive band plays and that only |
| Things you'll need to consider: | | | | comes with time, familiarity and practice. It's also |
| Where will you practice? When will you practice? | | | | a good idea to record your practice sessions. It |
| You'll need to coordinate these things with your | | | | will provide instant feedback and you'll know when |
| bandmates. Scheduling practice and keeping | | | | you start sounding good and where you might |
| everyone on the same page may be one of the | | | | need some improvement. |
| hardest tasks a new band will have to contend | | | | So you've practiced, practiced, practiced and |
| with. But if you get the right group of people who | | | | you're sounding really good. Look around for |
| see the same dream as you and are just as | | | | potential places you can play, maybe houseparties, |
| committed, you have a big part of the battle | | | | family get-togethers or a local party spot. Contact |
| won. | | | | local bands and volunteer to open for them. The |
| To start off, you need to tell people. Check out | | | | value of feedback from a live audience is |
| the local classifieds to see if there's a band who | | | | immeasurable. The experience will help polish your |
| needs your skills or put an ad in the paper | | | | band's stage performance and get you more |
| yourself, get the word out on the street. You | | | | exposure. The more people that see you and |
| may be surprised at how many people share | | | | enjoy your performances, especially in nightclubs, |
| your dream. Post to blogs or other personal web | | | | the more likely you are to get more gigs. |
| pages. The important thing is to find people who | | | | While you're playing these great gigs, record the |
| you can work with and have fun but they must | | | | shows. Make demo tapes and mail them out to |
| be as serious as you when it comes to their | | | | the radio stations, give them to friends and |
| music and their future. Not everyone will think | | | | family, load them up to YouTube. Get your music |
| exactly alike, but find people who are creative and | | | | out there! You've worked hard to get to this |
| determined but friendly and flexible enough to | | | | point, be proud and show off your |
| listen to another's ideas. | | | | accomplishments! |
| Once you've assembled the right mixture of | | | | Armed with this advice, your "I won't quit 'til I'm |
| people, the next obstacle you face is where and | | | | there" attitude and your six-string, go out there |
| when to practice. Maybe you or your bandmates | | | | and beg, borrow, scratch and fight until you get |
| will have a place at home or a garage. If that fails | | | | to the top of the charts. You have the dream, do |
| look for a place to rent. A unused warehouse or | | | | you have the will? |
| storage area but try to find a a place that | | | | |