Find Musicians with The Music Post

Top Ten Tips - How to Start a Band

The first step is to find musicians to join your band. You may already have some friends interested in joining a band but if not don’t worry! Use The Music Post to find musicians in your area. It is a good idea to search for musicians with a similar musical tastes and influences, as the chances are you will enjoy writing and playing the same kind of music.
Decide which instruments you want in your band and make sure you find musicians who are proficient and motivated. One poor member can bring the whole band down. You also need to decide who will be the lead singer.
Once you have found your band members you need to decide which kind of music you will play. This will depend on your own tastes and you may prefer to start with covers of bands you all like.
Choose a band name. This is your band’s identity and you’ll have to stick with it for as long as the band exists, so take the time to find the right name. The best names are memorable and easy to spell – this is especially important if you are relying on people being able to find you online. A unique name is best as this will prevent people confusing you with other bands. If you are stuck for ideas consider using names of band members (e.g. Bon Jovi) or open a book randomly and see what words strike you. Make sure all the band members agree on a name before making a final decision.
If one of the band members or someone you know is artistic, then try creating a logo for the band name you have chosen. This can be used on your website, promotional posters, CD’s etc.
No band will ever progress without regular practice sessions. You may have a garage or area in your home you can practice in, but be sure to soundproof it or you will have some very angry neighbours! Another idea is to scout out practice studios in your area by searching The Music Post. Once you settle on a place to practice arrange a time each week (or more often if possible) which is suitable for all the band members.
Set some ground rules. There is no need to get too heavy at such an early stage, but it is a good idea to iron out issues such as how often you will practice, how you will split any earnings and how you will pay for expenses (practice rooms, equipment, and so on).
Get together with your band mates and decide on a playlist that you will perform. Make sure all the band members are happy with the choice of songs. Start with around five songs and keep practicing until you get them right. When you are confident with your original playlist you can add more songs or start writing some of your own.
In order to move the band forward it is important to spend some time on promotion. Getting a band website is a great idea as it gives you the opportunity to tell your fans all about the band and let them know the dates of upcoming gigs. You should take some photos of your band in different locations as well as when playing – these can be used for promotional posters and put on your website. You may also consider appointing an agent to secure gigs on your behalf. Search The Music Post for agents in your area.
When you are confident your band is ready, you should arrange to record some of your songs at a professional recording studio. You can put the recordings on your website and make CD’s to sell at your gigs. You should also send the recordings to local venues, radio stations and recording labels. Search The Music Post for recording studios in your area.