Overcoming the Challenges of Being in a Rock Band
At one time or another, many musicians dream of being in a rock band. It’s a great way to form connections with fellow musicians and work on creating your own sound. Plus, it gives you major street cred. Being in a rock band, however, isn’t all fun and games. Many obstacles prevent you from creating an awesome band. Here, we present some of the most common challenges your rock band might face and how to overcome them.
Finding the Right Musicians
When forming your band, you’ve got to find the right musicians. Of course, you’ll want performers who are on your level. But skill isn’t the only factor you should consider. Choose musicians that are on the same page as you. They should play genres and styles that mesh well with yours.
They should also be on the same page when it comes to goals. How much time are they willing to put into practice? Are they looking to play for fun, or do they want to eventually gig? It won’t be too hard to find good drummers, guitarists, pianists, vocalists, etc. You just have to know where to look.
Start by seeing if any of your friends are interested. This is a great way to hang out; plus, you’ll already have good chemistry. You can also find musicians by going to local open mics or music stores. Or, consider posting a listing on sites like Craigslist, BandMix, etc.
By finding the right musicians from the beginning, you’ll avoid a lot of problems later on.
Finding the Time to Practice
Once you’ve got your members, it’s time to practice. The problem? Everyone is busy. Because we all have lives outside of the band, it can be hard to find a time that works for everyone. Try to be as consistent as possible. Going too long without practicing together may leave you all feeling rusty.
Start by seeing if the evenings work, as this is when most people get off of work. You may even have to opt for weekends. Aim for a three-hour practice once a week. On their own, everyone should practice about five days a week.
Finding a Place to Practice
Perhaps even harder than finding the time to practice? Finding a place to practice. It’s difficult to find a space where you won’t bother anyone. To avoid noise complaints, consider renting a space. Many bands practice in music stores, recording studios, and even storage facilities.
Finding Your Groove
When you’re in a band, it’s not enough to become a great drummer, guitarist, or vocalist. You have to sound great together. Playing in a band is much different than playing by yourself. You have to learn how to work with others to create an awesome sound.
Every band is different, but most have the drummer keep time. Members tend to use common hand signals to communicate during a song. For instance, there is the “take it down” signal (you face your palm towards the ground and push your hand down). This is the universal sign to have the band play quietly. As you continue practicing together, your band will come up with a foolproof system for communicating.
Booking Gigs
Not all bands want to play shows. Sometimes, a band is simply looking to jam out and have fun. But, when comes a point when many bands want to start booking gigs. When this happens, you have to have the right equipment to go on stage.
You also have to find places to play. Start by playing open mics to get experience. Then, you can start reaching out to venues and promoters. While starting a band can be challenging, it’s a very rewarding experience. Don’t forget to make it fun and stay persistent.
