New Band

[Muckquaiker]

Ok, i've been e-mailing this guy regularly about setting up a band, he's 14 and plays bass and has just told me he's found 2 friends who play drums and guitar to start up a band. I've never met him before because i put an advert on a guitar website. He wants me to go and practice with them on Saturday, it's the first time any of us will have played together so i don't really no what to expect. Do you think i should take a friend along for moral support? What do you think i should do to prepare?

Thanks for any advice.

Miranda
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[BrettV]

Did you agree on some songs to play? If not, my guess is that it's going to be really unorganized. Unless you're all mad impromptu playahs or plan on spending the evening learning originals, it's going to be odd and most likely unfruitful. I'd call him and ask for a couple of songs that everyone will know ... even if you plan on working on some originals .. it's good to have some fun stuff to play .. and usually gets everyones creative juices flowing if they're having a good time and hitting it off.

Warm your fingers up a few hours before .. play for an hour or two, take a little break, and head over there .. you'll still be shining when you get there.

Make sure you take all the accessories you need: extra picks, an extra high e and b, cloth or towel, bottled water, an extra guitar cord or two, capo? slide? ... etc etc.

Above all else .. you don't know these guys. Be careful and have a great time. I'd definitely bring a friend along.

-tk

[This message has been edited by tk00022 (edited March 31, 2003).]

[Muckquaiker]

Thanks for all the advice. I have arranged for a friend to come with me. I've checked out the place where the rehersal is and it looks great, all i need is my guitar. They sell drinks, picks, strings, food and all the other essentials. I've e-mailed him and asked him what we will play. The place looks great its only £5 an hour plus £1 for an amp. Very cheap. They have recording facilities and everything.

Thanks again
Miranda
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[TomN]

Sounds pretty cool. At least it's not just in someone basement.

All the above advice was perfect. I don't have much to add except, don't worry if you guys all stand around looking at each other going.
"Do you know this"?
"No"?
"ooh, ohh, how about this"?
"No, but do you know this"?
"crap. nope"

It's totally normal. For this first time get together I would be focused on chemistry and personality. Just hanging and making sure these are guys you want to hang out with and jam with. If you don't get along personally it's going to ge very hard to get along musically. And if everyone is on that same page, it won't seem so much of a let down that no one knows the same songs.

If you guys can come up with 5 songs that everyone knows and you can play them. That would be amazing and incredible. So just be happy even if you only come up with one.

Use this as more of an opurtunity to get to know them and talk about what kind of stuff you want to do and make a song list for the next time you get together.

Just have fun and don't take this first practice too seriously. One band I had the most success started off with one of the mist hideous first practices in musical history. SO you never know.

And yes, Take a freind.

And let us know how it goes.

Good luck


[This message has been edited by TomN (edited April 01, 2003).]

[Muckquaiker]

Thanks! The practice is on Saturday so as soon as i get back i'll let you know how it went. We've agreed to play Dive by Nirvana (excellent choice and it wasn't even my suggestion!). I'm taking two friends along with me.

Roll on Saturday.

Thanks again
Miranda
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[Sonja]

How did it go on Saturday, did you have fun?

[Muckquaiker]

It's tommorow, haven't been yet, but thanks for asking. I'll let you know.

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[dmt]

Good luck! Bringing two friends might be overkill, but if they're already invited, don't sweat it. Also, remember you're auditioning these guys too. Bearing this in mind might help you feel less nervous and/or sensitive. Some people are just meant to play together, other's aren't. It's often amazing how, out of all the possible styles of music, you can find someone who plays your same basic style (say, Alternative Rock), but who is totally incompatible! Other times, you'll find enough common ground with someone from a very different background/style. This can sometimes lead to incredible music. Like TomN said, it's a lot about connecting just as people, on a personal level (though being pals isn't enough on it's own, and conflicting personalities can cause a creative tension).

Anyway, if these guys approach music a little too differently, or they have attitudes you can't deal with, etc., then even if they want you, you might not want to invest the time in playing with them! If they're far away, you're going to have to invest A LOT of time and effort just to get over there and back. Then, there'll be the endless hours of band practice, not to mention learning stuff on your own at home so that your band practice time is more fruitful. Of course, it'll all be worth it if you end up playing live, making great music together [that you enjoy playing], in front of an appreciative audience! If you think that has no chance of happening with these guys, however, just chalk it up as an experience and move on. Same for if they don't think you're right for them. It happens. There's lots of other musicians, and you move on.

Just trying to maybe take a little of the pressure off. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

Good luck and I hope it works out right here on the first shot!

[Muckquaiker]

So i went, i played, it was fun. We played Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
About A Girl - Nirvana
Brainstew - Green Day
Private Eye - Alkaline Trio
Learn To Fly - Foo Fighters

We have the same rehersal place for the next 4 weeks so we're all going to learn some more songs and do some of our own and if they sound any good we're going to do some gigs.

Yay.
I'm happy now.

Miranda
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[TomN]

Awsome.

Sounds like everyone's into the same stuff.

Keep us updated.