Mini Rock Band Guide: How to Start, Run, and Grow Your Rock Band

How To Start a Rock Band

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Short ‘How To’ Guides by Real Life, Everyday Experts!

Title of Content

Introduction

Step 1: Forming Your Band

Step 2: Your First Practice

Step 3: Your Second Practice

Step 4: Writing Your First Song

Step 5: Your Gear

Step 6: Your First Gig

Step 7: Moving Forward

About the Expert

Introduction

So, you want to start a rock band?

Whether playing music is your life’s goal or it just sounded like fun, anyone can start a band at any stage of life. It’s not limited to angsty teenagers playing in garages and basements or retired guys playing cover songs at the fair. Playing in a band will challenge you both musically and personally—you’ll share ideas and creativity, learn how to communicate with a group, and improve your skills as a musician. There will inevitably be hurdles or tough times, but I think the potential for enjoyment and new experiences far outweighs the difficulties. I’ve been privileged to be part of six different bands and musical projects since I was fifteen, and each one has taught me something new and valuable; if being in a band is something that you really desire and will commit to, it’s a unique kind of adventure that can create a wealth of good memories. Now, let’s sit down, plug in, and look at how to start a band.

Step 1: Forming Your Band

Starting a band can sound amazing in your head, but it’s often difficult to know where to start. How do you get from the dream of stage lights and recording studios to actually doing it? A good way of finding direction is to decide on your genre or sound. Ask yourself questions: who are my favorite artists? Why do I enjoy listening to them? Do I want to make music that sounds like them, or like something else? How do I want my music to make people feel? Your answers to these questions will help you to narrow your options.

One of the things you’ll hear me say most is that music is about staying flexible, especially in a band. The music you make two years from now might sound nothing like what you’re playing now. Look at any great rock band and you’ll probably notice a good deal of variety between their albums, changing as they become more skilled and discover new influences. But to get off the ground, it’s easier to stick with one sound for a while.

Once you have a general idea of the style you like, it’s time to look for bandmates. Start with your immediate group of friends: you might already have musicians in your friend group, so the first step is to ask if they’re interested. If they are, great! Try to schedule a time where you can talk about it and, ideally, jam a bit too. However, don’t get discouraged if things don’t mesh—everyone has different musical goals, and