Start a Band in Middle School

Being a popular rock star in Middle School won't happen overnight, but this can help get you started. If you follow the steps you'll be on Warped Tour by the time you're 15!

Steps

  1. Get a band together. The best number of members to have in your band is around three to five. The least you can have is 2. You will need (at least) a guitarist, singer, bassist and a drummer. If you can't find a drummer, check your school's band. They might have someone who can play a drum set.
  2. Find an interesting name for your band. Band names are one of the most important parts of the band. It has to entice people when they hear it so they will come to your shows. Think of things you like to do like skateboard or play computer games. Then add feeling words like pain, agony, or happiness. Something like "Computing Joy," or "Agonized Boarding" are good examples, but this isn't the only method. If you can't find a good name then find something that is a favorite of every member of the band, then mix up the words, such as adding blue and green. 'Breen', then add another word. If you did mix two or more words together like 'Breen', try having the next word begin with the same letter. In this case, it's 'B', so maybe your end product would be 'The Breen Band'. Some band names may just be interesting.Try to be as creative as possible.
  3. Get instruments.This is remotely simple, but can be quite expensive. You can try to get help from your parents, or from local instrument stores or clubs which are willing to support you.
  4. Begin practicing. Start by covering your favorite songs by your favorite bands, so you will get used to playing together. Don't worry that your instruments don't match up with what you usually see. The piano can also provide both the bass and guitar parts. Drum parts and guitar tabs for nearly any popular or semi-popular song can be found on the Internet.
  5. Tell people at school about your band. Once people know that you have a band they will want you to play birthday parties and the like. You can also invite some people to your practice sessions, if everybody in the band agrees on it.
  6. Book shows. Record a demo tape to send to some venues in your area, or look for some open-mic nights. These will help popularize your band outside of your school. You will attract popular high school and even college kids to your shows and they will enjoy your music. If you can't find a location, ask your school if you can use the gym, cafeteria, or parking lot.
  7. Keep practicing. Just because you now have a huge fan base, you cannot slack off. Do bands like Fall Out Boy or Panic! At The Disco practice? Of course they do! Your skills will diminish if you do not keep practicing, and you will lose touch with your band members. Remember that they might have other offers, so you'll have to keep them interested.
  8. Find the right practice area. Finding the right practice area is hard. Not everyone has that kind of space. You also want to find a place close to all of the band members' houses so that it's easily accessible. Warehouses are open many times. If you DO have a garage and are not a part of a band, you could open it to someone who wants to use it, always be considerate. You and your band should agree with everything as far as where to play.
  9. Rock out! Don't forget to have fun when you play music. If you're enjoying it, your audience will enjoy it. Have a good attitude when you play and don't expect things to always go your way. If someone quits your band, chances are they won't come back so just let it go. Host auditions at your school or neighborhood for a new musician. This gives your fans a chance to participate and getting a new musician is a big popularity boost for your band. Just remember to have fun and don't give up!
    • By 'bassist', it is generally an electric guitar bass. A stand-up bass works well for jazz and orchestral music, although it can be used in place of an electric if the musician is good enough and it is absolutely necessary. The fingerings for electric and acoustic basses are basically the same, so it is also very possible that a classic bassist can interchange between electric and classic.



Tips

  • Also,make sure that your lyricist can actually write,but don't be afraid to let everyone in the band to help him/her write if need be.(writer's block does happen)
  • Don't rush the song writers to do this fast, because the process will only go slower and the song will come out really bad.
  • Respect one another and just be you as you are unique in your own way. Teamwork, hope, patience and hard work is all you need.
  • Maybe post your song on youtube or make a website. You can do it for free on some web page makers!
  • Make sure you have a good place to practice! Make sure you are allowed to practice inside before you crank up the music.
  • Have at least one friend to start the band with. You can't start with nothing.
  • Make sure you can get along with everyone in the band.
  • The lyrics are important too, so everyone should pitch in on who does the vocals.
  • Try to get a good image for your band e.g hoodie/jeans or dress shirt/ jeans.
  • Don't get your hopes to high, even bands like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana started out small.
  • If you first decide you want to do a band when you're playing outside,or in school,and your friends agree,and you don't have enough money for everything, put all your money in to see how much you have then, look on the computer to see the nearest music schools or shops,and buy it.
  • A band can decide on a leader, but only as a unanimous decision or compromise. So make sure you know who you want as your bandleader. Not everyone might like them, so make sure you find one they do like.
  • Make sure to put flyers around town! And most important, have fun!
  • Try to wear the same colors.
  • Make sure you don't disturb people around you while practicing.

Warnings

  • Watch out for egos. Sometimes in a band there will be one or more people, who think they are the best and think that they are capable of doing everything, and will try to devalue the importance of the rest of the band members, treating them like roadies or the like. These egotistical folk will often try to push their opinions about the band's course on the rest. They will not want to tolerate opposition to their opinions. If a person like this becomes too problematic, a break may be necessary. Organize practice sessions without this person for a while. Make sure, however, to find a replacement for this person in case your personal differences last too long. It will help to have their part covered at your practices so you do not get out of practice. Also, if you can find a permanent replacement that the rest of the band can agree with, it is might be best to either work it out with the ego band member or (If the first one doesn't work) replace the ego band member.
  • Becoming a star doesn't happen overnight. You have to work hard at it! Before you start don't let it get to your head so still do everything you are told. If one of your band members get sick you should not do practice because it won't sound right without her/him. Everyone is important to the band.
  • Don't fire someone from the band just because you want someone else. Stick with your band, and just have fun! You could be on top one day!
  • You can't just ban people from your bands in case you have a gig, or just a practice for a birthday party, so make sure you know what you're doing,and what the band votes who the leader of the group is,that's who the leader is. Don't let that person be in the way. What the band votes is what the band votes.
  • Don't have people in the band who refuse to practice, if they won't practice and you can't find a temporary replacement then the band can't practice, replace them.

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