Advice for a band newbie

Byron

Hello there.

So I've finally made the move and joined a band. Its a standard five piece bunch of us that want to attempt to make something slightly different in the metal music scene.I kind of think we are getting things rolling pretty smoothly. Everyone has a job to do e.g find a practice space/learn our first song/think of logos,graphics,look etc.

The guys are all pretty keen and stuff BUT they want to try get our band ready to have our first gig in time next year for Burn's new band evening (I'ts about a quarter into the year I think). Do you guys think this is a unrealistic goal? Another factor is that everyone is a bit green to their instruments ( we're all like around 2 years experience except drummers been going for a bit longer).

My idea was that we would be jamming for like a whole year or more before we started live playing. I'm really really nervous of the prospect of achieving a bunch of songs in time for a gig , I personally don't see my self being able to do this ALTHOUGH we have lots of help e.g Contrast the Water guitarist lives upstairs from our singer and hes keen on helping us out. Lots of people who can give advice plus I can always ask my guitar teacher questions as well.

I kind of feel that we are jumping into the deep end when we shouldn't.

[deleted]

That would give you about six months to get ready? No problemo, dude. It's good to have a goal to work towards, and if it's a New Band evening...then that's what is expected. You don't have to take over the world with your first gig, but if you play for a "year or more" and then play your first gig, you'll get some of those shocks/hard lessons later, rather than being able to work on your act sooner. So, my vote is "go for it". Ja, get advice and help, but even if you do just three or four songs well, that should be easy enough to pull off after six months of work.

DonovanB

Byron wrote Another factor is that everyone is a bit green to their instruments ( we're all like around 2 years experience except drummers been going for a bit longer).

I wouldn't worry about this either, as long as you do it well, even if it's simple it will rock.

Keep me up to date I'll be part of your rent a crowd...

PeteM

+1 Stratisfear.
And Byron, you'll soon pick up your confidence with regular constructive practice with your band and your sound starts to get together.
I say go for it - everyone had to start somewhere. ?

Manfred-Klose

Learn a few songs smoothly and maby start inviting members from other bands to come and listen to you at your band practice, if they like it they will invite to a gig perhaps.

Also try and learn a few cover songs everyone in the band likes, like something in the metal genre you are doing, it is always fun to jam some favourite tunes at practice just to kind of take a break of playing the original material.

When you can play a few of your own songs, why not organise a house party or play at a friends party just to get use to playing infront of people.

I would say 5 songs would be enough to gig to start out.

aubs1

Byron wrote I kind of feel that we are jumping into the deep end when we shouldn't.

Jumping in the deep end is not always a bad thing, sooner or later you will have to take that jump!
I would work on about 10 to 15 "easy" songs, and do them well, which will build confidence, then work on some more difficult stuff. IOW, get a repertoire going, then work from there.

Byron

Thanks for the advice ?.

I like the idea of playing at parties and stuff to get used to people!

Yeah I guess Im just really nervous about it all. I've hated doing stuff in front of people since I was born. Hate Orals, public speeches etc.

Ill add you to my list Donovan lol. That could be a real service (light bulb over head)

[deleted]

Byron, I'd also wager that attending Don's next gig would be worthwhile. You can pick his brain about performance issues to short-circuit your own learning. And I'm sure there would be lots of other cats here who'd be happy to help you out, too.

Nobody's the same - some performers have no qualms about playing in front of people; some people are nervous as hell even after years of doing it. So don't worry if you're not instantly a strutting Rock God. That will come (at your second gig ? ). Just go out there to have fun.

Banditman

However ready you are and whatever you play, just play it with conviction. THis does not mean put on a fake show, it means that you should mean what you play.

Hendrix himself left the odd missed note or fluffed phrase here & there, but there's an energy to his playing that can't be matched by a clinical note-perfect shredder.

Making mistakes isn't the problem. Playing with either an arrogant or apologetic approach is. Just go out & enjoy yourself.

Bob-Dubery

1) Enjoy it

2) Work on time and timing. If you play bum notes but keep your tempo you'll probably get away with it. But if you play the right note but drop a beat you can be sure that everybody will notice. Also if you play well together, keep time and keep time with each other, you'll be perceived as "tight".

Byron

Thanks for the advice guys.

I also wanted to ask how important knowing theory is? How many bands have you guys encountered that don't really know what their doing in terms of music theory.

Manfred-Klose

I also wanted to ask how important knowing theory is?

music theory is a plus if you wanna be pro.
.....even if you play metal, there is lots cool ways in using music theory to work out harmonies and build new chords, its kind of classical/jazz played at a higher more aggressive level, that is progressive metal i am talking about dough. ha ha.

Name some of your favourite bands?
chances are pretty good that they now their stuff.

EDIT: i also have to add that if the whole band knows music theory, things go a lot easier with exchanging ideas for songs.

Byron

Cool cool. I understand the basics of theory like keys and scales and all that. I suppose I know enough to be able to construct a song within the rules of music. Is that enough at the moment?

Steff-Zero

Stratisfear wrote Byron, I'd also wager that attending Don's next gig would be worthwhile. You can pick his brain about performance issues to short-circuit your own learning. And I'm sure there would be lots of other cats here who'd be happy to help you out, too.

Nobody's the same - some performers have no qualms about playing in front of people; some people are nervous as hell even after years of doing it. So don't worry if you're not instantly a strutting Rock God. That will come (at your second gig ? ). Just go out there to have fun.

That's an ace plan! Durban bands should support one another.
I remember my first couple of gigs were nerve wracking as Hell. Also did the house party thing. It really helps.
Like most things worth doing in life, it takes long hours of practise, so go for it dude!
Also go out and see as many live shows as you can. Metal or other and talk to the guys.
\m/(>_<)\m/

Manfred-Klose

Is that enough at the moment?

Yes.
With time you can learn more if you feel you need to, but if you understand keys and scales you are good to go.

Is there 2 guitar players in your band?

Byron

Manfred Klose wrote Is there 2 guitar players in your band?

Well yeah officially 2 of us decided we will play guitar but he is more keen on just vocals. That means there's 2 vocalists lol.