Hey Guys!
I encourage everyone to share this with anyone they know who are in a band, WANT to be a part of a band or have recently been a part of a band breaking-up.
Here goessss!
Soooo, have being in several bands both popular and not so popular, all independent non the less and I get to see first hand how hard it is to work and KEEP the band both functioning and together. Let me tell you this... IT IS NOT EASY! You know that saying, "only the strong survive"? It is beyond the truth!
Check me out...
The ONLY way a band can survive is through GOOD TEAMWORK! A band full of talented ppl will go to the hills of shits without it. If you are going thru that phase with your band where you don't know what to do next, whether you should stay or leave, whether you don't think you are all fitting well together, I hope that this blog will help you hold your band together, whatever it is!
I've gotten help from website to help organize these tips/steps and here is what I gathered :
*MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN YOUR BAND IS INTO THE SAME TYPE OF MUSIC
If you got a drummer who is into R&B but a guitar player who likes to play punk, you have a real problem there! lol
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
First of all Band meetings at least TWICE a year is NECESSARY! A neutral location is advised as this will help everyone feel at ease with everything. While meeting it is important not to be distracted so having them at your rehearsal location is a no! also no loved ones and instruments allowed as they can be MAJOR distractions.
Having these meetings is a good time to discuss about new songs, highlighting the good and the bad in past performances, promo ideas and brainstorming was that you can improve collectively.
Camaraderie is EXTREMELY important in a band so if you can find something fun to do after you meet to blow off steam that would be awesome.
It is extremely important for a band to have COMMON GOALS and to revisit them from time to time. What kind of band are you? Are you a cover band? Do you do originals? What type of music do you consider yourself to play? How often would you like to play in front of ppl from a weekly to monthly basis? Is there a certain style/ genre of music that you are aiming for? Are there enough opportunities to perform in your local communities or are you looking to branch out?
COMMUNICATE! VOICE YOUR OPINIONS! It is impossible to have and keep a GOOD band without these two things! Make sure EVERY member share their views no matter how important or unimportant they are to the rest of the group. "one of the main reasons ppl leave bands is because they often feel the rest of the band isn't listening to them."
Silence is a way to show you agree sometimes... Try not to remain silent when you should be voicing your disagreement. "A healthy band is one that promotes discussion and communication. An unhealthy band has festuring problems that will eventually lead to a bands demise."
Try to work out all problems mentioned through a band members concern. And if you cant completely fix a problem, thhen try to come up with some kind of compromise so that everyone is somewhat happy.
DO NOT TRY TO TAKE CONTROL OVER EVERYONE! "If one person alone makes the decisions and bosses others around, it'll end end up in a mess. No one likes an all out dictator breathing on their neck."
Do things as a band outside of practicing and performing. Go out and have FUN! this is how you build stronger bonds and chemistry as a band. You shouldn't only be bandmates, you ALL should be the best of friends TOGETHER, too! ;)
BREAKING UP IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST SOLUTION! Sometimes you just need a break. But make sure u all come up with an agreeable date to start practicing again.
REMEMBER THAT A BAND IS A SINGLE ENTITY AND NOT A GROUP FULL OF PPL! While together, remember to put the needs of the group before your own.
HAVING A PROBLEM? IDENTIFY IT! Sometimes band problems are huge. Try to break them down in chunks that are managable. Is a gf attending rehearsals and giving her opinion? Does someone in the band have and alcohole or a drug problem? Are band members starting to hate the style of music you're playing? Is the band leader treating others in the band as inferiors?? TALK IT OUT! cHANGE SOME THINGS! AGREE ON SOMETHING!
There is so much more to talk about in this topic!!!!! I will post more tips and tricks later. In the meantime, comment, subscribe, email me questions and I'll be glad to make a post and or respond! PEACE!
fjk