Why in the World Would You Want to Start a Band?

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Introduction

For some, being in a band is one of the most rewarding experiences a musician can have. There’s nothing like a well-oiled musical group playing together in tight rhythm and burning it up. It can be an even greater experience if everyone likes each other and has fun together. Some bands begin to feel like a family. But it can also be a challenging endeavor at times and the more information you have on your side the happier your experience will be.

During the early years of my musical development, I was very curious about the business of music. I wasn’t interested in studying business per se. I just wanted to know in general how everything worked. I didn’t understand promotions or publicity or what managers and agents did. I was curious about how performances were booked, how to write a song and what goes on during a recording session.

I was hungry for knowledge. I wanted to understand the entire process even if in a very general sense – an overview version. But there were very few sources in those days to learn such things. I’d read magazines and articles and that helped somewhat, but it was just bits and pieces here and there. I wanted a book that was written by an experienced musician; a book that could give me an overall snapshot of how to run a band. Many of my early bands were disasters because we didn’t know what the heck we were doing business wise. We were playing our instruments and making some good music, but we had no idea how to connect all the dots.

As the years went by I found a book or two that covered the entire music industry from A to Z. They seemed to be written by scholars or lawyers and were very dry reading and it was hard to stay interested in them. I wasn’t looking for a sterile technical manual with complicated terms and language. I wanted a book like the one you are now holding - easy to read, straight to the point and in plain English written by a working musician who’s been in the trenches.

MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

For this book I also wanted to talk about the connection between mind, body and spirit and how it all comes together when we play music and create art. I believe that music comes from a very special place in our spirit. Whatever it is that makes us who we are and make us unique from everyone else – that is the place where we create and it’s a subject we rarely cover when speaking about working in a band.

No matter our culture, nationality, race or musical discipline, we all have a spiritual connection to music and its creation. Whether you believe in God or not we all have a fire that burns in our consciousness that drives us to create art and music. I hope readers will explore this topic and see how meditation and quiet time can enhance their skills and overall temperament.

There are personal skills and disciplines needed when a musician decides to become a professional. I hope this book will give you some things to think about and to consider as you navigate the confusing waters of professional entertainment. Ideas such as goals and visualization, belief in yourself and the need for everyone to find their passion, these are things we don’t always associate with musical development. Etiquette and good work ethics are seldom covered when talking about music, but without good skills in these areas a musician may be doomed before he or she even begins.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

It was my intention to create a simple, easy to read book for budding musicians and songwriters who are considering a career in music. This book covers some of the basic fundamentals needed in order to work in the music industry at any level. In my forty-plus years working in and around music, I’ve been fortunate to see the music industry from many different perspectives. With this experience, I hope to give you some solid advice and tools that will help you reach your idea of success and give you the confidence needed to make well-informed decisions. I would like to see this book used as a guide for novice musicians just starting their first group and I hope they will carry it in their gig bags and refer to it at band meetings and rehearsals.

It is not my intention to map out a career path for you here in this book. This is not a comprehensive look at the world of music and is not intended to be a complete study of the music business, but more of a portal for beginners to help them look at the possibilities of where to start their journey. It is also my hope that experienced musicians will be able to use some of this information as well. Even veteran musicians might find bits and pieces throughout this book that will help them on their own journey. Sometimes we need a new viewpoint or a nudge into a new direction to help jump-start a sluggish career.

But you don’t have to be a musician to enjoy this book either.

In fact, I invite people who live with musicians and the people who love musicians to read this book too, in hopes that it will give you more insight on how the business of music operates. If you have a musician in your life, you might find some of this information helpful in understanding your loved one’s passion and the journey that they’re on.

ATTENTION - DISCLAIMER!

This book will not make you a star! Only you can do that! But maybe some of this information will stick with you and help you when you’re navigating the sometimes-treacherous waters of this thing called The Music Industry. Although most of the information contained in this book is essential to your success, there is no guarantee that it will happen for you simply by purchasing this book or any other. You will have to be dedicated to the process. I have compiled some ways to help you through that process here in this book.

Enclosed are some basic methods that have served thousands of musicians before you. I will show you how to organize your practice and rehearsal sessions for optimum productivity. I have some basic ideas for booking gigs and creating a promotional package that will get attention. It is my intention to explain the basic information needed in order to have a fun, creative and successful experience in music.

You won’t find comprehensive lists with phone numbers and web sites in this book. Those things change all the time and current information can be researched very easily online. The few websites and addresses I have included are merely starting points for more extensive research. I will also try to refrain from using brand association and name recognition. I’m not going to recommend what types of instruments to buy or what kind of computer programs to use. These are things you should research and learn through experimentation in order to find what works for you. But I will help you in some discussion and thoughts on what I have witnessed and have experienced myself. Any reference to product brands, organizations, clubs and associations, songwriters and performers are used merely as a point of reference from my experience and perspective only.

I do not claim to be a visionary or even a big mover and shaker in the music world. But I do have the experience to help give you a lift up and get you started in the right direction. There are many aspects of the music business that transcend time and musical styles and continue to be solid guidelines. There will be many references of older, analog and pre-computer terms and usages that can be easily transposed into digital terms and uses. The techniques and skills used during the last fifty years of music are still mostly valid and are still used today. People are still people and some things never go out of style. Much of the information here can translate into other fields of work and study as well. Most of this stuff is just plain, common sense.

There are a couple of soap box moments within this book and I apologize now if this puts anyone off. Music and the people who create it are very dear to me. I can’t help but speak out on their behalf. I wish to help not only musicians, but the world I live in too. This book is my contribution to anyone wanting to make the world a better place. I hope you find inspiration here!

IT’S ALL UP TO YOU

You will need to do the work involved in order to become the musician you envision for yourself. Even for the hobbyist, this book can help you become a better musician and may even help some people discover things about themselves that they hadn’t thought about before. This book is written with love, friendship and camaraderie to all of those who are in our line of work and who are looking for some words of experience and wisdom that have often times (for me) been learned the hard way. I do not possess any certificates or degrees. However, I do have my lifetime of experiences and the many years of recording and performing on stage since 1973.

Areas to begin your quest for further knowledge:

•Library of Congress Department of Copyrights

•Songwriters Guild of America

•Musicians Unions

•ASCAP

•BMI

•SESAC

•Book Stores

•The Public Library

•The World Wide Web

Don’t forget to seek higher education through middle school, high school, music schools, and universities. Community colleges are an excellent way to further your knowledge at a more affordable cost.

- Preface -

SUCCESS IN MUSIC

What does success mean to you?

What does success look like to you?

What would have to happen in order for you to feel successful?

I often hear people who put far too much importance on riches and stardom to define their idea of success. Many folks seem to be driven by the monetary end of the music business. But isn’t that putting the cart before the horse? Money and stardom is all fine and dandy if it happens - but shouldn’t we be more interested in the craft and skill of our instrument? I mean – that’s why we’re here – right?

Wouldn’t it be nobler to study your craft creating timeless arrangements that will inspire and engage your audience? Your number one priority as a musician is to become the very best that you can be. Isn’t that real success? And then with that kind of skill - don’t you think the monetary rewards would follow?

What would be a clear sign of success to you? Is it how much money you can make or is it the accomplishment of creating songs and music that moves people? Maybe you just want your weekend band to sound its best – that too is success. There are as many versions of what success looks like as there are people out there chasing it. So the first thing you need to do is GET REAL!

Are you talented? Even a little?

I hope so because neither this book nor any other book can give you talent or skill. Only practice, rehearsal and performance time on stage will do that. But if your heart is set and you have a bit of talent and style, then you could be on your way, my friend. The business of music can be just as hard and tough as any other career choice. It all depends on your approach. But if you feel deep down inside that a career in music is the only path for you - then you have made the first and most important decision in this process.

WELCOME!

The world of music is a wonderful place to work. And if you play your cards right you could have all the things you desire. But be warned. If you don’t have the passion to get up every day and work on your career at least 4, 6 or 8 hours a day, just like anyone else who works for a living, then you are taking the long way there.

If you work at a full-time job in America, then you are probably working forty hours a week. If you were to work at your music as much as someone working a full-time job, then you would reap the rewards. If you pursue your career with part-time effort, then you will reap part-time rewards. It’s just that simple. There are no short cuts. You get what you put into it.

Every day you must be willing to devote a large portion of your day to practicing your instrument, taking lessons, songwriting, listening to music, reading books and researching the web. Check the trade papers and periodicals as a way to follow the business of music. Reading about equipment and new innovations is also very important in advancing your career. If you do this every day you will be on a level playing field to anyone out there. But you must have a plan and you must work hard or else you won’t reach your goals.

Think of it as if you’re attending college. There’d be several hours of class time and several hours of homework time. If you were to translate that same schedule into your music career with practice, songwriting and research, then you’d be following a sure fire path to success.

Bottom line is that your success is in your own hands. You alone have the key.

If you work hard and put a strong and honest effort into your work without conditions of certain rewards to justify it – then there is no reason why you cannot have an exciting and fulfilling career in music.

But I only want to play on the weekends!

Even a hobbyist should hold himself or herself to the highest standard. If you’re doing weddings, playing at churches, parties, bars and clubs on the weekend, then you should always try to reach high and become the best at what you do. Playing music for fun is a great release. It’s a nice escape from the weekly grind and a few hours a week practicing and performing occasionally is good no matter what your skill level.

Now – let’s get to work!

SECTION ONE

Why in the World Would You Want to Start a Band?

Why Indeed?

Hopefully you have a deep passion and desire to create beautiful music and want to share it with the world. Hopefully you like the idea of working with exciting and talented musicians, who inspire you and drive you forward and elevate your own performance level.

For some, a band is a laboratory for creation. There are always good reasons for going solo and doing the lone performance, but by working with others you can create bigger productions and increase the power of your own expression by uniting with other pieces to make a larger whole. Being in a band is a little like playing in a small orchestra where everyone has a part to play to create a larger production.

OK – so you’ve purchased a guitar and amp or maybe your first drum kit. You’ve studied some music books, taken some lessons, learned a few choice cover songs and/or wrote a couple of your own tunes. Maybe you’ve got some good moves that you’ve worked on in front of the mirror.

It’s time! You’re ready to start a band!

There’s no right or wrong way to start a band. If everyone is agreeable with the goals and vision for the group, then that’s all that really matters. But it’s not always a cut and dry thing, especially if you have big plans. If you haven’t been in a band before or have very little experience with the inner workings of the music business, then this book will assist you in making more informed decisions.

Be realistic and honest about your level of talent and the goals you may have. Are you willing to work hard several hours a day to make it a career or are you just looking to have fun on the weekends and make a couple of bucks now and then? The choice is yours. You’re the only one who can truly say for sure whether this is a full time passion or just a hobby and a part time interest. There are many different reasons for starting a band, but for our purposes I will break it down into three band categories.

1) THE HOBBYIST

This is where most of us get started, jamming with friends from school or around the neighborhood. Or maybe you’ve been dabbling in music for years playing at church, family functions or backyard parties.

This can be anyone from the singer-songwriter who plays coffee shops on occasion to the garage band that plays one or two shows a month and rarely gets paid. Music is a great release from the daily grind and the typical 40-hour week. It’s fun and it’s a great social activity. If you want to get together with the gang once a week to practice and pick up a gig now and then - then that’s a hobby. And that’s OK!

If your band is just for fun and you don’t have any expectations, then just have a good time and don’t get all caught up in big ideas. Just enjoy the process and let it be what it is for now - a hobby! This book can be of great help to the hobbyist. I will go over several points that will assist you in booking gigs and give you some insight into successful and organized rehearsals.

2) THE WORKING PROFESSIONAL

These are the session players who may do a couple of recording sessions during the day then do pick up gigs at night subbing and filling in for others who can’t make the gig. They play as much as they can and try to make their living exclusively from music. They may even perform regularly in more than one band and see themselves as a hired gun.

Then there are the top forty bands that play the hits and oldies and all assorted cover music for many occasions. They do weddings and corporate parties. Also, tribute bands usually fall into this category. These are the warriors out in the bars, casinos and nightclubs that play residencies and have large play lists that can cover many styles of music. These guys and gals get the good paying gigs and work a lot.

It takes discipline to be a working musician. There are hours spent constantly learning new songs and charts. You must be willing to chase down the gigs and do the research in order to find the jobs. There might even be a bit of travel locally or abroad. Cruise ships are an excellent way to see the world while playing music for a living.

3) THE ARTIST/SINGER/SONGWRITER – ORIGINAL SHOWCASE BAND

This is the musician or band that will starve to death in order to perform their original music. They are the artists and the poets who have vision and take music to new places in creativity. Their goal is to record, perform and/or become deeply involved in the business of music. These people are driven and have big dreams and goals. They see themselves as artists and performers. Creative expression is this person’s main objective. Fame and fortune may even be on their minds as well, but the main goal is to create something that will stand on its own and make a lasting impact on their fans.

A showcase band plays mostly original compositions that the band either writes together or individually. Or maybe you have one or two primary writers and the rest of the band contributes bits and pieces. This is the band playing showcases and high profile gigs seeking a recording contract or just simply trying to reach as many people with their music as possible.

SUMMARY

All three kinds of bands are valid and can easily be combined into composites of each other. Sometimes the hobbyist is writing his or her own songs and booking paying gigs to help subsidize their regular day job. Sometimes the working musician is also working in an all-original group (side project) that writes its own songs, but may not be making any money at it yet.

It’s all up to the individual. You will get as much out of it as you put into it. Do whatever you can to mold your style and approach to your personality. Always enjoy the process and use your gut instinct to guide you through your musical journey. As long as you follow your heart you’ll be OK. Be honest with yourself and go with what feels right.

What Does It Take and Do I Have It?

TWO QUESTIONS - SO MANY ANSWERS

Maybe the real question is Where do you want to take it?

How serious are you about playing music?

Do you want to shoot for the stars or are you just looking to start up a band for fun?

If it’s the latter then that makes the process very easy. Just have fun with it! Try to play as much as you can whether you have big plans or not. The more you play the better you get. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter the level of your band – garage band or platinum-selling rock stars – everyone needs to practice and play as much as possible. Regardless of how far you want to take it, when you work in a band you are involved with other people who may or may not have the same dreams as you.

Before we begin talking about starting a band though, we must first talk about your individual talents and your personal responsibilities as a musician and fellow band member. You will have to consider many things that could influence the lives of others. Try and have some understanding of your own motives before going into a partnership of any kind.

OK, let’s look at the first question.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

First and foremost is talent. If you don’t have the talent that it will take to reach your goals and rock star dreams then the rest really doesn’t matter. Even if your talent is hard won through hours of personal growth and practice (and not of the natural God given kind), it is still talent that will matter at the end of the day.

Playing music should be something you would do no matter what the rewards. You should not do it for ulterior motives or anything other than the love of doing it. Some people follow a musical path, but aren’t really players. They chase after an idea of some fame or bragging rights and may not have a deep passion to play music for the simple love of it.

But if you have an insatiable appetite for musical performance and songwriting, then you may have the right stuff to follow a more serious path. You must be willing to devote many hours to practice (especially in the beginning) in order to create perfection in your performance and delivery. Devotion to practice and rehearsal is number one. Without great commitment to the study and perfection of your instrument you’ll find that there are no short cuts to success.

And the second question.

DO I HAVE IT?

You are the only one who can truly answer this question. Other people can only offer their opinions, but it is you alone who knows whether or not you have what it takes. It is you, my friend, who will have to do the work necessary to succeed. As you read through this section, ask yourself, Can I commit to the necessary time and the many steps it will take to be a full time, professional musician? Is that me? Or better yet, What can I take from this book to make me a better player and band mate?

Bottom line is the fun factor! Are you having fun? If you’re having fun - then go with it. That’s passion and that is where we begin our look inward to see what we’re made of and if we have the temperament and abilities to be a full time performer. Talent, passion, belief, goals, style, good work ethics, networking and luck are just some of the points we will discuss in this section. Read on to see if you in fact have It.

Talent

Don’t you just hate those people who seem to be able to pick up any musical instrument and make it sound good? I sure do! But let’s not bash our brothers and sisters for their natural abilities. After all you may have some very important talents that they don’t which may serve your musical career well into the future.

You don’t have to be a prodigy to be successful in the music business. But you do need some talent. I have seen many people who have very little natural talent who have become very successful. It takes a variety of talents to fully navigate the business of music and this section will cover many of these points.

HARD WORK

Talent, whether natural or learned, is essential to your success. Practice and the study of your instrument should be your number one responsibility. Take lessons from someone to expand your perspective. Buy or rent instructional videos and DVDs. Check out YouTube. Sometimes just a session or two with an instructor can open up a treasure chest of new ideas and bring a new approach to your current bag of tricks.

You’re never too old to learn either. In fact, it is certain that if you are not constantly learning and stretching your horizons that you may fall into a boring routine that’s not very exciting - not only to play but for your fans to listen to as well. It is imperative that you stay relevant and on top of your abilities.

I would suggest that you try and practice your instrument at least 2 to 4 hours a day. Get a new chord book or go see someone play live that inspires you. Keep pushing the envelope to find new ways to keep it fresh and keep you inspired.

TOUGH LOVE

But let’s face it folks, if you are just a mediocre player and you don’t have the fire burning in your belly, then maybe you would be better served in a support role like recording engineer or instrument builder. Maybe you could teach music! There are many jobs needed to make the music industry move.

Passion

Do you find yourself playing your chosen instrument for hours and hours a day without realizing what time it is? And does the day zip by while you wallow in the joy of finding new scales, chords, beats and rhythms?

That’s passion!

Are you engaged and fueled by the wonder of artistic expression? Do you feel separation anxiety when you cannot practice your instrument? Do you have trouble getting through the day without listening to, thinking about or playing music?

Congratulations!

You have an inherent disposition towards music and that, my friends, is passion!

Of course you may have more than one passion. That’s great! You may be very good at several things in life like building things with your hands or working on cars. I personally have several passions, but I would just warn you of spreading yourself too thin. Sometimes it’s better to be really good at one or two things than to be mediocre at several.

I believe passion is not only essential to all of the arts, but is important as well in any other kind of trade or job skill. If you enjoy doing your work day in and day out, chances are that you have found a passion. If you pursue the things you are naturally good at, then the road will be much easier for you. Find your true passion and I guarantee that you will live a happy life. There are many people who are working in careers that may earn them lots of money, but leave them empty inside. Find out what you are naturally good at and nurture it and study it and try to be as good as you can when doing it.

Whatever you choose to do in life – do it with passion!

Passion is that thing that pushes you on and on into the wee hours practicing your instrument. You can work for hours doing something with passion and not even realize the time flying by. You spend days at a time working in your studio and you can’t believe you’ve been at it for so long without being tired or hungry. Passion isn’t something you can learn so much as it is something inside you that says – This gives me great joy. I want to do this every day.

You may question yourself:

Maybe I don’t have the passion to put that much work into it.

If you don’t really have that killer instinct to do what it will take to become successful in the music business, wouldn’t it be better to figure that out now instead of spending years and years trying to fulfill a fantasy and chase down a long hard road of disappointment? To be successful in the music business takes a lot of hard work and hours of practice and rehearsal. There are so many talented players out there competing for the same gigs. You will have to earn your success with good old-fashioned hard work.

But fear not my friend; passion will serve you when the going gets tough. Passion will always guide you correctly and it will be at the core of your work ethics to help you toward great things. If you go with that force within you, there will be little doubt that you are on the right track. There will be times that you may ask yourself What the hell am I doing? And passion will be there to remind you that this is where you belong.

But just because you have passion for something doesn’t mean it will be easy. For example, you may have passion for impossible endeavors. The work might even be very difficult physically as well as mentally and emotionally. But passion is that thing that drives you forward almost without effort. It feels like a calling that you can’t avoid. You are driven forward and it almost feels like there’s no other choice than to follow the task at hand.

You may hear folks tell you, Oh yeah, well that’s a very nice hobby, but you should learn a real trade just in case. That may or may not be sound advice. If you go through life wondering if you should have pursued your passion instead of following the crowd, you may end up in a career that earns a lot of money, but has left you unfulfilled. Passion is your true voice speaking out and that is the voice I have always tried to listen to. Life is a one-act event. We don’t get a second chance to be great. We only get this one life here, in this time and place.

I believe we humans are very in-tune with what we want, but we have fear of going against the grain (parents, teachers, family and friends). No one can