So you’ve been learning how to play an instrument and making good progress - congratulations! Becoming proficient at any discipline is challenging, and if you have already managed to jump a few musical hurdles, give yourself a pat on the back! It has been a long journey to come this far, and you might be wondering what to do next. If you’re looking to become a performer, there can be a lot of options when it comes to genre, venue, and audience. Today, we are going to focus in on how to form a band. We will share our best tips and tricks to finding other musicians to play with you and building an audience who enjoys what you’ve worked so hard to create!
Tip #1: Don’t Be Afraid to Organize a Session with Some Friends!
If you know anybody who plays an instrument, ask them to come over one evening or weekend just to make music together. Chances are, if they are a musician, they will be excited to do the thing they love! Music is a social art, and it is best when shared with others. Plus, if you end up rehearsing well together, they might be a great potential bandmate! Being able to put yourself out there and make connections with other people can be your greatest asset as a performer. Even if the person does not end up in your group, you have still made that connection for possible future endeavors. Remember that creating a supportive network can be the key to your success and happiness.
If you don’t know anyone else who plays music, or you struggle to find someone who might be interested, Terra Sounds in Glenview provides a great social atmosphere for people of all ages that might want to form a group. With both group classes and private lessons, you can improve your skills and gain experience while also learning to collaborate with other talented musicians! If you find yourself in a position where you’re itching to meet more music-minded people, check to see if your instrument is on our list here!
Tip #2: Create a Welcoming Rehearsal Space
When you find people who want to form a band with you, the next step is to meet with them on a regular basis to share your creative ideas and rehearse as a group. Be sure that everyone’s input is heard and considered, and that everyone agrees on important decisions. Since every group is different, each person will have a different set of strengths and challenges, and it is important to find what each person’s strengths are to use them to their best potential. For example, one member may be very outgoing. You would want this person to reach out to venues to speak on behalf of the group. If there is someone who is organized and great with technology, they could put together the rehearsal schedule and take care of any technical aspects of your performances. Just be sure to give everyone an equal amount of work and do your part as well!
Tip #3: Reach out to Possible Venues
Once you find some friends and get a set list together, it is time to move on to the next important step: finding a place to play! There are a few ways you could reach out to potential performance locations, such as an in-person meeting, phone call, or email. They say that every 100 emails you send to potential venues, you will get one response. It might sound intimidating or even untrue, but keeping this in mind stresses the importance of not giving up after contacting just a couple places.
If you have gotten to this point in the process, chances are that you and your fellow band members have created a network of people that could have a connection to a performance space and audience. If you take private lessons or group lessons, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher if they have any tips on performing as a band or finding places to showcase your music. There is a good chance that your music teacher has a network of their own that might lead to an opportunity.
If you can’t wait to play in a band but are just getting started on your musical journey, look for a music teacher who performs regularly and can guide you with both your instrumental skills and navigating the music scene.
In case you are looking to sign up for private lessons or a group class, click here to fill out an interest form for Terra Sounds in Glenview! We recommend starting out with a free trial lesson in order to meet with an instructor and talk about your goals.
Blog post written by Kayla Patrick
Photography by: Elizeu Dias, Hans Vivek, Helena Lopes, Mike Giles