Every year tens of thousands of people enter music stores to buy their first instruments. Some go in to half heartedly to meet a new years resolution, some as a hobby, some with dreams of standing in all the glory front and center in a sold out stadium, and some that just think its a cool idea and have always wanted to do it having been music fans their whole lives.
Some will get their first instrument and never play it again past the first week but leave it on display for some serious cred when people come around, some will learn the basics and be content with that, and some will lock themselves away for a decade learning to kick some serious ass (guilty).
This article is more focused to those who stuck with it and are looking to start looking outside of their bedrooms and find like minded people, to finally start that band to jam some seriously cool shit.... and some tips to reflect from Yoda.
Dude, you need to practice and learn to play. Even if you have the best intentions to be in a band, it is a right that is earned. Once you feel comfortable playing, know your instrument, and have enough skill to be able to quickly learn or adapt to a new peice, then this is when you should start looking. If you find yourself practising and are consitantly stopping in songs because you've made trainwreck mistakes.... back to the practice room.
"PATIENCE you must have, my young padawan" - Yoda
You need to play what you love. If you like punk, find other musicians who also like punk. If you like metal, find other musicans who like metal. If you like freestyle rap with jazz solos over synth-pop well.... good for you for trying something different.
If your joining a band where everyone likes Chilli Peppers style rock and you want to shred distorted Meshugga chugs and get djent rhythm tricky, the band isn't going to mesh and it will lead to frustration and a chat about the direction of the band pretty quickly. Find like minded individuals. If you all like funk, and the times get tough, at least you and the others can all sit back and listen to some Tower Of Power. Don't be 'that guy' that trys to change the direction against everyone else.
"If no mistake have you made, yet losing your are... a different game you should play" - Yoda
That guy who just wants to have a few beers and a jam on a Sunday afternoon and that guy who wants to hit the road and tour to be the next Aerosmith are not going to mesh. Find people that want the same out of music with yourself. If you just want to meet up with some cool cats and have a garage jam on the weekend to let loose from the office life, find people who like the same music and are happy just doing that. If you want to play one or several cover gigs a week on the bar circuit, find other guys who want the same or professionals who may need a fill in and go with that. If you want to do originals and take the world by storm, find people as driven (if not more) to make that happen. If you've just got your first real 6 string and you want to be headlining in clubs playing originals and the others are happy jamming on a Sunday doing gig a year at a BBQ.... reality is going to hurt because Jimmy will quit, and you need understand Joey got married.... its the summer of 69.
"Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will" - Yoda
You've practised and got some skills. Youve found some peeps that like playing the same genre music as you. Your all on the same page. The most important thing at this point is...
Have fun! Man this is your first band. Enjoy the ride!
"May the Force be with you" - Yoda
