So you’ve been playing the guitar for awhile and now and you think you’re ready to make your first big commitment as a musician: you’re going to start a rock band!  If you haven’t yet begun the process of forming a band and getting gigs and you wanted to do some research before you get involved, this article should be able to provide some insight and hopefully get you on your way.  If you have already begun the process, I don’t have to tell you it’s a difficult one.  Perhaps you are having trouble locating other musicians to play with.  Even worse, maybe you’ve been practicing and practicing, but can’t find anywhere to play.  Don’t fret (a little musician humor) here are five quick tips that will get you on your way to completing your goal.

1. Practice! Practice! Practice!:  I know this one seems kind of obvious, but you would be amazed how many people I played with in high school who decided once they were good enough for a band they were good enough to stop learning.  Playing an instrument and becoming better at an instrument is something you have to keep at.  Even if you don’t have dreams of playing Madison Square Garden someday, you still may find you really enjoy playing in a band and would like to keep open the possibility of earning a few dollars on the side playing weddings when you get older.  Don’t be fooled by the fact that they play weddings.  The members of wedding bands and other cover bands are generally very good musicians.  Keep at it, no mater how frustrating it may get at times you will improve!
2. Begin Looking for Band Mates:  This process is a lot easier than most teen-agers realize.  You know those bulletin boards when you walk in to most music schools and music shops.  Well this is exactly what they are there for.  Also, if your school permits it, hang a few fliers up in the hall ways.  However, make sure you are very specific when advertising.  Besides your name, age (you don’t want some 30 year old guy named Biff showing up to band practice), and contact information, try to include styles of music you enjoy and the number of years of experience you have.  Include anything that seems relevant.  This will make the later stages of band formation much easier and will help you get people with similar interests and experience.
3. Handling Responses:  Hopefully your local community isn’t completely devoid of young musicians and you’re beginning to get some responses.  Keep in mind that you are forming a high school band and not accepting job applications.  Being in a band in high school is supposed to be a fun thing.  When trying out new band members get a list of songs together that you can all learn and get together and play for a while, but also try making a friendly connection with the musician trying out.  Most high school bands don’t ever make it past high school.  I don’t mean this as a means to discourage, but the fact of the matter is bands that get signed out of high school are generally very rare.  Just look for people who are responsible (i.e. will be on time for practices/gigs) and who you think you will have fun playing with.
4. Finding Gigs:  After you and your new band mates have been practicing and think you can fill a thirty minute time slot (you normally won’t ever get more than that in small shows) it’s time to start looking for gigs.  This can be difficult if you don’t know musicians in other bands or if your town does not have places for young bands to play.  For starters, consider the style of your band’s music.  If, for instance, your band is called The Lunatics, odds are a coffee shop isn’t your ideal venue.  That is unless you happen to know this coffee shop puts on rock/punk shows (R.I.P. Sugar Shack).  The key here is networking.  Go to shows where you are not on the bill and get to know musicians from other bands that have a similar style or sound.  Find out where they play and call these places to see if you can hop on a show.  Also, do not get out of your league.  Just like when looking for band mates, look for other bands with similar experience and interests.  But most of all: be persistent!  The more people and places you know, the more opportunities you will have to get out and play.
5. Keep Up on Your Schoolwork:  I know! I know! Not very rockstar-esque, but true all the same.  Managing time as a teen-ager can be tough.  You have a number of things to consider, including band practice, school, your own personal practice time, friends…the list goes on and on.  However, as one experienced high school musician can tell you, it is difficult to make band practice when you are grounded for two weeks.

Hopefully you’ve managed to take a little bit away from this article.  Remember, being in a high school band is not as easy as it may seem.  It requires a lot of hard work, but when all is said and done, it can also yield some of the most fun and memorable experiences of your youth.  Remember, stay focused and keep it light hearted.  Good luck!

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