How to Start a Band when You're in School

Download ArticleDownload Article

Whether you are 12 or late into your teens, you can start a band at any age. Most importantly, you need bandmates - you can recruit people that you are already friends with, or reach out to people at school who you know are musically inclined. Read on to learn more about the process of starting your own band.

1

Get your bandmates together.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: It is recommended that you use at least two of your friends.
    You can also ask people at school who you know play music. Choose people you know and trust.
  2. Advertisement
2

Practice a lot.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Before writing your own songs, try performing songs by other bands.
    If you can do it, you're ready to make your own.
    • Learn and feel comfortable with the basics of your instruments.
    • Start by covering songs. Have a band manager (someone in the band, normally the most responsible person) who plans practices.
3

Create your first song.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: There are a number of ways to do this.
    Normally, though, your lead singer will write the songs because they are the one singing and know how it would sound. It could be something funny, happy, sad or imaginative; whatever takes your group's fancy.
    • If you don’t play an instrument, use a website like BeatStars to lay down an instrumental track.
  2. Advertisement
4

Prepare your first album.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 You successfully written your first songs.
    You need about maybe 5-10 songs, then you have to decide on your album name. Record it on a cassette or CD. Then give it out to people around school.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Plan gigs.
    Your band wants to get a gig at the school. Ask the principal or dean if you can plan a show in the cafeteria or gym. If they say yes, start preparing and pass out flyers or make posters to advertise the event.
    • Have your band manager find someone to let you play a gig somewhere where lots of people go. While it can seem hard, this is good management and communication skill building for this person.
  3. Advertisement
5

Play your first gig.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: It's the big night, your crowd is excited, you're ready to make history in your school.
    Don't be nervous; if you practice enough, you'll be fine.
    • Before you play: it always helps for the singer to take a sip of water to get his/her vocals flowing. And don't practice much on the day of the gig, you don't want to be worn out when it's time for the real deal.
    • Pass out merchandise. Make CDs of the songs you've covered, and pass them out at your gig. Band t-shirts would be good too.
6

Continue in the same way.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: For band life afterwards, keep practicing, keep planning gigs.
    Play a few more gigs. Get a relatively large fan base. A feature in the local newspaper is a really good thing to happen.
    • Make a kit of your music and stuff, and send your demo to record labels. This is how some school bands manage to get signed.
  2. Advertisement
7

Hit success.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: If you do, remember that you're still in school, right?
    Be prepared. After getting a label, you will be playing concerts everywhere. People at school are going to be fawning over you. Don't give out your phone number unless you are really good friends with the person. Be careful if anyone asks you to be their girlfriend/boyfriend, because if they didn't know you before, they probably just want you for the fame.
8

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fame.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: For like 10 minutes.
    You will still have to work, and although it may be fun, keep putting effort into it, and you'll need to start writing songs now. But, if you keep working at both school and the band, you are well on your way to success.
  2. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What should be my band name?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Anything you'd like! Be sure to talk it over with your band mates and try to pick something that isn't already taken.
  • Question
    What is a good way to make money for the equipment?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Washing cars, mowing lawns, raking leaves, and shoveling snow are good ways to make money in general.
  • Question
    What are the best instruments to play in a band if I can't get a bass?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There isn't really a group of "best instruments" to use in a band. Depending on the genre, you may not have even needed a bass in the first place. An EDM band is going to rely on a synthesizer more than, say, a country band.Many major-label artists use a variety of instruments, often rotating between them depending on the song. That being said, it's hard to go wrong with a guitar, keyboard, drums, and a singer.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Always be sure to practice at least once a week. You're not a true band if you don't spend a lot of time together!
      • Always remember that your band mates are there for you. You have their back and they have yours.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't get self absorbed. The band is deciding together. You all help each other out. Do not act like you're the leader and you're the best! Everyone counts.
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • 2 or 4 best friends
      • The ability to have a good time
      • Instruments
      • A garage or basement
      • Recording gear

      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Tanisha Hall
      Co-authored by:
      Songwriting Instructor
      This article was co-authored by Tanisha Hall. Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall's current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award. This article has been viewed 46,717 times.
      33 votes - 93%
      Co-authors: 7
      Updated: April 7, 2023
      Views: 46,717
      Categories: Music
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 46,717 times.

      Did this article help you?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement