WHAT WE ARE DOING:
This lesson is very similar to last lesson. We were just talking about more things you need to do at the start of getting a band together.
We talked about things like: The main (first) things to tak care of, what to do as the band starts growing (progressing), is the band working well, would you quit the band and things like the rules of the business.
THE MAIN THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF:
These are a few things that you should 'sort out' at the start of getting that band together. To make sure each member has everything under control and you are all on the same page.
Rehearsals:
- One of the first things to think about is a 'practice table.' You need to get together and figure out when all of you are free at the same time. Make a little table on when you should rehearse/meet up.
- You have to figure out what you are going to practice. Pick songs that everyone is happy with and capable of.
- You have to figure out where you are going to practice. Try to get a place that is equal distance from each of you. And again, a place that each member is happy with.
Money:
This is a very big part to the business. It is probably the thing that breaks up a lot of starter bands.
- You'll need to figure out who pays for what. So for rehearsals, it's definitely a good idea to split the cost between each member.
- For getting to rehearsals and starting gigs, I think each member should pay for there own travel at this point, so 'cheap' travel such as buses, trains, cars etc.
But if you get quite successful and you all need to get a train, plane or boat. Then maybe it would be best to split the payment between each of you. I.e buy your own tickets.
AS THE BAND STARTS GROWING (PROGRESSING):
The two main things that change dramatically when you start getting quite 'big.' Is money and fame. Everything now becomes so much harder to keep in control.
So obviously through all the fame, your commitments as a band become much bigger.
The best thing to do would be to hire a manager and he/she will be handling the bands fame and income. And of course making sure that the band is on the right track.
Calais said the best thing to do before you hire a manager is to know the business inside out, so you can make sure that everything is how the band wants it to be.
IS THE BAND WORKING WELL TOGETHER? WOULD ANYONE QUIT!?:
Calais then went on to talk about reasons why you would quit a band. These reasons are probably the most common reasons that people decide to quit a band.
- So many people just join a band because of their ego. They just like to tell people that they are in a band or have been in one. They don't really have any interest in the music business.
- This isn't are really common one but it happens. Some people just get really shy and don't know what to do with all fame. So they just 'call it quits' and hide basically.
- This probably the most common one. Band members tend to argue over who gets what royalties. Some members sometimes claim more than others. Or if one guy wrote everything for one song the other bands members would want to split the rights and royalties.
- This is another common reason. Members might not be fully committed to the band. They might not turn up to rehearsals or gigs, or keep making excuses.
- Each member might not want to do the same kind of songs/genre. And sometimes people aren't willing to have a set style to the band.
- After a while you may start to notice that a certain member is very immature and irresponsible.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS?:
The final thing Calais told us was the main rules of the music business. These are points that will help us keep a band together and progress well. It keeps the business in control.
Be professional - This is one a lot of people break. You have to be very professional and mature when it comes to the music business. You have to know what your doing and when it comes down to business, there is no time to be irresponsible and un-professional.
When it comes to criticism positive or negative, you HAVE to be professional about it and listen to it. All criticism you get will be beneficial to you.
Work - Everyone knows that you have to work in any business so this is a give! You have to rehearse as much as possible. You need your music and band to be tight. In music it takes more hard work than talent.
Don't be afraid - In music you can't be afraid to make money. I know that may sound daft because everyone wants more money but believe it or not some people get intimidated buy the amount of money they make.
You also can't be afraid to ask for something. As the saying goes, 'If you don't ask, you don't get." And that saying is completely true, ask anyone.
If you don't understand something, then say so! Don't pretend you know something if you don't.
WHAT I THINK OF THE LESSONS:
The past few lessons have been so interesting. They are full of so much information. I think these band lessons are so beneficial to me. I am learning so much in these lessons and now I know what to do to start a band, what to do in a band and just what to do in the general music business.
There is one more lesson next week about starting a band, so in that blog I will explain more about how these lessons are helping me.
This lesson is very similar to last lesson. We were just talking about more things you need to do at the start of getting a band together.
We talked about things like: The main (first) things to tak care of, what to do as the band starts growing (progressing), is the band working well, would you quit the band and things like the rules of the business.
THE MAIN THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF:
These are a few things that you should 'sort out' at the start of getting that band together. To make sure each member has everything under control and you are all on the same page.
Rehearsals:
- One of the first things to think about is a 'practice table.' You need to get together and figure out when all of you are free at the same time. Make a little table on when you should rehearse/meet up.
- You have to figure out what you are going to practice. Pick songs that everyone is happy with and capable of.
- You have to figure out where you are going to practice. Try to get a place that is equal distance from each of you. And again, a place that each member is happy with.
Money:
This is a very big part to the business. It is probably the thing that breaks up a lot of starter bands.
- You'll need to figure out who pays for what. So for rehearsals, it's definitely a good idea to split the cost between each member.
- For getting to rehearsals and starting gigs, I think each member should pay for there own travel at this point, so 'cheap' travel such as buses, trains, cars etc.
But if you get quite successful and you all need to get a train, plane or boat. Then maybe it would be best to split the payment between each of you. I.e buy your own tickets.
AS THE BAND STARTS GROWING (PROGRESSING):
The two main things that change dramatically when you start getting quite 'big.' Is money and fame. Everything now becomes so much harder to keep in control.
So obviously through all the fame, your commitments as a band become much bigger.
The best thing to do would be to hire a manager and he/she will be handling the bands fame and income. And of course making sure that the band is on the right track.
Calais said the best thing to do before you hire a manager is to know the business inside out, so you can make sure that everything is how the band wants it to be.
IS THE BAND WORKING WELL TOGETHER? WOULD ANYONE QUIT!?:
Calais then went on to talk about reasons why you would quit a band. These reasons are probably the most common reasons that people decide to quit a band.
- So many people just join a band because of their ego. They just like to tell people that they are in a band or have been in one. They don't really have any interest in the music business.
- This isn't are really common one but it happens. Some people just get really shy and don't know what to do with all fame. So they just 'call it quits' and hide basically.
- This probably the most common one. Band members tend to argue over who gets what royalties. Some members sometimes claim more than others. Or if one guy wrote everything for one song the other bands members would want to split the rights and royalties.
- This is another common reason. Members might not be fully committed to the band. They might not turn up to rehearsals or gigs, or keep making excuses.
- Each member might not want to do the same kind of songs/genre. And sometimes people aren't willing to have a set style to the band.
- After a while you may start to notice that a certain member is very immature and irresponsible.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS?:
The final thing Calais told us was the main rules of the music business. These are points that will help us keep a band together and progress well. It keeps the business in control.
Be professional - This is one a lot of people break. You have to be very professional and mature when it comes to the music business. You have to know what your doing and when it comes down to business, there is no time to be irresponsible and un-professional.
When it comes to criticism positive or negative, you HAVE to be professional about it and listen to it. All criticism you get will be beneficial to you.
Work - Everyone knows that you have to work in any business so this is a give! You have to rehearse as much as possible. You need your music and band to be tight. In music it takes more hard work than talent.
Don't be afraid - In music you can't be afraid to make money. I know that may sound daft because everyone wants more money but believe it or not some people get intimidated buy the amount of money they make.
You also can't be afraid to ask for something. As the saying goes, 'If you don't ask, you don't get." And that saying is completely true, ask anyone.
If you don't understand something, then say so! Don't pretend you know something if you don't.
WHAT I THINK OF THE LESSONS:
The past few lessons have been so interesting. They are full of so much information. I think these band lessons are so beneficial to me. I am learning so much in these lessons and now I know what to do to start a band, what to do in a band and just what to do in the general music business.
There is one more lesson next week about starting a band, so in that blog I will explain more about how these lessons are helping me.