How to Start a Band when You're in School

Last Updated: June 16, 2022

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.

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

Practice a lot.

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.

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.

4

Prepare your first album.

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
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.

5

Play your first gig.

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.

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.

7

Hit success.

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.

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.

Community Q&A

Question

What should be my band name?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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