Band Tips 1 - Be a team player. Sometimes we can focus on our own playing a little too much and we forget that a band is made up of a unit that must all work together. Be sure to play tastefully and leave space for the other band members to do their thing.

Band Tips 2- When looking to form or join a band, avoid flyers and blind advertisements in classified areas or Craigslist. While these sources can work, a much more successful method is to go meet and hear others playing, either individually or on a gig.

Band Tips 3- How to get gigs: Be proactive in finding a gig. Look in newspapers, search online databases, post on music store bulletin boards, check with your local talent agency. Here are some ideas:

• Classified ads – check your local newspaper, music papers, internet classifieds, etc.
• Bulletin boards – music stores, record shops, drum shops, talent agencies, usually have boards.
• Live bands – network! Go out, meet, and interact with live bands. This is one of the best ways to learn about who’s looking for who.
• Talent agencies – get to know the people who work in talent agencies. They can sometimes help you find a suitable band or at the very least, pass the word along that you're looking for players.
• Musicians union – The Musician’s union is a great place to find work. Great contacts can be made as well. Numerous pro musicians get valuable contacts and work through the union.
• Music studios – Stay in touch with the musicians behind the scenes at recording studios. They are recording all your friends are usually on top of what's going on.
• Jam sessions – Jam sessions are a bit more popular in larger towns, but when you can find them, they are valuable music networking havens! You'll meet tons of musicians there.
  

Band Tips 4 - Practice, Practice, Practice! - This tip can not be overstated. Your band will only be as good ad what you put into it. Take the time to rehearse. Schedule rehearsals weekly so everyone will be prepared.

Band Tips 5 - When playing, whether in rehearsal or performance, the best thing you can do to better the music is - listen. Listen to yourself. Listen to the rest of the band. Listen to how you fit together. Listen to the direction of the song. You will find that your mind will create better music and better musical opportunities.

Gifts for Musicians

Band Tips 6 - It is imperative that everyone in the band be prepared for the gig. Instruments need to be ready to play once they are pulled from the case - have them tuned, cleaned, oiled, whatever. Make sure everyone has the song lists and have extra copies. Make sure you have all your gear.

Band Tips 7 - A great tool to have is a gear checklist. Run through it the day before the gig to double-check and prevent any unpleasant surprises.

Band Tips 8 - Don't forget about showmanship. You can have the best group of musicians in the world, in the best band, but if you collectively look like a bump on a log, the crowd may not like you. Work on moving around, enjoying yourselves, and getting the crowd involved.

Band Tips 9 - This goes mainly for instrumentalists: have you thought much about the meaning of the songs you play? Have you thought about the story they tell? Have you thought about what you can do with your playing to help express that story? Take a cue from your vocalist as singers usually do a great job with expressing the lyrics.

Band Tips 10 - Make it a point to know the people that are in contact with your gig - any agents, audience, and most importantly the person(s) who pay you. Find out what they want and deliver!

Band Tips 11 - You must have a mailing list. The best way to ensure that people come out to see your band is to contact them ahead of time via your mailing list and invite them out. Be sure to ask them to bring a friend or two.

Band Tips 12 - Be true to your word. Many musicians will book a gig and then sub it out when another gig comes along that pays better. While this is a common practice, it's not advisable. Ultimately you want to give your band members a sense of commitment and loyalty. If they have this, they will work harder to keep you busy.

Band Tips 13 - Original material. Ah yes, we all want to play it. But don't forget your audience. They don't always want to hear it! Be sure that they can relate to you first and foremost. Create a healthy balance by giving them some covers. Then work in your originals gradually. As they come to know and like your songs, you'll have the opportunity to play even more of them.

Band Tips 14 - If you ever mess up than don't try to go back and fix what you messed up on, just go off from where you messed up and maybe no one will notice! -Xarumy

Band Tips 15 - Be creative and try switching up instruments with other band members when writing new material. Some great music and ideas can come to you when you are out of your comfort zone and routine.

Band Tips 16 - Network! Sign your band up for social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. Its a great way to introduce yourselves to the public through similar musical interests.

Band Tips 17 - After your set go out into the crowd and talk to the people who just saw you perform. The more you interact with them, the more likely they will come back to see you again, and bring their friends.

Band Tips 18 - Start up a "street team" with your first fans. More often then not they will be willing to help you out. Get them to help advertise your shows around the area you are performing. Have them put flyers up at local music stores and coffee shops and around college campuses.

Band Tips 19 - Go see other bands perform. Watch what they do onstage and how they interact with the people in the audience. Talk to those around you. Ask if they are fans of the band onstage and what they like the most about them. If they are fans they will try to sell you on the greatness of the band onstage. Take some of what they say to heart because if it is good then that is the kind of good stuff you want said about you and your band.

Band Tips 20 - Being in a band involves relationships, most importantly those between you and your bandmates. In any relationship, communication is it's lifeblood. Good, positive communication will energize and invigorate. Negative communication will act as poision. No communication at all will cause relationships to wither away. You choose!

Band Tips 21 - A band is a team in every sense. For this reason, having the most talented players does not guarantee a great band. Leadership, unified goals, common value systems, and a relatively similar ability level are all of importance. Having a common goal is probably the most important item. This doesn't just mean a goal of "make music". It could mean "Become one of the top 5 selling speed metal recording artists of all time". Or, it could mean "Get a steady bi-weekly New Orleans-style jazz gig within a 15 mile radius where we can be home by midnight on a weekday".

Band Tips 22 - How important is group unity and understanding? Aerosmith credits group counseling as a major factor in their longevity.

Band Tips 23 - Making rehearsals as productive as possible will take your music to the next level. Are you just playing through songs? Try to concentrate on problem areas as playing through an entire song over and over takes a lot of time. There will need to be one or two people who lead the direction of the rehearsal. There will need to be clear signals for when to stop playing.

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