Things to do before your first jam

This post is a very strange one,you may say.Well,I agree,absurd it may sound too.But honestly before hitting the studio(garage in some cases) for the first time,there are quite a few things you have to take into consideration.These few things are very different from each other,since some may have to start three ,four years prior to your first jam,and some things are to be done just before entering the studio(or garage).Oh,and most importantly this not one of those posts where the blogger “teaches” you 5.35 things to do before Blah!Blah!Blah! Without giving specific numbers,I intentionally decided to  stick with “things” because these “things” may vary in their value due to the differance of professionalism in different performers.For instance,a full time band will not bother to read the first three points,but they will find the latter few points much useful.

• Please learn your music-Well,ironic it sounds.But I once went to play with a band for the first time.Not my first time of course,but as a band it was the first time we got together.The bassist was said to be an amateur and handled with ease.”Well,no problem” I thought,”this is something we hear regularly”.But when we started to play we realised that he simply had no idea of what “G-major” means.Seriously,this happens,and it’s not good!

And,vocalists please take voice classes before joining a band.There may be exceptions like Sharon Den Adel(Within Temptation),but as a whole the worst,most un-identified(among beginners) yet the most dangerous mistake is this.A vocalist usually fronts the band(Can’t think of a band where the vocalist does not solely front the band?Well do your research then!)and a poor front-man,musically and energetically is the worst thing that could happen to a band.

No time for classes?Oh,there’s a solution,quit music!If you have a real passion for this you’ll find time somehow.I am busy person too,but I play at 1.00 in the morning if that’s the only time slot available.

• Focus on what you like and what you know-When people start to listen to music and really get in to it,at some point they will go through the era where they’ll desperately struggle to join a band.I’ve been through that period,and maybe you have too!But here’s the deal,just because you want to be in a band,don’t join any band.A punk rock fan joining a thrash metal band does not sound very good,does it?But could happen,I’ve seen it happen!

There’s a clear difference between what you know and what you like.Say it’s been three months since you started to play the guitar,and Metallica’s Fade to blackis one of your favourite songs.Unless you are very,very talented,the chances of you playing Hammet’s solo’s in that song are quite low if not nil(if you did play this in 3 months,I suggest you stop reading this blog and start your own one under Eddie Van Halen’s name!!!).So,without attempting a very hard song you love,try a somewhat simple song.This,however does not mean that a thrash metal band should start by playing Blink182 covers!!!

• Set I mean chat a goal-Before you grab your guitars and start jamming,get together with your “to-be” bandmates for a little talk(preferably without booze ).It’s always a good idea to do this because,you get to understand the tastes and capabilities of the people you’ll be jamming with,in a few days.Set(or chat)a real goal with a real time limit.“Let’s play covers until we are tight” is not a goal.Tightness hardly comes around,you have to chase it down until it runs out of breath and gives in.“Let’s play covers throughout the first two weeks and then start improvising” is a much better goal.
•  your band-Well,not only facebook,but myspace,bebo and other social networking sites can be a great way to get the message out to your freinds.This may sound a bit absurd to do this before you start even jamming together.Since you are obviously in one or more of these social networking sites,chances are that once you get the word out to your freinds and start seeing all those “Way to go”s you’ll be inspired to take your business seriously.I would also recommend creating a garageband profile.But until you get your own music recorded,it won’t be of much use.Still it’s never too early to give yourself a little idea about the system and the layout of the site.
• Guitarists,trim your fingernails!-This is one of those things you can do even just before entering the studio.But it’s seriously more relieving to do this at home without biting them and spitting out the nails.

Don’t take the final tip too seriously!!!

With this I start my journey and I invite you to hop in and join me and FORM YOUR OWN BAND.

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