Pick the right bandmates
Thankfully, you’re not in 6th grade gym class anymore. You can pick the RIGHT people for your team, and not worry about an imaginary popularity contest. The next time you’re auditioning future band members or attending a Flashband jam, do your best to suss out who’s the best listener. How? Listen! Who pays attention when it’s time for their solo? Who waits for the drummer to give the starting signal? Pick that person. It might surprise you, but talent is a bit overrated here. You want to choose solid, reliable, easy-to-work-with musicians to be your bandmates.
Bring food and beverages to your rehearsals
Food is a key ingredient for happy bands. Bring some and you’ll be a hero. (Same goes for beer!) Everyone’s tired, cranky, and probably hungry after a long day’s work in their day jobs, and band practice should be a fun, creative environment. Feed the beast and the beast will feed you.
Food is a key ingredient for happy bands. Bring some and you’ll be a hero. (Same goes for beer!) Everyone’s tired, cranky, and probably hungry after a long day’s work in their day jobs, and band practice should be a fun, creative environment. Feed the beast and the beast will feed you.
Encourage ideas
If another band member wants to try something different, be positive and give it a whirl. It takes courage to bring up a new idea, and at some point it will be your turn to put yourself out there. Be affirming and constructive. Some of the best music comes from spontaneous creativity, and eventually that good karma will come back to you.
If another band member wants to try something different, be positive and give it a whirl. It takes courage to bring up a new idea, and at some point it will be your turn to put yourself out there. Be affirming and constructive. Some of the best music comes from spontaneous creativity, and eventually that good karma will come back to you.
Go with the flow
Music, and playing it with a group, is very special. Whether you’re rehearsing covers or writing an original piece, let your contributions blend in with those of the rest of the band. If you’re only focused on keeping mental tabs on how much you’re being appreciated or how much you’re standing out, you’re missing out on the real magic. When YOU let go is when everything starts to come together.
Music, and playing it with a group, is very special. Whether you’re rehearsing covers or writing an original piece, let your contributions blend in with those of the rest of the band. If you’re only focused on keeping mental tabs on how much you’re being appreciated or how much you’re standing out, you’re missing out on the real magic. When YOU let go is when everything starts to come together.
Have your sh*t together
Practice at home. Know what key you’re playing in. Show up with your stuff together. Have a (flexible) plan for rehearsal. Coordinate schedules ahead of time (and try Doodle polls; they’re seriously the best). When the logistics are taken care of, you can focus 100% on the music.
Practice at home. Know what key you’re playing in. Show up with your stuff together. Have a (flexible) plan for rehearsal. Coordinate schedules ahead of time (and try Doodle polls; they’re seriously the best). When the logistics are taken care of, you can focus 100% on the music.
Practice until everyone is comfortable, and then practice some more
As you’re finishing up rehearsal, check in with each of your bandmates to make sure they feel solid about the songs. Everyone should know what to take home and work on, and they should feel excited about it. Once everyone feels pretty good, you need to plan to get together again as much as you can, and hit it hard. Get those transitions down. Work on the endings. Make it tight. When you over-prepare, you’ll be super confident on stage (where it counts the most!).
Be more awesome
You don’t want to be That Person. You know, the one who forgot to bring their gear or showed up late for practice. Think about the little things you can do to make everyone’s lives easier. Don’t forget your money for rehearsal space. Vocalists: help another bandmate lug their gear. Everyone: don’t let the drummer carry all his stuff alone. Don’t talk behind other band member’s backs; be honest and forthright. You really don’t want to be the one who causes the drama. Be The Better Person.
You don’t want to be That Person. You know, the one who forgot to bring their gear or showed up late for practice. Think about the little things you can do to make everyone’s lives easier. Don’t forget your money for rehearsal space. Vocalists: help another bandmate lug their gear. Everyone: don’t let the drummer carry all his stuff alone. Don’t talk behind other band member’s backs; be honest and forthright. You really don’t want to be the one who causes the drama. Be The Better Person.
The bottom line? Keep your act together, be a human (not a robot), and be kind. No matter what role you play in your band, there are lots of ways that you can make life better, more organized and more fun for your entire group. As we like to say at Flashband, music happens when musicians come together!
What are your tips for a happy band?
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