G-C-D. That's all you really need to know for Rock and Roll, Right? I mean, those three chords can make the world rock, that's for sure... but it is not quite that simple. Making music is a lot of fun. It is also a lot of work. I don't know that many people really understand what it takes to make it all happen (and I'm not even talking about 'making it big'... I'm just talking about your average working band)...
First, you have to start. We all start at the same spot. Once you find that you like playing/singing, you have to invest your money (a little at first....) and your time. Lots of it. I am far from the best bass player in the world and far from the best guitar player, and I have invested thousands of hours in the craft! I used to get home from school and toss my book bag in the corner. My homework was turning on the radio and playing along. I only had 4 minutes to learn the tune or it would have to wait until next time it came on (or I'd shut the radio off and work until I figured the part out). I played at home by myself and with my twin brother, Matt, for a year (along with outings with Dad to play at church functions!) before getting involved in a band. In that year and the years that followed I played a ton. I asked older musicians everything I could think to ask to help me get better (It is great when your parents and their friends are musicians!).
Then you have to navigate band life - that'll be another post. and another. and another - actually, I've written about it before! There is more pressure and rejection (or fear of rejection) than high school. Even at your best you aren't good enough for some people (on both the player/band side and the audience member side).
Once you get into a situation that you are going to stick with, you invest more money to make sure you have the right equipment that won't fail you, will sound good (and to be honest, won't make it look like you're an amateur to those who care about brand names) and more time. Rehearsals, gigs, any and all promotion activities mean more and more blocks of time on your calendar are 'booked' - solid. If you play regularly, everything gets increased. For someone with family, friends, a job, etc... it is definitely a commitment that is not for the faint of heart.
Often, you have to make the time. It can tax your family. It can be like a circus, and you are the clown stuck in the Volkswagen going around and around in circles to bad music... but somehow, it is worth it.
Your friends and family need your time. Give them all as much as you can. Your job and your band need your time, too. Make sure you are budgeting time for them as well. Without time together, a band is just a group of people on a stage trying to play the same song at the same time.
Also, remember that the financial investment is somehow worth it...
First, you have to start. We all start at the same spot. Once you find that you like playing/singing, you have to invest your money (a little at first....) and your time. Lots of it. I am far from the best bass player in the world and far from the best guitar player, and I have invested thousands of hours in the craft! I used to get home from school and toss my book bag in the corner. My homework was turning on the radio and playing along. I only had 4 minutes to learn the tune or it would have to wait until next time it came on (or I'd shut the radio off and work until I figured the part out). I played at home by myself and with my twin brother, Matt, for a year (along with outings with Dad to play at church functions!) before getting involved in a band. In that year and the years that followed I played a ton. I asked older musicians everything I could think to ask to help me get better (It is great when your parents and their friends are musicians!).
Then you have to navigate band life - that'll be another post. and another. and another - actually, I've written about it before! There is more pressure and rejection (or fear of rejection) than high school. Even at your best you aren't good enough for some people (on both the player/band side and the audience member side).
Once you get into a situation that you are going to stick with, you invest more money to make sure you have the right equipment that won't fail you, will sound good (and to be honest, won't make it look like you're an amateur to those who care about brand names) and more time. Rehearsals, gigs, any and all promotion activities mean more and more blocks of time on your calendar are 'booked' - solid. If you play regularly, everything gets increased. For someone with family, friends, a job, etc... it is definitely a commitment that is not for the faint of heart.
Often, you have to make the time. It can tax your family. It can be like a circus, and you are the clown stuck in the Volkswagen going around and around in circles to bad music... but somehow, it is worth it.
Your friends and family need your time. Give them all as much as you can. Your job and your band need your time, too. Make sure you are budgeting time for them as well. Without time together, a band is just a group of people on a stage trying to play the same song at the same time.
Also, remember that the financial investment is somehow worth it...