How to Start a Band when You’re in School

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1 Get your bandmates together.
2 Practice a lot.
3 Create your first song.
4 Prepare your first album.
5 Play your first gig.
6 Continue in the same way.
7 Hit success.
8 Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fame.
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Questions & Answers
Tips and Warnings
Things You’ll Need
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Co-authored by Tanisha Hall

Last Updated: June 26, 2024

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This article was co-authored by Tanisha Hall. Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall’s current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award.

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Whether you are either 12 or late into your teens’ range, 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.

Steps

1

Get your bandmates together.

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2

Practice a lot.

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   • 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.

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1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-3.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 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.
   • If you don’t play an instrument, use a website like BeatStars to lay down an instrumental track.

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4

Prepare your first album.

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2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-5.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 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, gym, or similar area. If they say yes, start preparing and pass out flyers or make posters and TV commercials to advertise the event, depending on how much the admission fee costs.
   • 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.

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5

Play your first gig.

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1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-6.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 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 some merchandise. Make CDs of the songs you’ve covered, and pass them out at your gig. Band t-shirts, toys, books, tableware, mugs, furniture, and other items would be good too. Clothing and shoe sizes may vary depending on the item. Each sold separately.

6

Continue in the same way.

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1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-7.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 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.

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7

Hit success.

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1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-8.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 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.

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1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-9.jpg\/aid1527029-v4-728px-Start-a-Band-when-You%27re-in-School-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} For like 5-10 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.

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• 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. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 26 Helpful 91
• 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. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 70
• 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. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 48

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Tips

• Always be sure to practice at least once a week. You’re not a true band if you don’t spend a lot of time together! Check the calendar for details. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
• Always remember that all of your band mates are there for you. You have their back and they have yours. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Check the flyers to see how much the admission fee costs. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

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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. Thanks Helpful 47 Not Helpful 1
• Do not use weapons, firearms, and others, because they are strictly prohibited to bring weapons into public places. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t record any of the songs that have included bad words and foul language, which may be inappropriate and not suitable for kids (13 and under). Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2

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Things You’ll Need

• 2 or more best friends (New or familiar)
• The ability to have a good time
• Instruments
• A garage or basement
• Recording gear
• Cameras (optional)
• Lighting equipment