Love What You Do - If you don't love playing music, or being on stage, or playing just because you want to regardless of whether someone pays you, you won't last long. You might make it big right away, but chances are, you won't.

"Keep it Real."

The number one reason for bands, clubs, societies and relationships falling apart is Ego. In order to work in a band and have a band succeed, compromise is the most important aspect of music making. People don't realize that if one person creates the music, that song will not be nearly as strong as a song created by one, then introduced to the band where each member them has the opportunity to add to the sound and the song in general.

Have some original songs written

Practice. And don't hire fellow band members who won't

Honesty and Trust - You're a family. You have to be able to be honest with your bandmates and trust them to do the same. Untrustworthy bandmates leave and form their own bands with your music. Don't hire or keep anyone whom you think is looking out for their own interests, or whom you've caught in a lie that has potentially harmful effects on your band

Share the fun, the glory, and failures.  If one member does all of the vocals, other members eventually get pissed. If you have all members harmonizing on parts of some of the songs, it makes every member fell like they are contributing to the whole project. Unless they truly don't sing well and know it. Introduce your band members to the audience, they love it. If you personally have a bad night and are out of sync, haven't made practices, don't remember the words, play something way out of your league, or drink enough to affect your performance, take all the blame for it yourself, don't pass it off on someone else in the hopes that it ain't you.

A place to play - If a member doesn't have a basement, garage or yard to use for rehearsals, rent a place. Find a place that is affordable (should be split equally among band members), within easy reach of everyone, secure, available at all hours, and a large enough room for what you need. And check the local community ordinances. Just because someone is renting you a space to play, doesn't mean that they'll tell you that you can't rehearse after 9 p.m. or that the cops might come to see you.

As the leader or organizer of a band, you need to put your goals out there and in plain english, so anyone who may join the band is not surprised by your decisions. Some guys may be perfectly happy jamming in the garage and not getting anywhere professionally. And that's okay if everyone knows where your head is at. Even if your band is a democracy, talk about your goals as the leader and what you expect

Practices - You must be disciplined in practice. An average musician who attends every practice is better than a  hotshot who feels he doesn't need it. Fire any band members who are consistently missing or showing up late for practices. He's a millstone around your neck and will eventually cost you gigs.

It is important to get along with your bandmates. You'll have to assess each member and potential member's abilities. If you are just starting to play, hopefully, you can grow together. Practice patience. Sometimes you'll need to make compromises between ability and personality. The best musicians are not always the easiest people to get along with. Sometimes, they don't want to waste their time with amateurs. The person who gets along great with the band, might not be the most proficient, but is the best fit. Whatever works

Replace people if they are not helping the group get where they are going.  Everyone has to do their share. Set up rules, agreeing on them before you go out on the road so band decisions don't become personal. If everyone agrees, then you aren't "picking on" anyone. You don't want to win a popularity contest,  you want to be the most popular and highest paid band. There is a printable contract that you can use to set the most important rules on this page.

Is it for fun or is it for business? Establish this right from the start. If its for fun, enjoy yourself.  If it's serious business for you, say so and have your bandmates commit to that goal. The band with hopes of becoming nationally known must be very disciplined. It starts with finding the "right" musicians to bring your band success. Everyone must be there and be on time for rehearsals.  Create a rehearsal schedule and have everyone commit to it. Everybody's got another life and they don't need to waste precious time waiting for you or another band member to haul your butts to the rehearsals, or not showing up at all

Alcohol and Drugs - Have a zero tolerance policy for rehearsals. It ain't gonna kill you. Or keep alcohol intake to a minimum. If drugs or alcohol starts to seriously affect the performance or personality of a band member, bring it to the person's attention before it gets out of control.  If there's no talking sense to that person and you're building a bad image for your band, be heartless and fire him. This is especially true for weddings and private parties - these folks saved up money to pay you, and their events are special and sentimental, they're in the company of close family and friends. They're also feeding you. Their gatherings should not be disrupted by unruly and unprofessional musicians and they shouldn't have to pay you if you are not straight and sober and doing your job. 

Wanna Try Out for A Band?

Get interested in the band. Ask who the other members are, and what music they play

Meet the whole band at one of their rehearsals. If you have time, learn their music. This will  show you are taking an interest and  will allow you to work out the songs before your audition for the band. 

Learn the songs inside out

Be professional when trying out for the band.  Make sure your equipment is working right before you get there. Set up quickly and don't keep them  waiting for you.

How to sabotage your career and make enemies
- Or How to Be A Primadonna

A Great Quote

"I think I've got something special to say with my music. But I have to keep these things in 
perspective, because they're gifts. It's all a gift... and I have to keep giving it back, or it goes 
away. If I start believing that it's all my doing, it's gonna be my undoing. I'm committing 
myself to doing the most I can with the gifts I have, so that they do as much good as possible."
-Stevie Ray Vaughan

(i found this stuff in a newsgroup a couple of years ago and never used it til now)

1) Show up late to the gigs - let everyone wonder if you're ever going to show up. Show up 10 minutes before your band plays, if at all.

2) Act bored and disinterested - while playing the show, look like you'd rather be somewhere else. Stand up against the wall with your legs crossed while playing guitar. Don't smile. Wear sunglasses at all times. You can also play with your back to the audience - that's a true sign of a primadonna.

3) Demand special treatment - If your bandmates each get two drink tickets at the show, demand that you receive three or four. Demand that you get extra people in on your guestlist.

4) Complain about the sound - Yell at the soundman - tell 'em you can't hear yourself in the monitors. Tell him to turn you up louder than everyone else. Call him a moron, even.

5) Refuse to load gear - Before or after the gig, refuse to load any gear, except maybe your own guitar. Tell 'em "it's the roadies job!" If you are a singer, don't touch nothing!!!

6) Ignore your "fans" - After the gig, when audience members try to talk to you, just give 'em a nod and then ignore them. Again, wear sunglasses at all times. This shows them that you are a true primadonna to be contended with - a "player".

7) Always dress the part - Always dress in the finest of threads. This means, if you play rock music - leather. And of course, always wear shades.

8) Don't show up to practice - Tell the guys, "I'm not the one who needs the practice". Show up to every other practice, but only if you feel like it.

9)When asked to play at a charity or benefit on a volunteer basis, raise your eyebrows and look down your nose. Especially if you haven't had a gig in a good long time.

10)join a group or club that will further your band's chances at success. The odds are better for being seen and heard, and the promotion don't cost nuthin'. Give advice, don't volunteer for anything, and tell everyone you know best how it's done.

Wise Advice For Bands

Many of these suggestions came from bands and musicians themselves
and some were excerpted from newsgroups, etc. on the web

Don't Believe A Word Of It
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