Helping my son start a band.
Discussion
My son is in his early teens and a bright, charming but reserved lad. He was in a band at school, which he enjoyed greatly and which was appreciated at the concerts where it played. But is disbanded because two of the four were unreliable.
Said lad, going through puberty, needs something to focus upon and to bring him out of himself a bit. So I have suggested he starts another band.
He plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano and is drawn to ska, reggae and some rock. I think he should choose one of the three and learn some covers, rather than knowing a bit of each genre.
One of the staff in his school music department was very helpful with the previous band and I am sure he would help out again. He was particularly good at simplifying difficult music parts.
I think we can secure a decent drummer, we need to find a vocalist (if my son doesn't do it) and either a guitarist and bassist, with my son taking the other role.
So, of the three genres which is most likely to be easy for novice musicians to get to grips with?
I am keen for this to be my son's thing, but I want guide him as far as a totally non-musical father can do (and try to ensure that he DOES actually do something). Part of that will be chatting up the parents of other band members to ensure that they are supportive. I don't want this to start and then collapse due to lack of buy-in by either the musician or parents.
Has anyone else here been through something similar? I am really thinking out loud here, so apologies if it's a bit of a ramble, but thoughts appreciated.
Where are you? I teach part time at a friends Saturday rock school where we run for seven week terms, two hours every Saturday, of kids who already play being put into bands and mentored before a live show at the end of term. We’re in Worcester but I’d find it tricky to believe there weren’t similar things elsewhere.
Similar to above; see if there is a 'Rock Project' anywhere near you. They are a franchise and also cater for adults as well (I started going about 3 years ago despite having played for over 40 years). They teach the songs to each group of instruments separately, then you get to play together as a band for the second half of the lesson. End of term gig is put on for friends and family (our does it at an old nightclub, not sure where the kids one is though).
If it's anything like the adults one he may well find that they pair up and set up their own bands outside of Rock project eventually as I've done.
If it's anything like the adults one he may well find that they pair up and set up their own bands outside of Rock project eventually as I've done.
Does he actually want to be in a band or do you think it’s what he should do.? The only reason I ask is that my son (15) is a pretty handy guitarist and I keep nagging him to join bands. It’s clear however that he just hasn’t found the people that he can gel with. I suspect he will sort something out when the time
Is right. In the meantime he sometimes plays with my band. I’m not trying to put you off, encouraging him to participate in any music is the right thing to do, just don’t make it about you ( harsh lesson I might have learned there ) I’d love Alf to do the rock school thing.
This is him showing he does actually love playing in a band, especially when showing up his dad
https://youtu.be/HjZ7r8MyJFM
Is right. In the meantime he sometimes plays with my band. I’m not trying to put you off, encouraging him to participate in any music is the right thing to do, just don’t make it about you ( harsh lesson I might have learned there ) I’d love Alf to do the rock school thing.
This is him showing he does actually love playing in a band, especially when showing up his dad
https://youtu.be/HjZ7r8MyJFM
davidd said:
Does he actually want to be in a band or do you think it’s what he should do.? The only reason I ask is that my son (15) is a pretty handy guitarist and I keep nagging him to join bands. It’s clear however that he just hasn’t found the people that he can gel with. I suspect he will sort something out when the time
Is right. In the meantime he sometimes plays with my band. I’m not trying to put you off, encouraging him to participate in any music is the right thing to do, just don’t make it about you ( harsh lesson I might have learned there ) I’d love Alf to do the rock school thing.
This is him showing he does actually love playing in a band, especially when showing up his dad
https://youtu.be/HjZ7r8MyJFM
Yes he actually wants to play in a band.Is right. In the meantime he sometimes plays with my band. I’m not trying to put you off, encouraging him to participate in any music is the right thing to do, just don’t make it about you ( harsh lesson I might have learned there ) I’d love Alf to do the rock school thing.
This is him showing he does actually love playing in a band, especially when showing up his dad
https://youtu.be/HjZ7r8MyJFM
davidd said:
Good, so which instrument does he like playing most/ is he best at?
D
Bass probably. D
The acoustic guitar and piano are really for the purposes of music tuition and passing music exams. His preferences are bass and guitar. But then he is a teenage boy, so no surprises there!
So said:
Bass probably.
The acoustic guitar and piano are really for the purposes of music tuition and passing music exams. His preferences are bass and guitar. But then he is a teenage boy, so no surprises there!
That's good, Bass players tend to be in greater demand than guitarists. As a preference what sort of music does he really like playing ?The acoustic guitar and piano are really for the purposes of music tuition and passing music exams. His preferences are bass and guitar. But then he is a teenage boy, so no surprises there!
davidd said:
So said:
Bass probably.
The acoustic guitar and piano are really for the purposes of music tuition and passing music exams. His preferences are bass and guitar. But then he is a teenage boy, so no surprises there!
That's good, Bass players tend to be in greater demand than guitarists. As a preference what sort of music does he really like playing ?The acoustic guitar and piano are really for the purposes of music tuition and passing music exams. His preferences are bass and guitar. But then he is a teenage boy, so no surprises there!
"The bed's too big without you"
"Word Up"
"Feel it Still"
"Good times"
Those are the ones I recall anyway. When I catch him watching Youtube videos (music related) it's usually 100 top bass riffs or some such. His guitar teacher (who also teaches him bass) says he has an affinity for the bass.
Just be careful that in your encouragement you don't make it too much like it's expected of him or it's your thing not his. He will be more likely to dig his heels in and not do it if he feels you are being too pushy, even if he knows you have the best intentions. Parents make things uncool when you're that age,.
Slightly O/T but - I was a teenage bass player (in a really crap band) and ended up as a pro session bass player, so there is the possibility that it could be a career. To that end, if he's learning piano, I'm guessing he reads dots... if he can master that skill on the bass, you never know where it will lead. Caveat: London is not essential but very nearly, to earn enough as a session player.
Also try and keep him playing the piano, it's the best instrument to lead to an understanding of all music.
Also try and keep him playing the piano, it's the best instrument to lead to an understanding of all music.
Keep reading the dots and playing the piano but as a Bass player you'll never be short of a gig.
There are huge volumes of bass parts transcribed and ready on the web usually tab so he can pick and choose.
Like the other suggestions have a look for The Rock Project in your area, my 8yo attended for a while and he loved it (didn't practice at home but that's another issue). They have different age groups and he'll get to play with others and form a band if he wants.
If that's not his thing then have a look at your local musicians facebook group, joinmyband and other musicians wanted classifieds are available as well.
Try the school noticeboard. Music shops will have a wanted board as well.
There are huge volumes of bass parts transcribed and ready on the web usually tab so he can pick and choose.
Like the other suggestions have a look for The Rock Project in your area, my 8yo attended for a while and he loved it (didn't practice at home but that's another issue). They have different age groups and he'll get to play with others and form a band if he wants.
If that's not his thing then have a look at your local musicians facebook group, joinmyband and other musicians wanted classifieds are available as well.
Try the school noticeboard. Music shops will have a wanted board as well.
Soulginge said:
Just be careful that in your encouragement you don't make it too much like it's expected of him or it's your thing not his. He will be more likely to dig his heels in and not do it if he feels you are being too pushy, even if he knows you have the best intentions. Parents make things uncool when you're that age,.
Wait till I get myself a tee shirt made with their band name on it. Then he'll know what uncool is.When people say "read dots" I presume that refers to music? He reads music for piano and classical guitar, and tab for electric guitar and bass (I think).
I wouldn't tie down to a genre. Pretty much the best bit of forming a band is sitting in a room with the other guys to find out what you like as a group. We had a drummer who liked heavy metal, our guitarist/lead singer who was a big fan of Bowie, our bassist loved funk and ska, and I (rhythm guitar) was into the blues and folk.
We'd either bash out covers in a haphazard way, with some people knowing the songs and others just fluffing around the tune some, or jam over riffs. As we went on we'd find some things would work better than others, and that led us down the road to finding a sound.
We'd either bash out covers in a haphazard way, with some people knowing the songs and others just fluffing around the tune some, or jam over riffs. As we went on we'd find some things would work better than others, and that led us down the road to finding a sound.
GetCarter said:
Slightly O/T but - I was a teenage bass player (in a really crap band) and ended up as a pro session bass player, so there is the possibility that it could be a career. To that end, if he's learning piano, I'm guessing he reads dots... if he can master that skill on the bass, you never know where it will lead. Caveat: London is not essential but very nearly, to earn enough as a session player.
Also try and keep him playing the piano, it's the best instrument to lead to an understanding of all music.
Agree with this. Bassists are ALWAYS more in demand than guitarists.Also try and keep him playing the piano, it's the best instrument to lead to an understanding of all music.
Have you considered maybe looking into a little audio interface so he can at least record covers/ideas? you can pick up half decent ones for ~£100 with LE versions of recording software - a few free plugins etc. If being in a band right now isn't his favoured thing, but playing is, being able to actually record yourself well is a good skill too!
JLC25 said:
Agree with this. Bassists are ALWAYS more in demand than guitarists.
Have you considered maybe looking into a little audio interface so he can at least record covers/ideas? you can pick up half decent ones for ~£100 with LE versions of recording software - a few free plugins etc. If being in a band right now isn't his favoured thing, but playing is, being able to actually record yourself well is a good skill too!
A timely response. His music teacher emailed me yesterday saying that he knows of a jazz band in need of a bassist. I think he is going to give it a go.Have you considered maybe looking into a little audio interface so he can at least record covers/ideas? you can pick up half decent ones for ~£100 with LE versions of recording software - a few free plugins etc. If being in a band right now isn't his favoured thing, but playing is, being able to actually record yourself well is a good skill too!
Jump onto YouTube and check out Jim Ill.
He decided in high school that he wanted to be a professional musician and that's the only work he's done since he graduated.
His genre is country but it is the mindset that sets him apart, if it's got strings he plays it and he can also carry a tune vocally.
Everyone can sing (some like me may be less than capable of being the front man though), he worked what he wanted to play and then mastered the instruments that would provide ongoing work
He decided in high school that he wanted to be a professional musician and that's the only work he's done since he graduated.
His genre is country but it is the mindset that sets him apart, if it's got strings he plays it and he can also carry a tune vocally.
Everyone can sing (some like me may be less than capable of being the front man though), he worked what he wanted to play and then mastered the instruments that would provide ongoing work
So said:
A timely response. His music teacher emailed me yesterday saying that he knows of a jazz band in need of a bassist. I think he is going to give it a go.
Great news. IMO ALL musicians (interested in working in music at least) should learn Jazz, Motown/Soul and Funk. The way the music is arranged teaches a lot about when to play, and what you should be playing.Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff