Have you often dreamed about collaborating with talented musicians and singers, performing your favorite musical compositions for the enjoyment of other people? This can be a highly rewarding activity that can actually turn into a life-long career in music. Many musicians start out this way and find that it helps them to hone their skills in preparation for attending music school or gaining added fan exposure. According to Digital Music News, around 91% of musicians go undiscovered, meaning no one ever gets to enjoy their outstanding talent. However, when artists take the time to create their own groups and record videos to share on YouTube and other social networks, they are much more likely to be experienced by others. So-called ‘Indie’ music groups come in all types of genres, therefore anyone can form a music group.
Whether you are a classically trained musician or a vocalist looking for other artists to work with, it’s possible to form your own music group by following the below steps.
Decide on the structure of your music group
Do you envision your music group as a duo, a trio, a quartet, or something more substantial? Many times this is dictated by the types of instruments and music to be played. It can also be difficult to find certain types of musicians who can meet on a regular basis to build the group. Be flexible, as you may find that a nice mix of different musical instruments and voices can complement each other in a unique way.
Advertise to attract other artists
Try a paid advertisement in the back of your high school or college newspaper, a local publication, and online in music forums as you search for the perfect collaborators for your group. Put flyers up inviting other musicians to audition for your group. Several great sources for finding other musicians, landing gigs, promoting your group, and discovering new types of music include Reverb Nation, Reddit Music, and iTunes. Create a website or blog for even more exposure.
Choose the right collaborators for the group
You’ll also want to determine the skill level and background of any musicians or vocalists you partner with. Choose people from a wide gamut of skill levels, but not so much that people are annoyed by a junior musician with very little skill. Interview each person before adding him to the group to make sure there aren’t any issues, like personality conflicts.
Select a practice location and schedule
The place you practice can make or break your new music group. It’s always better to choose a space that is shared by all members of the group, such as a rented garage, loft apartment, finished basement, small warehouse, or artist’s studio. Avoid a free or borrowed space in a friend’s house because that friend could decide to stop letting you use it…then you’ll be stuck looking for another location. A practice space should be roomy enough to accommodate a number of musicians and listeners, have good acoustics, access to electricity and lighting, be climate controlled, easy to secure, and not disturb others in the immediate area.
Discover your niche in the music world
Have you decided on a niche you’d like to pursue in the world of music? The great thing about forming a music group is that you have the opportunity to decide this along the way. Many musicians have discovered a brand new idea for music simply by being in the presence of other creative musicians. The idea for forming a music group is to inspire each other and grow as artists.
Plan to be a working group
It’s one thing to practice behind closed doors – it’s another to get out there in the community. Explore the local scene and find places where your new music group can perform. Coffee shops, restaurants, and clubs are always looking for new talent to entertain guests. Birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and weddings can also be sources of paid gigs. Outdoor venues can be fun too, such as art festivals, fairs, street performance, and holiday events. Establish a name for your music group and create some simple flyers and CDs you can hand out to promote your music.
Continue to learn from one another
As you form your new music group, you will learn a lot about humanity in the process. You may find that you perform well with certain types of people, and conflict with others. You will learn to overcome personality issues, performance anxiety, and stereotypes. This is an important learning opportunity on the journey to becoming a more powerful and established musician, so make the most of this experience.
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