We learn by doing and the best way to learn guitar is to play in
a band. There is only so much you can learn from a teacher or a
book; the trick is to thoroughly apply and test your knowledge
and skills before adding new information.

What better way to accelerate your guitar playing than forming
your own group or joining an existing one?

Since most players frequently end up in a group without too much
thought about how they got there or where they are going I
thought it might be a good idea to present some of the musical
'facts of life' about forming or participating in a band.

Problem #1 - The band practices endlessly but never seems to be
going anywhere

Solution - Start with clear expectations. Before you commit to a
musical group ask questions: find out (a) what style of music the
band plays or intends to play, (b) what are the band's goals,
i.e., to perform live, record a demo, go on tour (c) what are the
time frames for each goal?

Don't be afraid to ask questions it will ultimately save you a
lot of wasted time and money and aggravation?

Problem #2 - Certain band members are always missing band
practice

Solution - Be brutally honest, because the group is only as good
as it's weakest member ask yourself... is player 'X' in this
group because they are a dedicated musician committed to the
group's goals or are they in the band by default because the
group needed a bass player and 'X' was the only person they knew;
so the group members convinced 'X' to learn to play bass?

I mentioned earlier that a band is only as good as it's weakest
member; the trick is to make certain the weakest member is never
you; keep your eye out for the weakest member and notice if there
is any sign of improvement over a four week period, if not...
move on!

By constantly working on your musical skills you keep your
options open and pull opportunities towards you.

Problem #3 - Personality clashes

Solution - No band can function when the members are not working
in harmony. Regardless of how talented a player is, if you cannot
get along with them on a personal level, musically you won't work
either. You have to be friends first before the music will work;
top musicians care about and support each other... if that's not
happening... leave!

Problem #4 - Disputes over who owns equipment etc.

Quite often a player is in the group for non-musical reasons most
of the time these people have little or no talent but because
they own the P.A or have a van to move the equipment or their
brother has a recording studio; all of a sudden these musical
light weights are directing or influencing the band's future.

Solution - Always make sure you own your equipment... when it
comes to community owned equipment, forget it. It's every man
/women for themselves.

This problem is compounded and more obvious when a group splits
up (and they do, often) who owns what; who is liable for the
equipment payments, who has the responsibility of paying the
recording studio account for past recording session, CD
mastering?

Once the group has disbanded no one wants anything to do with it
or it's financial commitments... but someone has to pay; make
sure it's not you!

Problem #5 - Buying equipment for other band members.

This is a trap, many times group members rally together to buy
some piece of equipment for a band member who appears to be
financially disadvantaged or who is at least lagging behind in
the equipment quality department.

Solution - Never do this! If they aren't committed enough to
upgrade their equipment they aren't committed enough to be in
your group.

I remember back in when I was starting out how my brother and I
were so keen to have our group sound good not only did we foot
the bill for our own equipment and the group's PA system we also
started to by good quality cymbals for our 'lame duck' drummer.

Long story short, once we finally woke up to senses and disbanded
the group the drummer sold his entire drum kit (expensive cymbals
and all) he quit playing music all together... it's a pity he
didn't quit earlier, it would have saved us a pile of money!

Comments: There's heaps of positive musical experiences you can
have in a band, it's an absolutely invaluable learning curve,
there's nothing like it.

I've focused on the not so obvious traps involved in forming
your own band... the common theme is "knowing when to leave".

Keep your energies focused on improving your musical abilities,
after all you only have control over one person... YOU.

Look for the musical stagnation signs and head for the door. It's
unrealistic to expect other people to be as dedicated or devoted
to their craft as you, it's important to not sit around treading
water waiting for them to catch up... it won't happen.

Now it's time to head back to the practice room and more guitar
playing.