Starting your own band

You should totally start a band. Why not, right? It'll keep you off the streets, it's more interesting than TV or video games, and besides -- what if you're the next Nirvana? It would be wrong to withhold your talent from the world.

But apart from the super fun part (coming up with a name and practicing your jumps in the mirror), how exactly is it done? Well, everyone starts somewhere and not everyone starts the same way. But here are some basic principles to getting your band up and running.

Find your bandmates:

This is easily the most important part of the process. Why? Because being in a band with someone is a lot like 'going out' with them -- that's why bands 'break up' so much. When you're bandmate hunting, keep the following in mind:

*Find people who share your vision (i.e., are you into just jamming and having fun, while they're on a fast-track plan for superstardom? Are you into dreamy pop and they're into death metal?).

*As early as possible, have a band meeting to lay down expectations (i.e., is this a democracy, or is one person the driving force? Is missing band practice for a soccer game acceptable or not?)

*You don't need any certain number of people to start a band. And no specific instrument is required. You'll have better luck if you're in a band with people you want to play music with, so don't sweat whether you fit the mold of what a band usually looks or sounds like. After all, isn't it a bonus to be original?

As far as finding the actual people, you could try putting up flyers, or asking your school's music teacher for suggestions.

Find your instruments:

Jen Abercrombie, who started a two-girl band called Rizzo with her best friend Sarah Dale on drums, offers this advice: 'If you don't know much about playing yet, borrow or rent something first, if you can. Because instruments are expensive.' Then, once you know you're committed to your instrument and you know what qualities and features you want it to have, hit the classifieds, pawn shops, and used instrument stores. Bring a knowledgeable friend if you're not sure what you're looking for, or ask other musicians for recommendations. And check here for ideas on getting some cash together.

'Your gear is less important than what you bring to it, especially when you're just starting' says Jen, 'because you can rock out on anything. Sarah became a drummer mostly because I had an old snare drum lying around. We just set it up on a cardboard box and she started playing.' And now, Sarah has a really unique way of playing (standing up, dancing around, and totally rockin' out on one drum) because she just concentrated on what kind of noise she could make with what she had. Music history, especially hip hop history, abounds with stories like that.

Find your practice space:

Your bedroom probably won't cut it, because you're going to make some serious noise. You might want to chat with your parents about using the basement or garage -- you can use some old mattresses for soundproofing on doors, windows, and thin walls. Or, if no one's parents are down, maybe your school will let you sign out some time in the band room.

That's it! It really is that (kind of) easy. The real work, of course, is putting your heart and soul into your music, but you can do that without any help. Go to it!