1:13 Phase One: Getting Ready 3:42 Phase Two: Assembeling The Band 4:44 Phase Three: First Practice 6:16 Phase Four: Continuous Practices 7:52 Phase Five: First Gig 9:11 Phase Six: Continuous Gigs 13:43 Phase Seven: Recording 14:53 Phase Eight: Release/Publicity 16:23 Phase Nine: Fast Tips 18:19 Phase Ten: Closing Remarks

"And dont play smells like teen spirit" *Plays come as you are*

i really hope someone sees this and think "I dont care if Im successful! I just wanna have FUN!" and then become like the band who changes the whole music history

As the vocalist for my band, here’s tips for beginner vocalists: 1: KNOW WHAT GENRE YOUR BAND IS! This helps a ton when you are figuring out your range 2: You don’t need to add unnecessary adlibs to everything 3: don’t be cocky or full of yourself. Just because your the “singer” of the band does NOT mean you’re the most important

Or, different option for Phase 1: Become friends with the musicians at your school, find the best ones and ask them to join your band

even if I'm never famous and am stuck in small bar gigs, making music with my friends would mean the world to me

“give the drummer a break” thank you.

I always tell people two pieces of advice when starting a band: 1. Demonstrate your value first. -Start demoing out ideas -Record videos of you playing -If you want quality candidates for band members you need materials to prove yourself. 2. Go to local shows and network. -It’s a massive gesture to other bands in your scene just to do the bare minimum and show up. Local bands are deprived of attention. -You are most likely to find like minded musicians at these small local shows. Tell people you’re starting a band and looking for members.

I think covers aren't so bad necessarily; sometimes people just want to hear the music they like live. And it's soo much easier to get gigs with a repertoire that people actually wants to hear

You forgot to add that your band mates NEED to disrespect the bass player. (I play bass)

"Bass players should know Seven Nation Army" **plays literally nothing**

You should play in a band because it’s fun. The goal of art isn’t to be good, it’s to enjoy yourself. Play with your friends, practice until you have at least half an hour of material down as perfect as you can get it. Then, ask to play some shows. The money will be bad. You shouldn’t think about the money. 100% of the people that come to see you will have no investment in your music whatsoever, they just want to see live music. If you are good, which you probably aren’t, you might get noticed by someone. Don’t get your hopes up. Your band sucks, and that’s ok. It’s good, even. It means you have nothing to lose, you’re only doing it because it’s fun. That’s what it’s all about.

Oh? My band isn’t going anywhere? Than tell me how we play in a basement to TWELVE sweaty people!? Feeling pretty silly now, huh, internet man?

nate: "your first show sucked, but your next few aren't," me: yes, i too love grammar.

I'm only starting a band with people who stand with loded diper

I don’t know if anyone needs this to hear this, but I just played my first gig yesterday evening. I remember seeing this a few months after it coming out and thinking I could never sing/learn an instrument and that music was just something I would have to stick to consuming rather than actually doing myself because of my dyspraxia (a hand-eye coordination disorder) and also my general insecurity. Then, a couple of months after I turned 14 I decided to get serious with learning guitar and singing in earnest. A bit under a year and a half later and I sang and played to a crowd of about 40 cheering people. I still can’t play or sing by the way!

5:54 . This is really relatable. I had a 6 hour session once, and at the end I went to see the drummer and he was laying out on the floor, completely shattered.

my dreams were crushed within the first 40 seconds of this video.

*when you can’t yet afford a decent bass so you buy a children’s ukulele to practice* i still feel attacked

The fun part about starting a band is that you meet new people, make friends, and become really part of a scene

this actually made me feel very inspired! i'm a beginner in music as it stands right now, only been doing it for about 5 years (started when i was 14, go figure) but i'd love to play in a band someday when i'm better and smarter and i was starting to lose hope that i'd ever do something like that. hearing you say stuff like "youll probably never become super famous" and "you'll probably suck for a while" didnt discourage me and really reminded me of why i'm so attracted to the concept of being in a band: i want nothing more than to dedicate some years to making good friends and playing some sounds and having a good time

Not even a minute into the video, and I've been attacked

im starting a band. im a sophomore in high school. i have 12 songs written atm for 1 of 2 albums. ill be back in 4 years with an update.

literally everything you said made me more motivated to actually make a band. wish it wasnt 2:30 am because now im motivated to learn the bass more but instead i should definately be sleeping.

Watched this a bunch in 2020 and with 100% certainty he's right. It's hella hard and super discouraging to play in a band. Thankfully I (mostly) pulled it together and now have a band with a single released, a show and an upcoming EP. So gotta thank this dude for the motivation

How to start a band in two easy steps: Step one: Start the Band Step Two: End the band

“AC/DC and Led Zeppelin” **PROCEEDS TO SHOW NIRVANA AND GUNS AND ROSES**

As a salty band veteran I loved this video! You’re doing a beautiful thing here. Help the kids keep live music alive! I found everything in this rather spot on. I’m here still trying to further my education on the band life.

I always say: Everyone who can play an instrument wants to start a band, but few want to do the work it takes to start a band. The boring stuff is the most important part. The biggest issue I always had is that when it comes to actually practicing, coordinating our playing and sound, writing, etc you can get them to focus. You don't want to leave any tiny detail up to chance. Even improvised things need to be practiced in a sense. Remember, how everyone else plays reflects on you. No one is going to notice you're playing well when your drummer can't keep time. Everyone always gives crap to the Paul McCartney's of groups who they act like are stick in the muds that don't have fun, but their incessant nagging to get the fundamentals is why you sound decent at all.

"how to start a band" intro is about how you will never be a successful band.

The real question: How to find people that play instruments nowadays and like rock music Update: i found a drummer and a bassist

Couple of extra bits that I've learnt from experience. 1) if you are lucky enough to fall into a scene, as much as you like the genre or what came before to create the genre, try to bring something new to it. 2) spend the money in your recordings. There are very very many "paywalls" within the music world. If you pour your money into anything, it should be recording. For a point of reference, the first album I recorded was with an 8 piece and we spent over 5 grand on it. Don't rush it, but do make sure you know your material back to front, know your dynamics and know what you want. If you want samples, bring your samples or either pre record some or bring what you want to record. Research the studio you record at. What work have they put out before? What caliber of bands are they recording. Will they understand what you are going for? Remember your recordings are forever and will always last longer than the band. It should be the best representation of you long term. 3) along with the hardships and struggle (boy is there alot of that) do you still enjoy it? If not what can you all do to change that? If not, time to move on. All clinging on to something because it used to bring you joy and that time being precious to you won't bring those feelings back. Those times will simultaneously always be with you, but also never be relived again. Be proud of what you did and work out your next step. Clinging on to something that you baby that is dead, will only taint it amd make you bitter with each other. Moving on is important and an invaluable tool to becoming a better musician. Your mistakes are for learning from. Final part - my band UNFUNFAIR are accessible through KZfaq, spotify, bandcamp and Instagram. Go check us out and see what ridiculous shit we get up to. Good luck out there!

Thank you for releasing this video. I watched this 4 years ago and I've been working hard and played my first thrash metal concert last night for 100 people in the middle of nowhere idaho. I owe you everything Nate, thank you.

8 years full timer with tips to add. Building your set list: 1. Pick a song(s) 2. Everyone learn your parts individually 3. Run thru at soundcheck (goal is to get this down to 'once') 4. Don't be the one who didn't learn your part Also, there are only 4 reasons to pull a 'no show' for a gig, session, rehearsal: 1. Your personal death 2. Hostage 3. Hospitalization 4. Jail If you can find a group of people to honor this simple rule set (even if you can't stand each other) you'll have established the trajectory needed to maintain and improve your craft.

Drummer: plays chop suey Bass: plays seven nation army Guitar: plays margaritaville (Jimmy buffet) Vocalist: "and the rain will kill us all, throw our selves against the wall"

Back when I got done with active duty and went home in late 1970. I decided to look for other individuals that wanted to help me put a band together. Okay, some might think I'm the leader and yes I helped start this venture. The night , we, as a group played intermission for Little Joe and Familia, when introduced at half time show, the announcer stated "Robert's band," in which I corrected him quickly to announce, "Los Indio Mexicanos," even thou we were hard rock players and that is what we played: from Black Sabbath to Credence Clear Water Revival plus other popular tunes of that era. Yes, maybe I search out members and choose the music, teaching them the songs, but it was the efforts of the Band named Los Indios Mexicans consisting of; Willie Earl McDonald - singer, Alex Che Abrigo - drummer, Jessie Sepidia - Bassist, and myself Robert Ortega - guitarist to create music as a group. As a group I refuse to take sole credit because each of the mentioned artist were (in my opinion) equally essential that we did play for 5 of the top artistic Hispanic Groups intermission in 1971's at the only Spanish dance hall in Dimmitt, Texas. Those were fun days and I will always remember how good we were, and I emphasize "We!"

This video is really, really well put together. Alot of putting together a band is persistence and observation. The first band I formed took alot of trial and error but once you get the idea it gets alot easier.

Imagine looking for band members when you can just clone yourself

Says people who swear by AC/DC and Led Zeppelin Shows people wearing nirvana and guns and roses shirts

i love this video so much! playing our first gig in may and we’re so excited

I got my first bass guitar for my 16th birthday this year. I want to start a band and have some fun with it. Wish me luck guys!! :)

When he said give the drummer a break cause he's killing himself while you tweedle your fingers, I felt that

"If you want be performing in front of 9 people at a time.." Wow, setting the expectations high

I used to rewatch this video nearly everyday a few years ago because I really wanted to start a band but I knew no instrument people, now me and my friend are starting a synth pop project. Thanks for that!

Thanks for the drummer love man! Here's a fun tip for making sure the drummer is the star of the show, put them on a platform. We have a 3 foot platform in our garage where the drums go, and up there you're always the center.

Girlfriends in rehearsal are forbidden. FOR-BI-DDEN

Nate: "If you're a drummer you should know how to play..." Me, a drummer who is only able to play Come Together: *holds breath* Nate: "...Come Together." Me: *exhales*

I’ve been a professional full time musician for 14 years, I’ve played well over 1,000 shows in multiple bands and I can confirm that this is very good advice. Here is my addition: don’t go to school for music and make it your passion only to play in a bunch of cover bands for 14 years because it’s the only way to make a living in this business. Get a day job doing something more lucrative, make one band and just get the right people and the right music in that one band and go all out with it, have fun. You’ll be happier in the long run.

This is the best video to ever be made on the internet. Thank you

"Bass players should know seven nation army" ExCuSe mE sIr tHat Is ofFEnSiVe.

"Give the drummer a break" [Happy drummer noise]

I remember watching this video when it came out thinking "That's so cool. I wish this could be me in a band. But there's no way." And here we are, my band releasing our first single in a couple of days :) During our whole journey this video has been in the back of my mind. As I joined a band, I remembered this video, but thought "No way. We're just playing around, badly covering grunge." As we worked on our first original song, I remembered this video, but thought "Yeah, still, this is probably just a one time thing, and it isn't even that good." As we organized our first gig, I remembered this video and thought "Hm. We've gone through a lot of phases." As we finished recording our first single a few days ago, I remembered the exact line from the video that most bands don't reach the recording stage. And I thought "There."

Nate is so helpful I’m so grateful I found him in my recommended

"do not sleep with fans" *pierce the veil comes up* dammit mike!

I really could have used some of this advice a few months ago, but my band figured it out. Some more tips: • make sure the name is original and MEMORABLE • don’t take any gigs you’re not ready for. even if it sounds like a lot of fun, it probably won’t be if you get up there with two covers and nothing else. • get a good long set so you’ll be prepared for anything • this shit takes a lot more time and energy than you might think. make sure you’re not too busy with other commitments • talk to people. as a person with a fair amount of anxiety, it can get really hard. but you gotta thank y’all for coming to my ted talk

I love that you crushed my soul in the first 30 seconds.

Thanks for this, I watched this video before me and my friend started a band and now we're getting ready to record our first demo

"Is the drummer's time signature a little bit off?" The rest of the band was in 4/4, but I think the drummer was around 15/16.

1.) get band members who you trust to learn their parts 2.) learn photoshop for album covers 3.) tone

I just wanted to say that i always come back to this video and everytime i do it i get up a step on the phases

"How to end a kids whole dream"

Imagine living somewhere with a "scene"

Im a lot more of a hip hop guy, but i’ve started a band with people who swear by bands like My Chemical Romance. So far its been pretty fun, not really any band-politics or anything like that too. This experience has given me many great memories. And that would have never happened if I never watched this video. Thank you Nate. 🙏

found this super funny and use full. my friend keeps calling by bass a 'overgrown ukulele' and you mentioning this as I am sat next to my bass cracked me up at times.

"Bass player should know Seven Nation Army" Bass player of White Stripes:

So I see a lot of people in the comments saying that the intro crushed their dreams or something like that, but in all honesty that intro made me want to try one million times harder to get my music career going. I love ya Nate!

I have a lot of trouble finding a bass player. Not because I can’t find someone who’s willing to pluck a string over and over, but because I actually want an honest-to-god bassist who understands their instrument well. I have an amazing drummer and I’ve put in my hours on piano and guitar, but the bassist is the missing piece, and arguably the most important one.

I watched this video when it came out, and your description of me in the beginning of the video was perfectly spot on. Now I came back, because with my band we’re recording our first EP and I remembered this existed… Watched it all again, and I feel kinda lucky :)).

nates declassified band survival guide

The reality of whats its like to be in a band is exactly what I want. I don't wanna perform on some huge stage or play halftime at the superbowl. I just wanna play inspired music at local places and have fun.

Adding to Nate's point on stage presence, it's an easy, fun, and dramatic/energetic way to have a memorable performance. I saw The Front Bottoms on tour with a guy called Mobley, and I have so many more vivid memories for Mobley's set than I do for TFB, even though I'd never heard of him before, and TFB is one of my favorite, and most listened to bands of all time, all because he had a few moments where he did something cool. I vaguely remember TFB jumping around on stage a little bit, but I remember Mobley standing on the throne of his kit during a building moment of his song, dropping his legs out from under himself and landing seated on the throne and going back into the song. It was the coolest moments of the night and was what made me want to. You don't have to do back flips like you're H.R. at a Bad Brains show, but something memorable will stick in a lot of people's heads

I’ve been in two actual bands in the past 6 years. My first band we only played local shows, but my second band we got to open for Patent Pending and had our first album on Spotify. Moral of this comment is, Nate is 100% right about your first band. But as long as you have the drive and determination you can make it work in time!

“They have this weird thing called dignity.”

The bass player is always available for practice lmao

This video inspired me to make a band with my brother and making music has made my life and mental heath SO much better thank you❤

I just wanna say that I rewatch this video every year or so and I had no idea you were in Raccoon Tour! I’ve seen you guys live and listened to your record, you guys are a highlight of the boise scene (:

I'm 16. I'm latin. I can play the guitar. I'm teaching my friends bass and drums. I'll be back in 4 years with an update.

“You’re probably watching Emo bands” No, I just watched the movie of diary of a wimpy kid and wanna start a band.

Thanks for the video. For the past couple of months, me and my 3 other friends have been trying to start a punk band even though 1, we haven't done anything yet other than me making some albums on Punk-O-Matic 2, and 2, we're missing a rhythm guitarist.

Lol well put together and realistic! Great video thanks man!

No intention in joining or creating a band, and have no musical interest whatsoever. Still watching.

- Make the bassist the backup vocalist - Drop c# for life - Band member therapy - Some acoustic songs

I am in a small garage band with some friends :) We just started 3 months ago! I really appreciate this you made my day! (Also I would just like to add that I did NOT get a uke for Christmas, I just play the keyboard very badly!)

genuinly loved this thank u so much and also really nice end to the vid

Ok. To all teens wondering how to start a rock band when you don’t know anyone who plays an instrument that likes rock: join a rock camp! It sounds stupid, but i know a group of girls, ages 13-16, who started out at a rock camp when they were ten, and they just got off their summer tour around america. i joined a rock camp a year ago and im playing a festival with my band in may. Seriously, go find a local rock camp.

Just did my first real local gig last night, and this dude is bang on right. Only thing I would say that I disagree with is about merch at your first gig, bring Demo CD's & any other little cheap things you can make, BUT GIVE THEM AWAY! Everybody LOVES FREE SHIT, and 90% of the world has the ability to play CD's, so if you make something decently listenable (not a phone recording... or any raw recording) chances are they will throw it in the car and give a listen on the way home or the next day or whatever.

Really good video! Awesome 👏

So I am a senior High school student and starting a Band was always a dream of mine and finally started one this summer, I realized the most important thing is motivation and knowing how good you are, my drummer started playing a year ago when I was a kid who thought he was a good guitar player but when he started taking lessons and we met up to jam together I saw my lack of practise and to keep up with him my progress sped up A LOT and with a few of our friends who knew a thing or two about music we started a Band ,for the whole summer we practiced at least once a week and at the end... our own show and gotta tell ya the guy from the video was right... it was such a mess everyone messep up at least once but we still had a lot of fun

I’m shocked to discover that you are a popular youtuber. We went to school together at Initial Point. I always loved you playing your Ukele and it’s cool to see you have some recognition for your talents. Keep up the good work buddy!

Don’t wear logos: Me having pretty much all Metallica shirts: FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU

A lot of this advice stands up. Good stuff. That being said, my local original music scene died a couple of years ago, and my peer group are too busy with day jobs to start anything but a cover band. I'll defend this decision, because the genre of surf rock is in reasonable demand in the local area, and most of the material out there are covers of covers of covers.

I was just trying to watch the video and I love it

As someone who DID get a ukulele for Christmas, I never really touched it, and I picked up the electric guitar instead (I have also played piano for a decent minute. 13 years!). I've named my band Timeless, and it's gonna be full on glam metal. Wish me luck besties.

me: has no interest in starting a band also me clicking on this video:

this was actually pretty helpful thanks man

Awolnation mentioned 🔥🔥🔥 I will be coming back to this video when I quit my job and actually focus on my band.

“And ukulele players need to know every single twenty øne piløts song ever written” lol

NateIsLame: Go to at least 15 local concerts COVID-19: You’re going to have a bad time

watching this before going to a college for music performance and im going to be keeping this in mind profusely

I'm watching this a year into having a bad. It is helping so much. Thanks