The short answerTo start a band, decide what kind of music you want to play and how serious you want to be, then find two or three musicians who want the same thing. Book a rehearsal space, learn a handful of songs, pick a name, agree on how money and songwriting credit work, record a rough demo and book a first show.
That's the whole thing in one paragraph. The rest of this guide walks through each step in order, with the details that usually trip new bands up. I've been playing guitar for more than 20 years, in a lot of different lineups, and most of what kills a new band has nothing to do with how good the players are. It comes down to expectations, logistics and whether anyone wrote anything down.
What kind of band do you want to start?
Before you message a single musician, get clear on three things. Write them down, because you'll put them in every ad and conversation from here on.
Your sound. Pick a genre and two or three bands you'd like to sound like. "Rock" is too broad. "Somewhere between Paramore and Turnstile" tells a drummer exactly what they're signing up for.
Originals or covers. Covers bands get paid gigs sooner, at bars, weddings and private parties. Originals bands take longer to get going but build something that's yours. Plenty of bands do both: covers to pay for the van, originals for the real shows.
How serious it is. A fun weekly jam, a gigging local band or a project that wants to record and tour are three very different commitments. None of them is wrong, but mixing them in one lineup is the most common reason bands fall apart.
How many members do you need to start a band?
Fewer than you think. A classic rock lineup is four people: vocals, guitar, bass and drums. But you can start with two or three and fill gaps later.
- Duo: guitar and vocals, or a singer plus a producer with backing tracks. Easy to schedule and cheap to run.
- Three-piece: guitar, bass and drums, with one or two people singing. Tight, loud and simple to book.
- Four or five-piece: room for a second guitar, keys or a dedicated frontperson. More sound, more scheduling headaches.
My advice is to start with the smallest lineup that can play your songs. Every extra person adds another calendar to work around.
How do you find people to start a band with?
Look in several places at once: local shows, open mics and jam nights, music shops and rehearsal studios, friends and family, and musician apps. Our full guide on how to find band members covers each one, plus how to write a "musician wanted" post that actually gets replies.
On Mixstro, every musician's profile shows what they play, their influences and the bands they've played in before, with music attached. That makes it easier to see whether someone fits before you spend an evening jamming with them. If you need a specific player, post on the Board and let them come to you.
Starting a band with friends
Starting a band with friends is the easiest way to get going, because the trust and the hangs are already there. Just have the "how serious is this?" talk early. Friendships survive a band breaking up much better when everyone agreed on the goals from day one.
Starting a band with no experience
You don't need to be great to start a band. You need to be able to hold down your part and show up prepared. Lots of bands start with members who've only been playing a year or two, and playing with other people is the fastest way to improve. Pick songs that suit your level and build up from there.
What do you need to start a band?
The gear list for a first rehearsal is short.
- Your instrument and amp. You don't need boutique gear. Any of the best guitar amps under $500 can keep up with a drummer at rehearsal volume.
- A drum kit. Usually the drummer's, or a house kit at the rehearsal space.
- A vocal PA. Most rehearsal rooms include one. If you rehearse at home, a small powered PA with a couple of mics is enough.
- A phone to record rehearsals. Seriously. Listening back is the single fastest way to get tighter.
Where should a new band rehearse?
You've got three realistic options: someone's garage or basement, a rented room by the hour, or a monthly lockout space you share with other bands. Hourly rooms usually cost somewhere around $15 to $40 an hour depending on the city, which is easy to split four ways. A lockout costs more but lets you leave the drum kit set up, which drummers will love you for.
Should you start with covers or originals?
Start with covers, even if you're an originals band. Learning three or four songs everyone knows is the fastest way to find out how you play together, who has good time, who sings harmony and where the band's natural sound sits.
Then start writing. Some bands have one main songwriter. Others write everything together in the room. Both work, as long as everyone knows how credit is shared (more on that below). Our list of the best songwriting duos shows how differently great writing partnerships split the work.
How often should a new band rehearse?
Once a week is the sweet spot for most new bands. It's often enough to build momentum and rare enough that people with jobs can commit. A few habits make each rehearsal count:
- Send songs ahead of time. Everyone learns their parts at home. Rehearsal is for playing together, not learning chords.
- Make a set list for the session. Decide what you're working on before you plug in.
- Record and listen back. Pick one thing to fix next week.
- End on a song you love. You want everyone leaving excited for next week.
How do you pick a band name?
Brainstorm a long list, sleep on it, then test your favorites:
- Search it on Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram and Google. If another active band has it, move on.
- Check the handle is free on the socials you'll use.
- Say it out loud. If a sound engineer can't spell it after hearing it once, it'll cost you.
- Picture it on a flyer next to three other bands.
If you plan to sell merch or release music seriously, it's worth a quick trademark search too.
Do you need a band agreement?
Yes, even if it's one page and you're all best friends. A band agreement is just everyone's expectations written down while everyone still gets along. It should cover:
- Money: how gig fees, merch and streaming income get split, and who pays for what.
- Songwriting credit: who owns which songs. Fill in a split sheet for every song you write, recording each writer's percentage.
- Gear and shared stuff: who owns the PA, the van, the band's social accounts and the name.
- Leaving the band: what happens to songs, money and the name if someone quits or gets replaced.
- Decisions: majority vote or unanimous, and who has the final say on what.
This isn't legal advice. If real money is involved, have a music lawyer look it over.
When should you record a demo?
As soon as you have three songs you're proud of. A demo doesn't need to be polished. It's what you send to venues, promoters and players you want to recruit. A basic home studio setup is plenty: record the band live in a room, then overdub vocals if you need to.
How do you get your first gig?
Start small and local. Open mics, house shows, friends' parties and the opening slot on a local bill are all good first gigs. Here's how to land one:
- Go to shows at the venue first. Learn who books it and what kind of bands play there.
- Send a short, specific email with your demo or electronic press kit, two or three similar bands, your draw (how many people you'll realistically bring) and your available dates.
- Offer to open for a local band you like. They get a fuller room, you get an audience.
- Bring people. For a new band, the number of people you bring matters more than anything else.
Before the show, rehearse the full set, including transitions and what you'll say between songs. Then go study the greatest live performances of all time. Even the legends planned their big moments.
Why do new bands break up?
Most new bands don't break up because of the music. The usual reasons are:
- Mismatched commitment. One person wants to tour, another wants a hobby. Fix it by agreeing on goals before the first rehearsal.
- Flakiness. People cancel rehearsals and don't learn their parts. Fix it with a regular rehearsal night and a clear "if you can't make it, say so by Monday" rule.
- Money and credit fights. Fix them with a band agreement and split sheets, written early.
- No progress. Bands that never play a show lose steam. Fix it by booking a gig date early, even if it feels too soon.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start a band?
If everyone already owns their instrument, the main costs are rehearsal space and a demo. Many bands spend under a few hundred dollars in the first couple of months, split between members. Gear upgrades, recording and merch come later.
How many people do you need to start a band?
As few as two. Most rock bands have three to five members, but starting small makes scheduling easier, and you can add players once you know your sound.
How long does it take before a new band can play a gig?
With weekly rehearsals, most bands can play a short set of five to eight songs within two to three months. Covers bands can often get there faster.
Can you start a band if you can't sing?
Yes. Plenty of bands start without a singer and find one later, or share vocals between members. Instrumental bands are a whole genre too.
How do bands make money?
Early on, mostly from gigs and merch. Later, from streaming, sync licensing, teaching and session work. Very few bands make money in their first year, so treat early income as a way to cover costs.