How to Compose and Perform a Rock Song
Form a band., Find people who play instruments., Deal with the fact that you may come up with a lopsided band., Make sure everyone has an instrument to use., Get a percussionist, not a drummer., Know about the microphones., Now it's time to try to...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Form a band.
A typical rock band consists of a drummer, a bass guitar player, a guitarist and a singer.
In many cases, the singer will be playing the guitar or bass as well.
You might have two guitars in your band, perhaps a keyboard player, or even a sax player.
It depends on who you find and what style of music you play. -
Step 2: Find people who play instruments.
Make sure that they can actually play something, have a basic knowledge of musical theory, and are actually interested in playing and performing. , Maybe a drummer, and three guitarists, and nobody sings.
Do what the middle schools do:
Put the worst trumpet player on tuba.
In your case, you'd probably have him play bass.
Bass parts are usually easier than guitar parts, so the learning curve might be easier.
Also, singing comes with maturity.
Most people don't want to sing because they're scared of being horrible.
If they never sing, they will be horrible.
It will come with practice. , You can purchase a guitar or bass for about $100.
It won't be great, but it's a start.
Walmart has some, but you're better off at a music store.
Drum sets can be about $200.
You also need amps for everyone.
They usually come in starter packs, but you can get a decent small one for $100 for guitar or bass. , Drummers hit drums.
Percussionists play drums.
Get someone who has played music in the school band, a previous band, or really knows how to keep time while playing.
Whoever works the percussion lays the backbeat for everyone else, so they have to be consistent. , Mics usually go into a PA system in a concert hall or club or anywhere they have music normally.
For practices, it can be a pain.
It's not going to be loud enough, but plug it in to a bass amp or a stereo system that you might have for CDs.
You just need the right adapter (Radioshack). , In the beginning, try a simple jam session.
Have the drummer do a simple beat, and have the bassist play quarter notes on E.
Then have the guitarist strum an E chord in either quarter notes or eighth notes.
If there is another guitar or whatever, have he or she solo in the pentatonic E scale.
It sounds hard, but the best part is that it's very hard to be bad.
Just play E G A B D E in different orders, in different rhythms.
You'll get the hang of playing together in time. , All you have to do is write a poem.
It doesn't have to rhyme, though it sounds better when it does.
Try to pick a topic, like running to the store or going on vacation or something.
Or it could be random, and not make any sense whatsoever.
Then, once you make some lyrics, come up with a simple chord progression.
Many times, the 4 and 5 chords are used.
For instance, if you were playing a song in G, maybe the chords would be G D A C, or 1 5 2
4.
Then, try to come up with a little guitar lick or some kind or little melody to play in between the verses and chorus and stuff.
This can be anything in the key of the song.
A good example would be Dammit by Blink
182.
Once you get the chords and the lead part down, try to organize it into a song.
You can try: (Intro) (lead part) (Verse 1) (Chorus) That is the basic part of your song.
Then: (Lead Part) (Verse 2) (Chorus) (Bridge) (Chorus) (Ending) This is typical of a rock song.
Once you've practiced that enough, try to make a few more songs and learn some easy covers.
If your band members take lessons, have them ask their teachers for advice. , Your first performance should be in front of people you know, and a small group.
From there, move on to“Battle of the Bands” competitions.
You don't have to win, just get experience and let people know you exist.
Try to book yourself in local restaurants that feature bands. , You'll lose members, and gain new ones.
You'll upgrade your equipment.
You might get a PA and massive amps.
You might get a record deal and go on tour.
You never know.
But you have to start somewhere. -
Step 3: Deal with the fact that you may come up with a lopsided band.
-
Step 4: Make sure everyone has an instrument to use.
-
Step 5: Get a percussionist
-
Step 6: not a drummer.
-
Step 7: Know about the microphones.
-
Step 8: Now it's time to try to play a song.
-
Step 9: It's time to write a song.
-
Step 10: After you know a few songs
-
Step 11: try to find a place to perform.
-
Step 12: Over time
-
Step 13: your band will get better.
Detailed Guide
A typical rock band consists of a drummer, a bass guitar player, a guitarist and a singer.
In many cases, the singer will be playing the guitar or bass as well.
You might have two guitars in your band, perhaps a keyboard player, or even a sax player.
It depends on who you find and what style of music you play.
Make sure that they can actually play something, have a basic knowledge of musical theory, and are actually interested in playing and performing. , Maybe a drummer, and three guitarists, and nobody sings.
Do what the middle schools do:
Put the worst trumpet player on tuba.
In your case, you'd probably have him play bass.
Bass parts are usually easier than guitar parts, so the learning curve might be easier.
Also, singing comes with maturity.
Most people don't want to sing because they're scared of being horrible.
If they never sing, they will be horrible.
It will come with practice. , You can purchase a guitar or bass for about $100.
It won't be great, but it's a start.
Walmart has some, but you're better off at a music store.
Drum sets can be about $200.
You also need amps for everyone.
They usually come in starter packs, but you can get a decent small one for $100 for guitar or bass. , Drummers hit drums.
Percussionists play drums.
Get someone who has played music in the school band, a previous band, or really knows how to keep time while playing.
Whoever works the percussion lays the backbeat for everyone else, so they have to be consistent. , Mics usually go into a PA system in a concert hall or club or anywhere they have music normally.
For practices, it can be a pain.
It's not going to be loud enough, but plug it in to a bass amp or a stereo system that you might have for CDs.
You just need the right adapter (Radioshack). , In the beginning, try a simple jam session.
Have the drummer do a simple beat, and have the bassist play quarter notes on E.
Then have the guitarist strum an E chord in either quarter notes or eighth notes.
If there is another guitar or whatever, have he or she solo in the pentatonic E scale.
It sounds hard, but the best part is that it's very hard to be bad.
Just play E G A B D E in different orders, in different rhythms.
You'll get the hang of playing together in time. , All you have to do is write a poem.
It doesn't have to rhyme, though it sounds better when it does.
Try to pick a topic, like running to the store or going on vacation or something.
Or it could be random, and not make any sense whatsoever.
Then, once you make some lyrics, come up with a simple chord progression.
Many times, the 4 and 5 chords are used.
For instance, if you were playing a song in G, maybe the chords would be G D A C, or 1 5 2
4.
Then, try to come up with a little guitar lick or some kind or little melody to play in between the verses and chorus and stuff.
This can be anything in the key of the song.
A good example would be Dammit by Blink
182.
Once you get the chords and the lead part down, try to organize it into a song.
You can try: (Intro) (lead part) (Verse 1) (Chorus) That is the basic part of your song.
Then: (Lead Part) (Verse 2) (Chorus) (Bridge) (Chorus) (Ending) This is typical of a rock song.
Once you've practiced that enough, try to make a few more songs and learn some easy covers.
If your band members take lessons, have them ask their teachers for advice. , Your first performance should be in front of people you know, and a small group.
From there, move on to“Battle of the Bands” competitions.
You don't have to win, just get experience and let people know you exist.
Try to book yourself in local restaurants that feature bands. , You'll lose members, and gain new ones.
You'll upgrade your equipment.
You might get a PA and massive amps.
You might get a record deal and go on tour.
You never know.
But you have to start somewhere.
About the Author
Matthew Stokes
Committed to making organization accessible and understandable for everyone.
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