Aspiring metal musician in need of advice.

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[luciferi]

Basically the only thing in the world I can see myself doing is related to music, and with my love for metal, I naturally wish to be a metal musician. I play guitar, and wish to start a band. However true metalheads are hard to come by in my social circles, and thus it is even harder to find likeminded metalheads who are also musicians. So, I have been thinking of getting a hold of some home recording equipment, a drum machine, and so forth, and start playing around with it, and see what I can create. However I cannot do all this without a solid foundation of a myriad of things. I do aspire to take some decent musical theory and piano lessons amongst other things, but I have no limitations to one single subgenre (I wish to play and create a bit of all). More than anything, I need to learn how to play all sorts of metal, technical stuff, practice vocals, all of it. I know I can make good metal when I get to where I wish.

I hope I am right in assuming some of you are or have been in similar situations, and know of any good ways to pull this off, if so, any advice or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. 

[Cirrhosis]

I'm more than sure you can find people at any metal show. Just leave a few minutes early and hand fliers out as people walk out. (I know this usually annoys people, but it can't hurt your quest)

 Gama Bomb - Sentenced to Thrash

[xiphos]

Well, first I suggest you get really good at your instrument, learn some theory (buy a book on it).

After that, head over to the nearest music store and put up a flier on the bulletin board there (if they have one) for a drummer. Drummers are very hard to find.

And like the poster above me said, hand out fliers. Make a cool, original graphic on them, also, so they look more professional, and put your contact info. Nobody will be willing to join if they don't know you even have a band.

[Dragonchaser]

It can be quite difficult starting out as a musician, in any genre, but I'd suggest you go ahead with the home recording equipment and start concentrating on your playing before forming a band. If you are going to be the nexus of the project, you need to have a vision and be able to articulate that, which means you have to be at least as proficient as the musicians you wish to acquire. Home recording equipment can be very useful, especially if you use it to record rhythm tracks and practice lead and solo techniquies over the top.

I wouldn't say learning theory is a necessity (it never helped with my composing; I still just bash out whatever comes natural) but it might help you become more accustomed to being a musician. Once you feel comfortable enough to get a band together, start promoting yourself (which is easier than ever with the internet) and find some band members that way, if the flyering doesn't work.

 Battlelore - Sword's Song

[xiphos]

Definitely use Myspace and Facebook. Post in the promotion forum here, Metal-Rules and Metal Archives.

Remember that the best band members are not only good at their instruments, but they're not assholes to ANYBODY in the band, they have the same musical aspiration, etc. etc.

Finding a band member is very hard, because you absolutely NEED him to fit, don't just get a good player.

[Agis]

Good luck in your career.   

Now, the advice. I don't mean to say this in a bad way, but I think you should have a plan B. I know many classical musicians who are really good at what they do, but they are really happy to have a job that pays the bills.

Best wishes,

[luciferi]

Thank you all for your words so far, I'm a bit curious about drum machines, they seem quite complex to do right (though bands like Summoning use programmed drums in a simple way - it still sounds awesome), I don't really know what level of equipment I'd need for a good drum sound.

The plan I've thought of so far is to just stick with the home recording equipment I eventually get, and make some material over time, until I am secure about where I'm going with it. Not to rush into a band straight away, as I do have alot of practicing and learning to do.

About the Plan B, there are always simple jobs you can get on the side to earn a living until you hopefully end up earning a living from the music itself.

[PaganShadow]

Solid knowledge of music theory is a must if you want to get seriously into composing. I would recommend a private teacher with whom you can elaborate your own plan as to what you want to cover, rather than following a set program with a formal school. A good book could be also be considered.

Get real familiar with your instrument(s), and yes the idea of a drum machine is a way to work things out. I mean if you can handle guitars, bass, keys(you menioned piano), vocals, shit you have your own solo project going !

Tablatures are a nice tool and user friendly when you come up with good ideas to put down on paper. I would have my music on paper before getting recording equipment and the likes.

Before looking for band members, have some songs written and preferably recorded, to present and establish yourself as the founding member of your project.

And yes, don't give up your day job if you have one. Not that many musicians,even less in metal, are making a living out of it.

All the Pagan best,

 

[Agis]

I would also recommend acquiring a solid command of traditional music reading and writing. It's difficult in the beginning, but it's the way to go. Everything you read about music will assume that you can read and write music 'the old way'.

[bassking128]

Well yeah, get good at an instrument, then there are a bunch of sites you can find other musicians on.. craigslist, myspace, etc.

[vorthas]

Music theory doesn't teach you to write good music, but - it lets you come up with ideas to mess around with easier. example - if you wanted to do something in the G harmonic minor mode, with Descending chromatic progression, theres a bunch of things you can do - some of those will suck, some will rule.

If you live around the bay area - i know a bunch of people, and people who know people who are looking for either A) a band, or B) musicians for their band. Sounds like you don't have an idea what you wanna do - but you wanna do something awesome, so - theres both of those opportunities (many people leave their first bands to create their own band, example; Mustaine-Metallica->Megadeth, Eric Peterson-Legacy->Testament)

Easy idea, jam a bit with friends so you get used to playing with a drummer. then, join another band, so you get used to how the band works, shows, etc. then - give the band warning when you wanna leave (like, a few months warning), then start your own thing.

[Bad_Bud]

Basically the only thing in the world I can see myself doing is related to music, and with my love for metal, I naturally wish to be a metal musician. I play guitar, and wish to start a band. However true metalheads are hard to come by in my social circles, and thus it is even harder to find likeminded metalheads who are also musicians. So, I have been thinking of getting a hold of some home recording equipment, a drum machine, and so forth, and start playing around with it, and see what I can create. However I cannot do all this without a solid foundation of a myriad of things. I do aspire to take some decent musical theory and piano lessons amongst other things, but I have no limitations to one single subgenre (I wish to play and create a bit of all). More than anything, I need to learn how to play all sorts of metal, technical stuff, practice vocals, all of it. I know I can make good metal when I get to where I wish.

I hope I am right in assuming some of you are or have been in similar situations, and know of any good ways to pull this off, if so, any advice or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. 

While I understand that having a job doing something you love is a dream come true, I believe that the best art (be it music or whatever) is produced as a hobby by a person or group of people with a strong passion for what they are doing.  Unfortunately, the music industry is a machine, and machines care not for masterpieces, but only for what sells.

Try to keep my two favorite musical statements in mind:

Remember, never compromise with art! - Lost Horizon (most likely Wojtek Lisicki)

and

For the Love of Art and the Making - Beyond Twilight (Finn Zierler)