Having a band is one of the most fun and enriching experiences in the world. Making music with other people offers emotional and social benefits. Once you start making music with your band, you learn the importance of teamwork and creativity.

When you rehearse with a band, you not only get to know your bandmates in-depth, but you also empathize with each of them. Even though the main goal is to make music, you can create great friendships. Each person is different, so when you play together new ideas can come up randomly.

Being part of a band makes you exploit your creativity to the fullest, as you are constantly exposed to bring out the best in yourself. You learn the art of improvisation and become a constant person.

You must remember something very important, a song doesn't come out perfectly if each of the musicians doesn't make their maximum effort. Everyone's work comes together so they can do the best job possible. You must be able to listen to the ideas of others and understand that any decision is for the sake of the band.

The preparation before a concert is never easy, getting all the instruments to come together in unison and not making any mistakes means hours of rehearsal. But the final result is magnificent, and we've all seen that.

So, if you're an indie artist and you're interested in joining a band, stay with us and learn the most important tips.

1. Find a band that catches your attention.

One of the most important things about playing with other people is to feel comfortable and at ease. So if you want to join a band, make sure that you feel good about them. Many musicians make the mistake of joining bands that they don't feel identified with and don't get along with their bandmates.

This usually leads to problems and arguments. So look for a band that plays a genre of music that inspires you, with people who respect you and are willing to work as a team.

2. Be sure to practice for the audition.

When you contact a band for the first time, make sure you are prepared for whatever they ask you to audition for. Many times, they will ask you in advance what songs or sheet music they want you to play, but in other cases, they will just do it randomly. So be prepared and confident.

3. Make sure that your instrument is working properly.

Before your first audition, check that your instrument is in perfect condition. If necessary, bring new strings, cables, or drumsticks. Most importantly, make sure your instrument is in tune.

This will also show that you are a responsible person and will leave a good impression on the band members.

Joining a band is in some ways like joining a family you get to have a hand in picking.

4. Be friendly with the band members.

Remember that when you start playing with a band, you must constantly interact with each of the members. Not only do they become your co-workers, but they also become your family. Having a community to make music is every musician's dream. It's all about getting to know and respect each other. So, be a good person!

Give yourself a chance to get to know your band members in depth, maybe you can create some amazing friendships.

5.  Be committed to the band.

Making music is complex, and being in a band means a lot of responsibility. You are not only making music out of passion, but you are also working with other people. You must be committed to rehearsing and practicing as much as possible. Dedicate yourself to learning songs perfectly, coming up with new ideas in rehearsals, or helping your bandmates when they need it.

6. Be responsible with the band's payments.

It may not be a topic related to musical performance, but it's important to keep up with band payments. Usually, a band spends money on rehearsals, sound equipment, microphones, guitars, basses, keyboards, or drums. These types of things are usually divided among all the band members because it's for common use.

7. Practice with backing tracks.

In case you don't know, backing tracks are recordings of all the instruments in a song, and you can play over them. For example, if a singer practices with a backing track, he/she can improvise in some parts or fix mistakes.

It's like playing live, but the only difference is that those are pre-recorded tracks. So, if you have the opportunity to use it, go ahead! You can also use it to practice alone (for example: at home).

8. You will have to play the same songs hundreds of times. Get used to it.

This may not be something new for you, but if you are an indie artist you know how important it is to practice the songs many times. But in the case of bands, it's much more extensive. It's not just about one musician, it's about all the musicians playing the same song and making it sound right.

One member's mistake can affect the other instruments. So get in the habit of practicing the songs tens, hundreds, and thousands of times. The key to perfection is practice!

9. You will meet great people, but also rude people. Be patient.

Not everyone will be nice to you, and you may have negative experiences in some bands, but that's part of interpersonal relationships. The best thing you can do is not to take anything personally, you are here for the love of music, so negative comments don't matter to you.

10. Have a great time!

Now that you have the tips you need to be in a band, don't wait any longer and follow your dreams! The best bands in the world started from the ground up, rehearsing and writing songs. So don't get discouraged, enjoy the process.

Remember that opportunities don't fall from the sky, you have to look for them. Ask your friends or acquaintances if they know any band that is looking for a new member, maybe this is your chance! You can even use social networks to search for bands that might interest you.

If you found this article helpful, share it with other people who may be interested in joining a band!