Student life is a perfect time to try out new things and see where they lead you. Those with a knack for music – whether it’s playing an instrument or writing songs or signing – have probably already thought of one thing they can try in college. That thing is forming a band or joining an existing one.
For those who still doubt whether this endeavor is worth their time and effort, there are at least 8 reasons to consider embarking on such a journey.
1. Explore Your Creative Side
A college band is, first and foremost, an opportunity to create something new. Young musicians will need to write new songs instead of making covers for existing ones. And as a student band isn’t reliant on trends or profitability, its members are free to experiment with genres and instruments.
2. Boost Your Music & Performing Skills
Joining a band isn’t all about playing for excited fans in bars and clubs. What precedes any performance is practice, practice, practice – much like with any other skill, be it offering a dissertation writing service or juggling. Even musicians that think they are good enough need to rehearse until they are ready to play in front of a live audience.
So, even if nothing will come out of the band project, its members will have countless hours of practice under their belts. They will also have lived through and overcome stage fright many times – this is an irreplaceable skill for public speaking in the future.
3. Experience the Thrill of Performing for a Live Audience
There is nothing that can compare to the energy that comes during a successful performance and stays with the performers for a long time. It is hard to describe with words – one needs to live through it to understand why these memories will be the most treasured ones even years after the fact.
4. Make New Connections & Find Life-Long Friends
Networking is a vital part of finding and booking gigs, and it is a valuable skill in the labor market. But apart from that, expanding your social circle and constantly meeting new people is a good recipe for finding life-long friends. Such friends will be there to answer messages like “rewrite my essay” or “I need to cry on someone’s shoulder tonight”.
There is no room for shyness while performing or negotiating new deals, too. So, joining a band will be a perfect opportunity for those who want to overcome their timidity and become more outgoing and at ease with crowds.
5. Earn Some Money from a Hobby
Of course, a newly formed band’s first performances are unlikely to bring any kind of substantial income. However, as the band becomes more recognizable (and more skilled at their craft), chances are young musicians will be able to secure paid gigs.
So, while their fellow students have to offer some legit college essay help to make a living, college band members can make a buck doing what they enjoy instead. Besides, who knows – perhaps, a college band will turn into a passion-driven project that pays well even after its members graduate.
6. Learn to Negotiate & Work in a Team
Young musicians are oftentimes individualities that haven’t learned to compromise and work through their differences yet. Playing in a band, however, can do miracles for their ability to be team players – otherwise, a band will fall apart sooner rather than later.
Learning to negotiate is another less than obvious perk of being in a band – at least for those band members that are responsible for finding and booking gigs.
7. Master Time Management
All the practice sessions, recordings, video clip shoots, and live performances will eat up any free time a student might have. So, potential band members will need to learn how to balance their passion for music with studying and, perhaps, a part-time or freelance job.
8. Have Fun
At the end of the day, joining a band during the college years is not just about skills, recognition, and occasional income. Just wanting to have fun in the process is a valid reason to join a band on its own, too. After all, this is what college experience is all about.
5 Ways to Find Future Bandmates
There are two ways to become a member of a band while studying at college:
- form a new band;
- join an existing one.
Each of them has its pros and cons. Forming a band from scratch means all members have a say in setting the creative direction. Furthermore, they will have the same starting point, with all the highs and lows shared.
Those who join an existing music band might struggle with fitting into an already formed team. On the other hand, they can be sure to have some gigs right away as the band has already gained its recognition.
Whichever option is a more fitting one, the most common obstacle is not knowing where to start looking for potential bandmates. Fortunately, there are many ways to find them:
- Check out college notice boards and put up your own ad if needed;
- Pay a visit to local rehearsal rooms, open mic events, and jam sessions;
- Ask your friends if they want to sign up or if they know someone who would be interested;
- Post about your search on Facebook and Craigslist;
- Find an app for finding fellow musicians in your area (there is the Hendrix app that works in the U.S., for example).
In Conclusion
Joining a band is one of those college experiences that is worth trying. Even though there is no guarantee the project will be a success, the memories, skills, and connections it brings will stay with the band members throughout their whole lives. So, why would anyone not give it a try?
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