Going from simple duets to a band is a huge step. You are more comfortable with your newfound skill, and you have a buddy who shares your enthusiasm about the guitar. What's the next step? Start a band! Wait! Before you do the inevitable, you need to consider a few things first.

Who Will Be in the Band?

Okay, you have your first band member or partner in the band, so who else will join the band that will change the sound of music forever? Always remember to consider other peoples' time schedules and other commitments. Also bear in mind the skill level of the other potential band member — whether it's higher or lower than yours. Personality conflicts are always an issue when it comes to group activities (especially in rock music, not so much in classical guitar), so make sure you invite people you get along with in general.

Who Will Play What?

You have designated yourself as the guitarist, and you maybe even have a second guitarist. Now you need a bassist and a drummer to have a complete band. Even though your little brother may be an awesome clarinet player in the school marching band, that instrument may not be suitable for this situation. Maybe you could use a keyboard player to play some cool electric piano or synthesizer parts in some songs. Hey — it was good enough for the Beatles. Also, who will be singing? That's a very important thing to consider. You will be playing songs, so it's a good idea to have a singer (a good one, if possible, to start out with). Maybe you'll give it a try.

What Kind of Music Will You Play?

Once you have assembled your future legendary band formation, you all have to agree on the genre of music you will be playing. You may be thinking rock, someone else may want to play blues, and the drummer may want to play polka (which is a lot of fun to play, by the way). Your band may become something special with all those interesting combinations, but the music may not be exactly what you had in mind after you started reading this book and became motivated to shoot for stardom. Make sure everyone involved with the band is on the same page when it comes to the genre of music you will be playing.

Where Will You Practice?

Everyone knows that some of the best bands have come from the garage. If you live in a house and have an empty enough garage, then this will be a great place to start. The next option in the house is the basement. Of course, remember the biggest annoyance when it comes to practicing in the house is noise! The advantage to practicing in the basement is that the volume from practicing with a full band (guitars, bass, and drums to start) will become muffled due the physical structure of the residence. Keep in mind, the sound of the band will still be heard, just in a diminished capacity. Do your best to be considerate to others who share the same living space that you decide to rehearse in.

Consider a rehearsal space in a facility nearby. These facilities usually charge anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour depending on the size of the room. The advantage here, of course, is that you get a room specifically designed for band rehearsal. A good facility will have soundproofed walls and, in some cases, a stage platform for you to practice addressing your future legions of fans. A good PA (public address) system is important for hearing vocals and overall sound levels of the band. Once the band chips in to pay for the rehearsal time, everyone involved tends to take the rehearsal more seriously.

Playing music with friends and even family is an activity that never gets old. It lasts as long as your love of music and continued love for learning new songs as well as rediscovering old ones. Plus, you just may inspire someone to learn a new instrument — like the guitar.