Develop your own skills. Whether you intend to be a musician or singer in the band, having honed skills is an important first step to forming a successful band. The most effective way to develop your skills is by playing or singing as much as possible. In addition to practice, listen to musicians or singers who employ the style of music you intend to play. While your skills are developing, imitating successful musicians or singers is a healthy practice.
Find musicians who share your taste in music. Playing music is the most fun when musicians and singers are able to play the type of music they enjoy. While having diverse musical interests can be important in helping a band to find their unique style, finding similar musical tastes is an important foundation for a band.
Learn some of your favorite songs and practice them together as a band. Before bands can write their own quality music, it is helpful to learn from established bands. In addition to developing musical skills, learning covers will make live shows more entertaining for the audience.
Attempt to play at local venues. Initially, most of your shows will not result in a big influx of income. But playing in front of a crowd is important to establish a fan base, build a resume, and further develop your skills. Travel to restaurants that host local music nights and offer to play for free. If necessary, produce a short mix tape or demo to give to the venue as a sample of the music you have been practicing.
Write some personal music. Initially, you should temper your expectations. Developing skills as a songwriter takes time and practice. If you have trouble writing catchy lyrics, read books or articles on lyric writing. In shows, begin to implement your original songs slowly.