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How to Make Garage Music

Garage rock is a style of rock 'n' roll music originating in the 1960s and maintaining a level of cult or underground following over the last 50 years. Garage rock has had a resurgence in popularity due to the ease of recording and editing sound with inexpensive personal computers and software. Garage rock is generally characterized by this do-it-yourself attitude, low production values, and rough, raw sound. Additionally, most garage rock is structurally based on blues and sometimes resembles other genres like rockabilly, pop or punk.

Things You'll Need

  • Guitar
  • Guitar Amp
  • Bass
  • Bass Amp
  • Various effects pedals
  • Instrument cables
  • Drumset
  • Mics and Amplification
  • Garage or Practice space
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Instructions

    • 1
      The inexpensive, sturdy Fender Stratocaster has long been a favorite garage guitar.

      Put your band together. Traditional rock bands have at least one guitarist, at least one drummer, and at least one bass player. However, with contemporary technology it's possible to start a band by yourself, using gear like a drum machine.

    • 2
      Listening to garage-rock standards helps form your own band's sound.

      Figure out your sound by mimicking your favorite bands. This establishes common influences of band members. Pick some garage standards to play like Iggy Pop and the Stooges, The Sonics, and The Trashmen. "Nuggets," a compilation of 1960s garage rock singles put together by Lenny Kaye, is a great place to start.

    • 3
      As long as the drummer keeps the beat, the song can keep going.

      Write original music. Don't worry if you're recycling chord progressions from your favorite songs; there aren't that many chord progressions used in popular music anyway. Depending on the band's preference, songs can be improvised completely, or they can be composed communally or individually, written down and rehearsed.

    • 4
      Garage rock doesn't traditionally use expensive high-fidelity recording equipment.

      Start recording your original material. Contemporary recording is inexpensive and not difficult. Four-track recorders, small digital recorders and personal computers with audio editing software all make for easy home recording. Audio recording and editing software ranges from free to several hundred dollars. A USB audio interface may allow for easier recording and high quality.

    • 5
      For starters, you'll have to do all the legwork to promote your band.

      Play your music. Play shows wherever you can. Basements, warehouses and bars are traditional garage rock venues. You may also want to sell recordings or distribute them for free as tapes or CD's or on one of the several online distribution services.

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