The Band - The Formula that Creates One

Written by Corporal Nathan Chan of 10th Kuala Lumpur Company

Published November 9th, 2014

It is hard to start a band, even harder to maintain it. Not only do the instruments need to be serviced regularly, scores need to be procured, multiple practices organised. Yet the result is both satisfying and helpful for everyone.

The band is a place where discipline can be developed. Learning an instrument may be interesting at first, but there is always a stage in every musician's career where practice is a bore. It is estimated that in order to be good at something, that something must be done for 10 thousand hours. In other words, in order to be good at performing with an instrument, on has to perform for 2 hours a day for 15 years. It is no small feat to be good at an instrument.

To achieve it, a great amount of discipline is required, arguably more than is needed to perform foot drill. In drill, toes can be wiggled without to many noticing, so long one does not open his mouth while doing so. When playing a brass or woodwind instrument, however, a simple, no matter how minute, change in the shape of one's lips, also known as embouchure, can drastically change the quality of the sound produced.

The band is a place where discipline can be shown off. It is not very often that foot drill can be performed on a stage at an event. Even during the few times that it could be, like during some award days, it cannot be to the fullest - stamping on a stage with metal lined boots isn't exactly the best idea. With band, the story is completely different. A band can perform anywhere, whether in a gigantic field or a tiny hall.

The band is a place where teamwork is a must. A band is almost always comprised of people from many backgrounds. It is certainly made up of people with different skill sets. A most rudimentary band has at least 7-8 players, though most are much larger.

Getting the numbers is only the first step. To actually be able to play any song, each player has to practice, both as an individual and as a group. Practicing as individuals is never a substitute for practicing as a band. When we practice individually, we all have different ideas of how the song should sound. It is only by working together, practicing with each other, that a song can be played in harmony.

The band is a place where rewards are automatic. Haven't practiced for the past few weeks? Your playing will stick out like a sore thumb. Practiced for an extra few minutes every day? You would probably find playing slightly easier. In band, being able to play well is a reward in itself.

A band may be hard to set up, even harder to maintain. Yet I believe that a band is worth the effort, as it benefits both the players in the band and the people that listen to the end product during every performance.