It's exciting to start your own group or band. Whether you play or sing, making music with people you know is more enjoyable than trying to deal with strangers. A few pointers may help you start your band and keep it together.

Many groups begin when friends make music together for fun. But to play for an audience calls for planning and direction. To start, members should be chosen with everyone involved. Everyone in the group should probably be at a similar level of skill and artistry. (That way, you can spend time developing, instead of coaching a member to catch up. And it's better to keep friendships together than split up over a bad experience.) Auditions are a good way to find out if potential members fit well together musically.

In any human endeavor, a leader will emerge. Your leader may not be the best musician in your group. A successful leader gets along with everyone and earns their respect. The job comes with responsibilities: calling rehearsals, arranging for auditions, rehearsal space and equipment, and managing performance dates. If you're serious about starting a group, pick a leader and support that person to keep everyone on the path to making good music.

You'll quickly find out whether your group wants to make music or just hang out. Serious musicians come to rehearsal on time with real objectives in mind. It's good to plan in advance to make the best use of rehearsal time. Of course, the business involves learning new material, refining known material, and collaborating on original works. But take time to explore the creative synergy of the group -- share your inspirations, jam together and experiment with new ideas. That's how artists grow together and develop into something great.

Performing in front of an appreciative and knowing audience is the dream of every musician. The sound of sustained applause is one of the most gratifying rewards an artist can receive. But any great artist worth their reputation knows that the music comes first. Performing is a great way to solidify your sound. It's amazing how much harder you'll rehearse when you have a date to perform.

Don't let expectations get ahead of your group's ability. (Groups often collapse and disband after a disappointing performance.) And don't accept just any gig. Be choosey about where and why you perform, to keep up group morale. Make sure that you're ready to perform when the right job comes along.

The group may not last forever. Individuals have their own paths and should be respected for their decisions. But if your group or band has a strong creative mission, it will thrive in its time.