Minimum Requirements Checklist

Before you start looking for members, define your minimum requirements. This checklist helps you identify what's non-negotiable and what's flexible.

Why Define Minimum Requirements?

With clear requirements:

• Faster screening
• Better matches
• Fewer bad fits
• Clear expectations
• Easier decisions
• Less wasted time

Without requirements:

• Unclear what you need
• Consider everyone
• Waste time on bad fits
• Settle for less
• Unclear expectations

Categories of Requirements

1. Skill & Experience

Minimum skill level:

• Beginner (learning basics)
• Intermediate (competent, some experience)
• Advanced (highly skilled, extensive experience)
• Professional (expert level, career musician)

Specific skills required:

• Read music
• Play by ear
• Improvise
• Sing backup vocals
• Write songs
• Arrange music
• Record at home
• Use specific software/gear

Experience required:

• No experience needed
• Some live experience
• Extensive live experience
• Recording experience
• Touring experience
• Professional experience

2. Availability & Commitment

Rehearsal availability:

• Once a week
• Twice a week
• Flexible schedule
• Specific day(s): _______________
• Specific time(s): _______________

Show availability:

• Weekends only
• Weeknights okay
• Out-of-town shows
• Touring (short)
• Touring (extended)
• Specific frequency: _______________

Time commitment:

• Casual (few hours/month)
• Regular (few hours/week)
• Serious (10+ hours/week)
• Professional (full-time)

Minimum commitment period:

• No minimum
• 6 months
• 1 year
• 2+ years

3. Location & Transportation

Location:

• Lives in city/area
• Within X miles
• Willing to travel to rehearsal
• Willing to relocate

Transportation:

• Has reliable transportation
• Has vehicle for equipment
• Can get to rehearsal space
• Can get to shows
• Can tour

4. Equipment & Resources

Must have:

• Own instrument
• Quality instrument
• Own amp/PA
• Recording equipment
• Transportation for gear
• Backup equipment

Nice to have:

• Professional-grade gear
• Home studio
• Specific equipment: _______________

Financial:

• Can contribute to band expenses
• Can afford touring
• Has financial stability
• Can invest in equipment

5. Musical Fit

Genre alignment:

• Loves our genre
• Experienced in our genre
• Open to our genre
• Specific influences: _______________

Musical goals:

• Aligned with our goals
• Similar ambition level
• Compatible vision
• Specific goals: _______________

Creative approach:

• Collaborative
• Open to direction
• Brings ideas
• Flexible
• Specific approach: _______________

6. Personality & Fit

Work ethic:

• Reliable
• Punctual
• Prepared
• Professional
• Self-motivated

Attitude:

• Positive
• Constructive
• Growth mindset
• Handles feedback well
• Team player

Communication:

• Responsive
• Clear communicator
• Addresses issues directly
• Listens well
• Respectful

Social fit:

• Gets along with others
• Similar sense of humor
• Compatible personality
• Shares values
• Specific traits: _______________

7. Values & Boundaries

Must align with:

• Band values: _______________
• Code of conduct
• Professional standards
• Specific beliefs/causes

Deal-breakers:

• History of violence/harassment
• Substance abuse issues
• Dishonesty
• Unreliability
• Negative attitude
• Other: _______________

Your Band's Minimum Requirements

Essential (Non-Negotiable)

These are absolute must-haves:

If they don't meet these, they're automatically out.

Important (Highly Preferred)

These are very important but not absolute:

If they don't meet these, they need to be exceptional in other ways.

Nice-to-Have (Bonus)

These are preferences, not requirements:

These help choose between candidates who meet essentials.

Example Requirements by Band Type

Casual Cover Band

Essential:

• Intermediate skill level
• Available Saturday nights
• Lives within 30 minutes
• Owns equipment
• Positive attitude

Important:

• Some live experience
• Knows classic rock
• Reliable transportation
• Team player

Nice-to-Have:

• Sings backup vocals
• Has PA system
• Knows our setlist
• Has following

Serious Original Band

Essential:

• Advanced skill level
• Available 2x/week rehearsal
• Can tour 2 weeks/year
• Writes/collaborates
• Aligned with vision
• Professional attitude
• 1-year minimum commitment

Important:

• Recording experience
• Home studio
• Social media presence
• Business mindset
• Strong work ethic

Nice-to-Have:

• Music industry connections
• Marketing skills
• Video production skills
• Existing fanbase

Professional Touring Band

Essential:

• Professional skill level
• Full-time availability
• Can tour extensively
• Reliable and punctual
• Professional experience
• Own professional gear
• Financial stability
• Multi-year commitment

Important:

• Recording experience
• Industry connections
• Business skills
• Strong stage presence
• Marketing ability

Nice-to-Have:

• Multiple instruments
• Production skills
• Existing fanbase
• Management experience

Using Your Requirements

In Job Postings

Include in your ad:

"Minimum Requirements:

• Essential requirement 1
• Essential requirement 2
• Essential requirement 3

Preferred Qualifications:

• Important requirement 1
• Important requirement 2
• Important requirement 3"

In Screening

First pass:

• Do they meet all essentials?
• If no, pass
• If yes, continue

Second pass:

• How many importants do they meet?
• Do they have any nice-to-haves?
• Are they worth interviewing?

In Interviews

Verify requirements:

• Confirm availability
• Assess skill level
• Check alignment
• Evaluate fit

Ask about gaps:

• If they don't meet an important requirement, why?
• Can they develop it?
• Do they compensate elsewhere?

Adjusting Requirements

When to Lower Requirements

Consider lowering if:

• Not finding anyone
• Requirements too specific
• Missing great candidates
• Requirements not essential
• Can develop the skill

Don't lower:

• Core values
• Availability needs
• Commitment level
• Deal-breakers

When to Raise Requirements

Consider raising if:

• Too many applicants
• Quality too low
• Band has grown
• Goals have changed
• Standards have increased

Requirements Checklist

Definition Phase

• Listed all potential requirements
• Categorized as essential/important/nice-to-have
• Got input from all members
• Agreed on final list
• Documented clearly

Application Phase

• Included in job posting
• Used for screening
• Applied consistently
• Verified in interviews
• Checked references

Review Phase

• Assessed effectiveness
• Adjusted as needed
• Documented changes
• Communicated to band

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Many Requirements

Problem: No one qualifies

Solution: Focus on essentials only

Mistake 2: Too Vague

Problem: Open to interpretation

Solution: Be specific and measurable

Mistake 3: Not Checking

Problem: Assume they meet requirements

Solution: Verify in interview and audition

Mistake 4: Inconsistent Application

Problem: Apply differently to different people

Solution: Use same criteria for everyone

Mistake 5: Never Adjusting

Problem: Requirements don't match reality

Solution: Review and adjust periodically

Key Takeaways

1. Define before searching - Know what you need
2. Distinguish essential from nice-to-have - Not everything is non-negotiable
3. Be specific - Vague requirements don't help
4. Apply consistently - Same standards for everyone
5. Verify in process - Don't just trust what they say
6. Adjust as needed - Requirements can change
7. Document clearly - Write them down

Clear minimum requirements save time, improve matches, and set clear expectations. Define yours before you start looking.