History SoYouWantTo / BecomeAVisualKeiMusician

* ''Androgyny is an important part of Visual Kei.'' See what I said above about potentially opening oneself to discrimination and mockery above? This is one point (there are more) where Visual Kei severely differs from most mainstream societies as a subculture, at least as of the point of this writing. In Visual Kei, androgyny in dress and mannerisms is affected by pretty much everyone - male, female, non-binary, gay, bisexual, and straight. It is not seen as, in and of itself, an expression of one's sexuality underneath the makeup and clothes and costuming - what one '''is''' is not necessarily what '''one acts and dresses as''', though it can actually be as well. That said, mainstream society may well act out in a homophobic manner toward you for being androgynous - ''even if you are straight'' so you need to understand that this is sadly a possibility and prepare for it - as well as understand that it is an assumed risk of being a Visual Kei artist.

* These roles will generally be split into central and supporting roles. Central roles are the ones seen the most and likely to become the FaceOfTheBand or highly regarded, supporting roles are those that make the music and band hold together but are likely to be passed over because a LeadBassist hanging off the stage with his shirt off and letting the FanGirl touch him will [[BestKnownForTheFanservice usually be far more remembered]] than a rhythm guitarist holding together the song, for example. That said, what is central and supporting can be averted, subverted, and inverted all over the place. For example, drums and keyboard are generally supporting roles, but one of the central founders of VisualKei as a genre and most recognized figures in VisualKei [[Music/YoshikiHayashi is a drummer and pianist]].

** '''Vocals''' The vocalist is most likely to be the FaceOfTheBand. (Though this can sometimes be a SubvertedTrope depending on who started the band (for example, if the drummer started the band and is aggressive enough with self-promotion, he can be the FaceOfTheBand, or if that cute and charismatic bassist becomes the most popular, he or she can become the LeadBassist and the FaceOfTheBand). Generally, since the vocalist doesn't have an instrument occupying his or her hands, he or she is expected to do the most fan interaction including FanService, look fairly attractive and be fairly capable of getting to any point of the stage at any time, and have some of the most elaborate appearance work and/or costuming. He or she will generally be one of the more popular people - introverts shouldn't consider this role.

*** '''Advised if:''' You like one or all forms of extreme music i.e. extreme metal subgenres such as BlackMetal, DeathMetal, {{Metalcore}} / {{Deathcore}}, {{Grindcore}}, ThrashMetal, as well as extreme non-metal subgenres such as noise or {{Industrial}} but are willing to put a different spin on it. You aren't afraid and/or willing to take your musical skills up to eleven. You have a love for {{Gorn}}, NightmareFuel, and NauseaFuel, and not many triggers (if any at all). You are very angry and hateful (or your stage personas are) and capable to take the hatred and anger of fans and society as well as able to dish out your own - you have a very thick skin. Your budget is fairly solid - props and staging will take far more than makeup and hair per se in this subgenre. You're either a [[RatedMForManly manly, well-built]] {{Bishonen}} / {{Bifauxnen}}, a crossdresser, or better yet, a straight-up MrFanservice / MsFanservice. You like bands like mid-career Music/DirEnGrey, Music/TheGazette, and ''Nega''

*** Examples of Japanese Visual Kei keyboardists/pianists: Music/YoshikiHayashi (Music/XJapan, along with drums), Yuhki/Yuuki (Music/{{Galneryus}}), [[NamesTheSame Die]] (ex. hide with Spread Beaver, currently Ra:IN and Kiss The World).

*** Examples of Japanese Visual Kei drummers: Music/YoshikiHayashi (Music/XJapan), Shinya (Music/LunaSea), [[NamesTheSame Shinya]] (Music/DirEnGrey), Kai (Music/TheGazette), Yuki (Music/{{Versailles}}).

** '''Eroguro Kei''' is short for "Erotic Grotesque." and is best compared to Music/AliceCooper + Music/MarilynManson UpToEleven and keeping on going to CrossingTheLineTwice. Beyond that, it is unwelcome for discussion here.
*** '''Advised if:''' You like one or all forms of extreme music i.e. extreme metal subgenres such as BlackMetal, DeathMetal, {{Metalcore}} / {{Deathcore}}, {{Grindcore}}, ThrashMetal, as well as extreme non-metal subgenres such as noise or {{Industrial}} but are willing to put a different spin on it. You aren't afraid and/or willing to take your musical skills UpToEleven. You have a love for {{Gorn}}, NightmareFuel, and NauseaFuel, and not many triggers (if any at all). You are very angry and hateful (or your stage personas are) and capable to take the hatred and anger of fans and society as well as able to dish out your own - you have a very thick skin. Your budget is fairly solid - props and staging will take far more than makeup and hair per se in this subgenre. You're either a [[RatedMForManly manly, well-built]] {{Bishonen}} / {{Bifauxnen}}, a crossdresser, or better yet, a straight-up MrFanservice / MsFanservice. You like bands like mid-career Music/DirEnGrey, Music/TheGazette, and ''Nega''

*** '''Advised if''': You're a big fan of ElectronicMusic styles such as trance, chiptune, dubstep, house music, eurobeat, industrial, and similar. You're a fan of {{cyberpunk}} and you want to fuse its tropes with Visual Kei. You and/or your band members are skilled skilled in composing, think EverythingIsAnInstrument and unafraid to use any and all music/making tools to write songs. You dislike Oshare kei but still want to make danceable rock or metal music. You are a DJ/solo artist or your band does not have a full lineup, in which case you would want to fill in their slots with virtual band members - bonus points if you're a big fan of Music/{{Vocaloid}} and you're both good in using the software and creating animated clips of your favorite characters. You have a very big budget that will be spent more on laptops, software, synthesizers, turntables, projectors, lasers, strobe lights and other electronic gadgets than hair, clothes and accessories; a huge portion of which goes into maintenance, software updates and similar. You're a fan of bands and artists such as Music/BloodStainChild, m.o.v.e., Music/TMRevolution, modern Music/TheGazette, Music/FearAndLoathingInLasVegas, and other similar artists.

*** '''Probably not a good idea if:''' You have a limited budget due to cost. You don't have a "[[ClassicalMusic classic]]" sound or a Renaissance or Victorian style aesthetic or any interest in it. You know little about UsefulNotes/LolitaFashion. You can't do over the top hair, costuming, makeup, and props. You want to look more like a {{Bifauxnen}} or {{Bishonen}} than a princess. You can't play your instrument in a dress. You tend more toward sleaze than formality. You and your band don't want to be mistaken for Music/{{Nightwish}}, Music/LacunaCoil or Music/{{Evanescence}} worshippers. You don't want to be seen as a Mana wannabe. You don't want to become bait for {{Lolicon|AndShotacon}}.

*** '''Advised if:''' You prefer to create your own sound by [[NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly combining different genres together]], and have enough musical talent to actually do so. You want to be CrazyIsCool. You are capable of doing bizarre things with your voice or instrument playing. You're a metalhead/rocker who sees Visual Kei as something "cool" and artistic, but can't be fully involved/don't want to have major involvements with the subculture for reasons such as: a) You like the Visual Kei image but prefer to be viewed as a non-VK artist, b) You want to be Visual Kei but would prefer to appeal more to your hardcore rocker/metalhead friends/fans/whatsoever, c) You want to be a Visual Kei artist that appeals to Visual Kei fans but you want to sport a different image from what they would expect, or d) ''[[DoingItForTheArt You're only in it for the art]]''; you're averse to or even ''loathe'' Visual Kei in general but your style shows some Visual Kei influences and/or you are okay with a little quirkiness in appearance (think Sigh or Loudness). You are willing to undergo periodic (often annual) style changes. You have a limited budget but don't want to do Nagoya Kei, or an unstable budget that doesn't allow you to stick to a specific style. You don't want to be seen as CampGay. You like bands like Music/LArcEnCiel, Music/{{Loudness}}, Music/YouseiTeikoku, Music/{{Galneryus}} or modern Music/DirEnGrey, and/or you don't like many Japanese bands at all.

*** '''Advised if:''' You prefer to create your own sound by [[NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly combining different genres together]], and have enough musical talent to actually do so. You want to be CrazyAwesome. You are capable of doing bizarre things with your voice or instrument playing. You're a metalhead/rocker who sees Visual Kei as something "cool" and artistic, but can't be fully involved/don't want to have major involvements with the subculture for reasons such as: a) You like the Visual Kei image but prefer to be viewed as a non-VK artist, b) You want to be Visual Kei but would prefer to appeal more to your hardcore rocker/metalhead friends/fans/whatsoever, c) You want to be a Visual Kei artist that appeals to Visual Kei fans but you want to sport a different image from what they would expect, or d) ''[[DoingItForTheArt You're only in it for the art]]''; you're averse to or even ''loathe'' Visual Kei in general but your style shows some Visual Kei influences and/or you are okay with a little quirkiness in appearance (think Sigh or Loudness). You are willing to undergo periodic (often annual) style changes. You have a limited budget but don't want to do Nagoya Kei, or an unstable budget that doesn't allow you to stick to a specific style. You don't want to be seen as CampGay. You like bands like Music/LArcEnCiel, Music/{{Loudness}}, Music/YouseiTeikoku, Music/{{Galneryus}} or modern Music/DirEnGrey, and/or you don't like many Japanese bands at all.

*** If you want more notice in Japanese VK, an Ameba is ''required,'' as is being listed on Visunavi. On the other hand it's probably a good idea to stay well away from 2ch Tanuki, especially if you're a gaijin trying to break into Japanese VK, unless you happen to enjoy InternetBackdraft. Many a reputation of even native Japanese VK artists has been burned to cinders there...

*** Unless you are trying to cultivate a reputation as an aggressive, combative asshole (or a band of them), don't get into fan fights or fights with other artists unless you have a very good reason to - and no, "he said my song sucks" is ''not'' a good reason for starting such a feud. You as an artist have the power to maintain peace as well as to start FlameWar and InternetBackdraft (as well as offline fighting, which is even worse), and unless you want you and/or your act to be known as the province of combative assholes, don't pick fights. That said, if you ''do'' want that, go right ahead - just make sure you can take what you dish out and vice versa.

** '''Lolita Kei''' is a far more {{Goth}}ic and feminine style than the others. It is stylistically based around the [[LolitaFashion Lolita style of dress]] - and the musical style is usually ClassicalMusic, soft rock, GothRock, PowerMetal, or ProgressiveMetal. Its costumes are second in elaborateness and cost only to Angura above.

*** '''Probably not a good idea if:''' You have a limited budget due to cost. You don't have a "[[ClassicalMusic classic]]" sound or a Renaissance or Victorian style aesthetic or any interest in it. You know little about LolitaFashion. You can't do over the top hair, costuming, makeup, and props. You want to look more like a {{Bifauxnen}} or {{Bishonen}} than a princess. You can't play your instrument in a dress. You tend more toward sleaze than formality. You and your band don't want to be mistaken for Music/{{Nightwish}}, Music/LacunaCoil or Music/{{Evanescence}} worshippers. You don't want to be seen as a Mana wannabe. You don't want to become bait for {{Lolicon|AndShotacon}}.

** '''Keyboard/Piano''': Another support role. This one does require skill: you should be able to play keyboard or piano well before considering it. Also, it may be a better solo role than a band role, though some bands have used it to great effect: Music/XJapan, {{Galneryus}}, and Blood are three that have in Japanese VK.

*** '''Probably not a good idea if:''' Anyone in the band is from another subgenre or generally opposed to the idea of Oshare Kei. ''You'' like other styles. You (or any of your bandmates) play HardRock or HeavyMetal. You like darker styles or anything else. You are choosing Oshare for any reason other than liking it or your music falling into it.

*** '''Advised if''': You're a big fan of ElectronicMusic styles such as trance, chiptune, dubstep, house music, eurobeat, industrial, and similar. You're a fan of {{cyberpunk}} and you want to fuse its tropes with Visual Kei. You and/or your band members are skilled skilled in composing, think EverythingIsAnInstrument and unafraid to use any and all music/making tools to write songs. You dislike Oshare kei but still want to make danceable rock or metal music. You are a DJ/solo artist or your band does not have a full lineup, in which case you would want to fill in their slots with virtual band members - bonus points if you're a big fan of Music/{{Vocaloid}} and you're both good in using the software and creating animated clips of your favorite characters. You have a very big budget that will be spent more on laptops, software, synthesizers, turntables, projectors, lasers, strobe lights and other electronic gadgets than hair, clothes and accessories; a huge portion of which goes into maintenance, software updates and similar. You're a fan of bands and artists such as Music/BloodStainChild, m.o.v.e., Music/TMRevolution, modern Music/TheGazette, Yuyoyuppe, and other similar artists.
*** '''Probably not a good idea if''': You and your band can easily be seen as Oshare instead of Digital kei. You don't like Vocaloid[=/=]virtual artists and/or see them as "fake musicians". You want to be a more "visible" musician instead of taking on the DJ/background musician role. You are averse to anything electronic/futuristic. You want to do more traditional rock/metal/pop music. You don't want to be bashed for copying Music/{{Celldweller}} or Music/BlueStahli. You don't have a budget large enough for purchasing appliances and gadgets. You are not too skilled in programming/DJ work.

** '''Keyboard/Piano''': Another support role. This one does require skill: you should be able to play keyboard or piano well before considering it. Also, it may be a better solo role than a band role, though some bands have used it to great effect: XJapan, {{Galneryus}}, and Blood are three that have in Japanese VK.

*** '''Advised if:''' You have a [very extensive budget because costuming for both men and women is [[CrackIsCheaper incredibly expensive]], especially if you go with brand styles, which you will generally be expected to do to some extent. You LOVE elaborate hair, makeup, and props alike. You are far more reserved sexually - Lolita bands, despite [[{{Squick}} the]] [[{{Lolicon}} implications]] of their name to readers of a [[Literature/{{Lolita}} certain book]], are the most removed from actual sexuality in VisualKei, not even being expected to do {{fanservice}} or be touched in some cases. You want the elaborateness and high formality of Angura but you can't speak Japanese well or well enough (the language itself is optional in the Lolita microgenre) You love bands such as Music/MaliceMizer, Moi Dix Mois, and Music/{{Versailles}}.
*** '''Probably not a good idea if:''' You have a limited budget due to cost. You don't have a "[[ClassicalMusic classic]]" sound or a Renaissance or Victorian style aesthetic or any interest in it. You know little about LolitaFashion. You can't do over the top hair, costuming, makeup, and props. You want to look more like a {{Bifauxnen}} or {{Bishonen}} than a princess. You can't play your instrument in a dress. You tend more toward sleaze than formality. You and your band don't want to be mistaken for Music/{{Nightwish}}, Music/LacunaCoil or Music/{{Evanescence}} worshippers. You don't want to be seen as a Mana wannabe. You don't want to become bait for {{Lolicon}}.

*** You ''need'' a Website/{{Facebook}}, a Website/{{Twitter}}, an account on a video site (whether it's Website/YouTube or {{Ustream}} or Freeworld or whatever). You also need a Photobucket or similar photo hosting account, and a sound-only host such as Soundcloud or a file locker. Pick out which of these suits you best and set up your accounts - whether as your persona, your real self, or both.