Better Band Practices

Make your practices count

It is a great feeling when you play live but that 30minutes on stage must be the result of a great deal of practicing so the audience can enjoy it too! Practices can deteriorate very quickly into jam sessions or simply a time to hang out. So here are some tips for a better band practice

· 1 DEVELOP A STANDARD WAY TO PRACTICE SONGS.

Some musicians who get together to rehearse are talented enough to just "jam" and create a very condusive atmosphere in the practice. Theysort of automatically know where to go. When you're basically first starting out you need to create a direction which everyone can adhear too stricly. To really get the most out of practicing a copy song, each musicain should come to the rehearsal knowing the "arrangement" of the song already.

Ex: Play each verse and chorus separately. This gives the musicianssmall integrated steps to practice the "memory and timing" of a song.
· 2
DEVELOP A CLEAR COMMUNICATION RULE.

Every band I've played in has shown this has to be a must. Ego's and humility do not mix well. It can be very frustracting trying to communicate an idea to someone who thinks they already have all the answers. A good way to make sure ideas are communicated is with a"Talking Stick" nobody is allow to speak over the person holding the stick. This just works well in my expierence.

· 3 MAKE SOMEONE A LEADER.

Either democratically or self appointed, someone has to take the reigns.When there is a dispute on how things should go you have to remember the ultimate goal of the band is to develop a tightness between each other with the music. A leader should bring everyone together on ideas by leading, not dictating.

· 4 DEVELOP AN ULTIMATE GOAL

As a band everyone needs to be on same wavelength to reach the band's goal. Good practicing involves reaching a cohesiveness by being together musically. Realize it's inevitable some practiceswill be better than others. A standard is what should be require andmet at each practice to fully implement a solid rehearsal.