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Any group of musicians looking to start a band will be not only looking at venues and clubs to play, but also searching for the right place to write music, practice songs, and rehearse for each show. While you may be fortunate enough to have a space that is perfectly designed for each of these purposes, most bands will need to put some work in to find a practice space.
When it comes to writing music, if the whole band needs to be involved in the process, then your band will be looking for a multi-functional practice space. However, if the music is written by just a few members or a single guitarist, the key is to find any place where you can work, be inspired, and uninterrupted. This could mean taking your acoustic guitar into a field and sitting down with a pen and paper and only God alone as your audience. This could also mean plugging your electric guitar into your laptop with headphones on in your dorm room. The important thing to consider is that music is an art form - this art form is created from inspiration and comfort. Take either of these elements away and you have just another pop-rock song that is here today and gone tomorrow.
As a full band, it is important to find a space to practice fully plugged in and loud. Whether you are in a basement or a monthly rental unit, the goal is to get timing down and jam out the songs to perfection. To be honest, unless you are recording, the specifics of the room do not matter so much. While it would be great to jam in a professional studio, the costs associated are not worth it. As you write music and jam ideas together, songs change, pieces are reorganized, and sounds progress. As long as you can hear each band member and don’t have any neighbors knocking at your door, you are in good shape.
Once your band is ready to perform a set of songs, you should begin to look into professional rehearsal spaces. Generally, these rehearsal spaces are fully equipped with professional amps, mics, mixers, and a set of drums. Find a good one and you can even get the feel of the stage atmosphere. The purpose here is to ensure the sounds are consistent, timing is tight, and variables are understood. If you practice in your garage 3 days a week and then play a show, you will be thrown off within the first 30 seconds with the difference in sound. By taking your songs into an unfamiliar environment and playing through some decent equipment, you can hear your songs in a different light and fix potential problems before the show.
Stay updated with Breakthrough Band as we continue through Starting a Band: Inventory Check and dive into strategies to find practice spaces and go through costs and expectations. |
