Arranging a time and date for band practice can feel like an impossible challenge. Everyone has opposite work hours or different social engagements, which prevent band members from setting a date to finding time to practice. We are all busy people. Many are unable to devote an entire night or day to band practice.
Band practice is one of the most crucial times for any band. Getting together to practice is how a band can shape their sound. Measuring a band’s success can be captured during practice sessions. During each session, you can see how far you are progressing and see what is not working.
To help make practices more productive, shorter and most of all, enjoyable, here are a few productivity tips to try before, during and after your next band practice.
Choosing The Right Time
There are various factors to consider when meeting up for band practice. For instance, you need to know what you will be working on to allow you to go into the session and practice. In doing so, it saves time during your session debating and deciding what it is you will be focusing on.
When you are all in mutual agreement about what it is you will be working on during practice, selecting the right time is next. One of the best ways to make a band rehearsal more productive is by scheduling the practice to a time where everyone can be mentally focused.
Nobody within the band should be turning up to the rehearsal tired, drained or with zero motivation to get any work done. Scheduling a time that is after working hours, will make it more challenging to have productive band practice. After a long day at work, no one in the team will be mentally there at the practice to get work done. Instead, choose a time that is not only convenient for everyone but is also at a time where no one will be drained from other engagements.
Be Punctual
It might sound obvious but being on time can make a difference. Ensure that everyone is aware of the start times. If there are certain members notorious for being late, ask everyone to arrive at practice 10 or 15 minutes before the agreed start time. If everyone arrives before the agreed start time, it means that you will have the entire dedicated time slot to rehearse. Instead of having shorter practice times due to waiting for other band members.
Be open and clear about the expectations for agreed practice times. If there is someone notorious for being late, inform them of the impact their lateness is having. Communicate with one another to see if there is an alternative time or date that would best suit the schedule of everyone.
Find A Spot For Band Practice
Selecting a time and date is just one hurdle to overcome. The other is finding a place to practice. You might be fortunate to have a garage or know someone who will let you practice in a space, but not everyone is that fortunate.
If you have no space for practice or do not want to disturb neighbours, consider renting a space. Hiring a music practice room to rehearse can help everyone to focus on practising. Companies such as PIRATE offer a selection of music practice rooms to musicians looking to work on their craft. As you will be paying for the space, you will want to make the most out of your time there. Meaning that all members will be focused on practising and ways to improve as a band, resulting in a more productive session.
Limit Outside Distractions
Band practice should be the time where you all focus on one thing. Working on your music and playing cohesively. It is a chance to improve your skills as you find ways to improve as a band. As such, limit outside distractions for entering band practices.
It could be putting mobile phones to the side, to remove the temptation of checking social media or messaging others. Limit the number of people watching during band practice. Having an audience might sound like a benefit. It is a chance to hear the opinions of an outside perspective. However, it could also be a hindrance for more subconscious performers. If they tried something new, they might feel hesitant as they know there is a likely chance of them stumbling.
Removing these distractions will prevent band members from losing focus, which might impact the quality of practice time. Having limited or no distractions will allow all band members to focus solely on practice.
Implementing one or all of these factors could help to change the quality of band practice. Removing distractions, finding the perfect place to practice and ensuring that everyone present is there to make the most out of the rehearsal time will make for a more productive session. As a result, you will begin to notice the progress that you have made as a band.