The object of rehearsing is to tighten up the band’s performance and presentation. When an audience listens, they hear the whole sound. A tune, a set and a show each has something being communicated for an emotional impact. It could be lyric content, musical flow, energy intensity or whatever. This is why the music needs to be fluid and clean to make the music sound good as a group.
Individuals need to prepare their parts at home alone. Band rehearsals are to get the band tight. Obviously, if you need to pause for someone to work out something you do just that, but that’s not the purpose of group rehearsals.
The following principles largely address commercial cover bands, but apply to any size or style of ensemble. These rehearsal principles hold true for original bands as well even though the initial purpose of each rehearsal could be to write and develop material rather than groom a performance.
Key aspects of rehearsals include:
- Where to rehearse.
- When to rehearse.
- Deciding on material.
- Getting the material (tapes, CD’s, written music, etc.).
- Writing any needed charts.
- Someone being in charge of making tapes of the material for everyone.
- Everyone having a cassette/CD/iPod player to learn the tunes with.
- Each individual having a distraction-free, personal practice space at his or her home.
- Deciding on what tunes to learn first.
- Having someone in charge of running the rehearsals.
This is what you do:
