There is nothing quite like getting together with your friends and creating a band. Regardless of what kind of music you create, or how big or small your group is, collaborating is a truly special experience. That being said, working together as a cohesive team is still very important. You want to ensure that everyone has a chance to share their ideas while still having a successful band practice. When taking music lessons in Kansas City we highly encourage our students to participate in our Band Workshop Program, as this experience is invaluable as a musician. 

Below, our Music House team has pulled together a list of steps that you should take in an effort to make sure that your band rehearsal is both successful as well as fun. Keep reading to check out this helpful information!

#1.) Show Up Prepared

First and foremost, you need to show up to band rehearsal prepared and ready to go. Was there anything you needed to do or have ready prior to showing up for practice? For example, was there a particular part or piece of music you needed to learn? Are you responsible for bringing specific materials to practice? Should you or any one of your band members fail to do their part and show up ill-prepared, your rehearsal isn’t going to be as fruitful as it could be.

Also, part of showing up prepared is arriving on time, if not a little early. Arriving a few minutes early can give you time to get settled as well as tune your instrument or warm up your voice Taking this small initiative can go a long way in helping you to put your best foot forward at rehearsal.

#2.) Set Clear, Attainable Goals

Having goals as a band is extremely important, as this is your driving purpose behind creating music. Goals don’t have to be lofty, however! While you might not dream of stardom or auditioning for a spot on a network music competition, your aspirations still matter. Have a conversation with your bandmates to figure out what you want to get out of playing together. Do you simply want to have fun and enjoy a creative outlet? Are you hoping to perform local gigs or enter a Battle of the Bands competition? There is no right or wrong answer, just so long as everyone is on the same page!

In a similar vein, your individual practices need to have goals as well. These will help tie into your larger, more wide-spread band aspirations. When getting together for practice, determine what you want. Are you hoping to tackle a new song? Do you want to find a smoother sound? Asking these types of questions will significantly increase the quality of your rehearsal time.

#3.) Minimize Any Distractions

When you are taking music lessons in Kansas City, one of the first things your instructor will encourage you to do is to minimize distractions. Individually, this is relatively easy to do. However, when playing as a group, you may find that distractions can pop up at any time. Staying focused and on task is vital to having a successful rehearsal, so set some ground rules ahead of time. 

While this might look different for each band, here are a few suggestions to point you in the right direction:

• Encourage band members to put away any mobile devices prior to rehearsal
• Communicate the goals of practice right at the beginning
• Minimize noodling or experimenting while in the middle of a key task
• Avoid off-topic conversations in the middle of practice
• Don’t invite non-band members to practice, such as outside friends or family

#4.) Take Breaks as Needed

You wouldn’t expect a basketball team to practice for an hour non-stop without a break, would you? The same goes when it comes to playing music! Depending on how long your rehearsal time is, schedule a few quick breaks throughout to decrease burnout. Take a breather, get a drink of water, stretch any sore or tight muscles - these all play a significant role in helping you to feel your best while practicing. Plus, this allows time for any skills or concepts to settle in prior to moving onto the next thing on your schedule.

#5.) Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Even if you have a designated band leader or frontman, everyone in the group deserves to be heard. This is not a solo act - you are coming together as a team! In order to have the best rehearsal experience, keep that in mind. Take the time necessary to validate everyone’s opinions, thoughts, and ideas. During brainstorming sessions, give everyone a chance to speak. Humility and respect can go a long way in a group setting and will allow you to create the best music possible. 

#6.) Practice Your Performance

Rehearsal is extremely multifaceted. During the time that you and your bandmates are together, you’re going to be conquering a wide variety of concepts, ideas, and songs. Once you’ve found your sound and established your group identity, the next big step is to practice your performance. This means that you will want to focus on how you’re performing your musicduring a live show. Consider what outfits you might wear and what overall vibe you are going for. Also keep in mind where certain members of your group will stand on stage, allowing you to see one another and be in the view of any visual cues. 

Also, you will want to practice how you transition between songs. Leaving awkward silences or long pauses can impact the energy of the crowd, so rehearse what you might say to the audience as you prepare for the next song on your setlist.

Join a Band at Music House

Here at Music House, we firmly believe that collaboration and playing music as a group is very important to your growth as a musician. That is why we strongly encourage all of our students who are taking our private music lessons in Kansas City to participate in our Band Workshop Program. Students of all ages get to experience what it’s like to be a member of a live band and perform in front of a real audience.

To learn more about Music House or any of the great programs that we offer, be sure to contact us today!

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