Is 10 hrs/week rehearsal excessive?

riprorin · #1 09-12-2011, 04:07 PM

My son is in pit band at school and they are rehearsing for a show (Happy Days) in November.

They are already practicing 4 days/week about 10 hrs/week. Is this excessive?

This is second year of pit band, and he really didn't want to do it but I sort of forced him because he's the schools only bass player.

totalimmortal08 · #2 09-12-2011, 04:13 PM

If this is for marching band, 10 hours a week is about right. Most of it depends on the people marching on the field.

riprorin · #3 09-12-2011, 04:16 PM

No, it's pit band. There's no marching.

ModuMan · #4 09-12-2011, 04:19 PM

I played in every band in high school and there is no such thing as too much rehearsal. And you're learning new shows throughout the year.

If your son *really* doesn't want to do it though that might be a problem.

I got my start as a bassist when our bassist didn't show up one day! I was a drummer and had been learning a couple of songs on bass on the side so I was able to jump right in. From then on, I was hooked!

totalimmortal08 · #5 09-12-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModuMan

I played in every band in high school and there is no such thing as too much rehearsal. And you're learning new shows throughout the year.

If your son *really* doesn't want to do it though that might be a problem.

I got my start as a bassist when our bassist didn't show up one day! I was a drummer and had been learning a couple of songs on bass on the side so I was able to jump right in. From then on, I was hooked!

+1

Swampman Cory · #6 09-12-2011, 04:24 PM

I consulted a guy from my old school because that seemed reasonable. I got back this:

Quote:

That's quite a bit less than normal
And wayyyyyy less than a tech week

That's why I never did pit. I wanted to be out playing and pursuing other opportunities.

Lonesomedave · #7 09-12-2011, 05:24 PM

I may not be the person to ask, but i'll answer anyway.

it is impossible to practice too much, but it is very easy to practice too little.

my son is in an arts high school here in town, and every day after school, he practices 2-3 hours (that's in addition to whatever they do at school)

for the last 2 summers, he practiced 4-5 hours a day.

spaz21387 · #8 09-12-2011, 05:34 PM

There is no such thing as too much practice. I play in a rock band and I practice on my own every day about an hour a day. jamming along to drum tracks... and we have a band practice every wednesday and that lasts about 3 hours then we talk business and drink...

floydman · #9 09-12-2011, 05:41 PM

It may not be the most fun spending that much time at rehearsal, but this is valuable experience he can add to his musical resume - hopefully he will come out very comfortable in a professional band setting and be able to join pro bands, theater pit bands, and get paid.

BurningSkies · #10 09-12-2011, 05:42 PM

I do over 10 hours on a good week on my own, plus band practice and whatever shows...

Rockmusician · #11 09-12-2011, 05:44 PM

There is too much rehearsal when it starts to interfer with studies and social activities. If his grades are good and he is happy, then I wouldn't worry about it.

seanm · #12 09-12-2011, 05:50 PM

Hmmm.... I would consider 4 days a week excessive. When does he have time to actually practice his parts?

gus1894 · #13 09-12-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riprorin

My son is in pit band at school and they are rehearsing for a show (Happy Days) in November.

They are already practicing 4 days/week about 10 hrs/week. Is this excessive?

This is second year of pit band, and he really didn't want to do it but I sort of forced him because he's the schools only bass player.

This is subjective - and I mean beyond what is typical in terms of what a pit band does regularly.

If your son feels "forced" to do it or is uninterested then obviously - too much. And he'll grow to resent it and quit as soon as he can figure a way out.

If it affects other things (like acedemics), then sure, it's too much.

On the other hand, he may grow to enjoy it and then it's a whole different ball of wax.

This isn't a question for the Talkbass forums, it's a conversation for you and your son (I think). Then again, this is just my two cents, good luck, sir.

riprorin · #14 09-12-2011, 06:01 PM

He's a 14 yr old HS junior. He's a techie and does well in school. His aspiration is to be a software engineer. It's not an arts school and he doesn't plan on trying to make a living playing music.

The show is 3 months a way. It will be more intense as they get closer to the show. Last year in the weeks leading up to the show (7 Brides for 7 Brothers) he was going to school at 7:30 and coming home at 10:00 and practicing on weekends.

I think there's a point where it's too much, I'm just not sure exactly where that point is.

purfektstranger · #15 09-12-2011, 06:15 PM

Practice is one thing but ten hours of rehearsal per week? I would be more inclined to stress the practice part (on their own time) and rehearsal say max twice a week. There comes a point where too much is too much, especially for a 14 year old.

seanm · #16 09-12-2011, 06:17 PM

It sounds like the teachers are assuming they *never* practice at home.

rodsnhawgs · #17 09-12-2011, 06:25 PM

Ummm...sounds like you might be a classic "helicopter parent": This parent hovers over children and rescues them from the hostile world in which they live.

Was your kid "forced" at gunpoint? Did he exercise his right to choose for himself?...or did you decide for him? If he's diggin' it and it's not interfering with his academics and/or other social life abnormally, then allow him to stay. If he has committed to the gig, then he probably was aware of the time required when he made that commitment. If he chose the gig, he needs to honor that commitment.

10 hours/4days per week doesn't seem out of line for the level of productions schools undertake. His intent to make a living with music may, or may not, unfold the way you (and he) see it at his young age. If nothing else, he is experiencing discipline, commitment, and exposure to a venue he may not otherwise see outside of, and beyond his school year days.

I say let it ride and give him more and lots of encouragement and less "helicoptering."

Sorry for preaching...I've just seen wayyyy tooo many helicopters ruin their kids ability to grow into responsible, thinking adults. If it doesn't apply to you, my humble apologies.

stingraysvt · #18 09-12-2011, 06:32 PM

We used to practice a bunch, but I never put an hourly amount to it.... Guess I never cared about time when I was younger, but I would guess it was on par with 5-10 hours a week

Dbassmon · #19 09-12-2011, 06:32 PM

Well look at this from the stand point of the conductor, most of these kids do not read very well.... is probably a fair statement.

This guy has to 1) teach everyone their parts 2) get them to learn to play together 3) teach them to follow a conductor and finally, 4) play with some dynamics.... ten hours a week may not be enough.

They will have learned a whole lot after this experience. If your kid wants to be a musician, this is a valuable lesson in what it means to play as part of a section, an orchestra and part of a production. This is a taste of what it really takes.

From your kids perspective, forcing him to do this for your own vicarious reasons may end up biting you in the ars at some point in time. Kids do best when they have passion for what they do...... their passion, not yours. FWIW

Marginal Tom · #20 09-12-2011, 06:34 PM

The best response I saw was "talk to your son." If he wants to do it, end of problem. If he doesn't, he should get out now so his replacement has a chance to learn the material before the play opens.