Band Practice

Ibanez Bassist · #1 02-12-2010, 02:51 PM

How do you get people (band Members) to practice Twice a week I think that it is very necessary to practice twice a week especially if its a new project..until things get going..

topper · #2 02-12-2010, 02:57 PM

You don't really go into it trying to get them to do anything. You should all agree on some common goals for the band and what's required to meet them.

Be prepared to compromise and possibly practice more or less often than you personally want to.

Jehos · #3 02-12-2010, 03:03 PM

Agreed. It's all about what people want to do.

Personally I disagree that you need to practice twice a week. Some bands can get by with once a week, some bands need 3 or 4. However, the quality of your practice is *way* more important than the quantity. Too many people putting together bands want to practice a LOT, and "practice" is always a bunch of jamming, drinking beers, etc. with very little work getting done.

electracoyote · #4 02-12-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jehos

However, the quality of your practice is *way* more important than the quantity.

This.

I'm the agenda guy in my band. And my band respects that. I always have a short to-do list. Even if it's just tightening intros and outros, we always get something accomplished and are a better band for it. Once a week does it for us.

I also think band members need to spend quality time at home or private practice learning material. Coming to rehearsal unprepared is another big waste of time.

Ibanez Bassist · #5 02-12-2010, 03:31 PM

Well this is the thing first its a new project so I think we should be spending more time together just for now.. and Second sometimes they are not doing what they should at home so it does not take up the slack..

**TXLawDawg** · #6 02-12-2010, 03:38 PM

That's just how it is until you either find common ground between the rest of the members or find members that have interests/goals/etc. more in common with your own. We've all struggled with that issue I'm sure. I know I have because I'm extremely self-motivated and if I have something to learn I learn it. If I have something I'm supposed to do...I do it. Unfortunately if you are motivated like this, it seems that too often you end up disappointed with the other members who aren't quite as motivated. Good luck!

FunkMetalBass · #7 02-12-2010, 03:59 PM

A full band practice? Once a week is plenty.

Whenever possible, we try to get some partials together. Those are equally (if not more) important as they help you really learn to lock in with the other instruments.

bassteban · #8 02-12-2010, 04:03 PM

Bribery/blackmail

ataraxia · #9 02-12-2010, 04:10 PM

+1 to the quality over quanity idea.

one of the first guitarists I played with insisted on practice 3 times a week... which would consist of 20 mins of us working on new stuff and then 2 hours of him playing zack wylde riffs and reading guitar world..... such a waste

now with my current band we do a once a week practice and get so much more done

Ibanez Bassist · #10 02-12-2010, 04:38 PM

I am extremely motivated and I learn my stuff plus others so yea that is a problem for me..Im also a drummer for about 30 Yrs.. and thats the same thing..I would learn every fill, intro, outro and spec. of the song and some just play it to play it no dedication or motivation..

Haysoochreesto · #11 02-12-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

This.

I'm the agenda guy in my band. And my band respects that. I always have a short to-do list. Even if it's just tightening intros and outros, we always get something accomplished and are a better band for it. Once a week does it for us.

I also think band members need to spend quality time at home or private practice learning material. Coming to rehearsal unprepared is another big waste of time.

+2

Come prepared and expect others to come prepared. There's nothing worse than some showboat or screw-off who decides at the expense of the band that he's going to begin learning his stuff at rehearsal.

We have one 4 hour practice a week due to our varying schedules and fortunately for us, we're all always prepared.

Phalex · #12 02-12-2010, 05:03 PM

People have lives. If someone has an obligation they feel they need to honor, don't get all fatal attraction on them.

Set a day, (or two) that are designated practise days, and try to stick with it as a scheduled thing, just understand that life happens. Having 2 days scheduled probably increases the likelyhood of one of them being cancelled by a factor of 4.

invader3k · #13 02-12-2010, 05:05 PM

A group I used to be in practiced twice a week, every single week (barring bad weather or some other issue). This was a policy in place before I joined the band. Inevitably, one of the practices each week would be good, and the other was a total waste of time. I think if everyone does their work at home, once a week is enough.

Stumbo · #14 02-13-2010, 12:04 AM

When you're getting a band going, I go along with the twice a week as long as it's a rehearsal and not being used for practice by members who don't know their stuff.

Ibanez Bassist · #15 02-13-2010, 07:54 AM

I agree with the twice a week until things get started.. the thing is like someone else said before if everyone is on time and does there homework then maybe once a week would work.. but when you use that band get together as your personal practice then thats just not right...and as far as people having a life yes everyone does but you were the one that answered the add to become a band member I didn't make you do it..so be prepared to be able to leave the NEST once and a while..

Stinsok · #16 02-13-2010, 08:00 AM

A guy that sang with us for a short while said "I feel like I have reached the point where I don't need to practice all the time."

steveksux · #17 02-13-2010, 08:33 AM

Obviously, this all goes for cover bands. If you're an original band, you need to spend more time together because the songs are evolving, you're discovering them, not learning them.

Band practice isn't as important as individual practice. If you need 2x a week to get the songs down, people aren't doing their homework.

It doesn't matter if you learn 5 songs for each 2x a week practice or 10 songs for a 1x a week practice. 1x a week is fine.

If someone is learning songs at band practice, more band practices isn't the answer. Its new personnel that are willing to do their homework. At home.

If you need to have 2x a week practice to get things done, you're trying to make up for people not working on their own and forcing them to work on it an extra day a week.

Randy

Ibanez Bassist · #18 02-13-2010, 08:37 AM

I agree ..People need to do there homework they cant used the Tuesday Night 3 hour thing to learn what they should have learned at home the band practice to me is to practice/play or show what you have accomplished the week before or at home..

mgauge · #19 02-13-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

You don't really go into it trying to get them to do anything. You should all agree on some common goals for the band and what's required to meet them.

Be prepared to compromise and possibly practice more or less often than you personally want to.

Stated perfectly.. Band communication is the basis for a solid band foundation...

WHen I was younger Beer worked as a great bribe.. Now, good music and common goals work better.

hrodbert696 · #20 02-13-2010, 12:26 PM

I think I saw someone post in another thread that "practice" is what you do at home by yourself, "rehearsal" is what happens when people who have practiced get together. So I think that if everyone is practicing diligently (daily or as near it as humanly possible), once-a-week rehearsal ought to be enough.