Wives/Girlfriends at practice

T-Forty · #1 05-05-2009, 01:27 PM

I have always had a strict policy of no wives and/or (hey who am i to judge?) girlfriends at practice.

Any time the rule has been broken it has resulted in a less than productive jam.

This doesn't apply when the wife or girlfriend is in the band, obviously.

Thoughts?

Luke19Boarder · #2 05-05-2009, 01:29 PM

yeah, the room we practice in is just big enough for the band members.

TheVoiceless · #3 05-05-2009, 01:41 PM

If someone besides a band member must be present they either need to be the one with the goodies or some sort of manager/promoter. No wives/husbands allowed. That's what gigs are for.

jonster · #4 05-05-2009, 01:46 PM

Remember Yoko Ono? 'Nuff said!

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 05-05-2009, 01:48 PM

+1 to what TheVoiceless said, if they want to see you play, they can go to the gig!

Muusers · #6 05-05-2009, 01:50 PM

Oh yes, I had many screwed up practice sessions because someone's gf came along.

lonote · #7 05-05-2009, 01:55 PM

Why the hell would they want to come to a practice?

lamarjones · #8 05-05-2009, 01:55 PM

and remember, the BAND MEMBER who brought thought it was ok, don't just pin in on the wife/gf/bf/husband. You don't have to rely on them, you do have to rely on your bandmate and they need to know when amatuer hour is and when it's time for buisness.

If she/he insists on coming, you get an ok beforehand and they literally will say nothing at all, maybe. My wife has been at meetings, but she has come through on the 'fly on the wall' approach of not a single word is uttered.

Actually, there were on the bus, and she just slept....

EBodious · #9 05-05-2009, 01:57 PM

ok, i'll chime in. i have always felt the no SO rule is necessary. i have seen the problems too many times, even with just friends showing up. too much distraction and self-consciousness.

well, a rock band i have been in for about 3-4 yrs now is incorporating a "utility person." she plays some gtr, keys, tamborine, shakers, xylophone, and sings amazing back ups. she is a great all round musical type. it is going pretty well. however, her girlfriend tends to come to practice now too. i have been playing it cool and not rocking the boat and all. and what i have noticed is that she shows up, slips behind the computer and does her online thing. she completely ignores us, and we her. i have come to realize that she is defing the stereotype.

so i guess it is possible, or at least there is an exception to the rule.

mpm32 · #10 05-05-2009, 01:57 PM

My wife would rather stick a hot poker in her eye. lol

two fingers · #11 05-05-2009, 01:59 PM

No way. Not at practice. Now I've been in some really casual bands that just treated Wednesday night as many others treat "Poker night". It was just a jam. That's different. But real practice for a working band, no way.

wazzel · #12 05-05-2009, 02:02 PM

No extra people are rehersal. No buddies, no spouce, no shack up, etc. When I was gigging, before we were giggin often, every once and a while we would do dry runs where we would throw a set or two together and see how things would go. For those we would have the others over for input.

midnightsin · #13 05-05-2009, 02:04 PM

I find that wives/gf/bf tend to be a distraction. The only time I've taken someone to a practice was either a) they gave a hand with getting equipment in b)they gave me a ride or c) it was someone from another band to check us out for possible gig co-ops. Other than that, if you wanna see us, go to the gigs.

elgecko · #14 05-05-2009, 02:05 PM

I've got a buddy that likes to bring his wife AND 3 kids to practice. They have a habit of coming in every 10-minutes to ask if it's time to leave.

He's my bro but we no longer play with him. Jeez people, if you wouldn't take someone to your straight gig, DON'T take them to practice.

MarcusPocus · #15 05-05-2009, 02:10 PM

Our drummer brought his wife out the other day. Through the miracle of the iPhone, she didn't even look up. I'm not sure how to take that type of indifference. Oh well, no problems

wnelson · #16 05-05-2009, 02:13 PM

I let my wife come once...why?...so she could see how incredibly boring it is when were roughing out new songs and ideas...plus were hard rock and play loud with no ear-plugs laying around....

that was a year and a half ago,and she has never ask to come out again

.......I mean sure we have a few friends stop by every now and again....and yea,its distracting,but also keeps us on edge while playing.....It helps eliminate the insecurities before a big show.....I personally think it helps get rid of stage fright and nervousness....as long as were working consistantly while their there,then Im ok with it......I hate nothing more than a unproductive practice

I also hate fat girls with pretty faces

Joe Nerve · #17 05-05-2009, 02:17 PM

I think the "no significant others" has pretty much been the unwritten law in all the bands I've played in for the past 10 yrs. The occasional time a gf or wife shows up due to circumstances is cool and understood. them being there just to hang is pointless, and IMO a little sad.

jmac · #18 05-05-2009, 02:18 PM

I'm against any visitors at practice. No exceptions.

mjolnir · #19 05-05-2009, 02:22 PM

Jeez... I've never had a bad experience with visitors like y'all seem to have had.

...But then again, they've all either been musicians themselves or people who knew without any warning that they were supposed to sit down and shut up while we work.

babebambi · #20 05-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Practice - band members only;
Jams for fun stuff - as long as everyone is getting along and enjoying themselves.