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is there an easy way schedule rehearsal dates? online?

H

hgregs

Sep 25, 2008
226
13
ct/ny border
#1
it's becoming unbearable to schedule rehearsals with my new band. i send an email with a list of dates that work, and/or don't work, and ask them to write in next to that date if there's a conflict. of course they respond in anyway they want, which results in a never ending stream of emails asking for clarification.

isn't there some online calendar or some other way to efficiently schedule rehearsals? how do you guys do it? :help:

greg
 
#3
It all depends on your priorities (and the band's).

Option 1: Recognize that rehearsals are a high priority. Set your schedule and stick to it. Find time for all the "other things" where you can fit them, around your rehearsal schedule. If you're going to be a pro band, first you've got to act like a pro band.

Option 2: Recognize that being in a band is just a hobby, and is secondary to the various "other things" going on in your lives. Accept this, get together and jam when you get the chance, and have some fun.

JM
 
#5
I've found it easiest to ask for dates that don't work, which it sounds like you have tried. Then, when no one replies, I go ahead and send out a schedule of rehearsals, and then you will find out how many "things" they forgot about when you asked them the first time. If there's any time left, that's when we rehearse.

It sounds like you are the "schedule dude" so I assume you book the gigs too. Just tell them you would like to schedule just as many rehearsals as gigs and won't schedule gigs unless you can schedule rehearsals too.
 
#7
Also remember to not make it too hard on yourself. Go ahead and try to keep everyone's other commitments in mind. Family, medical stuff, work, etc. should be commitments that take priority over rehearsal. Beyond that, try to make the times reasonable and just schedule them. Be OK with a rehearsal or two without all the members of the band present. The others will start to feel guilty and show up or will start helping in the scheduling.
 
#8
Use www.wheresthegig.com. Made by a musician for musicians. While it is primarily for tracking gigs, it can also be used for rehearsals. Emails everyone of gig details and changes, etc. FREE!

Getting people to keep it updated and enter their blackout dates is never easy, you will have to work at this. Maybe people pay a small fine, etc. if they don't keep their data up to date and a date is scheduled.
 
#10
It really helps to set things up so that there is a kind of expectation that rehearsals are on a certain night of the week at a certain time, especially if the idea is to rehearse once a week. If there is an ongoing set time, there is more a possibility that band members will schedule other things around the rehearsals vs. having to schedule rehearsals in the time left over from their other commitments or social plans.
 
#11
jgbass said:
It really helps to set things up so that there is a kind of expectation that rehearsals are on a certain night of the week at a certain time, especially if the idea is to rehearse once a week. If there is an ongoing set time, there is more a possibility that band members will schedule other things around the rehearsals vs. having to schedule rehearsals in the time left over from their other commitments or social plans.
Click to expand...


Exactly. My last band never got off the ground. We had a good thing going practicing (not really rehearsing at that stage) every Friday. Guitarist got a new job about 2 months ago with a rotating schedule and we got together once since.

Have a set rehearsal day is best if at all possible.
 
#14
Create a private Yahoo group. Add your band members and use it's calendar to schedule rehearsals etcetera. It can be set up to email reminders. It's also a handy way to email everyone with a single message. Use the database section to create a contact list and the file section can be used for set lists and inventory.

Otter.
 
#17
Although I mainly do the gig-whore thing now, back when I was serious about the band thing the only way it ever worked in my experience was for a band to have the discipline to say "rehearsals are every Tuesday (or whatever) night".

Work out what night(s) each person can set aside every week and do it. Scheduling on an ad hoc basis makes it too easy to blow off rehearsals for stupid reasons.
 
#18
Something you may want to check out: Invalid Link Removed

Free, cool calender feature lets everyone keep separate calendars and then overlay them for a global look at all the days that are available/unavailable. Easy to send an email to all members. The whole thing can be a private members only thing. Each member can update their own calendar. You can also restrict who edits what.

I tested the site a bit and suggest using the "family" option. Be sure to change the Security Options so that everything is private. Lists, To Do Lists, Reminders, Contact Lists are available as are other features.
 

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