Live stream rehearsal

[arbiterusa]

I'm going to suggest to my band that we start doing this. I think it's brilliant.

We're good enough so it wouldn't be embarrassing. That's something to take into consideration.

 

[okcrum]

From here, it's only a small step to streaming auditions, with online voting for your favorite.

Come to think of it, I've done auditions which were video recorded, so it's a smaller step still.

 

[QweziRider]

Please weigh in.

Nope. Not at all. I cannot even see the least bit of good the "exposure" would do regarding putting butts into the venue.

But that's just me.

 

[bigboy_78]

.... also, your idea has potential, fake fighting, dramatic depiction of the songwriting process, physically attractive women (and I would assume men as well) . Look at the food Network, sure, commercial kitchens are stressful environments, but most of that stuff is just overdramatic, hypercompetitive crap anyways. As much as I respect the skill of those involved, I can't watch that stuff.

Now that could be an aspect I never thought of….if you’ve got personalities in the band, say an hilarious bass player who doesn’t really get a chance to shine on stage, a steamed rehearsal with pre-conceived “tensions” could be an interesting way to give people a more personal relationship to the band, beyond just music. It'd still need be rehearsed slightly, before the actual rehearsal "performance"

Putting aside the merits of the idea itself, how would you actually go about streaming a rehearsal without it looking like amateur hour. When I hear “streaming” I’m thinking Facebook Live?

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I'm not sure streaming the first half of one song a dozen times until the backing vocals are finally right is great publicity.

 

[Evert]

You could record a whole rehearsal without streaming it, and review it afterwards (with band members and maybe a few trusted friends). That would allow you to decide whether it's really useful/interesting to live-stream subsequent rehearsals.

It's all about informed decisions, right ?

 

[alreadytaken]

Over 400 people watched ours from last night. Our gig attendance is like 50 to 100 people.

What platform are you streaming from? I would figure out a way to monetize it. Ask for tips for beers, or ask people to donate to a paypal. You could even open a patreon page and show how to videos and behind the scenes. I'd be all for it if you are figuring out a way to get paid. 400 people on a live stream is a lot! Use that to make money so you do it more.

 

[pie_man_25]

Now that could be an aspect I never thought of….if you’ve got personalities in the band, say an hilarious bass player who doesn’t really get a chance to shine on stage, a steamed rehearsal with pre-conceived “tensions” could be an interesting way to give people a more personal relationship to the band, beyond just music. It'd still need be rehearsed slightly, before the actual rehearsal "performance"

Putting aside the merits of the idea itself, how would you actually go about streaming a rehearsal without it looking like amateur hour. When I hear “streaming” I’m thinking Facebook Live?

If I could tell you, I'd probably have millions of dollars and be talking to some girl about how some obscure model of fancy car is better than another one and I could say that because I had both and drove then both into the same ditch because I wanted to test them and I could afford to do that. But I'm on here instead.

 

[interp]

As always, I will refer to the wisdom of Mark Twain: “Those who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either one being made.”

 

[SteveBassJr]

To me, a few songs is okay. But, knowing your being watched puts you into performance mode. Not rehearsal mode and we rehearse to perfect performance.

 

[dloase]

One of the groups I play in has done the live streaming on social media to increase "buzz" about an upcoming event. We may do one song that we have worked the kinks out of, but not a whole rehearsal. It can give people a glimpse of what is to come and allow them to feel connected with the group. Of course "your actual mileage may vary"

 

[basscapes]

While I wouldn't live stream a "first time" rehearsal or even the first while as songs are being hashed out, I would highly consider streaming a "dress rehearsal" of your whole show (or at least a set) just to have something to show as far as professionalism.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Never mind people might say something you won't want out for public consumption, why put out something less than your best. Why not stream a show?

 

[40Hz]

me, i'd rather put up a mini-show of the songs we play best if i was going to stream and do it as a real show, albeit a small one.

This. A thousand times this.

Live streaming a mini show is a fairly cool idea (or will be until everybody starts doing it) that could make for good publicity. But repeated plain raw rehearsals? Dumb idea IMO for more reasons than I’d want to have to type up.

I think you got lucky with the first one. But I think the novelty will probably wear off pretty quickly. And I can guarantee band drama is going to start creeping after a while if you continue down that path. Can you say: Keeping Up With the _________?

I’m wondering how you’re going to afford the bandwidth charges if your band’s live stream catches on and you’re not charging admission to the receive the feed like live streaming concert sites do. I don’t know of any web host that allows unlimited free streaming.

 

[bassboysam]

if it's a band that I like i think it would be fun to watch them hash out new ideas and see how the band dynamics work. It would be interesting to see how original ideas come along. Based on all the "making of" or "recording of" videos out there indicates there is an appetite for that kind of stuff.
If it were a cover band trying to learn new songs then that would not interest me at all.

 

[rtslinger]

Dump the streams and get down to business

 

[40Hz]

if it's a band that I like i think it would be fun to watch them hash out new ideas and see how the band dynamics work. It would be interesting to see how original ideas come along. Based on all the "making of" or "recording of" videos out there indicates there is an appetite for that kind of stuff.
If it were a cover band trying to learn new songs then that would not interest me at all.

If it’s a band you already like, or you want a behind the scenes look at a finished motion picture or music album, I’d agree.

But I think it’s one of those things that go over better after you’ve established a reputation and a following. Up front it smacks a little of: “Look Mommy! Look what I can do!”

But maybe that’s just me. Or possibly a generational thing.

 

[knumbskull]

"production" rehearsal (i.e. playing the set once through, nothing else) - yay.

normal rehearsal - nay.

that's great if you've got a bit of a following who watch the live streams, but i would keep it short and to the point. and plug your actual gigs when you do it!

 

[pcake]

This. A thousand times this.

Live streaming a mini show is a fairly cool idea (or will be until everybody starts doing it) that could make for good publicity. But repeated plain raw rehearsals? Dumb idea IMO for more reasons than I’d want to have to type up.

I think you got lucky with the first one. But I think the novelty will probably wear off pretty quickly. And I can guarantee band drama is going to start creeping after a while if you continue down that path. Can you say: Keeping Up With the _________?

I’m wondering how you’re going to afford the bandwidth charges if your band’s live stream catches on and you’re not charging admission to the receive the feed like live streaming concert sites do. I don’t know of any web host that allows unlimited free streaming.

youtube does live streaming - not sure what/if they charge, but 65drums does an occasional live stream with chat, and there are a couple kitten rescues that have 24/7 live feeds.

 

[Medicine Man]

If it’s a band you already like, or you want a behind the scenes look at a finished motion picture or music album, I’d agree.

But I think it’s one of those things that go over better after you’ve established a reputation and a following. Up front it smacks a little of: “Look Mommy! Look what I can do!”

But maybe that’s just me. Or possibly a generational thing.

There is a strong generational component to this debate; my band is half middle age dudes and half 20 somethings. I, of course, represent the older half which doesn't have nearly the drive for exhibitionism that these young guys have.