Practice on Very Rainy Days - Slight Rant

[Gab124]

It sounds to me like you should tell the band to come prepared and get their act together before you come back to a practice. Double so if this is just a cover band, everyone should show up knowing the parts and if they don't there is no reason to risk anything for them. I hate hate hate unprepared practice, my time is important. If I were in your shoes you bet I would have cancelled because of rain, or just because I felt like watching TV that night. Now, if they start showing up prepared and ready to move forward I might have tried to go for sure, but where I live it often rains at like 4" an hour. Of course I always leave a cab at practice space so I don't have to haul stuff in inclement weather. Amp as well as REDDI are in water tight cases too.
Good luck.

 

[nortonrider]

"It's too wet to practice"
"It's too dry to practice"
"It's too light to practice"
"It's too dark to practice"
"It's too hot to practice"
"It's too cold to practice"
"It's too early to practice"
"It's too late to practice"

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.

 

[kellyrojo]

All this talk has me thinking I need some very basic covers for my stuff . To the dollar store for a shower curtain liner!

 

[pacojas]

if a band can't practice without you then they are wasting an opportunity! our band doesn't worry to much when someone is absent. it's a great time to work on things that make us stronger.

play on, players!

 

[Helaskold]

Bottom line is that if you are trying to use the rain as an excuse to skip practice, maybe you just need to accept that you aren't commited to this project. No shame in it; you don't love every project you get into. But don't blame it on the rain and lead them on. Rethink your place in this band and let them know the decision... if you choose to stick with it, don't miss practices for some crappy excuse.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Buy a tarp. Problem solved. It's not that hard.

Heck, you could even throw a beach towel on it, throw the towel in the drier while you rehearse, and put it back on afterwards. This really isn't a difficult situation to solve.

 

[PimasterPearson]

They have no gigs (today or in the future), and from the tone OP's post, these guys don't sound like working pros who rely on the band for a living. Some of you are taking this way too seriously.

This. Some bands take it less seriously than others. For those of you who are 100% committed to every scheduled practice come hell or high water, and hold high expectations for yourselves and your bandmates... good for you I guess.

The important thing is good communication and making sure that everyone in the band is on the same page.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm just trying to get over the fact that somebody with the screen name of NYCBassist is talking about driving somewhere! Are you IN NYC or just FROM NYC?
You talk about rehearsing in the drummer's living room, is it a permanent rehearsal space or is it sometimes an actual living room? If it's the former, then you really need to start getting some equipment THERE so nobody has to schlep, it doesn't have to be a duplicate of what you gig with, just enough so that everyone can hear everyone else.

Where is everybody else coming in from, does anyone else have a 45 minute drive? If the space isn't a permanent rehearsal space AND at least half the band have a similar commute, then maybe you all should look into renting a more convenient space OR finding a rehearsal studio that already HAS gear. There's a bunch of places in Manhattan and Brooklyn like that and depending on their customer load, neighborhood and amenities can be had pretty reasonably. Plus, if you're paying for a joint (and everybody kicks in for 3 sessions a month, whether you make them or not) it's a lot more likely that everyone will show and be a lot more "there".

But it does smack of "I really DON'T want to play with this group." If it was something you REALLY wanted to do, you be dying to get there every week, not trying to stay away...

 

[CBRXJ]

45 minutes in the rain..not sure I'd be willing to drive 45 minutes in the dry.

 

[Russell L]

I might not like it, but I'd still go to practice. Sometimes it rains. Or sometimes I don't feel good. Or sometimes it cold. Whatever. It's part of the price I pay to be a musician. Yes, I wouldn't want to get my stuff wet, but I also wouldn't want to let the guys down. I understand that it's not an emergency, but still, sometimes ya just gotta cowboy up.

 

[bluewine]

I would say there is need for rehearsal BECAUSE there are no gigs.

There are outstanding tight well rehearsed bands that are clueless when it comes to bookings.

Blue

 

[Munjibunga]

I'd be pretty pissed if someone cancelled because they might get a little wet...

Ditto. It just happened Thursday. Drummer "didn't want to get his drums wet." He can back right up to the garage and load in.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Well It's pouring today and I really don't like schlepping my Gear in the rain. I called My drummer and he was still pretty gung ho about it but all he has to do Grab his sticks & sit down at his Kit in His living room. I was all set to go but decided against it when I couldn't find anything decent to cover my Cabinets with to keep them dry. I know I should have water proof covers bit I Just don't at this time. So My drummer seems kind of Pissed off about the whole thing. I feel like A Gig on a rainy day is one thing but..... I really don't want to haul my gear to the car then drive 45 minutes in the pouring rain and then haul it from the car up My Drummers Driveway in the rain for one Practice. There's no gigs lined up or emergency and I Do need to woodshed more at home anyway. I'm definitely into the band and the song list etc...Just don't see the need to get my precious gear all wet.

Okay let the flaming or Brotherly support begin:

First of all, when you work out material with one or more other persons, it's called a rehearsal - not a practice (unless you haven't learned the material on your own - in which case it's a "group practice").

Secondly, what the hell are you whining about? Either you're committed to the music and to making your band work, or you aren't. If schlepping gear in the rain is too much of a hassle, then that should tell you (and others) something about yourself.

Thirdly, if you have to work out a logistical fix that is less burdensome, then what are you waiting for? Get a cab that you can leave at the rehearsal space. Prevail upon your drummer to use a rehearsal space that's closer to where you live. Get some waterproof cab covers. Whatever.

You're (presumably) a big boy by now. Figure it out!

MM

 

[FunkHead]

First of all, when you work out material with one or more other persons, it's called a rehearsal - not a practice (unless you haven't learned the material on your own - in which case it's a "group practice").

I don't know what you'd call it as I've only known the guys for like 3 or 4 weeks.

Again we've Jammed 3 times and I still don't know if I want to continue doing the music they are doing. It's all Blues and they're really sloppy. And yes I'm willing to look at myself in this situation and be self-critical to improve myself.

I'll Gladly leave a Cab & Spare amp at a rehearsal space if it becomes more than a casual Jam which is what it was supposed to be. As I have stated many time before. I'm sorry for not being more clear about that but it was only supposed to be a casual 2-3 times per month thing which the drummer is trying to turn into an every weekend "Rehearsal"

Yes, I'm a big boy which is why I had the balls to post this up in the first place. If I'm going to do the juggling act of being in a band while maintaining my happy family life, I want to be sure that the project is worth it.

MM, None of what you're saying is wrong & I truly appreciate all the opinions and Factual insights. Just trying to respond in turn. Maybe it's more cut & dry for you looking in from the outside but that's a good thing. I'm really just trying to work it out.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Imo rehearsals rank same as gigs. If you agree to do a rehearsal you don't cancel it if you can find a way to do it. All your whining about the others not performing and demanding too much of your time is static noise.

 

[Handyman]

Pretty easy to find an old 2x10 or 15 for $50 or so on CraigsList.

A cheap cab living at the rehearsal space + bringing a micro head is a wonderfully convenient way to go.

My usual rehearsal space has a workable PA, so I often just bring my bass and a Sans Amp. It's hard to get easier than that.

 

[king_biscuit]

Imo rehearsals rank same as gigs. If you agree to do a rehearsal you don't cancel it if you can find a way to do it. All your whining about the others not performing and demanding too much of your time is static noise.

It sounds like this was little more than informal jam sessions at the drummer's house, not a serious gig focused business.

 

[ChrisB2]

I smelled "excuse" all over the OP... it's pretty common knowledge that it almost never "pounds rain" for more than a few minutes. After that it switches to soft rain or stops altogether, so "rain" is no reason to miss practice. Just tell them you're going to wait a few for the cloudburst to end and then the gear is only going to catch a few drops that won't hurt a thing.

And driving in the rain... really??? LOL. That's called a "weather weenie" where I'm from.

I mean, c'mon, is anyone really going to miss something he wants to do because of some rain??? Unless it's an outdoor activity that gets canceled because of rain...

So I wasn't surprised to learn that OP was really just looking for an excuse to bail out, and the "pounding rain" was what he thought would make sense.

Sorry, but no, if I were your drummer I would be pissed too. Just tell me you don't want to play or whatever the truth is. Don't make up some lame, transparent excuse like this.

 

[FunkHead]

I smelled "excuse" all over the OP... it's pretty common knowledge that it almost never "pounds rain" for more than a few minutes. After that it switches to soft rain or stops altogether, so "rain" is no reason to miss practice. Just tell them you're going to wait a few for the cloudburst to end and then the gear is only going to catch a few drops that won't hurt a thing.

And driving in the rain... really??? LOL. That's called a "weather weenie" where I'm from.

I mean, c'mon, is anyone really going to miss something he wants to do because of some rain??? Unless it's an outdoor activity that gets canceled because of rain...

So I wasn't surprised to learn that OP was really just looking for an excuse to bail out, and the "pounding rain" was what he thought would make sense.

Sorry, but no, if I were your drummer I would be pissed too. Just tell me you don't want to play or whatever the truth is. Don't make up some lame, transparent excuse like this.

I toured for 5 years in a band and never missed a practice during that time.
Like I said above, This is not a gigging band rehearsing for gigs. If you want to get all wet and drive 2 hours round trip for a casual Jam that's up to you. Now...If The situation gets more serious and we start to Play Shows, I'll do everything in my power to make it a great show.
Oh and being a pissed off drummer is just going drive people away. The guitarist is already talking about jamming with a more laid back drummer that he knows. Of course I respect your opinion, I just don't think you are comprehending the facts of this situation.

 

[DWBass]

This is why I like having a practice rig that I can leave at the rehearsal spot.