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Where do you guys rehearse?

#41
Bandmates building on back of his property. Heated and a/c.
Studio level construction....he uses it for his studio part time business.
No facilities. The woods for the light stuff...make a run for the house if you're in trouble.
 
#42
I enjoy reading your posts. If nothing else, I just like hearing stories about bands and how people do things.

Like I said, I have a barn on my property. It's not the kind of barn that is used for livestock or anything. Cement floor, not dirty, spacious but not cavernous. Throw down a few rugs, bring in some old throwaway furniture and put a fridge in there, and you've got a great practice space. Don't have to lug big equipment up a small basement stairway, you can even back your vehicle into the barn and load up stuff. Plenty of electric outlets, people can spread out, and there's literally no houses around in a half mile radius. Absolutely made for band practice. But the drummer doesn't want to move his set back and forth for practice.

My brother (guitarist) has a drum set that is decent, but very basic, and he said he'd leave it out there permanently. Barn is tight, so winds, rain, birds, animals, wouldn't be a problem. I'm really not using the barn for anything except storing farm equipment inside during the offseason. But our drummer refuses to play on any set but his own. His set is very ellaborate, and has his "tone". Just an excuse, and it's his way to be in control of the situation, I know. But his Mom's basement is small, and you can't set up a decent PA with proper monitoring in there. Plus..... IT'S HIS MOM'S BASEMENT. In my barn you can drink, smoke, eat, do whatever you want.
 
#43
We rent a studio that comes furnished with a full drum kit and amp stacks for $10/hour. We usually have 3-4 hour practice sessions. The studio has two rooms to choose from: Room A has a Hartke 4x10 cabinet with a 300 watt head. Room B has a Marshall 4x10 cabinet with a 300 watt head. We just have to bring the guitars, drum sticks, and beer.
 
#44
I was speaking to the manager of a self-storage facility a few weeks ago and he said that three different bands are renting units there. The units are all climate-controlled and have 24/7 access. So these bands can practice anytime they want and not worry about how loud they play, and leave their equipment in a secure place. Not a bad idea!
 
#45
Last band practiced in BL's parents garage with A/C and heat. He was 25, married and had his own separate home. His mom would cook us full meals before every practice and his dad kept a fridge stocked with drinks for us. Awesome, supportive people and great fun. Unfortunately, all good things must end.
 
#46
We know the bar owner down the street. The bar has a basement that used to have bands.. small stage/riser etc. It's been unused because it's not ADA accessable. They let us practice there and keep all our gear there for free. We just always have a few rounds, and when they have open mike nights, we come out and play. And its our local hangout too. It's walking distance for the whole band. It just doesnt get any better than that.
 
#47
podiumboy said:
I enjoy reading your posts. If nothing else, I just like hearing stories about bands and how people do things.

Like I said, I have a barn on my property. It's not the kind of barn that is used for livestock or anything. Cement floor, not dirty, spacious but not cavernous. Throw down a few rugs, bring in some old throwaway furniture and put a fridge in there, and you've got a great practice space. Don't have to lug big equipment up a small basement stairway, you can even back your vehicle into the barn and load up stuff. Plenty of electric outlets, people can spread out, and there's literally no houses around in a half mile radius. Absolutely made for band practice. But the drummer doesn't want to move his set back and forth for practice.

My brother (guitarist) has a drum set that is decent, but very basic, and he said he'd leave it out there permanently. Barn is tight, so winds, rain, birds, animals, wouldn't be a problem. I'm really not using the barn for anything except storing farm equipment inside during the offseason. But our drummer refuses to play on any set but his own. His set is very ellaborate, and has his "tone". Just an excuse, and it's his way to be in control of the situation, I know. But his Mom's basement is small, and you can't set up a decent PA with proper monitoring in there. Plus..... IT'S HIS MOM'S BASEMENT. In my barn you can drink, smoke, eat, do whatever you want.
Click to expand...


Honestly, I would be telling that drummer that it is what it is, or I will be running ads.

But that's just me.
 
#48
We used to practice in the basement of a dorm here. Then I got caught up in the school play and we decided to shelve things until next year.

I'm thinking we could use this place a mile or so (probably less) away from the campus. They have some Marshall combos in the basement, and if we can get the permission of the owner of the combos the owner of the place said we could use it.
 
#49
Band 1: At a rehearsal studio, just show up with bass and use their backline
Band 2: At guitarist's home built studio. Big, good acoustics, nice with kitchenette, restroom and a backline!
Band 3: Don't rehearse, just play out. It's a blues band.

Along the way, paid my dues by having to rehearse at these places.
In no particular order,
* Great but expensive rehearsal/recording studios
* Cheap but dirty with terrible backline studios
* Garages
* Basements
* Cow Barn
* Dog Kennel
* Garage again with no heat, soundproofing or carpet, got shut down regularly by the cops, neighbors hated us.
* Pool house
* Living room, wives and mom's hated us, something about dirt, grime and spilled beer set them off.
* Attic, what a chore hauling up my gear.
* And a bunch of other dismal places that I have fortunately forgotten about.

Lastly, never believe the photos posted on the web of rehearsal studio rooms. It is like seeing photos of a hotel you plan to stay at only to find the room and grounds look nothing like the photos.
 
#50
Soundchecks for me most of the time. Once in a great while we might meet at someone's house with small gear. Today's gig we'll have an hour long rehearsal at the theater we're playing.
 
#53
Buy a drum kit and keep it in your barn - problem solved.

podiumboy said:
My band lasted originally from 2001-2009. When we started we were all 18 or so, and we practiced in our drummer's parent's basement. And over the years, that's just where we practiced. The main reason is that the drum set requires a lot of effort to assemble/tear down/transport, so it remained stationary He had another, nicer set for gigging. We broke up in 2009, but by the last few years we really didn't rehearse that much.

This past winter, we've gotten together a few times to jam. The problem is, the drummer still insists on having practice at his parents house. So we went over there, and it just felt really weird. He doesn't even live there anymore, as he's married and has his apartment (which has a noise ordinance, hence why he keeps his drums at his parents). But we're all in our early 30s, and it feels really strange to go to his Mom's house to practice.

Maybe I'm thinking about it too much. I feel that a band's practice space should be more like a mancave. I have a small barn on my property that would be perfect size. But the drummer doesn't want to leave his set there, but he also doesn't want to move his drum set. What do some of you people do?

I think the desire is there to play more often, but the rest of the band feels the same way as I do about it being weird to play in his parents basement at this age. It's actually getting in the way of progress!
Click to expand...
 
#55
podiumboy said:
My band lasted originally from 2001-2009. When we started we were all 18 or so, and we practiced in our drummer's parent's basement. And over the years, that's just where we practiced. The main reason is that the drum set requires a lot of effort to assemble/tear down/transport, so it remained stationary He had another, nicer set for gigging. We broke up in 2009, but by the last few years we really didn't rehearse that much.

This past winter, we've gotten together a few times to jam. The problem is, the drummer still insists on having practice at his parents house. So we went over there, and it just felt really weird. He doesn't even live there anymore, as he's married and has his apartment (which has a noise ordinance, hence why he keeps his drums at his parents). But we're all in our early 30s, and it feels really strange to go to his Mom's house to practice.

Maybe I'm thinking about it too much. I feel that a band's practice space should be more like a mancave. I have a small barn on my property that would be perfect size. But the drummer doesn't want to leave his set there, but he also doesn't want to move his drum set. What do some of you people do?

I think the desire is there to play more often, but the rest of the band feels the same way as I do about it being weird to play in his parents basement at this age. It's actually getting in the way of progress!
Click to expand...

Both bands I'm in practice in one of the guys' patents basement. I don't really see anything wrong with it. I'm just happy we have a place to go. But, if we had a barn, I'd be all over that s**t!!!
 
#56
We practice at my house in my jam room. All players plug into the mixing board via preamps. We hear ourselves thru the large JBL studio monitors and we also record a two channel stereo mix in real time so we can review. Works well with the Roland TD10 drums. We will also rehearse with acoustic drums, amps and PA from time to time but we do that in an airplane hanger at the local airport. Thats kind of a pain as we have to load all of our equiptment in and out each time.
 

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#58
Factor88 said:
Because everybody knows if you want to run a efficient, professional rehersal you need to be able to drink, smoke, and do whatever you want.:rolleyes:
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We drink at every rehearsal... always have. Not a single time have I seen one of my bandmates lit. Some people can use responsibly.

We rehearse at my house. The den has been converted into a jam room. Carpet on the floors, the ceiling is covered with harbor freight rubber work mat, and every kind of scrap carpet or foam we could find has been stapled to the walls. The drummer has a spare kit and he leaves it here. I have a small 8 channel board and some rigged up PA gear, mics, amp/guitar for the guitar player. It's literally walk in and play without having to bring anything.
 
#60
45acp said:
We drink at every rehearsal... always have. Not a single time have I seen one of my bandmates lit. Some people can use responsibly.
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Actually, sign me up as a member of the "I drink a few during rehersals" club. Certainly, having a beer or two, and stepping outside for a smoke break, is not preclusive of a professional practice. I went to far if my post made it sound like I believed that.

However, my post about drinking and smoking during rehersals assumed that OP's band was of legal age and that the "parents" would not have a problem with a bunch of legal age persons having a couple beers in their basement. I also assumed they would not have an issue with a smoker stepping outside to have a cigarette. That's still my assumption and remains so until the OP clarifies. I would be happy to modify my stance if it is revealed that the drummer's parents are some type of killjoys who would be shocked, offended, and outraged to see a person drink a beer or smoke a cigarette on their premises. If that is the case, yes maybe it is time to get out of there.

Now, of course if the OP is underage, and/or the "smoking" being refered to is the reef, then I have no sympathy for trying to change a rehersal venue to accomodate illegal actions.
 

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