Where to rehearse?!?

[Felken]

So, I've got a band, but no place to rehearse. I won't go into details.

We've contacted a guy on kijiji who had a small studio. We asked him if we can rehearse in his place (for a fee obviously).

He raised the price and told us no.

So, we don't know what to do. There aren't any jam rooms nearby.

Sorry of this is badly written, I'm multitasking as I'm writing this.

 

[MordBass]

So, I've got a band, but no place to rehearse. I won't go into details.

We've contacted a guy on kijiji who had a small studio. We asked him if we can rehearse in his place (for a fee obviously).

He raised the price and told us no.

So, we don't know what to do. There aren't any jam rooms nearby.

Sorry of this is badly written, I'm multitasking as I'm writing this.

Get a drummer that can rehearse at his place. The rest of us have amps with volume knobs but if one wishes to stay fresh with the drums.... they need a home that allows for it... or a rehearsal space. Either way.. follow the drummer.

 

[Gorn]

Do you know anyone else who's in a band?

 

[RoadRanger]

Go ask at the local music stores - they should know who's renting rehearsal space .

 

[Oddly]

What about local schools/colleges?
Scout Dens?
Maybe even bars or restaurants with un-booked function rooms?

 

[pomegranesis]

Where in Ottawa and what's your budget?

 

[charlie monroe]

pretty sure @bassboysam is in Ottawa. Maybe he has pearls of wisdom.

 

[bassboysam]

depends on whatt you are looking for. if you want to rent by the hour then there is Capital Rehearsal. you pay for 3 hour blocks. there are a few other places around town too..

if you are looking for something more permanent then that gets tougher but there are places that do it. we have our own room at Capital that we share with 3 other bands. as long as we coordinate with the other bands we can use it whenever we want, including after hours when Capital is closed. i think rent is around $600/month but they don't always have a room available for "permanent" rent. $600 split across 4 bands is not too bad.

 

[lz4005]

i think rent is around $600/month but they don't always have a room available for "permanent" rent.

For less than two months rent on a place like that you could get a full headphone practice setup.
Electronic kit, jamhub, amp sims, headphones. Silent full band practice anywhere.

Otherwise, Mordbass has it right. Go where the drummer is already practicing. If he or she isn't practicing, get a different drummer.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Does Ottowa have a mill district? Like, an old, not fully operational mill district? Around here, a lot of the older mills & warehouses have become "studio spaces" for various artistic endeavors, sliced up and rented out not too dear. Make sure that the one you select is not going to renege if you go play music there. On the other hand, do select something slightly above the "and homeless folks are breaking in and living down the hall" level of cheap and decaying. You want a dry roof and reasonably secure.

Or, if there's an excess of office space, sometimes that can be had at reasonable cost, and if your hours and the office hours of the places around you don't overlap...or you go with the headphone/IEM practice setup...no problem.

In a market where all space is tight, it's just plain expensive, no two ways about it.

 

[bassboysam]

For less than two months rent on a place like that you could get a full headphone practice setup.
Electronic kit, jamhub, amp sims, headphones. Silent full band practice anywhere.

lol. yeah that ain't happening. our practice is also our play time so full amps and full volume. we don't get to play out a lot so we make our weekly jams fun and we get to actually use the gear we like

 

[lz4005]

lol. yeah that ain't happening. our practice is also our play time so full amps and full volume. we don't get to play out a lot so we make our weekly jams fun and we get to actually use the gear we like

Back to point #2 then. Do it where your drummer practices.
If your drummer doesn't have a space where they practice then get a different drummer who does.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I don't know about where you live, but here there are rehearsal spaces you can rent. We have a room in a non-descript building full of rehearsal rooms in an industrial area that we have 24/7 access to with the only key to our room and a key for the front door of the building.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

Google says there are at least a few in Ottawa that rent hourly at the very least

 

[bassboysam]

Back to point #2 then. Do it where your drummer practices.
If your drummer doesn't have a space where they practice then get a different drummer who does.

drummer practices when we do, we've been together for 9 years, 4 full length and self-funded vinyl releases and $0 debt. I think we're doing ok.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Storage places. I was with a band that rehearsed in a large storage unit. We could play anytime day or night. Space heater in the winter and fans in the summer for temp control. You'll need to check with the manager and probably pay a premium for power usage.

 

[DavC]

in my head .

 

[charlie monroe]

drummer practices when we do, we've been together for 9 years, 4 full length and self-funded vinyl releases and $0 debt. I think we're doing ok.

Mr Congeniality got you crossed up with the OP.

I like your band. That's how I remembered you were from Ottawa and might be able to help with the post.

 

[lz4005]

lol. yeah that ain't happening. our practice is also our play time so full amps and full volume. we don't get to play out a lot so we make our weekly jams fun and we get to actually use the gear we like

Why did you even respond to that if you aren't the OP? This thread isn't about where or how you practice.

 

[bassboysam]

Why did you even respond to that if you aren't the OP? This thread isn't about where or how you practice.

you quoted me, so i assumed your post was directed at me. my bad