Making the most out of practice?

[lilwave]

This is going to sound soooo cliche but WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE WEEKS 'TIL BATTLE OF THE BANDS!

I get pointers online, but I don't get... exactly how to get everything going. I feel I will be one of the people keeping us on track (5 people in our band, but we don't have a singer, an issue being corrected this Friday hopefully) but I tend to get impetient. I guess what I'm looking for is guidelines. Walk me step by step on what I should do.

thank you :)

EDIT: btw I'm the drummer, and we're called Anything But Work. :D

[SBDrock]

To be completely honest, 5 weeks is not a lot of time to get polished. It sounds like you are serious about this but your band mates might not see things the same way you do. I think you should get together with everyone and decide how much work its going to take and set out a schedule. All of my bands including my current one have strict schedules that everyone adheres to. set up practice time and make sure that its "practice" time and not screw around time. its possible to throw something together in a month and i have seen it done, but it takes 100% effort from everyone. Good luck and i hope things work out for you.

[lilwave]

Oh, that too, we can only practice 3 days a week lol. But we only need three songs. I have a schedule already set, the first practice is this Thursday, and I'm playing with people who have been playing for a long time. None of us have ever been in a band though. So when we get together, plug in, and have a cover in mind.... than what?

[SBDrock]

If you are playing covers, make sure everybody knows their parts and start running through the songs. Try to identify areas that need work and dont sound smooth. A lot of new bands have difficulties with transitions or tempo changes, things like that. After you have figured out what you need to work on, you can break the songs down into pieces And perfect the areas that needed the most work. The nice thing about covers is that you always have a reference with the original material. Good luck

Derek
Boom Boom Stereo

[Eric+TheSliders]

Best advice i can give you is to set up a recorder, it doesnt have to be anything high-tech, and record your set. then take a break and listen back to it. Granted, the mix will probably suck, but youll be able to hear what you like and dont like about your set. Also, beware of the time you spend inbetween songs and make sure you keep the crowds attention from the time you step on stage, till the time you say GOODNIGHT!

[Stevesayshi]

It all depends on the level of musicianship in the band, trained musicians can tell when they arn't playing well and when things don't sound right. Record / videotape your rehersals, and make sure everyone knows what they're doing. If band members don't take things seriously, show up late to practice, and don't give a fuck, find new musicians. Other than that, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! as a band, and by yourself. I sometimes spend 5 to 6 hours a day playing on my set, watching drum dvds, reading drumbooks, and playing on a practice pad with a click.

[sltfs]

I agree with Stevesayshi. If you only have three nights a week to practice make sure you are spending that time PRACTICING. You need to have a good balance between playing the songs all the way through and picking apart parts and areas that need work. If you spend too much time trying to clean up your sound you might not play the whole song enough to really nail it. If you just play the song over and over without cleaning it up it's never going to get better. Best advice is to just play as much as you can, you will get the hang of it.

[452WHPS13]

hmmmmm.

[Bruised26]

My band only practices 1-2 times a week due to crazy school schedules, but we definitely make the most out of every practice and get so much accomplished, because we want to turn this into our career and go places. If your band members are goofing off or not taking it seriously, you need to talk to them and make sure they arent doing the band only for fun because it seems like you are dedicated and serious about this. If they are in the band just for social time or something, you need to dismiss them and find replacements.

[lilwave]

The battle of the bands was canceled, but we're all staying together. Its really relieving because we have time to focus the craft for next year. All this is really good stuff, keep it comin'! :D

[we are cured]

It all depends on the level of musicianship in the band, trained musicians can tell when they arn't playing well and when things don't sound right. Record / videotape your rehersals, and make sure everyone knows what they're doing. If band members don't take things seriously, show up late to practice, and don't give a fuck, find new musicians. Other than that, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! as a band, and by yourself. I sometimes spend 5 to 6 hours a day playing on my set, watching drum dvds, reading drumbooks, and playing on a practice pad with a click.

this...plus, you have to understand how each person in the band works. if you have a guy that loves to noodle, a guy that dazes off, a guy that just wants to jam on random chord progressions and a guy that just wants to play his parts to the songs, then you guys aren't going to get anything accomplished without some sort of dictated direction. somebody in the band is going to have to step up and take the lead with where your practice is going. keep in mind though, that a band is like a relationship, but arguably more difficult to maintain - there are multiple people involved, and you have to be mindful of each person's concerns and feelings and how they interact with you/each other. some people don't take to tough leadership too well while others thrive off it. long story short...get to know your band and how your bandmates like to work.

another thing i like to do is change up the practice format. for instance, some practices we'll play a full set and stop to work on parts we're having problems with; sometimes we'll do strictly vocals and guitars; sometimes we'll turn down the guitars and let the bass/drums work on their rhythm section. this allows us to keep practice fresh and fun.

[Stevesayshi]

this...plus, you have to understand how each person in the band works. if you have a guy that loves to noodle, a guy that dazes off, a guy that just wants to jam on random chord progressions and a guy that just wants to play his parts to the songs, then you guys aren't going to get anything accomplished without some sort of dictated direction. somebody in the band is going to have to step up and take the lead with where your practice is going. keep in mind though, that a band is like a relationship, but arguably more difficult to maintain - there are multiple people involved, and you have to be mindful of each person's concerns and feelings and how they interact with you/each other. some people don't take to tough leadership too well while others thrive off it. long story short...get to know your band and how your bandmates like to work.

another thing i like to do is change up the practice format. for instance, some practices we'll play a full set and stop to work on parts we're having problems with; sometimes we'll do strictly vocals and guitars; sometimes we'll turn down the guitars and let the bass/drums work on their rhythm section. this allows us to keep practice fresh and fun.

agreed.


if you take it all seriously and all your band mates show up 2 hours late , drunk, don't give a fuck, and just mess around, pack your bags and jump ship. Good bands don't find you, you must find them.

[ninthandash]

SAGOZq_eE2Y
Inspiration

[xxemo_kittyxx]

Make regular practice schedules if you guys can't practice every day. In between group practice schedules, everyone should really keep in mind the things they need to work on and work on them when you guys are at home or something. For example, the guitarist can allocate some time to practice riffs on their own before bed, while waiting for the pizza to arrive etc. Just really be serious about it. My guitar teacher told me that a good performance has to have two necessary components: adequate preperation and just killing it on stage.

Good luck :)

[Stevesayshi]

Make regular practice schedules if you guys can't practice every day. In between group practice schedules, everyone should really keep in mind the things they need to work on and work on them when you guys are at home or something. For example, the guitarist can allocate some time to practice riffs on their own before bed, while waiting for the pizza to arrive etc. Just really be serious about it. My guitar teacher told me that a good performance has to have two necessary components: adequate preperation and just killing it on stage.

Good luck :)

your guitar teacher taught you wrong.

there are two necessary components, but not preparation.

1. Being drunk
2. killing it
; )


Although I will warn the wary, if you do drink before you play drink lots of water while you're playing, or else you will cramp and vomit everywhere.

Also be in mind that not everyone has a great work ethic, but the band might have really good songs and good musicians. Drama is part of being in a band and fights and laziness will pop up everywhere along the road. You must push through them until the band is developed enough where you can look past the drama and fights. Although this kind of stuff will happen if you're a local band that plays 2 shows a year, or a huge band who plays 250 shows and has a platinum album or two.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

your guitar teacher taught you wrong.

there are two necessary components, but not preparation.

1. Being drunk
2. killing it
; )


Although I will warn the wary, if you do drink before you play drink lots of water while you're playing, or else you will cramp and vomit everywhere.

Also be in mind that not everyone has a great work ethic, but the band might have really good songs and good musicians. Drama is part of being in a band and fights and laziness will pop up everywhere along the road. You must push through them until the band is developed enough where you can look past the drama and fights. Although this kind of stuff will happen if you're a local band that plays 2 shows a year, or a huge band who plays 250 shows and has a platinum album or two.

My guitar teacher doesn't really drink (to the extent that I know of), so I guess that's why. He told me the logic behind it is that if you practiced well, you won't go up on stage feeling unprepared and when you're done with it and felt like you left something out, at least you'll know that you had it all in mind and you practiced as hard as you could, whatever happened up there wasn't something that you took into account. I've never really seen him play in front of a crowd, even if he's done some large-scale local festivals, but I took that advice and did a lot better than my previous performances.

[Stevesayshi]

My guitar teacher doesn't really drink (to the extent that I know of), so I guess that's why. He told me the logic behind it is that if you practiced well, you won't go up on stage feeling unprepared and when you're done with it and felt like you left something out, at least you'll know that you had it all in mind and you practiced as hard as you could, whatever happened up there wasn't something that you took into account. I've never really seen him play in front of a crowd, even if he's done some large-scale local festivals, but I took that advice and did a lot better than my previous performances.

That was a joke. Drinking is a personal choice.

As for being prepared, the more times you play something the more naturally it comes. For instance, in my band, i've played our songs so many times I don't really think about what I am doing as much as I am just focused in on how I am playing, and executing. Its like a sport, the better prepared you are at your technique and game plan, the better you will perform.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

That was a joke. Drinking is a personal choice.

As for being prepared, the more times you play something the more naturally it comes. For instance, in my band, i've played our songs so many times I don't really think about what I am doing as much as I am just focused in on how I am playing, and executing. Its like a sport, the better prepared you are at your technique and game plan, the better you will perform.

That's the whole point I guess. A lot of my friends are against disciplined practice. They're psych majors who play music and believe that disciplined practice will disrupt your musicality/musical growth/musical development but I believe it has a huge impact on how you play. Even with things that require more "flow" like composition, you still need to practice regularly. When I've been spending about an hour each day playing guitar and trying to write something, the chances of something decent coming up is much higher than when I haven't touched my guitar in two weeks. Time is everything when it comes to building a skill.

With drinking, well I guess it works for some people. I don't drink either and I might not be a reliable source of information but I maybe it would be better to swallow smaller amounts of harder liquor than larger volumes of beer or something to prevent excessive vomiting, as your stomach won't get too filled up with liquid.

[Stevesayshi]

That's the whole point I guess. A lot of my friends are against disciplined practice. They're psych majors who play music and believe that disciplined practice will disrupt your musicality/musical growth/musical development but I believe it has a huge impact on how you play. Even with things that require more "flow" like composition, you still need to practice regularly. When I've been spending about an hour each day playing guitar and trying to write something, the chances of something decent coming up is much higher than when I haven't touched my guitar in two weeks. Time is everything when it comes to building a skill.

With drinking, well I guess it works for some people. I don't drink either and I might not be a reliable source of information but I maybe it would be better to swallow smaller amounts of harder liquor than larger volumes of beer or something to prevent excessive vomiting, as your stomach won't get too filled up with liquid.

Ah yes, but you wouldn't believe how many bands there are out there that think they can make something out of themselves that can't even keep good time : (

[herestoyoufla]

your guitar teacher taught you wrong.

there are two necessary components, but not preparation.

1. Being drunk
2. killing it
; )


Although I will warn the wary, if you do drink before you play drink lots of water while you're playing, or else you will cramp and vomit everywhere.

Also be in mind that not everyone has a great work ethic, but the band might have really good songs and good musicians. Drama is part of being in a band and fights and laziness will pop up everywhere along the road. You must push through them until the band is developed enough where you can look past the drama and fights. Although this kind of stuff will happen if you're a local band that plays 2 shows a year, or a huge band who plays 250 shows and has a platinum album or two.


The funny thing is, he's actually right. hahaha

[flask]

That was a joke. Drinking is a personal choice.

As for being prepared, the more times you play something the more naturally it comes. For instance, in my band, i've played our songs so many times I don't really think about what I am doing as much as I am just focused in on how I am playing, and executing. Its like a sport, the better prepared you are at your technique and game plan, the better you will perform.

this. I've played my band's songs so many times that its all muscle memory now. just practice practice practice.

you guys can try setting goals for each practice. for instance towards the end of my band's last practice our guitar player came up with a few good riffs that we think would make a great song, so at our next practice our goal is to finish that song.
And I think this has been mentioned already before, but make sure you get to know everyone in your band really well. You guys are going to be spending a lot of time together. Try hanging out on days when you dont have practice. You have to be comfortable enough where you can look one of them in the eye and tell them their ideas are crap, and also be able to take the same criticism from them.

[ltlrecords]

good luck!

[miken3714]

focus focus focus

[Taking_Frags]

From my experience, members should practice their parts to a click track. If done so, the full band should come together with much more ease. So, not so much time is needed together.