Better Band Practice

Getting your band in the same room to play can be like herding cats, but get it right and practice can be the key to success…

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Whether you’re taking your first steps with a new band, or getting frustrated with an existing one, an important part of success can be measured by your practice sessions. How much are you getting done? Are things continuously going wrong? Even how fun your band practices are; it all plays a part and forms the root of your dynamic of how you play and communicate as a group of musicians.

Making changes doesn’t need to be about ruling with an iron fist and becoming a de facto band leader, it’s often just a case of changing habits in preparation and routine with everybody contributing their share. Deciding what you want to get done in each practice session, how to break things down into realistic chunks and what realistic deadlines you’re working to. The latter could be a gig or recording session and the new songs or cover versions you need to nail for them.

How well you work with others is often about different personalities as much as musical styles and approaches. Success and failure can often depend on how you can adjust and organise as a band without causing unnecessary conflict. So with all that in mind we’ll talk through some fundamental steps that can help you get the most out of your practices and jams.

BREAK IT DOWN