Don Bell and Liquid Soul

Performance Rehearsal

Your band has lined up a gig, thankfully with plenty of notice and time to promote.  You realize you have plenty of songs to choose from; more songs than you are going to be allotted time for.  What do you do? 

You should plan on making most of the rehearsals before your show “performance rehearsals”.  Think of them like the rehearsals a cast of a play or musical put on.  As you close in on your gig date, you should be getting closer and closer to playing like it’s the real deal. 

For our example, let’s assume that band ABC has 4 weeks’ notice and typically practices twice a week. 

• 4 weeks before the show:

Believe it or not, this is going to be the toughest week of the four leading up to your gig.  Band ABC was writing music thinking they were going to have to play an hour for their show but landed a local music showcase gig that only requires a 30 minute set.  Unfortunately, that means they won’t be able to play all of their songs.  The tough part of this week is choosing which songs they are going to play. 

The first rehearsal should be devoted to getting song durations down.  A stopwatch is incredibly handy, as is a white board.  Band ABC has their song names already written down on the white board so it’s just a matter of playing them and having someone write down how long each song is.  They know that their normal set, start to finish, is almost an hour; now they know how long each song is so they can add up times to hit 30 minutes.

 Band ABC is not using any type of click track or metronome for their drummer so they make a point to take the time and write a second time beside it that is roughly 10 percent shorter to account for gig adrenalin and nerves causing everyone to want to push the tempo.  (They even lament the fact that they aren’t using a click track for this very reason.) 

All the band members then make their own list of songs that makes 30 minutes of music.  The fun part begins with the negotiation that it is going to take to pick the right songs that will knock the socks off the crowd as well as keep the musicians happy.  This process may extend through to the next rehearsal but by the end of week 4 a set list needs to be figured out. 

• 3 weeks before the show:

During the first rehearsal of week 3, the band runs the new 30 minute set then discusses where breaks need to be placed.  The lead guitarist expresses a need to switch guitars so that break is added (and noted on the white board).  The set also has a couple songs that seem to feed right into each other so that is also noted.  They rehearse the breaks and the transitions from one song to the next. 

The second rehearsal, before they start they make sure everyone remembers how they are doing the new transitions and make a point to rehearse them before running the set a couple times.  The band members begin walking away feeling confident. 

• 2 weeks before the show:

The second week should be devoted to working on stage presence.  The “front man” of the group, typically the singer, needs to pretend there is a crowd and practice getting the crowd pumped up between songs, getting the crowd jamming during songs and making it seem like this is not the band’s first show.  The guitarists and bass player need to make sure they are moving around and not standing in one spot playing their lines flawlessly but with little flair or facial expression. 

The goal of week 2 is to make sure everyone can play their lines while truly “rocking out” like they intend to on stage.  Many a band has sounded horrible during their live show due to extra moving around, whether it’s playing or tripping over cables.  

Band ABC practices in a very nice rehearsal facility with great lighting that dims, (like hothouse studios), so during the 2^nd practice of the week they dim the lights, more like a night club would have, to make sure everything runs smoothly in a low light situation.  If your practice studio doesn’t have dimmers on their lighting, bring in a couple of lamps from your homes, turn off the studio lights and work the set in low light that way.

• The week of the show:

Band ABC has practiced religiously for the past three weeks.  They are confident and secure in their playing.  They decide to only practice once this week.  They run the set one last time with a couple of trusted friends there for a crowd and also to get feedback.  They work out the one little quibble that their friends mention…the guitarist took longer than everyone thought switching instruments, they adjust and run the set again, except with better filler to mask the guitar change.  They are happy and incredibly secure in their playing. 

They make a point to pack up their gear that night so all they have to do the day of the show is show up at the gig.  This lets them have one less thing to do the day of the show and keeps them fresh and ready to blow the crowd away with their set. 

Your live set is fined tuned.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career.  Enter the Band Toolbox here.

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Kelle Rhoads (Randy Rhoads brother) and Kelly Garni (bassist for Quiet Riot) along with our good friend Ronny North have been rehearsing for their upcoming tour of Japan. They have been rehearsing the songs they’ll be performing for the tribute to the songs of Randy Rhoads.

In this video Kelle Rhoads and Kelly Garni are talking about their experiences here at hothouse rehearsal studios.

This day I shot the video segments of the guys that Japanese TV show Metal Gathering requested for the TV promos of the Tour.  There is a big TV show over in Japan called the Metal Gathering and they need video assets for the commercials they are running for the songs of Randy Rhoads tribute shows.  We shot openings and closings to the show and 12 segments of  interview type material.  Very educational.

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Studio Directory at Hothousestudios.com

Did you know that a part of the band toolbox is a national rehearsal and recording directory?  Why we’ve created this local and national listing of rehearsal studios grows from our desire here at Hothouse Studios to be of service to the music community.  It’s not about us…It’s about you and we understand that at statement. 

 There are lots of choices when considering music rehearsal studios, rooms or space.  What are your needs?   Do you want a monthly lockout or just an hourly rehearsal studio?  What is your budget?   Is there a studio in your city to rehearse in? We list thousands of rehearsal studios with detailed write ups so you can quickly find the best studio to fit your rehearsal needs. 

The directory is completely searchable by category, studio name, city, state, zip code and even area code.  Categories include:  Recording studios, rehearsal studios, stages, lockouts and much more.

Take a look through the studio directory here  

http://www.hothousestudios.com/studios/index.php

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles on various subjects relating to your music career.  Enter the Band Toolbox here.

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is always looking out for your welfare with discounts, promotions and just spreading positivity.  Find out how here.

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Quite often I find bands asking me similar questions.  In a nutshell they were all asking “What they can do to have more effective and efficient rehearsals”.   In this next series of articles in the Band Toolbox, I’ll be sharing information on rehearsal techniques, designed to impact your next showcase or recording.

Here’s an example of an article in the Band Toolbox.  This is an overview article.  In the band toolbox there are articles written specifically about each type of rehearsal mentioned in this overview article.

Types of Rehearsals

 Another point to cover when preparing for rehearsals is to determine the appropriate type of rehearsal to have.  The song is the main determinant. Depending on where a song is categorized on your list of readiness (song idea thru performance ready) will determine the appropriate type of rehearsal to use.  One rehearsal session may incorporate the methods used in the various types of rehearsal. Again the song dictates the type of rehearsal.  So what are these rehearsal types? 

• Jamming rehearsal – new song is introduced, learn chord changes, very loose approach, figuring out what the song should sound and feel like.
• Song writing rehearsal – the band as a whole writes a song.  Similar approach as a jamming rehearsal except you’ll be creating the chord changes on the fly.
• Song Arrangement rehearsals – assign parts and focus on specific sections in the music.  Work in small groups (bass and drums only, drums and vocals only).
• Performance rehearsal – Your live set is fined tuned.
• Pre-production (for recording) rehearsal – here you’re thinking about instrumentation, breaking the song down instrument by instrument, assigning instruments to your track map.
• Technical rehearsal – work on moving smoothly thru your effects processors, instrument changes, and amp settings.
• On camera rehearsal – video a dress rehearsal, practice movements.
• Live radio show rehearsal – work on song introductions, edit song length if necessary, come up with “sound bites”.
• Rehearsals for interviews – have a friend interview the band; get comfortable with answering questions on the fly.

 You are a band, a group of musicians.  The laws of nature say; “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.  Don’t fight Mother Nature. 

Substitute the word “song” for “whole” and you get “the song is greater than the sums of its parts”. When the song sounds great each member of the group will shine within it.

Believe, Decide, Take Action, Get Results

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox is closing in on 100 articles on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career.  Enter the Band Toolbox here.

While other studios are writing so called rehearsal tip articles, there is a major difference between theirs and the Hothouse Band Toolbox articles. The ones I’ve read from other studios are about telling you reasons not to cancel rehearsal on them.  It’s all about them not you.  The Band Toolbox is all about YOU and enhancing your chances of making a career in music.

LA Music Academy (www.lamusicacademy.edu/) announced details for its upcoming annual Summer Program, kicking off June 22nd. The school’s popular summer experience is open to interested drummers, guitarists, bassists and singers ages 10 and up who have received at least one year of private instruction. Besides meeting new friends and expanding their professional networks, students can expect to learn from and play with some of Southern California’s best professional musicians; write and record original music; and will have full access to music clinics and ensemble workshops. Session One, from June 22-26, focuses on Rock, Funk and Blues. Session Two, from June 29-July 3, focuses on Jazz, Fusion and Latin. Each session concludes with a student concert.

“The summer program gives students a great opportunity to see and be involved in a microcosm of what an entire school year would be like,” says LA Music Academy President Tom Aylesbury. He adds, “Our year-round program is outstanding because it challenges and prepares students with an overview of the skills necessary to perform with professional musicians while helping them to see what it takes to develop a successful career in the music business.” Aylesbury added that this is as close as a student can be to the real thing when it comes to a music career.

The Summer Program provides a snapshot of daily life at LA Music Academy, including band workshops with fellow students; ensemble workshops with professional musicians and instructors; playing technique courses; a private half hour lesson with one of the faculty members; clinics and concerts with faculty and special guests; and a visit to a recording studio to record an original tune. Either session is $850 or students can enroll in both for $1450.

For more information visit the web site (www.lamusicacademy.edu/), contact Iris Alba in admissions at 626-568-8850 or email iris@lamusicacademy.edu.

About LA Music Academy
LA Music Academy in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, CA, offers an intimate and friendly, yet serious and rigorous contemporary music education to male and female students 18 and over through its vocal, drum, bass and guitar programs. Founded in 1996, the Academy is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and has provided a solid musical foundation for more than 1,000 international and domestic students. LA Music Academy’s 35 instructors immerse students in practical courses. The Academy offers a significant number of real world playing situations with professional musicians, not just peers, setting the school apart from other prestigious music institutions. LA Music Academy gives its students the skills necessary to apply their learning in a wide variety of professional situations in the music industry.

Contact information:
Los Angeles Music Academy

370 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105

Contact-Person:
Iris Alba
Admissions
Phone: 626-568-8850
E-mail: e-mail

Web: http://www.lamusicacademy.edu

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios
www.hothousestudios.com

This coming Tuesday February 3, Troy High School in Fullerton, Ca will be holding a Battle of the Bands at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, 201 E Chapman Ave Fullerton, CA 92832 (714) 626-3890. The show starts at 6:30pm is an all ages event and the ticket cost is $10 at door. Special performance by Dramarama.

Dramarama will be judging the contest as well as playing a few tunes.
Hothouse Studios is sponsoring the prizes for the event.

First Place Prize: Music video of the band.
First Runner Up: Audio recording.
Second Runner Up: 2 free hours of rehearsal time at Hothouse Studios in Santa Fe Springs, Ca.

All proceeds benefit the Troy Special Ed. Department. Troy High School is the alma mater of Social Distortion and what great group will emerge from this years Battle of the Bands is anyone’s guess. Come on down to the show and take a look for yourself.

Why is Hothouse sponsoring a high school event? First, Hothouse Rehearsal Studios supports education for our young people and especially the great work being done at Troy. Secondly, Hothouse Studios was established to help our local talent achieve their goals.

Troy High is well known for being one of the top 30 High Schools in the country, as well as having the #1 computer science program in the world, yes, the world. What is less known is that Troy has a stellar, absolutely second-to-none Special Education Department. The teachers, staff, and administrators not only do what they can to help make high school the rewarding academic experience it should be, but they also give an enormous amount of their hearts and time to help give the students in the Special Ed program many social and recreational opportunities–dances, parties, camping trips, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, trips to San Diego things that typical high school kids take for granted.

In the past, the department was able to raise their own funds to pay for these adventures so that there was zero or minimal cost to students–many of whom are in foster care or group homes and would otherwise be unable to attend–but the rules have changed and they are no longer able to raise these funds themselves. The Troy ASB has graciously agreed to give the proceeds from the Battle of the Bands to the Special ED Dept.

If you are at all able, please come out and give your support.

What: Troy High School Battle of the Bands
Special performance by Dramarama
When: Tuesday February 3, 2009 at 6:30pm
Where: Plummer Auditorium
201 E Chapman Ave Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 626-3890
Cost: $10 at the door.

For an Unrivaled Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Visit Hothouse Studios

Submissions are free, and the new show is causing a sensation because it is the first talent show to offer artists and bands everywhere an equal chance to win the fame of national TV exposure, a potential record contract, and a $10,000 grand prize. 

Make A Star TV is the first web-to-TV talent show of its kind. It launched as a syndicated program on Fuse TV in December 2008. The 30-minute show is broadcast on Saturdays at 10.30am (EST and PST). The 13 part series concludes in March, when the grand prize winner will be announced.

All the artists and bands using Hothouse Studios are encouraged to enter.  Just shoot a video of yourselves (or have a friend do it), and upload it from any computer.  If you don’t have a computer, you can ask for help at your public library, school or Hothouse Studios. Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is entering into the swing of things, because we want to help local talent make it onto a national stage.

>>> IMPORTANT INFORMATION <<<

Even those without a video camera can participate, because MakeAStar.com also offers the opportunity to sing from a webcam directly into site-based software.

The Original Music Contest’s Audition Phase, allows artists and bands anywhere in the US to get their work exposed on MakeAStar.com, and potentially on TV. The Audition Phase winners will advance to a 4 week face-off (the Hollywood Phase) from which the final winner of the Original Music Contest will emerge on March 14.

“The unique equal chance opportunity of MakeAStar.com and the Make A Star TV show is that an artist or band can upload a video at the beginning of a week at no cost, and at the end of the week find that same video featured on a national TV show because their work impressed the judges and the public” said Dr. Iman Foroutan, inventor of the Make A Star contest platform.

Make A Star’s online contest system is a patented process whereby thousands of videos can be pitted against each other in a bracketed tournament system. All music genres are featured.  In each round, videos getting the most votes each week advance to the next bracket round until the most popular videos emerge to be included in the TV show. The system prevents multiple votes for a single contestant by the same user and provides flexible vote weighting for both fans and industry judges, so contestants get the fairest possible consideration.

Good Luck from Hothouse Rehearsal Studios and www.hothousestudios.com

The show was held at the Masonic Temple in uptown Whittier and this room is known for being difficult to control sound in.  It’s not like in the Hothouse where the studios are purposefully built to have great sound. So Stewart and I pieced together a PA system from his bands equipment and I happened to have an extra monitoring system lying around.

I felt confident with the equipment we had and the knowledge we’ve gained from operating the rehearsal studios that we were going to deliver a pro live sound for all seven of the bands. As a side note it was great to see 5 of the 7 bands performing at the show, rehearse at the Hothouse.

We set the front of house speakers, we set the monitor system, we positioned the microphones (vocals, drums and amps), we ran all the cable, we fired it up, we sound checked the systems and the PA was ready for the show.

Like I said to Stewart from the start, “we’ve been doing this day in and day out for the past 5 years at the studios and we understand how to set up and get the maximum amount of gain, before feedback out of our PA systems”.

Reign of Ruin took the stage, then Apathy in Discord, Enthral, Mirror of Dead Faces, The Funeral Pyre, Azusa and then ANTAGONIST!!!

The show was a massive success and all 7 of the bands were electrifying and lit up the crowd.  It was gratifying when people in the crowd came up to us and said the PA sounds great, “We can actually hear the vocals”. 

Equally as gratifying was when each band gave the Hothouse a shout out from the stage thanking us for delivering a pro sound.  The vocalist especially loved the system since we had a slamming monitor system on stage for them. We knew then we had done our job. 

This was our first gig in terms of the Hothouse crew and equipment being hired out to provide the sound system for a show and what a success it was.

I got to bed at 3am Sunday morning knowing Sunday night in the auditorium showcase studio a groundbreaking event was going to take place. Lots of complex technology involved.