`REHEARSALS`

Once you've got your core band members, set up a rehearsal schedule. Play as a group at least one day a week, more if you can swing it. Decide who writes original songs or who chooses the cover songs. Give each other assignments, getting lyrics, writing chord charts, etc. Be open to bringing in other musicians for added influences. Use the rehearsal time only for things that should be done by the group together. Make sure everyone gets along, any seething bad vibes will only surface eventually. Set up some basic ground rules, for the sake of everyone's sanity. Favorite rules are:

1. No girlfriends/boyfriends at rehearsals. Too distracting. 2. No noodling at volume (turn amps down while noodling). 3. No partying until the days work is done. 4. Pay your fair share on time. 5. Take votes on issues under contention. 6. Be ontime. 7. If you cancel rehearsal, call all the others within some reasonable time. 8. Bring food money, because you will get hungry. 8. Commit to the project.

Of course, you can throw out all the rules, but remember that you can't later get upset at somebody for doing things that weren't identified earlier as bad form. If you didn't ask your singer for a commitment to the band, you can't be mad if he bails. Remenber that musicians are notorious for not communicating clearly. Keep that in mind.

HINT: Things can move quickly if a core group meets periodically to go over tunes quietly, like with acoustic guitars in a living room. The extra work will save time at rehearsal, where you don't want to waste time. When the amps are warmed up, it's hard to keep everybody calm and productive, because the urge to cut loose is undeniable. A healthy dose of fun is a must, if rehearsal gets to be a drag, expect members to start dropping out.

This may seem obvious, but TUNE UP frequently. Have an electronic tuner always handy. Each musician should keep his cables working, and his gear should not buzz or crackle. Work out the fancy gear issues at home, not in rehearsal. Keep a lid on the VOLUME while working out ideas, you will be more productive. When you think you got it right, then turn up to get the visceral volume excitement you need. This will save you much anguish.

If your band does covers (other peoples music) , have a playback system in the room along with the original recording. A boom box works fine. Refer to the original as needed. Decide, as a group, if you're going to copy it straight or with a twist. Bring new life to it if possible.

If your band does originals, have the writers work on the tunes at home, playing into a cassette recorder. The cassette will be a working tape at rehearsal, open to interpretation by the rest of the band. Collaborating on the songs will be good for the band, because then each player feels creatively invested. And it's more fun. Only if you have a genius among you should you allow one person to dictate every little musical thing.

Band rehearsals can be some of the funnest times of your life. If you are not REALLY enjoying it, you are doing it WRONG.

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