Rehearsing the Group

Continued from How to How Start a Band

Begin Rehearsals
How do you rehearse with a band that doesn't have a bass player or drummer? Play along with a drum machine or pre-recorded tracks. For example, if you don't have a bass player but you do have a drummer record the bass parts yourself. If you don't own a bass borrow one or maybe talk a local musician into recording the parts even if they're not interested in joining your band. Be sure to record a click-track (for timing) along with the bass. The click-track can come from a metronome or drum machine and should be a single sound like a hi-hat or wood block. Start off with a four-count so you and the other musicians will know when the song begins. It will probably be difficult for the drummer to hear the track so they should listen to it through headphones. Consider purchasing a headphone amplifier that will distribute the sound to several sets of headphones. A Behringer HA400 4-channel stereo headphone amplifier sells for $19.95. Record the rehearsal tracks as MP3 files and hook your MP3 player up to the amplifier.

It's a good idea to create a multi-track recording of every song that you learn. That way, if someone can't make it to a rehearsal you can mute all of the tracks but their performance and the click-track and play along with the recording. This recording is also useful for learning new songs. Give each member of the group a recording minus their instrument for them to use as a practice tool.

Before long your group will be ready to find a lead vocalist (unless group members already handle the vocals). The singer is the main link between the band and the audience. A great vocalist is essential for success. That's why I saved the vocalist for last. Rehearse the group until you're able to play several songs perfectly without vocals, otherwise it will be difficult to audition singers. I know this sounds difficult, but the band will be much tighter if you learn songs without listening to vocals. There are two other advantages to rehearsing without a singer. One, if you learn to depend on the vocalist for the arrangement, when the vocalist makes a mistake the band will follow which can end in disaster. Two, if the band needs the singer to sing every song at rehearsal, the singer's voice will be shot when it's time to play gigs. Plus, vocalists are notorious for being difficult to manage. So, when they throw a temper tantrum and storm out of the room you can continue to rehearse without them.

Dividing Responsibility
Once the group is formed, various duties must be divided among band members. Be sure everyone in the group has certain responsibilities, but no one should handle too much of the load. One person must be the bandleader. The leader oversees the whole operation. They must be sure that each member is doing their job and that the "band effort" is organized. Booking agents and club owners only want to deal with one individual, not the entire group. So, the leader must act as the group representative. The leader is also responsible for hiring and firing. Although the group usually decides who is to be hired or fired, the leader often has the responsibility to carry out the band's wishes. Continue