Red carpets are essential to hide unexplainable stains

Welcome back!

Last week we looked at some tips on starting or joining a band. This week, we’re looking at one of the most important things a band must do effectively but is often taken for granted – the rehearsals!

All successful bands and musicians follow a well structured and disciplined rehearsal schedule, no matter how ‘rock and roll’ they are on stage. Here’s a few pointers to help you on your way.

Of course, I should start by mentioning about hearing protection.
I have been a professional musician for 12 years and have suffered a little hearing damage which was mainly through not bothering to use ear filters (not plugs) in the beginning whilst out playing 6 nights a week.
I now use in ear monitoring which is the best thing since sliced bread (though sliced bread gets all sticky in your ears) and it will stop me from going deaf.

Rehearse – rehearse, rehearse…
When booking a rehearsal – especially the first one – try to book into a proper rehearsal venue, even if you do this only once, which means - not your house, your mate’s house or the local pig-farm where they’ve “done out a room for bands”.

A professional venue will set the tone for the practice and show you what it’s like to ‘go to work’ as a band and a neutral territory keeps everyone’s mind on the job.
It should also have everything you need and all the things you haven’t thought of – spare strings, ear filters, spare cables, sticks, picks, water, tea/coffee, snacks… try to avoid taking alcohol though as it risks the night becoming a party and a massive waste of time (unless it’s an awesome party, but I doubt it).
If you’re not careful, you will build associations with playing or going on stage and ‘having a beer to calm the nerves’ which is not good professional  practice for a ‘serious band’.
Once you are at the rehearsal, the most important thing to do is to rehearse!!

Rehearse before the rehearsal!
“What??” I hear you crying out with your mouths wide open, aghast at the paradoxical concept I put before you, but be at ease and I shall explain…

There is nothing worse and infuriating than turning up to a rehearsal where any one of the band members have learnt the song or worked on their part and we all have to sit there while you work out the chords to the bridge or ‘quickly go on the internet to find the words to the 4th verse… if you can’t learn them, PRINT THEM OUT BEFOREHAND.
It shows a lack of attention, commitment and respect for the others who bothered to put the time in and, excuses only make it worse.

Do everyone including yourselves a favour and do the work required so you can MAXIMISE the limited time you have together.

Be disciplined!
What this means is to make sure you don’t waste your time messing about playing ‘Postman Pat‘ or focusing on lower priority elements that can be sorted outside of the studio where you might be paying per hour.
If a great idea comes up, it’s not a bad thing to go with it and see what happens  - maybe record it and work on it later (more on that to come). Also, don’t underestimate taking a
5 minute break once or twice – it does wonders for your tired ears and perspective on the music.
It’s going to take a long time to get you sounding anything like a band and there’s a lot of competition out there so let’s not waste time eh?  It’s going to take a little while to get you sounding ‘tight’.

'Toight, like a tiger'

 Record yourselves!
As a band, how do you know what  you sound like?

Pick an answer:
a) you can hear yourselves
b) your friends tell you
c) your mum tells you
d) you record yourselves and listen back

All of the above are good feedback, but the best way to really hear yourselves is to record a rehearsal. Nothing fancy, just a microphone or a phone in the centre of the room and hit record.  Listen to the arrangements, do they work? Is there something missing? Does it excite you or bore you? Does the song work? Is it too long/short?
If you don’t like it, don’t expect anyone else to!

So many questions, but if you start asking yourself these (and only YOU can answer them) you will be well on the way to getting ready for your first gig…

More next week!

JW

Hi all,

In case you’re not aware, there has recently been some fantastic news from the Musician’s Union for musicians and gig-watchers in the UK.

It involves a change to the strict licensing laws which venues have to adhere to in order to put on live music anywhere – basically, it has become a lot easier, less bureaucratic and cheaper for a venue to put on a gig!
The full story…

In light of this, I have decided to post a few pointers for those of you who want to start a band or join a band and take your first step to local stardom…

Wanted: band member - must be reliable, sociable, level headed. Don't we all?

1) Get out there!!

Now this sounds pretty straightforward, but I get asked quite often
“how do you join/start a band”?

If you don’t have any friends (musical ones at least) and have scoured the local free-ads and internet sites, one of the best places to start is at your local jam night.  These places are brilliant training grounds for new performers cutting their teeth.  A good jam night will usually be run by an experienced musician(s) and will have a full backline (amps, drums) and a PA.  It is also a great place to find local musicians of all levels and a lot of them are looking to join or start a band…! You might even find some pros or ex-touring musos there too, all of them with much experience to share.
You will be pant-wettingly nervous and try to talk yourself out of it, but do yourself a favour and just GO! You don’t have to play. Maybe next time you could, but it’s good to meet everyone first.  These events need supporting as much as possible anyway, so just by being there (and buying a drink) you are contributing to your local music scene (check age restrictions first).

When you are ready, the usual etiquette is to find the ‘jam leader’ and put down your name and instrument(s) you would like to play.  You will then be called out to play with other participants (usually the house band if it’s your first time) and either make something up on the spot, or play a song with a basic chord format so it’s easy for everyone to follow.
Tip – learn the 12 bar blues (in A)

A | A | A | A
D | D | A | A
E | D | A | E

This is more than likely to crop up during the evening and is a great ice-breaker before you get crazy with the funk!

crazy with the funk

If you want to solo, wait for…

‘THE NOD’
The NOD is a very important tool in the musician’s arsenal.  It is a simple movement of the head, yet it can mean a myriad of so many different things -
“Your turn”, “are you ready…?” “shut up” “your amp’s on fire”…

basically, it’s a form of communication, and this is extremely important when you are on stage and jam nights are where you learn things like this.
You’ll also learn that onstage volumes and mixes are COMPLETELY different to what you hear as an audience member and it might throw you at first…

It may take a while, but if you attend regularly, talk to people and respect everyone’s abilities you will make some good friends, some of which might end up being your bandmates, and when you do, it will be time to rehearse… 

More on that next week!

JW

There are some of us in the guitar playing community who just enjoy a strum every now and again (who doesn’t?) and then others who like to put a more formal structure around their playing – neither of which are better than the other.

I do however, think that there is one detail that everyone should pay a little mind to, and that is… timing!!

So, what is timing?

(definition from google)

• The choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done

So, the important words in there are choice and judgement and control.

Well, maybe – but if you are playing with other musicians or along to a track, or you just want your music to flow timing is EVERYTHING!

Of course, you might say “But John, I’m a LEAD guitarist – I don’t care for any of that RHYTHM nonsense – what are you chatting about, fool??”

My answer would be that you’re the fool -

He will pity you

Music is primarily about the rhythm as far as I’m concerned, the rest comes after that.
Chords, melodies, solos, drum beats, bass lines… it’s got to groove, feel right and of course, be in time.

Next time you practice, put on a metronome, or even better a drum beat and try playing along with it. Listen to the overall picture – are you in time? Does it groove?

JW

Hi all!

Xmas is coming up sooner than we all want to admit and soon you may be pondering over the perfect pressie for your beloved or befriended.
If you are thinking of something musically inclined, you might be pleased to know that your town (Felixstowe!) has a ‘smorgasbord’ of professional talent bursting to share knowledge, experience and maybe even tea/coffee!
Have you considered buying… music lesson gift vouchers?
More and more, I sell vouchers for guitar lessons throughout the year because they are such a thoughtful and unique gift!
You can start with a 30 minute taster session, or purchase a whole 10 week course – it’s up to you!

For more information, please feel free to give me a call.

JW

John Wilmshurst is a professional guitar tutor and has taught literally hundreds of students of all ages since 1999.
Visit him online at www.johnwilmshurst.com

“Can you be ‘qualified‘ to make music?” asks guitar tutor John Wilmshurst.

While most people studying an instrument are happy just to learn for fun, some of you will be thinking about taking music exams.
There are pros and cons to this, you decide which is which:

• Exams enforce structure in your study
• You get official recognition and satisfaction for your efforts, if you pass
• Grades count towards UCAS points
• Exams and books increase the financial commitment to your lessons
• Studying from books can make your playing more clinically correct
• An exam date adds deadlines and pressure

A grade 8 student is always applauded for their discipline and commitment to study, but few can also play with the ‘feel’ of a dedicated musician who practices all night trying to get ‘that sound’ which turns them on.
There is no ‘right’ way to learn, but I do follow one golden rule:

Remember why you wanted to learn to play in the first place.

John Wilmshurst, Guitar Tutor

Just a quick post to mention my FREE ONLINE guitar lessons I’ve got going on here!

It’s in the navigation menu at the top – check it out!

Feedback is always welcome of course and if there’s anything in particular you would like me to write, please contact me.

JW