Blog 2: Growing as a musician; a reflection upon rehearsal practices

The only way to get better is to practice. There are very few musicians who would disagree with you. Performers put in hundreds of hours of rehearsal and individual practice into incredible productions like those one would see on Broadway or in an arena, and so do the performers who play to the smallest clubs and bars imaginable. Though they all rehearse, the question arises; what are the best rehearsal practices?

While performing with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps this summer, I paid very close attention to the way our rehearsals were run and then compared those practices with the results and general morale of the ensemble. The best way to describe the optimal rehearsal is relaxed but structured and goal oriented. With blocks of rehearsal occasionally going as long as 4 hours, the time must also be engaging the entire time. Both the director of the rehearsal, the other staff members involved, and the students have to present a high level of energy in order to keep rehearsal from being wasted or unproductive. The results of this positive rehearsal culture were on par with the work put in, as the group was a top 12 drum corps and a highly competitive percussion ensemble. The rehearsal practices proved effective.

While the sheer amount of rehearsal is very difficult to replicate outside of drum corps, the rehearsal practices are very applicable to every day musicians, as well as members of any sort of rehearsed-ensemble. If the rehearsal has set goals and high energy, it is bound to be productive. This sort of productivity can only improve the quality of art and performance seen in the world regularly. Structure, positive energy, and commitment to excellence are the keys.