What To Bring To A Band Rehearsal Studio ⋆ Chromatic Dreamers

So, you got a band together, you picked out some songs to learn, and now you’re ready to book a rehearsal room. You just need to head there and jam out…right?

While rehearsal rooms are certainly set up in a way to accommodate casual practices, it will NOT have everything you need. They will definitely have mics and amps, and usually a drumkit, but anything else is a toss up.

Don’t waste time and money coming unprepared. Here’s what you will definitely need and some other things to consider.

1. Your Instrument (Unless You Are The Drummer)

I was hesitant to put the most obvious on the list, but just in case, make sure you bring your instrument. Some rehearsal spaces have instruments you can rent, and most do have keyboards, but I would assume you would want to practice with your own instrument, the one you will be playing for recordings and performances, so don’t forget it! If you’re a guitarist, you may opt to bring your pedals as well.

If you are the drummer, the majority of rooms I’ve seen always have a drum kit, but be sure to double check and ask. Maybe they have rooms without kits to accommodate choirs or dancers, or the kit doesn’t have cymbals (I’ve seen this). So be sure to do your research so your practice runs smoothly.

2. Cables (And A Spare)

Yes, rehearsal rooms have amps, big fancy amps even! But cables are not included in these rooms. Most will have cables for rent, but you’d save yourself the money by just remembering to bring your own when you pack your instrument.

If anything, you should have multiple cables so maybe just keep one or two in your bag so you don’t have to unplug your home set up. Cables may work one day and not the next, so be sure you have a spare for you or your bandmates.

3. Vibration Tuner/Tuning Pedal

A lot of beginners tend to use free tuning apps, and that’s great and all…until you need to tune in a loud environment where other instruments are setting up and playing as well. You will definitely need to tune after transporting your instrument as the pegs may have adjusted in it’s bag.

I would definitely recommend a clip on tuner that works via vibration (I personally LOVE the Snark ST-2 Super Tight Chromatic tuner pictured below. I have two, and bought one for the bassist), or a tuning pedal that you plug in and it let’s you know the output of the string. These allow you to tune anytime, anywhere.

For more information on what tuner may be best for you and your situation, check out my article where I share the pros and cons between phone apps, clip-ons, and pedals!

4. Spare Strings & Maintenance Tools

You never know when a string may break, and it would really suck for that to happen early on in rehearsal and you can’t continue on. If you’re ever leaving your house with your instrument, whether it’s for practice, or a performance, or a trip abroad, you need to have a spare set of strings and maintenance tools with you. It will always be cheaper to buy your own strings and be able to change them yourself.

Depending on your instrument, you may also consider carrying other spares or tools with you. A drummer may bring an extra kick pedal in case the one in the room is a bit broken (we’ve had this issue once). So just consider your needs seriously and bring spares.

5. Earplugs

My band members thought I was a bit extra when I excitedly showed them a picture of the colourful pack of earplugs I bought before our first rehearsal…but boy, were they so grateful once our drummer started playing around. A couple of them forgot them at our second rehearsal and came begging for some, but they were lucky I’m always prepared with extra disposable ones.

Having been in drum line for 2 years during high school, I know just how loud drums can be. Perhaps you have a guitarist who loves to crank their amp and go crazy as well. As a musician, you really don’t want to damage your ears, especially early on in your career.

Earplugs may be a little annoying at first and it’s hard to communicate with each other, but you’ll get used to it. You will need to wear plugs or monitors if you ever perform on a big stage anyways!

If you look carefully, we are all wearing earplugs~

6. Print Outs Or A Tablet

Whether it’s lyrics, tabs, chords, sheet music etc, having a printed copy during rehearsal is great for reference. A tablet is a great way to save paper and it sits perfectly on a music stand like pictured below. Most rehearsal rooms have free Wi-Fi which makes them the perfect companion that could even fit in your guitar bag.

Sure, your phone is always an option, but when you’re playing, it can be difficult to follow along on such a small screen. Even if you have things memorized, your band may decide to change something, or you may make notes of what you need to improve on for next time.

Bassist borrowing my tablet and drummer has his score so he knows where we are in the song. Drummer also has his tabs printed out as a reference.

7. Water & ‘Clean’ Snacks

A lot of rehearsal studios have a 2-hour minimum, and if you don’t get to meet your band often, you may aim for 3 or 4-hour rehearsals. Regardless, you’re going to be in that room for a while, and you’re not going to waste your time and money to leave for food, so be sure you bring a little something to hold you until your next meal.

By clean snacks, I mean something that isn’t dusty or sticky so you don’t dirty up your gear. Anything with a wrapper like a granola bar or gummies are a nice option. The room may also be a little dusty and dingy, or you may be jumping around as you work on your performances, so be sure to have some kind of beverage around to keep you hydrated.

8. Some Kind Of Schedule Or Goal

You are paying for this space. The last thing you want to do is waste 3 hours and $75 going in circles or playing songs that aren’t even on your setlist.

If you are just here to jam, feel free to use the time as you wish, but if you are a band that intends to get somewhere, be sure your band knows what they should have ready for the day, and set a schedule of when you’ll practice what. This will make sure everyone comes in ready and focused so you can make the most of this time.

Just In Case: A Sweater

You don’t get to control the temperature in these rooms. Some may have the AC blasting, while other’s may be a little too warm. A cool room may feel nice initially, but since you won’t be moving much for the next couple hours, it may get to you, and you’ll actually start shivering, and you can’t play that well. So be sure to wear layers or bring a sweater, just in case.