Have you ever tried writing a song/working out an idea with your band in a science lab? How about defining a great guitar solo in the middle of an arts and crafts store? These are really crazy ideas, and it it might seem ridiculous that I even pose this question, but the point is this: If you would not choose to be creative in places such as these, why would you want to be creative in a negative environment?
If you have ever been to Soundcheck, one of the first things you will notice is how clean it is and the extra effort we go through to make the VIBE RIGHT. Vibe is very important to musical creativity, and it is proven that positive environments are responsible for all kinds of breakthroughs in the world.
I read an article recently on how some of the most productive entrepreneurs/musicians/creatives in the world CONSTANTLY rearrange furniture in their offices to make the VIBE RIGHT for creativity. Why would you want to suffer a bad vibe for your music?
If you need some good vibes at your rehearsal studio, you should seriously consider renting from us. Give us a call at (713) 396-2473. You can also visit us on the web at bandpracticerooms.com!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Writing Material In Your Rehearsal Space
When I was a kid, my favorite thing to do was "jam." By that, I mean I would cram myself and a few friends into a bedroom, we would all take turns playing new riffs we came up with, and eventually a rough version of a song would emerge. It was necessary to our musical development, and was a dang good time.
Skip forward a few years, and I am playing with established recording artists. This time, I am in a real recording studio. The creative process went down far different. The focus was on the arrangement of the song, and not the "riff."
I say all this in the context of a band rehearsal: the creative band rehearsal. I think it is very important to break up the process BEFORE the entire band shows up for rehearsal. Pick a producer, or band leader, to come up with an arrangement. Be careful about where the guitar, keys, or drums do their fills. Ultimately, it will help you be a better band.
If you want to see what a great rehearsal should feel like, give us a call at 713-396-2473 or visit us on the web at bandpracticerooms.com!
Skip forward a few years, and I am playing with established recording artists. This time, I am in a real recording studio. The creative process went down far different. The focus was on the arrangement of the song, and not the "riff."
I say all this in the context of a band rehearsal: the creative band rehearsal. I think it is very important to break up the process BEFORE the entire band shows up for rehearsal. Pick a producer, or band leader, to come up with an arrangement. Be careful about where the guitar, keys, or drums do their fills. Ultimately, it will help you be a better band.
If you want to see what a great rehearsal should feel like, give us a call at 713-396-2473 or visit us on the web at bandpracticerooms.com!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Practice Like A Pro In Your Rehearsal Space
Thursday night always seems like the night that bands want to rehearse. The reasons vary (shows that weekend, good night to play some tunes/have a brew with your bandmates, thursday is the new friday..), but one thing to keep in mind that quality always trumps quantity.
For example, if you want to be a pro band, you should rehearse like a pro band. After touring for many years as a sideman and recording artist, I can tell you first hand that tours are put together far different than you might imagine. From set list, to lighting ques, to stage set up, etc....it seems you rehearse the technical aspects more than the music.
Back to my point. If you want to take your music to the next level, the music needs to be worked out first. As a band, I would spend the majority of my time honing an exact set of songs to near perfection. After that, add other elements. Where this fits into the discussion is simple: do not just practice on Thursday night to jam, practice however much you have to to get to the next production aspect on the list. I will be covering some of these in future blog posts.
By the way, if you are looking for a great place not just to rehearse music (and your future concert tour), Soundcheck is the one place you do not want to miss. Give us a call at (713) 396-2473 or at bandpracticerooms.com!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Hourly Rehearsal Studios in Houston
Once upon a time, I used to have to rent an hourly rehearsal space at a certain rehearsal studio in Houston. The problem was that the room was small, dingy, reaked of cigarette smoke (which I am allergic to) and WAS VERY EXPENSIVE!
To make matters worse, the owner was a huge jerk who treated his clients as if they did not matter and that he did not want them. It always bothered me that I was spending good money at his establishment and receive poor quality service and treatment.
Hourly rehearsals at Soundcheck Music Complex are a lot better than that. You see, for every 2 rehearsals in a calendar month, your third rehearsal is FREE. Yes, you read that right. ABSOLUTELY FREE. We value your time and hard earned money, and want to give you the greatest experience and value for your dollar. Did we also mention that our studio is large, has concert lighting, and has an all around great vibe?!?
Give us a call to book today at 713-396-2473 or reach out to us at bandpracticerooms.com!
Rehearsal Studios in Houston
All rehearsal studios are NOT created equal. It really does matter if the a/c system works properly, if the doors used for your studio are secure, if there is underlayment below the carpet to kill lower frequencies from entering into your creative space, if there is reinforcement between the studs to keep the walls secure, and the list goes on and on.....
I spoke to a potential customer recently who could not understand why his private studio business was not flourishing at a certain studio in town. As we discussed his situation more in depth, it became clear that his clients were scared of the location, the type of activities allowed on the premises, and disliked the terrible odors in the bathrooms and halls.
One reason I started Soundcheck is I hated all of those problems just as much; after years of practicing in studios in Houston that were terrible...it was time for a change.
Give us a call at 713-396-2473; we will exceed your expectations in quality and service. You can also check us out on the web at bandpracticerooms.com.
I spoke to a potential customer recently who could not understand why his private studio business was not flourishing at a certain studio in town. As we discussed his situation more in depth, it became clear that his clients were scared of the location, the type of activities allowed on the premises, and disliked the terrible odors in the bathrooms and halls.
One reason I started Soundcheck is I hated all of those problems just as much; after years of practicing in studios in Houston that were terrible...it was time for a change.
Give us a call at 713-396-2473; we will exceed your expectations in quality and service. You can also check us out on the web at bandpracticerooms.com.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Monthly Rehearsal Studios
If you are reading this blog, chances are you are looking for a monthly rehearsal studio. At Soundcheck, we specialize in providing the highest quality, cleanest, and safest experience for our clients. With a number of years, and locations in our brand, we would like to think we have learned a thing or two on how to make the best use of a rehearsal studio. Whether you are a tenant of Soundcheck, or another studio, these same tips apply across the board. Enjoy!
1. Why is a 24 hour facility important?
Long before I owned rehearsal studios, I was a musician. A touring musician, at that. Nothing was worse after coming home from 2 weeks on the road than having to leave my car loaded down with gear (because there was no space for it in my house), until my storage unit was "open" to drop it off. I cant tell you how many horror stories we receive of bands leaving gear in a car....that gets stolen. The main advantage of having a rehearsal studio that is open 24 hours is you can always bring your gear back to your studio on YOUR time schedule. Or, if you are a night owl, playing Stairway at full volume at 3 am.
2. We can share the space with 3 other bands.
Yeah. Right. Quality is better than quantity. We often see bands "running into each other" for a rehearsal. It's never a pretty sight. If you take your art seriously, try to not share a room with too many other bands. They will do all the rehearsing, and you will do all the waiting.
3. Couches and Guitar cases.
I actually rent a studio from myself, and I have learned to use some pretty cool methods to maximize space and gear "extras" such as cases and couches. With a few dollars at home depot, you can purchase latches that combine your flight cases into a stackable platform to either stack your amps OR attaching a leather top. Since we use carpet on the walls at Soundcheck, that is our couch back and we have cushions we cover in leather to afix to the top of the cases. It's a cheap, but very useful, way to use your unused gear to your advantage...... and to save money from renting a room that is too big for your budget.
4. P.A.'s. Why?
You do not need a PA in your rehearsal studio. You need a vocal monitor. Plain and simple. I still have yet to figure out why bands have PA's anymore. Most decent clubs have their own sound systems, and I would hope if you are renting a rehearsal studio, you are getting gigs at those clubs. If you have one, sell everything but your mics, cables, board, and a couple of monitors. The mains and subs will only ruin a rehearsal for how you really sound, and the point is to practice to get better.
We have a ton more tips coming your way, so stay tuned at BANDPRACTICEROOMS.COM. Thanks!
1. Why is a 24 hour facility important?
Long before I owned rehearsal studios, I was a musician. A touring musician, at that. Nothing was worse after coming home from 2 weeks on the road than having to leave my car loaded down with gear (because there was no space for it in my house), until my storage unit was "open" to drop it off. I cant tell you how many horror stories we receive of bands leaving gear in a car....that gets stolen. The main advantage of having a rehearsal studio that is open 24 hours is you can always bring your gear back to your studio on YOUR time schedule. Or, if you are a night owl, playing Stairway at full volume at 3 am.
2. We can share the space with 3 other bands.
Yeah. Right. Quality is better than quantity. We often see bands "running into each other" for a rehearsal. It's never a pretty sight. If you take your art seriously, try to not share a room with too many other bands. They will do all the rehearsing, and you will do all the waiting.
3. Couches and Guitar cases.
I actually rent a studio from myself, and I have learned to use some pretty cool methods to maximize space and gear "extras" such as cases and couches. With a few dollars at home depot, you can purchase latches that combine your flight cases into a stackable platform to either stack your amps OR attaching a leather top. Since we use carpet on the walls at Soundcheck, that is our couch back and we have cushions we cover in leather to afix to the top of the cases. It's a cheap, but very useful, way to use your unused gear to your advantage...... and to save money from renting a room that is too big for your budget.
4. P.A.'s. Why?
You do not need a PA in your rehearsal studio. You need a vocal monitor. Plain and simple. I still have yet to figure out why bands have PA's anymore. Most decent clubs have their own sound systems, and I would hope if you are renting a rehearsal studio, you are getting gigs at those clubs. If you have one, sell everything but your mics, cables, board, and a couple of monitors. The mains and subs will only ruin a rehearsal for how you really sound, and the point is to practice to get better.
We have a ton more tips coming your way, so stay tuned at BANDPRACTICEROOMS.COM. Thanks!
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