Cool rehearsal trick

rhinocaster · May 3rd, 2008, 12:22 AM

A few years ago, my band began rehearsing without mics. We were always a loud band and we tended to rush along at a breakneck pace.

Once we started rehearsing without any vocal amplification, an amazing thing happened. We started playing more quietly and everyone started to key off of the vocals. The pacing of songs was better. The tone of everyones instruments got better. The singing got better and we became much more connected as a band.

Across the board, our musical maturity went WAY up.

All of this has translated to shows when the vocals were mic'd. We don't make the singer shout, and we have a much wider tonal palatte to choose from now that we don't have to hit the overdrive and blast to be heard over the band when soloing.

If you find yourself fighting and losing the battle of volume escalation in your band, you might give it a try.

boneyguy · May 3rd, 2008, 01:03 AM

Nice trick. It's a real delight when you play with other folks who get the dynamic thing in a real way. In my experience lots of players pay the dynamics concept lip service but don't really walk the talk. You guys found a simple and effective way of gettin to the point.

In terms of volume I've observed something over the years as a performer and as an audience member. There are two extremes at either end of a spectrum of how volume affects the audience.

At one end of the spectrum the audience is drawn toward the band and at the other end the band moves toward the audience. I think both are valid ways of connecting that each have a very different feel to them for both the performer and the listener.
I personally prefer drawing the audience in and one of the best ways to do that is to play with the right amount of volume so that they actually have to sit forward just a little and pay attention rather than walloping them with sound so they sit back in a more passive way.

It's nice to play with that whole spectrum of volume and dynamics and then you create a sort of back and forth dance with the listeners. Good stuff.

woodman · May 3rd, 2008, 01:05 AM

i've had that happen in a few bands, and they were the strongest vocal bands i've been in. locking in the unamplified resonance helps the vocalists, and the instrumentalists learn to stay out of the way. good on ya!

rhinocaster · May 3rd, 2008, 12:08 PM

I think that it's important to be critical of your sound, and focus on the things you don't do well. It's the only way to improve. Sometimes that means you have to be creative in your approach.

Almost every local and regional band I've seen could improve in some area. I would say that most of them have a lot of work to do. I wonder if they're aware of it. I wonder if they really try to get better.

Charlie Bernstein · May 3rd, 2008, 01:17 PM

I like it. I used to go to friends' houses where they were having acoustic jams and felt compelled to mic the vocals. In a living room?!?

It's gotta sound good unamplified first. I like your idea.

bonefish · May 3rd, 2008, 05:25 PM

we've taken to doing that lately too, more for logistical reasons (bass player can't get down the stairs to my studio, so we rehearse in his trailer). our drummers got an old round suitcase he bolted a kick pedal to, i play acoustic or a tiny practice amp, no mics. definite improvement of the amount accomplished.

doster · May 3rd, 2008, 06:04 PM

What a great suggestion. We always seem to really fight the gradual increase of volume as the rehearsal progresses.
Thanks very much.

rhinocaster · May 3rd, 2008, 06:13 PM

It may be tough sell with your band mates at first, but when I did it the first time, I just plugged in and started singing along with my playing. Everyone naturally fell in at a level where the singing could be heard.

I was surprised to find that the band enjoyed playing this way so much. You end up will a really cool vibe, and you can make progress that's very difficult to accomplish with all guns blazing.

Paul in Colorado · May 4th, 2008, 11:17 AM

Good advice. I never really thought about it before, but I think every band I'm in rehearses acousticly from time to time. It certainly helps the vocals. One of the best bands I was ever in used to practice in the guitar player's bedroom so it was close quarters. We plugged into two amps between us and sang without microphones.

May 3rd, 2008, 12:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
rhinocaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Age: 44 Posts: 1,212	Cool rehearsal trick A few years ago, my band began rehearsing without mics. We were always a loud band and we tended to rush along at a breakneck pace. Once we started rehearsing without any vocal amplification, an amazing thing happened. We started playing more quietly and everyone started to key off of the vocals. The pacing of songs was better. The tone of everyones instruments got better. The singing got better and we became much more connected as a band. Across the board, our musical maturity went WAY up. All of this has translated to shows when the vocals were mic'd. We don't make the singer shout, and we have a much wider tonal palatte to choose from now that we don't have to hit the overdrive and blast to be heard over the band when soloing. If you find yourself fighting and losing the battle of volume escalation in your band, you might give it a try. __________________ Just because I "Don't" get it doesn't mean I "Won't" get it!

May 3rd, 2008, 01:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,727	Nice trick. It's a real delight when you play with other folks who get the dynamic thing in a real way. In my experience lots of players pay the dynamics concept lip service but don't really walk the talk. You guys found a simple and effective way of gettin to the point. In terms of volume I've observed something over the years as a performer and as an audience member. There are two extremes at either end of a spectrum of how volume affects the audience. At one end of the spectrum the audience is drawn toward the band and at the other end the band moves toward the audience. I think both are valid ways of connecting that each have a very different feel to them for both the performer and the listener. I personally prefer drawing the audience in and one of the best ways to do that is to play with the right amount of volume so that they actually have to sit forward just a little and pay attention rather than walloping them with sound so they sit back in a more passive way. It's nice to play with that whole spectrum of volume and dynamics and then you create a sort of back and forth dance with the listeners. Good stuff. __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

May 3rd, 2008, 01:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,801	i've had that happen in a few bands, and they were the strongest vocal bands i've been in. locking in the unamplified resonance helps the vocalists, and the instrumentalists learn to stay out of the way. good on ya! __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 3rd, 2008, 12:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
rhinocaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Age: 44 Posts: 1,212	I think that it's important to be critical of your sound, and focus on the things you don't do well. It's the only way to improve. Sometimes that means you have to be creative in your approach. Almost every local and regional band I've seen could improve in some area. I would say that most of them have a lot of work to do. I wonder if they're aware of it. I wonder if they really try to get better. __________________ Just because I "Don't" get it doesn't mean I "Won't" get it!

May 3rd, 2008, 06:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
doster Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 288	What a great suggestion. We always seem to really fight the gradual increase of volume as the rehearsal progresses. Thanks very much. __________________ “You don't find a style, ... a style finds you.” Keith Richards

May 3rd, 2008, 01:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 2,459	I like it. I used to go to friends' houses where they were having acoustic jams and felt compelled to mic the vocals. In a living room?!? It's gotta sound good unamplified first. I like your idea.

May 3rd, 2008, 05:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
bonefish TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whitewood, SD Age: 39 Posts: 49	we've taken to doing that lately too, more for logistical reasons (bass player can't get down the stairs to my studio, so we rehearse in his trailer). our drummers got an old round suitcase he bolted a kick pedal to, i play acoustic or a tiny practice amp, no mics. definite improvement of the amount accomplished.

May 3rd, 2008, 06:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
rhinocaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Age: 44 Posts: 1,212	It may be tough sell with your band mates at first, but when I did it the first time, I just plugged in and started singing along with my playing. Everyone naturally fell in at a level where the singing could be heard. I was surprised to find that the band enjoyed playing this way so much. You end up will a really cool vibe, and you can make progress that's very difficult to accomplish with all guns blazing. __________________ Just because I "Don't" get it doesn't mean I "Won't" get it!

May 4th, 2008, 11:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,222 3 Photos	Good advice. I never really thought about it before, but I think every band I'm in rehearses acousticly from time to time. It certainly helps the vocals. One of the best bands I was ever in used to practice in the guitar player's bedroom so it was close quarters. We plugged into two amps between us and sang without microphones. __________________ www.tuatha.net