1.

Rehearsal Space:Preparation for a rehearsal starts long before the actual

rehearsal. First you need to get a good rehearsal space. Depending on the size
of the group, that could be your house, a recording or rehearsal studio, a church
or a hall auditorium. Things to consider include good lighting, ventilation,
acoustics and musical and sound equipment.
2. Musicians: Next, you need to organize the people you need to come to the
rehearsal. That usually happens weeks ahead through email, texts and phone
calls. People are busy. Make sure you give all involved the necessary lead time
for them to be there. With my church worship team and sound people, I usually
book them 4-8 weeks in advance.
3. Songs: Picking the songs is another important step in the process. Questions
that you should ask yourself include: Are these the best worship songs for this
situation? Will these songs works for my congregation? What does God want?
Can the band and singers successfully perform this style? Is this the best key
for this song? What is the best tempo and metronome marking for this song?
For more ideas on picking great worship songs, see my blog on What Ive
Learned About Picking New Songs For Worship
4. Charts: Next you need to prepare the charts. Different band operate with
different charts. In my early years, we didnt have charts. We played everything
by ear. Someone lead a song and we just picked it up by listening. Later on
someone wrote out the music and we followed along. Today many worship
bands use words topped with the chords. I personally prefer a full vocal chart
with notes, words, form and chords. The more time you spend working on a
great chart and arrangement, the less time you need to work on explaining those
details to the band in your rehearsal. Great charts make for a much more
efficient rehearsal. Personally, I never use other peoples charts. Most charts
have mistakes. I always make my own charts and tailor them to how I want the
music to go. I also make special capo parts for acoustic guitar players.
5. Distributing Charts: Once the charts are written. I put the charts online
in Dropbox in a pdf form and either give the band links to download them or I
directly email them. Then I send notes to the players about which areas will
probably need their attention. I also photocopy all the charts and bring them
with me to rehearsal.
6. PreRehearsal: The sooner the band gets the charts and links to the music (i.e.
MP3s and/or Youtube) the more chance they have to rehearse. My habit has
been to send out the music for Sunday on the Monday before. My midweek

rehearsals have usually been on Thursday, so that gives the musicians and
singers 4 days to prepare. Some people send out the lists weeks in advance. But
I personally find that most people dont rehearse until a day or two before the
rehearsal.
7. Leaders Preparation: The next most important step is the personal
preparation of the leader. As a leader, you should know the music inside and
out. I take time to know what the drummers groove should be, the basic bass
patterns, what each vocalist should be singing and the form of the song;
including the intro, ending and exact tempo. Other areas to know would be the
lead lines for the keys and the lead guitar and the basic strumming and playing
patterns you want each player to play. The more you know the music and what
you want from each player and singer, the better results you will get.
8. The Rehearsal: The next step is the actual rehearsal. Start and end on time! Be
highly organized and keep the rehearsal moving. Make sure everyone tunes
their instruments ahead of time. Start with the new material when the energy
level is higher. Know the potential problem areas of the music before you get
there. Expect and foster a Christian attitude among the band members. Treat
others the way you want to be treated. Communicate clearly. Pray. Spend time
worshipping God. Remember, your actual goal is to worship God, not just do
music well.
9. Listening: As a leader it is important to really listen. Dont get so caught up in
your own playing and singing that you dont listen to the whole arrangement. Is
something out of tune? Is someone playing the wrong chord or note? Is that the
right tempo? Is someone dragging or rushing? Is the groove for that song
correct? How is the vocal and band balance? Is someone too loud? Is the band
too busy? Great music has ebbs and flows, learn the dynamics of the song.
When should the different players be sitting out of a section of the music?
Generally speaking, the band will only get to the level that you expect from
them.
10.Excellence: Dont be afraid to challenge the singers and players to play to the
best of their ability. People want to be part of something good. Learn to speak
the truth in love. Challenge people to practice the music and memorize the
music. Expect excellence!

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF BAND PRACTICE

Its been over 15 years from my days in Woodside, New York. Im so thankful for the
years I had there and the lessons I learned. Now besides touring with Soulfire
Revolution and hispanic band Generacin 12, I play actively in our church and love it
just as much (or more) as playing out. The experiences Ive had have taught me a few
things about creating an effective rehearsal. Here a few of them
1. Show up to rehearsal on time. If you need time to set up, show up 15 minutes
before so you can amp check, line check or any type of setup youd need before
hand. If the rehearsals at 7pm, thats the time you should be ready.
2. The 1st 15 minutes of the rehearsal are well spent if they cover monitor check for
the weekend. If you use in-ear-monitors, play a song and adjust as needed. If
you use stage wedges or even another monitor desk, make sure to let you sound
guy know after the warm up song has been cut off or finished. Do it in an orderly
fashion. Hell for sure get all the changes in and your mix will be ready faster.
3. Never play while someone else is talking. Its disrespectful even if your guitar is
muted to shred while important conversation is going on. Always listen and
participate in planning new stuff. You just might have something important to
say. Jam Sessions should happen after and not during rehearsal time if they are
important to you.
4. Always make sure that when the song is played, have a structure. I usually feel
like staying true to the original version is always the best way to go. Having a
personal interpretation can sometimes mean that the rest of the band will not be
on the same page as you. Like regular bands do, stick to the part and the
arrangement as if you had sheet music telling you how to play it. Your best off
this way and the band will sound better as a whole if everyone does this.
5. This one is KEY: The band practice is NOT the place to learn new music. If you
show up to rehearsal not knowing the new song you will be the reason that song
will not work. Always take the time to learn the part at home. When I mean the
part, I dont mean having a chord chart. I actually mean you have to have played
the song a few times and have made it your own. Theres a lot of tutorials for
worship guitar parts on YouTube. You can also find tabs and other resources to
make sure not only your playing is right but also your tone. If you take lessons,
then go over the songs with your teacher. He might help you get it better.
Everyone should be one way or another seeking educational help as far as
music goes. Higher music education does help a lot but is not always essential. If
everyone does this the time you spend will be working on how tight the
arrangement is and not learning all the parts.
6. Always follow up on the previous performance. Discuss how you felt with the
song, and how people reacted. This will let you know how you should deal with
certain things the band band has to work on to make the song better. Theres
always room to grow and youre doing it right if you know how to address it.

7. The sound guy is just as important as any singer or musician in the band. If he
needs time to work on FOH, let him get it together in a reasonable amount of
time.
8. The setlist should be put together by the worship director/Pastor before hand, not
during rehearsal. This helps the team be prepared for the rehearsal and the
weekend worship.
9. If you church uses a big choir, make sure part of the rehearsal is only with them.
It works best if the Music Director can work with the band parallel. After its been
worked out, come together as a whole and play the music and address issues as
a whole.
10. This is the most important: Always pray. Theres nothing you cant do when
youve won spiritual ground. Prayer, fasting, and intercession are key things
Jesus talks about in Matthew 6 that he honors in public what is done in secret.
They seem like fundamentals, but youd be surprised how many musicians do
not have a healthy spiritual life. Have the main pastor come in at rehearsal time
to share and guide the bands spiritual activities. None of the rest of these
commandments matter if the band is a mess spiritually. Get this right and not
only will you sound great, but youll see Gods hand in your worship sessions,
people will worship, mission accomplished.
Doing things for the glory of the Lord means you do them with excellence. It has nothing
to do with skill but with an attitude and a heart that wants to please God no matter what.
Jesus went all the way for us on the cross, the least we could do is give it all when we
worship.

1. Learn the parts

Dont waste your teams time prepare beforehand on your own time and
come ready to rehearse! Know the songs, know the arrangements and be
ready to contribute at a higher level warm up if you are a vocalist, tune up if
you play an instrument, etc.
2. Turn up. On time!
As musicians and singers, its so easy to think youve done the right thing by
showing up at all that song that was running around your head sidetracked
you, those lyrics you had to memorise, the latest song that just downloaded to
your iTunes account that you just had to stop and listen to
The truth is though, as a musician you play on a team theres no room for
lone rangers or late-comers. Respect others enough to turn up when you
should and where you should be punctual! And if you have gear to set up,
then arrive earlier! It wont go unnoticed.
3. Take lessons
No matter how good you are, keep pushing the ceiling and keep getting better!
Not just in your leadership and Christian discipleship but in your skill,
technique and musicianship make every effort to bring your very best every
time you play and sing!

No matter how good you are, keep pushing the ceiling and keep
getting better!
4. Cultivate a can do attitude
Try and be one of those people who sees possibility rather than obstacles.
Find ways of being able to say yes, to go the extra mile and to inject yourself
into the team. If there are new songs, new ways of doing things, new members
to come along side say yes as your default, not no way its so much
easier on your leader!
5. Debrief
Be willing to listen to feedback after services and be committed to continuous
improvement! Highlight what others have done well and work on your own
shortcomings.

6. Love Jesus
As Christians, prioritise your relationship with the Lord! Be someone who
brings depth and authenticity to the platform. Be ready to encourage others
know what Gods challenging you on and be willing to lead pre-service prayer
meetings and behind the scenes. Developing spiritual maturity means you will
become someone your leaders can count on!

As Christians, prioritise your relationship with the Lord! Be someone

who brings depth & authenticity to the platform

7. Dig for gold

Help others to see the gifts in themselves. Champion others and look for
people in your church who could contribute to the worship team. Theres
nothing better than to help people see the talents that God has entrusted to
them and help them unearth their potential!
8. Worship off the platform
When you are sitting in a service, be the type of person who leads worship
from your seat! Dont sit back judging whats happening but engage in worship
like youd expect the congregation to do if you were leading!
9. Be helpful
Think about what it takes to make Sundays happen photocopying, admin,
roster confirmations, communication, setting the stage, etc and then be
proactive to do what you need to do quickly! e.g. confirm your rostered
positions and offer to help in other areas if and when you have time.

10. Bring food to rehearsals

Everythings better with coffee Or cake Or chips or chocolate or kale
juice Bring something to share and keep actively building creative
community!!
Im sure theres a hundred more things we could add to this list, but this is a

good start for now

Why dont you take some time and reflect on which of these things youre
good at and which ones you might need to grow in? You and your worship
team will be better for it, I promise!!