College gigs are the stepping stones to the bigger scene. However, if you talk to a few people who have followed this path, they will eagerly tell you what a painful process it is. It is true that booking college gigs can be painful sometimes, but not if you follow the guidelines given below.

The first step is to put together a promo package or an EPK. Secondly, you need to get in touch with the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), The Association for the promotion of campus activities (APCA) or a booking agent that is associated with the above mentioned organizations. The third option, hiring a booking agent, could be costly if you are an emerging artist or a band.

Once you submit an application form to NACA or APCA via their website for a fee, you will be granted membership. Thereafter, the journey becomes a bed of roses because these two organizations will guide you through every step of the way. If you are concerned about the financials, it is a good idea to check their official websites for membership fees, validity period and renewal fees.

Read the entire article “How to Book College Gigs” in the Band ToolBox here.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

A breakthrough live performance starts with rehearsals. So rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

For an First Rate
Audio Video Rehearsal Experience
Call Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA 562.945.1300

What Is A Rehearsal? Defined and Explained


Studio 1 The Auditorium

Let's go all the way back to the academic definition of music rehearsal first: “Rehearsing a musical composition often involves repeating some passages over and over again until everyone in the ensemble (band or group of musicians) masters them.” Well that's the core of rehearsing, its main foundation... the one that no matter what, you should always comply to.

But music has changed much since these academic days, now rehearsing exceeds these acts, and combines more tasks in itself.

First you should agree that a focused band is the main requisite for a decent rehearsal.

Secondly, be aware that a group rehearsal (or ensemble rehearsal, as stated in the opening definition) is not your practice room or music instrument class! Don't go into the rehearsing studio to develop your individual skills or train your finger position and so on... that's homework mate! Musicians should be prepared for rehearsing as a group and reviewing the tracks over and over is practically the only way to achieve the sound that you want.

Ø Discussion and Analysis

But rehearsing isn't all about playing the part or song silently from start to stop. The meaning of rehearsing hides another concept vital in today's bands: Discussion and Analysis.

When you train a track or a part of it, let’s say from the bridge to the chorus, over and over you are perfecting it, and most of the times “perfection” is about getting it right and playing it smoothly... but there are cases in which, during rehearsal, minor changes to the tracks can happen. A slight change on a note's duration or its pitch can occur when musician calmly discuss and present their point of view on that segment of music being analyzed.

So it’s all about maturing your own product, and that comes in many shapes and flavors. As stated above you can perfect the way all of your band members play their part of the songs, you can perfect the way vocals and back vocals line up and double themselves on the chorus, and many more slight corrections like these, but another thing you can mature is the way the band performs. That’s where the stage-like rehearsal comes into play.

Ø Show Rehearsing

A common practice for bands (and a really important one for bands) is Show Rehearsing. This is, playing your entire concert song list, from start to end and even the “encore” if you’re feeling lucky. This will point out mistakes and problems in your band that you don't want to experience live and also helps you to test the concert song list.

Which problems are these you say? Just play the entire song list and you'll see.

The drummer is tired because track 3 is up tempo and is followed by another really fast tempo song. The bass player needs to switch to percussion in track 6 which leads to enormous waiting time (crowd's hate that), and it gets worst, where you find out that playing all the tracks sequentially can be hard work. So by using these practices in rehearsing you'll definitely get near to perfection, which is the purpose of it.

But remember a crucial aspect: mastery of technical skills DOES NOT replace feeling when playing.

In the other hand, besides Show Rehearsing you have several styles and types of rehearsing and some common practices.

Ø Common Practices

For drum players you should always use a metronome while rehearsing difficult songs (particularly if at the start you're not feeling the tempo, or if the signature is a composite, i.e.: 7/4, 5/4, 3/4, and so on).

Bass players and drummers should build up a strong concept of rhythm section. If need be they could take some time on their own and practice the bass lines and rhythms. And then accordingly to you own band formation, there's several ways to enhance your performance.

Lets’ divide these practices into a small list, with sub-topics:

Ø Rhythm section

As stated, both bass and percussion elements (drummers, conga players, etc...) should work considerably close. That makes a band consistent and the groove becomes solid.

Work with metronome if any of the musicians is not feeling the tempo, but be sure to disconnect it when everyone is groovin'.

Ø Keyboard players

Piano, synth, and so on... Please note that you carry a massive harmonic instrument. It lays down the tune, so be sure to keep the score in mind and practice it a lot.

To synth players or organ players, keep an eye on the tempo and the rhythm section and learn their breaks and tempo changes.

Ø Vocalists

Vocalists play a huge role in today’s music. Lyrics hold certain meaning and messages, which are important in the context of a song/album.

If you're working with vocals and background vocals be sure to reserve some rehearsing time to this. Many times the chorus needs to change because of background vocal integration.

Also, a new trend is to use effects on the voice, so if that's your case, choose some nice gear (foot pedal) and some powerful harmonizer effect machine, and rehearse that part over and over. (You don't want to mess up effects in real time).

Ø Wind instruments

Wind sections should always work together (reeds and brass), and if you have/can, work with the piano score (transposed to your instrument, of course) and keep it well rehearsed. If needed take some time to rehearse this section alone.

Ø Various instruments

It's not possible for this small list to incorporate every instrument possible, so for all of the other instruments. Take the general advises and seek more at other sources, such as maestros or music teachers or even your band members.

Just a final note for those that play solo or play solos in their band. Solos take a huge time rehearsing and should be done in your own individual studio time or at home. When rehearsing with the band be sure to have your solos worked out.

Focus and Rehearse!

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

For an First Rate
Audio Video Rehearsal Experience
Call Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA 562.945.1300

On Camera Rehearsal


Band: California Jammin

On Camera Rehearsal

If you are familiar with the Movie School of Rock, you can imagine how an on camera rehearsal could benefit a band. This type of rehearsal is pre-planned, with someone bringing in the video camera. If possible, a TV should be brought in as well to watch the video right afterwards. What are the benefits of doing an on camera rehearsal?

Ø It’s an official dress rehearsal which includes being dressed.
Most bands don’t do “dress rehearsals” that include being dressed for the part but if you are videotaping, even if just to review everything, the clothes should be included. You never know when you will need filler for a music video later!

Ø The moves you think are cool may not be/you think you are moving and your feet are glued to the floor.
Another big reason for the on camera rehearsal is to make sure everyone looks good jamming out. Many times, a band is into their music and it looks great but occasionally you will have that one band with that one guy that is over the top and insane compared to the rest of the band, like Jack Black’s character in School of Rock, for example.

Ø To Avoid Clichés
There are so many “rock” clichés that avoiding them all is impossible. With that said, trying to avoid some of the egregious ones is an important part of your presence.
By videotaping, you can tell whether you or your band mates are doing anything too weird and zany. Often times, you will do things and not even realize it while on stage.

Read the entire “On Carmera Rehearsal” article here in the Band Toolbox.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

For an First Rate
Audio Video Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA 562.945.1300

Technical Rehearsals are Key to Keeping the Audience Engaged.



You may wonder what a technical rehearsal is all about. Well this very important step in being prepared for a live gig can save your sanity and boast your performance.

Many bands skip Technical Rehearsals and just wing it when it comes to making sure their performance goes off without a hitch. Often enough, there is down time during sets that come at the price of truly keeping the crowd engaged. When practicing in your rehearsal studio, making sure every transition is seamless is what a Technical Rehearsal is all about.

Learn more about Technical Rehearsals here in the Band Toolbox.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

For an First Rate
Audio, Video, Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA 562.945.1300

Believe, Decide, Take Action, Get Results

Song Arrangement Rehearsal
Crucial to Successful Live Performance



There are various types of rehearsals and a song arrangement rehearsal I believe is crucial to the success of a live performance and a solid recording.

As a band, forging ahead with a new song is great until you realize that you aren’t 100% sure you know what the other members are doing. It’s even more frustrating when you realize the song is good but is lacking something to make it great. By scheduling a song arrangement rehearsal, a band can work out these things in a more controlled environment. Read the entire article here.

Believe, Decide, Take Action, Get Results

You are a band, a group of musicians. The laws of nature say; “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Don’t fight Mother Nature.

Substitute the word “song” for “whole” and you get “the song is greater than the sum of its parts”. When the song sounds great each member of the group will shine within it.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is always looking out for your welfare with discounts, promotions and just spreading positivity. Find out how here.

For an First Rate
Audio Video Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA

Auditioning Tips for New or Replacement Band Member

Recently at Hothouse Rehearsal Studios we’ve seen a big increase in the number of bands auditioning new or replacement members. Auditioning a new band member is always a challenge, so we wrote an article to help you in your endeavor.

How then, do you find the right person to fill that spot in your band? The approach that is recommended here comes from years of being on both sides of the table when it comes to auditions.

Read the Auditioning 101 here.

For an First Rate
Audio Video Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
"Where Music Grows"

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA 562.945.1300

Benefits of a Rehearsal Studio and
To Tour or Not to Tour

We just posted two new articles to the Band Toolbox. One article is about the benefits of using hourly or monthly rehearsal studios and the other gives you some tools to answer the question, whether to tour or not.

Click the articles title to read it.
1. Benefits of a Rehearsal Studio, or
2. To Tour or Not to Tour?


Believe, Decide, Take Action, Get Results

You are a band, a group of musicians. The laws of nature say; “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Don’t fight Mother Nature. Substitute the word “song” for “whole” and you get “the song is greater than the sums of its parts”. When the song sounds great each member of the group will shine within it.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career. Enter the Band Toolbox here.

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is always looking out for your welfare with discounts, promotions and just spreading positivity. Find out how here.

What to Look For In An Indie/Local Record Company

Just like rehearsal and recording studios, local and independent record labels are opening up on a daily basis across our great nation and often these local/indie record labels are owned by these very same recording and rehearsal studios. Beware.

Before signing with a local or independent record label you need to do some homework and gather some information and profile the label. Some of this homework can be done by directly asking the company and there are other questions that need to be researched by the band before any paperwork is signed.

More bands have been destroyed by bad label deals, whether local or national record labels are involved. There are 6 key things that you need to know the answer to before signing on with an indie/local record label.

Find out here: http://www.hothousestudios.com/article.php?id=97

Does Your Band Need a Label To Make It?

Read the new article in the Band Toolbox at HothouseStudios.com to answer the question for yourself. Read it here.

“What Makes a Great Promo Package?”

We keep adding articles to your Band Toolbox. These articles are designed to give your band a competitive edge in the dog eats dog world of music.

A Great Promo Packages is a first step.

What makes a Great Promo Package?
Read the article here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

Subscribe to the HotSheet and you’ll automatically be entered into the Hothouse Rehearsal Studio Giveaways.

Keep Your Band
Focused and Creative
During Rehearsals

As you might expect we get a lot of questions about how to rehearse, how to record, how to get gigs and so on. Those questions were the reason why we built the band toolbox for you guys.

In this world of DIY we continue writing articles about the questions and inquiries you have of us, about moving your musical careers forward. Here’s a preview of the new article in the band toolbox.

Rehearsals are very important in the lifetime of a band and it's the main boiling point for creativity. You should always get back to it and don't ever get the idea that rehearsing is just for beginners or bands at an early age.

However, getting your band to be responsible, objective and focused about rehearsals is sometimes difficult.

Here are some tips that you may find useful to keep rehearsals at a regular and steady pace: Read more here.

Your Hot Sheet
August 2008 vol. 2 no. 5

Hothouse Happenings
You've been asking us to record you, so we've begun tracking, mixing and mastering songs for you. We have three bands thus far in our discography. We plan to do the bulk of our tracking in the remodeled Auditorium, when it comes online in September. In the meantime, we've been using studio A to track and it has been working out fabulously. For more details and cost cutting packages see our recording page here.

July 2008 Giveaway Winner
The winner of the $50 Gas Card is:

Gilbert Gonzales lead guitarist for Concert Master productions.

The winner of the Free Meal at Sako's Restaurant for the entire band is:

Brandon drummer for the band The Lyrics Game.

Congratulations Juan and Brandon!

If you are receiving the Hot Sheet you are entered into all the monthly giveaways.

Our August 2008 Giveaway will have 2 Lucky Winners
Winner 1: $50 Gas Card.
Winner 2: $50 Gift Certificate to Greg's Pro Audio.

Make sure we have your email address and name.

Spotlight Band
Crossed Keys
After winning the USA Western Region 2008 Emergenza Music Festival, our favorite Heart Core Rock group (Jaimis, Preston, Bryan, Greg, and Adam) were flown to Rothenburg, Germany to perform at the Taubertal Open Air Festival on August 8th, 2008 as 1 of the final 18 bands. That came out of 6,000 plus bands, from over 150 cities around the globe.

These super talented groups were brought to Rothenburg to represent their cities and countries for the final Battle of the Bands. For 3 days, this past weekend (8-8-08 thru 8-10-08) Crossed Keys, one of the world's best unsigned bands, will share the stage with internationally renowned bands such as The Hives, Danko Jones, Anti Flag, The Futureheads, The Editors plus many more.

Check our Blog for updates.

Featured Article
50 Recording Tips
This article will lead you in the dense area of recording, lending some tips that may be very useful in the field. Also we recall that setting up the environment for recording is a big part of the recording process and eliminates several mistakes that occur during recording or mixing.

Let's have a look at a handful of tips for starting up and preparing a recording session and later the tips for the entire recording process: Read the entire article here

News
Best Buy Opens in-store Music Center
Best Buy has announced that they will set aside store space for an array of musical instruments and gear. They plan to open as many as 85 of the music centers inside its stores by the end of the year. Best Buy first opened a musical instrument store-within-a-store concept in Riverside, Calif. in 2006.

Based on number of locations Best Buy will become the second-largest instrument seller in the country. I'm sure this has Guitar Center and Sam Ash looking in their rear view mirrors. Read more here.

MySpace
Add Hothouse as a friend on MySpace. Use this link: www.myspace.com/hothousemusic

SAVE $$$
Refer a friend to the Hothouse and both of you save some $$$ money.
Just print out this email and bring it in to save $2 per each hour of rehearsal.

New Q&A:
Have a question you would like answered? Just reply to this email with your question and we will answer it for you via email or online via a blog post and maybe we will do a video and article!


HotShout: Crossed Keys, Marcel, Rob, Eric, Art and Mike.

Thanks for reading! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them! Not a subscriber yet? Like what you've read? Sign up to get future issues delivered straight to you: http://www.hothousestudios.com Until next time!

New Music Glossary at
HotHouseStudios.com

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is pleased to announce the release of a music terms glossary at our ground breaking website www.hothousestudios.com

Like any subject, music has its own terminology. When first exposed to the many terms that musicians use to describe music, it can seem intimidating. These words are not mysterious; they simply are words used to describe something we can all hear. This glossary will introduce you to the terms used most often to talk about music.

The glossary contains over 1,000 terms currently and it is expected to grow. For your ease there is a search function and terms are sorted by name and can be accessed by first letter.

This musical terms glossary will serve the Hothouse Community with yet another valuable resource as we continue to build the band toolbox.

Users can also contribute to the glossary with an add term function. Terms are then reviewed by a staff member and approved to go live.

The page is up and ready to be tested. We encourage all musicians to use this new resource at www.hothousestudios.com/glossary.php

Keep It Simple The KISS Principles

We keep adding articles to your Band Toolbox. The latest articles continue our theme of marketing and branding your band and music. We can definitely learn from KISS and the strategies they used to become a rock powerhouse.

Read part one of Learn from the Pros The KISS principle. Click here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

Subscribe to the HotSheet and you’ll be automatically entered into the Hothouse Rehearsal Studios May 2008 Giveaway of an iPod Shuffle.

PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF RECORDING Part 3

In the public eye, recording is often perceived to be something which is the core responsibility of the band. But anyone belonging to the music industry understands that it is as much the responsibility of a recording engineer as it is for the band.

Let us now further review the rest of the elements of recording, from the perspective of the recording engineer:

Aspect #7

Ø Rhythm

Read the entire article here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

Productive Band Practice & Rehearsal Tips (Part 1)

Rehearsals are essentially the means for getting your focus onto your goals to materialize the dreams of being an eminent stage performer of international repute. But as a musician, when the hell did you start reading about these boring anecdotes and mysteries of glorified glamour!

It’s high time that we spice up your rehearsal ethics with some essential tips that should set you up on the right track.

TIP #1

Ø FOCUS

When you come to a band rehearsal, it is essential that everyone enjoys it with a fresh spirit, while maintaining a firm focus on the targets and ethics that the band symbolizes and targets to achieve. Set your goals based upon your strengths, and understand your flaws which can be perfected with further assistance from all the members of the band.

Once the band members start to loose focus, they will start to emphasize the mistakes others are making, resulting in a serious set back. If something like this persists, leadership issues must be sorted out amicably, otherwise continuing with such a band may be a severe question mark.

Read the entire article here.

Tell a friend about the Band Tool Box at HotHouseStudios.com.

Elements Of A
Productive Rehearsal
Part 2

Band practices and rehearsal sessions are the rightful tests for band members to prove their mettle and hone their skills. As we have discussed in the 1st part of this article, the Jam session and woodshedding lays the stage for the final elements of band rehearsals, viz., the dress rehearsal and backstage brush-ups. Let us now jump straight into these core elements of the band rehearsal, which are essential for setting the stage on fire during any publicized event. Read the entire article here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

Elements of A
Productive Rehearsal
Part 1

Proper management and organization, in essence, forms a key part of any band’s success both on the short as well as long term. And rehearsal forms the necessary base upon which the band actually can derive its sense of direction and aid you all to get on the same wavelength. Hence clarity in terms of band practices and rehearsals truly set up the tone for the band’s performances in the public limelight.

Rehearsals are often based on certain paradigms, which allow the band to successfully co-ordinate its core mutualism. A set of bad rehearsals may play a major hand in dampening the band’s spirits and will likely generate the feeling that this time is fruitless. On the other hand good rehearsals can certainly set up the trend of practical reliability bringing the band to its highest level. Thus everyone can understand the ideals and standards you are working towards.

Read the entire article here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

_______________________________________________________
Want to promote your next show? Come on in and use our Live Web Broadcast feed and tell the world!

Some of the benefits of using the Hothouse Rehearsal facility are not just confined to our first-class studios. Don't overlook our website hothousestudios.com and the blog.

Having trouble finding a studio? We have added a directory of rehearsal and recording studios in the Los Angeles area and beyond. If you see a studio missing you can let us know or add it by clicking here.

Hearing Protection
While Rehearsing And Performing

Ancient philosophy often suggests that a person’s life is based on three pillars, which guide them to their ultimate destination. If for you these three pillars are: Music, music and music, then you are certainly well on your way to a successful musical career. Whatever be the barriers on your path, you can always get by it, except one – Hearing loss.

Like many injuries sustained by the muscles, loss of hearing is a cumulative effect, but unlike many injuries, this loss is a permanent one. However talented you may be or whatever is depth of your bank balance, the only way to sustain your hearing quality is by means of proper practice and a few basic safe-guarding methods.
Read about it here.

Tell a friend about the Band ToolBox at HotHouseStudios.com.

_____________________________________________________

Want to promote your next show? Come on in and use our Live Web Broadcast feed and tell the world!

Some of the benefits of using the Hothouse Rehearsal facility are not just confined to our first-class studios. Don't overlook our website hothousestudios.com and the blog.

Having trouble finding a studio? We have added a directory of rehearsal and recording studios in the Los Angeles area and beyond. If you see a studio missing you can let us know or add it by clicking here.

Just the Facts

Continuing the discussion on the importance of a Band Bio we’ve posted part 2 of the “Band Bio: Getting Started on the Right Foot” to the Career Corner in Your Band ToolBox.

We introduce the “Fact Sheet” as a tool to help you outline the key parts of your Band Bio. Read it here.

___________________________________________________
Want to promote your next show? Come on in and use our Live Web Broadcast feed and tell the world!

Some of the benefits of using the Hothouse Rehearsal facility are not just confined to our first-class studios. Don't overlook our website hothousestudios.com and the blog.

We've been revamping the Artist profile pages. We're on a mission to create a profile for everyone that has ever rehearsed at Hothouse Rehearsal Studios. Email us a photo, bio, member names, etc, to studio@hothousestudios.com

Having trouble finding a studio? We have added a directory of rehearsal and recording studios in the Los Angeles area and beyond. If you see a studio missing you can let us know or add it by clicking here.