Whether you’re a professional drummer or just can’t live a day without strumming on your uke, living in an apartment or dorm can complicate your rehearsal headspace. Neighbors and roommates just don’t want your art day and night. Here are a few tips to ensure that your playing is best for you and your fellow residents living in close proximity.
Know When They’re Busy
This is especially helpful when you have a roommate, but knowing when it’s just going to be you, when possible, is best. There is no chance of annoying those who aren’t there. Additionally, knowing you’re the only one judging your work can be mentally relieving, allowing the player to try new things and mess up in the process without feeling judgment for playing some funky notes. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have free alone time.
Find a Space
If you’re living on a campus and you just can’t seem to throw out your living partners for an hour of jam, see if your campus can accommodate for you. Most colleges that have music programs have open rehearsal rooms that you can sign up for. Typically, these rooms are open 24/7, so even at 3AM, if you just NEED to play that solo one more time, you can set that up. You will be comfortable in the soundproof and secluded rooms that will allow your creativity to flow.
Go Electric
Any instrument, drums to piano, can be made silent with the wonder of technology. With the right gear, you can route your sound into headphones for a completely isolated practice. There are many options for each instrument when it comes to electric gear. For an instrument like drums it requires a whole new electric kit that can run you anywhere from $300 to $1,500. For stringed instruments, most cheap practice amps come with a headphone jack and can be bought from around $50 to $150. If isolation and reduced annoyance is your goal, nothing is as useful. At MusicGoRound we can find you the right gear at used prices to reign in your volume. It will allow YOU to decide when you get to play, which, if you’re lucky, is all day, every day.
