Rehearsal Types Guide

Not all rehearsals should be the same. This guide explains different rehearsal types and when to use each.

Why Different Rehearsal Types?

Using the right type:

• Match approach to goals
• More effective
• Better use of time
• Appropriate focus
• Better results

Using wrong type:

• Mismatch between goals and approach
• Ineffective
• Wasted time
• Frustration
• Poor results

Rehearsal Types Overview

1. Learning Rehearsal

Purpose: Learn new material

When to use: New songs, new members, new arrangements

Focus: Understanding and learning parts

2. Polishing Rehearsal

Purpose: Refine existing material

When to use: Material is learned but not performance-ready

Focus: Tightening, dynamics, details

3. Performance Rehearsal

Purpose: Prepare for specific show

When to use: Week before show

Focus: Running setlist, stage presence, confidence

4. Creative Rehearsal

Purpose: Write and develop new material

When to use: Between shows, creative periods

Focus: Exploration, experimentation, idea generation

5. Maintenance Rehearsal

Purpose: Keep existing material sharp

When to use: Between shows, regular schedule

Focus: Running through repertoire, staying tight

6. Problem-Solving Rehearsal

Purpose: Address specific issues

When to use: When specific problems need attention

Focus: Identifying and solving problems

7. Recording Rehearsal

Purpose: Prepare for recording session

When to use: Before recording

Focus: Perfection, consistency, recording-specific skills

Detailed Breakdown

1. Learning Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Learn new songs
• Understand structure
• Learn individual parts
• Get comfortable with material

Structure:

Warm-up (10%):

• Get comfortable
• Review basics

Section-by-section learning (50%):

• Break song into sections
• Learn each section
• Slow tempo if needed
• Repeat until comfortable

Play-through (30%):

• Put sections together
• Play full song
• Identify problem areas

Review and assign (10%):

• Note what needs work
• Assign practice
• Plan next steps

Approach:

• Slow and methodical
• Lots of repetition
• Okay to stop frequently
• Focus on accuracy over speed
• Patient and supportive

Success looks like:

• Everyone knows their parts
• Can play through (even if rough)
• Identified what needs work
• Clear on next steps

Common mistakes:

• Moving too fast
• Not breaking into sections
• Expecting perfection
• Not assigning practice

2. Polishing Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Tighten timing
• Improve dynamics
• Perfect transitions
• Add nuance
• Get performance-ready

Structure:

Warm-up (10%):

• Play through song once

Identify issues (15%):

• What's not tight?
• What needs work?
• Prioritize

Drill problem areas (50%):

• Work on specific sections
• Repeat until tight
• Focus on details

Full run-throughs (25%):

• Play full song multiple times
• Apply improvements
• Build consistency

Approach:

• Detail-oriented
• Lots of repetition
• High standards
• Constructive feedback
• Record and review

Success looks like:

• Tight timing
• Good dynamics
• Smooth transitions
• Confident performance
• Consistent quality

Common mistakes:

• Not identifying specific issues
• Not drilling enough
• Moving on too quickly
• Not recording to review

3. Performance Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Prepare for specific show
• Run through setlist
• Practice stage presence
• Build confidence
• Simulate show conditions

Structure:

Warm-up (10%):

• Get ready to perform

Full setlist run (70%):

• Play full setlist
• Minimal stopping
• Simulate show conditions
• Practice transitions
• Practice banter

Problem areas (10%):

• Address any issues
• Quick fixes only

Final run (10%):

• One more time through
• Build confidence

Approach:

• Performance mindset
• Minimal stopping
• High energy
• Simulate show
• Build momentum

Success looks like:

• Confident with setlist
• Smooth transitions
• Good energy
• Ready to perform
• Excited for show

Common mistakes:

• Stopping too much
• Trying to fix everything
• Not simulating show conditions
• Low energy

4. Creative Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Write new material
• Develop song ideas
• Experiment with sounds
• Explore possibilities
• Capture ideas

Structure:

Warm-up/jam (20%):

• Get creative juices flowing
• Explore sounds

Idea generation (30%):

• Free exploration
• Try different ideas
• No judgment

Idea development (30%):

• Pick promising ideas
• Develop them
• Structure them

Recording and organizing (20%):

• Record everything
• Organize ideas
• Note next steps

Approach:

• Open and exploratory
• No judgment
• Encourage all ideas
• Record everything
• Have fun

Success looks like:

• Generated new ideas
• Captured recordings
• Excited about possibilities
• Clear next steps

Common mistakes:

• Too much judgment
• Not recording ideas
• Trying to perfect too early
• Not having fun

5. Maintenance Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Keep material sharp
• Stay tight as a band
• Maintain repertoire
• Regular practice

Structure:

Warm-up (10%):

• Get comfortable

Run through repertoire (70%):

• Play through songs
• Identify any issues
• Keep it fresh

Address issues (10%):

• Fix anything that came up
• Quick polish

Review (10%):

• What needs more work?
• Plan next rehearsal

Approach:

• Steady and consistent
• Not too intense
• Keep it fun
• Maintain quality

Success looks like:

• Stayed sharp
• Maintained quality
• Identified any issues
• Enjoyed playing together

Common mistakes:

• Getting sloppy
• Not addressing issues
• Making it boring
• Not staying engaged

6. Problem-Solving Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Address specific issues
• Make decisions
• Resolve conflicts
• Clear blockers

Structure:

Identify problems (20%):

• List all issues
• Prioritize
• Agree on focus

Address problems (60%):

• Work on each issue
• Try solutions
• Make decisions
• Test solutions

Confirm solutions (10%):

• Verify fixes work
• Document decisions

Plan implementation (10%):

• How to maintain fixes
• Next steps

Approach:

• Focused and systematic
• Problem-solving mindset
• Open communication
• Decisive

Success looks like:

• Problems identified
• Solutions found
• Decisions made
• Clear path forward

Common mistakes:

• Not prioritizing
• Avoiding hard decisions
• Not testing solutions
• Not documenting

7. Recording Rehearsal

Purpose:

• Prepare for recording
• Perfect material
• Practice recording skills
• Build consistency

Structure:

Warm-up (10%):

• Get ready to perform

Perfect sections (40%):

• Work on perfection
• Consistent performance
• Recording-ready

Full takes (40%):

• Practice full takes
• Build consistency
• Simulate recording

Review (10%):

• Listen back
• Identify any issues
• Final polish

Approach:

• Perfection-oriented
• High standards
• Consistent performance
• Recording mindset

Success looks like:

• Consistent performance
• Recording-ready
• Confident
• Prepared

Common mistakes:

• Not practicing full takes
• Not listening back
• Not building consistency
• Unrealistic expectations

Choosing the Right Type

Decision Framework

Ask yourself:

1. What's our current situation?

• New material to learn?
• Existing material to polish?
• Show coming up?
• Recording session scheduled?
• Creative period?
• Regular maintenance?
• Specific problems?

2. What's our goal?

• Learn new songs?
• Get performance-ready?
• Prepare for show?
• Write new material?
• Stay sharp?
• Solve problems?
• Prepare for recording?

3. What type matches?

• Learning → Learning Rehearsal
• Polishing → Polishing Rehearsal
• Show prep → Performance Rehearsal
• Writing → Creative Rehearsal
• Maintenance → Maintenance Rehearsal
• Problems → Problem-Solving Rehearsal
• Recording → Recording Rehearsal

Balancing Rehearsal Types

Typical Month

Week 1: Learning Rehearsal

• Learn new material

Week 2: Polishing Rehearsal

• Polish new material

Week 3: Creative Rehearsal

• Write and explore

Week 4: Maintenance Rehearsal

• Keep everything sharp

As needed: Problem-Solving Rehearsal

Before shows: Performance Rehearsal

Before recording: Recording Rehearsal

Adjust Based on Needs

Heavy show schedule:

• More performance rehearsals
• More maintenance rehearsals
• Less creative rehearsals

Creative period:

• More creative rehearsals
• Less performance rehearsals
• Maintenance as needed

Learning new material:

• More learning rehearsals
• More polishing rehearsals
• Less maintenance

Mixing Types

You can combine types:

Example: 3-hour rehearsal

• Hour 1: Learning Rehearsal (new song)
• Hour 2: Polishing Rehearsal (existing song)
• Hour 3: Maintenance Rehearsal (run through setlist)

Just be clear:

• Communicate the plan
• Transition between types
• Adjust mindset for each

Key Takeaways

1. Different types for different goals - Match type to purpose
2. Learning vs. polishing vs. performing - Different approaches
3. Creative needs different approach - Open and exploratory
4. Maintenance keeps you sharp - Regular practice matters
5. Problem-solving when needed - Address issues directly
6. Recording requires perfection - Higher standards
7. Balance types over time - Mix based on needs

Using the right rehearsal type for your current goals makes rehearsals more effective. Choose the right type for your next rehearsal.