YOUTH WORSHIP TEAM
ROCK YOUR REHEARSAL SPACE ! | Vance & Michelle Shepherd
In the years that we ’ ve been teaching and mentoring youth worship teams , we ’ ve noticed that some students just aren ' t as motivated to practice as others . Some don ’ t excel as fast as they should , and really struggle with their weekly exercises . And now with the covid protocols , we find ourselves as music mentors being separated physically from some of our students , as they ’ ve switched to online music lessons . More than ever , we want our students to be inspired to play ! But this means that the student ’ s home learning environment is even more important and vital to their success .
A few years ago , I decided to start volunteering to visit my student ’ s homes to see how their rehearsal spaces were set up , and it was very eye-opening , to say the least ! Many of them had a space that was so uninviting , it ’ s a wonder they did any practice at all ! Most of them were just playing their audio files through their laptop computer speakers or their phone . One of my students actually had her keyboard facing into a wall in a corner of her room . Wow … I would never practice either ! And considering you need about 10,000 hours of practice time on an instrument to master it , you better like the room you practice in … it should be set up to inspire you !
Another one of our students had a karaoke system just sitting around unused . Believe it or not , portable karaoke systems can be a great tool for rehearsal spaces , especially if you ’ re on a budget . Most karaoke systems have multiple inputs ( including multiple mic inputs ), auxiliary inputs , and also a headphone jack . With the purchase of just a few adaptor cables , you can use these karaoke systems as a mini home sound system . You can use the mic inputs for keyboards , guitars , bass , etc . You can hook the computer , mp3 player , or smart phone to the ‘ auxiliary in ’ to play the rehearsal audio files . Another great feature is that you can plug in a nice pair of professional , inexpensive headphones and hear everything coming from one sound source , crystal clear . It also cancels the speaker out on the karaoke system , allowing you to practice in private , and at any hour of the day or evening ! Owning a nice pair of cupped over-the-ear headphones also allows you to hear instruments , phrases and rhythms that you wouldn ' t usually be able to hear from the standard inexpensive speaker that comes with these karaoke systems , or even regular consumer ear buds . You can find karoake systems used on eBay , at thrift stores , garage sales , etc , and for just a fraction of new prices .
Another one of our students had a great little keyboard practice amp with an auxiliary input and a headphone jack . All she needed was a 3.5mm male to male stereo audio auxiliary cable for her to plug her computer , iPad or iPhone into it . She loves it and can play her rehearsal audio files along with her keyboard and / or guitar with the other 2 inputs , and she has much better sound quality now , which makes for a more inspirational practice session .
The perfect rehearsal space means creating a private , inviting space somewhere in your bedroom or another room in the home that is inspiring and motivating . Find ways to display your instruments in your practice room so you can see your instrument out of its case – if you see it as you walk by the room , you ’ ll want to go in and pick it up and play it . Put up framed pictures of the artists that inspire you , or album covers of your favorite compilations . Personalize it to you , have a few of your favorite things in that room . A bright , cheery , well-lit room with windows is great . We suggest that this room should also include a large wall or door mirror , so that you can watch your form , posture , and stage presence as you practice . Also , try to get a room that you ’ re allowed to turn up the volume so you can really get into
your playing . It ’ s just not as fun to play quiet !
I received an email from one of my students ’ parents late one evening after I set up their new rehearsal space for them . She let me know that her children practiced for 2½ hours straight after getting their new rehearsal space set up and personalized for them . If you ’ re a music mentor or teacher , I would encourage you to offer to visit your student ’ s homes ( or get a virtual tour of their room online ) and think creatively how to help set them up with a better music room .
A rockin ’ rehearsal space is crucial to a musician ’ s success !
May you be blessed as you continue to pour into the next generation of worship leaders and musicians !
Vance & Michelle Shepherd Founders of The Shepherd School of Music in Las Vegas , NV , where they work with youth to raise up the next generation of worship leaders and musicians . facebook . com / shepherdschoolofmusiclasvegas www . ShepherdStudiosLV . com