Practice Room Etiquette
Musicians spend a lot of time in the practice room. To make your stay (and everyone else’s) more enjoyable and productive, here are a few pointers on the polite way to take advantage of your practice space.
1) Practice Rooms Are for… PRACTICING (Whoa)
Believe it or not, practice rooms are not a place to hang out with your friends. Hallways in and around the practice areas are often pretty narrow, and if there is a group of people hanging around in the hallway, it makes it hard to navigate while carrying gear to a room.
In addition, these areas are generally quiet spaces so people can focus, and the big group in the hallway could be a huge distraction to those who are trying to put in work.
There are plenty of places to hangout, so use the practice spaces for what they are designed for.. practicing.
2) Don’t Interrupt
You’re in the zone. You’re making good progress on some great music. Then it happens. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Or worse. The door opens.
You’re completely taken out of the music, and when your interaction with the person is over, you have to refocus. Not a good feeling.
Most people nowadays have magic communication boxes in their pocket that allow you to send messages to them, and they can read them when they get around to it. Before you interrupt, think to yourself, “Is what I’m about to say important enough that I can’t say it through text?”
Also, refer back to point #1. Go practice.
3) Don’t Kick Someone Out Of Their Practice Space
I’ve been in situations where I was in a practice space doing my thing, and I get a knock on the door. But this time, instead of a single person wanting to talk to me, it’s a group of musicians looking for somewhere to rehearse.
Please don’t ask someone to relocate just because A) This practice room is your FAVORITE or B) Your bass kazoo duo needs a space to rehearse in.
Individual practice is time to focus on yourself and make yourself a better performer. Your practice time is just as important as the chamber ensemble’s.
Some rooms are designed for chamber ensembles to rehearse in, and if you happen to be in one of these spaces and someone asks you to move, then you should definitely find a new space. The chamber group would have priority here. But if its a small practice space designed for one person, you keep on doing your thing.
4) Don’t Leave Your Stuff Unattended
Most institutions have a very limited number of practice rooms, and finding a space can sometimes be a huge hassle. There are few things more annoying than coming across an empty room, only to find out that someone has left their instrument (music, phone, laptop, a change of clothes) unattended. Generally, the instrument is not practicing itself. The room has become an instrument locker for someone while they go to get lunch.
Want to go get a sip of water or take a potty break? Cool, go do it. It’s a quick trip and totally acceptable.
Want to go get dinner and come back later? Not a problem. Go do it. Food is great! Just take your stuff out of the room before you go.
5) Pianos Are Not Coffee Tables
Remember that the pianos in practice rooms are there for you to use if you need them. Not as coffee tables, but as references. For some people, those pianos are their livelihood. Just like your clarinet, trumpet, or bass kazoo.
Placing things on top of pianos is convenient for you, but over time, you are ruining a perfectly good instrument. You wouldn’t put books, coffee, or food on your cello, tuba, or flute, right?
If you do, you’re a much braver person than I.
As a general rule, just be courteous to other people. That will get you pretty far in life.
Happy Practicing.