How to Prepare for a Rehearsal (and Still Love Your Bandmates After)
26/05/2025
This blogpost is based on the most recent Ask-Me-Anything webinar. The inspiration? Kim, who just had her very first band rehearsal, and lived to tell the tale.
If you’re curious about the full conversation, consider joining The singsing! Sofa Library. You’ll get access to the full replay, future AMA sessions ànd a collection of 40+ highly educational webinars, 65+ hours of content!
Meet Kim. And The Nite Kats.
Let’s celebrate Kim! Because she has great news: she started a band. Yup. Formed it, recruited the musicians, named it The Nite Kats and held their very first rehearsal. They play blues rock with a hint of country. And this isn’t just a casual jam group, Kim is funding this project herself. She hired these musicians to help her grow as a singer and performer, fast and purposefully.
As her guitarist Duncan (also a jam session mentor) told her:
“This is your band. You’re in charge. This is your baby and you are hiring us so remember that. If you don’t like something or have different expectations than what’s happening, just say so.”
And he’s right! Even in a fully collaborative setup, a band needs a leader, someone who makes the final call. A Musical Director (or MD) is the person responsible for overseeing the musical aspects of a band or performance. They lead rehearsals, shape arrangements, set tempos, and ensure that everyone is musically aligned. In short, they help keep the musical vision on track and bring cohesion to the group. Without that, you risk running into egos, indecision, and creative gridlock. And as I said during the session: yes, it should be a democracy, but one with someone who can break the tie.
And in this case, Kim is the MD. SO cool, right? 😉 She’s gonna have to put her money where her mouth is and develop that musical knowledge! I’m impressed by how she’s created this amazing learning opportunity for herself. I can’t wait to witness the result!
So... How Do You Prepare for Rehearsal?
This is the question Kim brought to the AMA:
“What do I need to think about in terms of preparation for rehearsal? Mentally, physically, the basics. How do I get ready for something that intense and important?”
What followed was a beautiful conversation packed with practical, hard-earned wisdom, not just between Kim and me, but also with Stella and Loïs, offering encouragement, reflection and practical insight based on their own rehearsal and gigging experiences.
Here are a few essential elements we’ve discussed, so you can steal them and feel confident walking into your next rehearsal.
Mental Preparation: Clarity, Confidence, and Curiosity
The first layer of preparation is mental. As I told Kim in the webinar, you want to walk into that rehearsal room knowing your material inside out. That means knowing your lyrics, your melodies and your timing.
Where exactly do you enter? You can’t rely on the guitarist or keyboardist to cue you in. Because if you do and they mess up… You mess up too. You need to feel the pulse and place yourself precisely. Musicians need to count. We need our inner metronome. Know where the ONE is. Don’t guess it, KNOW it. Always.
Be Specific With Goals
Another piece of mental prep is defining your goals. It’s not enough to say, “We’re going to work on these songs.” Be specific. Maybe this rehearsal is about harmonies. Maybe it’s about transitions between songs, or about locking in better with the guitarist. Sometimes it’s helpful to rehearse with just a few members, like only the rhythm section, or just the backing vocalists and keys.
Stella shared how much of a difference that kind of rehearsal can make. She shared her experience preparing for a specific gig, working closely on harmonies with a fellow singer, and helping a guitarist rehearse his intro. That attention to detail gave her more confidence and helped the whole band perform more smoothly. It was a lovely reminder that thoughtful, layered preparation creates not just better rehearsals, but better music-making experiences overall.
If you’re leading the rehearsal (and paying the musicians!), be clear about all of your goals up front. Be intentional. Make sure everyone’s working on your page. Nobody gets paid? There’s no MD? Decide together on the goals for the next rehearsal long before it takes place. Make sure that all the noses are looking in the same direction.
Manage Stress Through Visualization
During the webinar, I also talked about stress management. Before the rehearsal, take the time to picture the rehearsal room. Imagine yourself singing with confidence, listening deeply, and having fun. Hear your voice, the band, the groove, everything working great. It helps your brain treat the experience as familiar, even before you walk in the door. If your brain thinks it’s already happened successfully, it will be less scary.
Rehearsal ≠ Performance
Let’s say it again: a rehearsal is not a performance. Stay curious, not critical. Rehearsals are FOR making mistakes, they’re essential for learning. Also, when you make a mistake during a rehearsal, it gives you the opportunity to practice dealing with the mistakes you’ll make when performing. Because yes, you WILL make mistakes during your gigs and you’ll be thankful you’ve practiced your coping strategies.
The rehearsal is the place for playful exploration without judgement. When you stop expecting perfection, you create room for growth. Be curious. Try things out. Ask your bandmates if you can test a different version. Be open to their ideas, too. Some of the most magical arrangements come from unexpected suggestions.
Physical Preparation: Body and Voice
Hydrate and Fuel Like a Vocal Athlete
Now let’s talk about the body. Rehearsing is physically demanding and you are an athlete. So prepare accordingly.
- Start with systemic hydration. Drink water regularly all day, every day, preferably room temperature. Water takes about 2 hours to reach your vocal folds, so only drinking during the rehearsal will give you a smooth voice… after the fact. Too late. Bummer.
- Bring a nebulizer for topical hydration of your vocal folds and use it before, during breaks and after the rehearsal. You can’t overdo it.
- Eat wisely. For rehearsal, a light snack is perfect. Avoid overeating as it effects your breath management. Recipe for burping in the mic on that high note (ask me how I know). And listen to your body. What works for me might not work for you.
After the Rehearsal: Reflect to Prepare for Next Time
At the end of the rehearsal, preparation for the next one starts. Write down what went well and celebrate that. The celebration will help your brain to consolidate the good stuff. Note what you want to work on – not “what went wrong”. This shift in language helps in keeping you motivated and forward-focused.
Every rehearsal is a growth opportunity. Take it. Reflect mindfully. Learn deliberately.
Want to Watch the Whole Conversation? You can! This blog post is only a small selection of everything that was said about preparation for rehearsals. Everything we discussed in this Ask-Me-Anything webinar is part of a broader conversation we have regularly in The singsing! Sofa Library. It’s a place for singers and voice teachers to connect, learn, laugh, and grow, regardless of level.
If you want to access the full replay of this session ànd a collection of 40+ highly educational webinars, 65+ hours of content, consider joining The singsing! Sofa Library. I lead these Ask-Me-Anything webinars once a month, and Library members get to participate for free.
Thanks for reading, and here’s to your next rehearsal. May it be curious, connected, and gloriously imperfect!
Ariane De Dom, Avocational singer
Bec Tilley, Voice Coach & Singer
Susanne Vahle - Vocational singer
This session was a great add-on to my voice lessons with Sarah!
M.J. Johnson - Singer & Voice teacher
Ariane De Dom, Avocational singer
Susanne Vahle - Vocational singer
As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, questions, and feedback in the comments below this blog, via the contact form or in the singsing! online community 
Cordially,
Sarah