For some top tips, please select the area of interest from the left hand side.

1. Have a plan for the rehearsal and stick to it
2. Keep the volume down - it'll protect your hearing and you'll hear each other more accurately
3. Tune up before starting and check it regularly
4. Build in breaks so that you aren't playing for too long a stretch
5. Have any music/lyrics/tab prepared to save time
6. Make sure all your gear is working before you set up
7. Set up so that everyone can see each other (poss a circle)
8. If rehearsing for a gig, set up as you would on stage
9. Have plenty of spare leads, sticks and strings etc
10. Try and record some of it so you can hear how it sounds and evaluate and improve it

1. Try playing the ideas on different instruments
2. Keep a notebook of ideas - musical and words/potential lyrics
3. Play through/listen to other people's songs - you may get fresh ideas from a different approach
4. Make quick recordings of your ideas so you don't forget how they went
5. Try playing chord sequences in different orders to hear the relationships between them
6. Try and have a clear subject and focus when writing lyrics
7. Avoid always rhyming the ends of lines - try other parts of verses
8. Try playing your ideas at different tempos and timings
9. Write down any good titles - they are good starting points
10. Collaborate - sometimes it is good to write collectively

1. Make sure the material is well rehearsed
2. Have plenty of spares
3. Tune up before each take
4. Practice the tracks without vocals or key instruments so that they can be played without them
5. Have all your music/lyrics with you for reference
6. Take breaks regularly
7. Try and record higher energy or very confident tracks first ie when fresh
8. Take advice from the engineer producer
9. Have a clear idea what you want to achieve with the recording and plan the session
10. Practice any solo parts separately

1. Wear ear plugs to protect your hearing
2. Tape cables down for safety
3. Get you gear PAT tested
4. Ensure safe lifting of gear
5. Don't have your amps or monitors at too high a volume
6. Be focused with soundcheck and be attentive with the engineer - they are valuable to your sound
7. Make sure you can set up efficiently and quickly
8. Know what your outputs are from effects units etc
9. Tell the sound engineer of any special/unusual devices or instruments you are using
10. Have a sheet / list of the line-up and requirements

1. Have a website and a myspace page
2. Have a consitent 'look' and image for your band - a good logo will help
3. Get music (clips not whole tracks) and pics up on your web spaces
4. Put some video on YouTube
5. Keep updating people regularly
6. If promoting a gig, give people enough notice and then send reminders
7. Get your info on listings sites as well
8. Decide on who you are going to target with your publicity
9. Design flyers / promo stuff so that it is easily updated, or has spaces for info to be stuck in
10. Get some good pics taken

1. Play over recordings of your own stuff to work out ideas and parts
2. Practice improvising over other people's tracks for inspiration
3. Have a clear idea how you want the improvisation to go
4. Plan start, middle and end parts - these will form the skeleton for the rest of it
5. Guitarists, try playing improvising in different places on the fretboard
6. Experiment with speed - fast is not always best or appropriate
7. Experiment with effects and tone to give different feel
8. Listen to your favourite improvisations and try and breakdown what they are doing
9. Try and 'sing' or 'hear' the ideas in your head - it helps to visualise the improvisation
10. Practice different scales and patterns that you can u se on different pieces

1. Test it regularly for problems, and get them fixed sooner rather than later
2. Have spares with you in case of breakdowns
3. Keep things well maintained - clean, wiped, oiled, strings changed, leads checked etc
4. Try and get flight cases or appropriate carrying cases for gear
5. Store it sensibly at reasonable temperatures and positions/locations
6. Keep up to date - new gear can improve your playing - read about it, visit trade shows
7. Get it insured
8. Look at schemes to assist your purchase eg 'Take it away' from Youth Music
9. If you think you may have problems with your gear, take it to shop or professional to get it fixed
10. Handle it carefully - don't carry of lift too much

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Do warm up exercises at least an hour before performance / recording / rehearsal
3. Air in through mouth and inflate diaphragm
4. Aim for a good light 'head-sound' rather than mask
5. Stretch tongue down flat to open throat
6. Throw the sound over the back of head to the front to improve resonance
7. Experiment with soft and loud dynamics using diaphragm and throat stretching
8. Don't drink milk / fizzy drinks beforehand
9. Don't eat chocolate / nuts beforehand
10. Try not to oversing and shout rather than sing

1. Plan your set to have lots of dynamics
2. Start and end with good, punchy numbers
3. Make sure your kit is all in good working order
4. Bring plenty of spares
5. Get your leads wrapped inside your strap fixings
6. Don't forget your tuners
7. Have a plan of how to present the songs - where you will move, what interplay etc
8. Work on your introductions and audience chat
9. Speak slowly and make sure that people can hear you
10. Look like a band - dress with clear image and 'look' that will set you apart from other acts

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