Four Things Musicians Need to Standardize

When it comes time for all of us to come together on the bandstand, communication can become an issue. We all come from a variety of music-learning backgrounds, and there is a lack of standardization of key concepts, terms, and skills. This results in wasted hours of rehearsal time and ends in an inefficient musical product. I think that if we were to standardize a few key practices, the way that people do in other fields of study, our work would become that much more productive and effective.

I can’t tell you how many hours have been wasted between a vocalist and a band because everyone has different ways of referring to the form of a song. For example, words like “hook” are far too ambiguous to be used on the bandstand, as many people have different ideas of what a “hook” truly is. Here are some standard terms for referring to form in a song:

If, on the rare occasion in contemporary music, these phrases cannot be used to adequately describe what is happening in the song, sections should be referred to in A sections, B sections, and so on. By doing this, and making these terms definite amongst performers, they will always be able to understand one another in rehearsal and on the bandstand. Even if these words never become a national standard we all follow, make sure that you and your band all agree on terms when performing. Always say what you mean, don’t mince words, and be as straightforward and consistent in your speech as possible.

2. Standardize rhythmic expectation and notation.

I think it would be great if we could standardize a baseline look at how we all view rhythmic notation and time signatures. This will make it so that while on the band-stand, everyone has a very basic knowledge of how rhythmic groupings work. Does this mean everyone is meant to be a star sight- reader? Absolutely not. As of right now, I think that is the expectation in a rehearsal or performance setting, and it is not only extremely daunting to those who are not the strongest at sight reading, but time wasting. If musicians were to have a standardization for a level of knowledge about what common rhythmic groupings look like, the process of reading down a tune for the first time would not be 100% accurate, but would grant us that final product much more quickly.

3. Standardize jazz notation.

There are FAR too many ways in which chords can be charted and documented. It is seemingly up to each musician to decide which way they are notating chords. Moreover, it is also up to each musician to learn the ways in which everyone else is documenting their chords when reading charts that aren’t their own. At the end of the day this can be frustrating. It can also throw off a seasoned musician if , when sight reading a new chart, they come across a chord symbol they understand but typically are not used to seeing written out in such a way. There is no reason we should have so many ways to write the same thing. I think we would all be better off if we stuck to one nomenclature system/ font. Now, because it is nearly impossible for us to standardize this over night, try and make your own writing as standard as you can when you pass out charts to your band. It will cut out a lot of confusion, and at the very least, make it so that within your small sector of the world, your band is able to always be on the same page in terms of chord symbols.

I suggest using Jamie Aebersold’s method of chord/scale relationship, i.e.: write the chord and then notate the desired scale when needed.

4. Standardize the way in which your band rehearses

One of the most frustrating things is when band rehearsals are inconsistent. There are going to be times when something tough needs to be addressed by all of the members of the band, and more time needs to be spent on shedding a particular detail, but overall, there should be a consistent structure when dealing with rehearsals. Here are a couple rehearsal styles/ methods you might consider trying out:

In order to maximize your time, standardize your rehearsal feel. Make everyone aware of the standard they are being held to, and consistently run your rehearsals in this way. It saves so much time, and leads to a far more polished, professional end product.

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