BANDSPACE
ABOUT BANDSPACE
The world of music rehearsal spaces
OUR MISSION
Bandspace exists to connect musicians with the perfect rehearsal spaces. Since 2006, we've been studying, reviewing and cataloguing music practice rooms around the world. Our mission is to make finding and booking rehearsal space as easy as possible, so musicians can focus on what matters — making music.
worldwide coverage
Rehearsal spaces catalogued across the UK, USA, and beyond.
community driven
Built by musicians, for musicians. Real reviews from real users.
expert guides
Practical advice on setting up and running rehearsal spaces.
meet trevor
Trevor Mason founded Bandspace with a simple goal: help musicians find great rehearsal rooms. What started as a passion project has grown into the most comprehensive rehearsal space resource in the world.
contact Trevor here
what is a music rehearsal space?
An important part of the music eco-system.
They give musicians control over their music.
Where music is created, the lyrics and arrangement change.
Where musicians prepare what they will give to their audience.
A music rehearsal space is a dedicated acoustic environment. This can be defined by its purpose, layout, furnishings and treatments used to modify the practice rooms within a space.
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They can range from one bare room where you are expected to supply your own equipment to a dedicated space with soundproofed practice rooms fully equipped with a P.A. system, monitors, backline guitar amps, drum kit, recording facilities, stage, mirror and relaxation area. The PA system is set up to produce a balanced sound by amplifying all sound sources to an equal level. To get an idea of the culture associated with the music rehearsal space world visit our series of introduction blogs here.
Many are run on an independent commercial basis but can include makeshift rooms and shared areas such as community centers and even Dad's garage. To gain an introduction of how music rehearsal spaces look, visit our videos page here.
Measuring the health of music rehearsal spaces since 2006
There are many commercial music rehearsal spaces across the world offering excellent opportunities for musicians to perfect their informal music-making.
Similar to sports centres, they act as a critical meeting point between amateur and professional activity. Music Rehearsal spaces are developed over several years, often unique in response to their users, location and the building they are housed in. They serve a relatively local population and mostly located in urban areas. Artists will increasingly need access to high quality spaces as the monetary value of land and buildings grow.
A number of spaces work with record companies, promoters, publishers, music management companies, orchestras and opera companies.
our research
The focus of the Bandspace platform is music rehearsal spaces not recording studios, although many facilities combine both. As far as we know, there has never been significant research in to the role the music rehearsal spaces sector plays in the development of artists and their work. Anecdotally, we know they are important, but what are they precisely, who accesses them, when, how and why?
Our research suggests rehearsal spaces are often run by musicians keen to share their enthusiasm for music with others. The sector is characterised by an un-connected proliferation of these music practice rooms across the world. Geographically they are dispersed, with their services shaped organically by demand from their users. Some are linked to schools and youth projects (more info here).
Very few receive public subsidy despite the musical, personal and social benefits derived from participatory group music-making. Indeed, many are subject to local and national taxes, insurances and utility bills like any other business. These costs can put the cost of hiring a practice room out the reach of amateur and semi-professional musicians
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We know they can range from a single practice room to over 300 rooms across multiple sites, employing one part-time worker to many full-timers.​
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Visit our surveys page here.
3 By 3 Studios
The range of services offered by music rehearsal spaces...
Music rehearsal spaces act as a hub for music-makers in our communities.
Our research suggests collectively music rehearsal spaces provide a range of services to musicians.​
amp repair
- Service & repairs
- PA head repairs
- Spare part sales
- Electronic repairs to amps
- Refurbishment of amp & speaker
- Digital valve matching/checking
- Portable Appliance Testing
- Speaker repairs
instrument repair
- Guitar re-stringing & re-fretting
- Guitar set-ups & truss alignment
- Guitar distressing, neck & body
- Adjustment & repairs
- Fret polishing & cleaning electrics
- Repairs to digital pianos & keyboards
- Drum Tuning / Re-Skinning
- Drum refurbishment
live music promoter
- Books acts to play at a venue
- Publicises a show & sells tickets
- Pays performers
- Works at or for a club, bar, venue or festival
- Open mic nights
recording studio
- Sound recording, mixing & production
- Editing and mastering
- Analogue & digital equipment
- Sound engineer balancing your sound
- Dedicated live rooms
storage
- Protected by contents insurance
- Save moving your kit about
- Store infrequently used gear
- Secure & dry conditions
- Short & long-term storage
- Easy access to kit while rehearsing
video & streaming
- Connect with your fans online
- Multi-camera video
- Create a look that suits your genre
- Stream direct to social media
- Professionally live sound & vision mixing
- Final performance recorded
equipment hire
- PA systems
- Keyboards
- Backline amps
- Drums & percussion
- Guitars
- Lights
health & disability
- Activities remove barriers to music-making
- Dancing or moving to music
- Workshops improve mental
- Session helps physical well-being
lockout
- Your own private permanent space
- Convenient access to your gear anytime
- Secure workspace with your stuff & vibe
- Leave gear set up permanently set-up
- Sublicense your room with other bands
- Store equipment between gigs
store
- Range of products on sale
- Knowledgeable staff
- Stock new gear from beginner upwards
- Accessories such as strings & stands
- Try out instruments before purchase
music tuition
- Singing lessons & vocal coaching
- Drum lessons
- Guitar tuition
- Piano & keyboard lessons
- Songwriting sessions
- Recording & production lessons
- Band workshops
- Earn a recognised qualification
youth projects
- Provides instruments and equipment
- Young people run sessions themselves
- Improve personal & social development
- Safe and attractive rooms and activities
- Alternative to school curriculum
- Improve perception of young people
- Assist talent into the music industry
shared standards reduce fragmentation
Bandspace was set up to uphold high standards for professional music rehearsal spaces for all types and standards of musician. We will publish irregular blogs routed in our research from which others can build.
Bandspace is a procurer and list of music rehearsal spaces, a tell-taler of tantalisingly covert music happenings all across the world - recommendations and advice of what we dig from our obsessive cratedigging. Come play with us and add your voice to this growing community.