By Carson Braymer

    Finding a rehearsal space that's safe, comfortable, cool, and affordable can be super tough. Part of moving to a tiny, one-bedroom apartment in Austin meant that I had to find a Practice space that suited my needs for regular rehearsals and high-volume jamming without breaking the bank or risking the safety of my gear. Prior to deciding on what worked best for my practice schedule, I did some brainstorming and narrowed it down to three options- jam at a drummer's house, rent a private space monthly, or utilize an hourly-rate studio rental. Here's my thoughts.

Every musician has met the drummer (or bassist/guitarist) that proudly proclaims, "Dude, we can totally jam at my place whenever!" In reality, as radical as our musician buddies are, it's kind of a bummer to be completely reliant on someone else's schedule and plans when it comes to a place you want to be able to play at frequently and as you wish. Between work, girlfriends, and other musical endeavors, it can be difficult to coordinate practices when one of your band mates is also living in your rehearsal space (especially if they've got a significant other living there, too.) With that said, you don't have to pay a single dollar to jam at a band mate's crib, which is a HUGE plus. You've also got the hospitality of beer and comfortable couches during breaks, so that can be a bonus as well. However, you're destined to eventually play too late and get a noise complaint, deal with a frustrated neighbor, have to leave early because of girlfriend drama, etc. If you're able to work out a solid schedule and stick to it, some people totally make this route work and save some cash doing it. Just be prepared for the frustrations and complications that will come alongside that saving of money. 

    Lots of musicians go for the tried and true route of splitting a commercial rental space in a warehouse or other industrial area. This can be expensive, but you are ultimately given the most freedom. You're able to play as late as you'd like, come and go as you please, and many bands leave drums and amps in their rented spaces to make rehearsals less tedious by not having to load/unload every night. Most of these rentals are safe and secure, but I have known bands to have their rentals broken into (I cannot stress enough the importance of insuring your gear, but that's a story for a different day). One downside of a space like this is that finding a spot that works for you AND works for your wallet can be tough, especially since musicians aren't known for their money-stuffed pockets. With that said, putting your nose to the ground and digging deep enough will lead you to a place you'd dig, just make sure it's a financially sound investment for you and your band(s).

    Finally, I came upon an option that worked perfectly for me and many other players in Austin. Tons of cities throughout the US are seeing artist/musician studios popping up with a different approach- an hour by hour rental of a fully or partially equipped practice space. Here in Austin, I found my place at a spot called the Music Lab. The Music Lab offers 40 practice spaces of different sizes, each equipped with a full-size PA with some offering drums, amps, and recording equipment. Prices per hour vary according to the size of the room you want to rent and the gear you wish to use during your time. For example, the 14x17 room I normally rent is only equipped with a Peavey PA and I pay $8 an hour. With that said, I have to load my gear in and out every time I practice- a labor of love I'm willing to partake in if it saves me some cash. The Music Lab has awesome hours, running from 11am-3am (yes, they stay open that late!) and have a full-service music store and cafe that both function for the entirety of business hours. The convenience of a small music store AT my rehearsal spot is a gigantic bonus. I've gotten to practice before, realized I forgot a slide, bought one down the hall from my practice space, and resumed rehearsal all within just a few minutes. It's a brilliant idea, and the entire facility is super clean and comfortable. Plus, it's a great place to meet other musicians. 

   Obviously, finding a spot to jam works out differently for everyone. What's important is knowing what your needs are as a player and being able to work within your budget- something that seems a little more daunting than it actually is. Talk to some musicians around town, and see what their ideas are. It's often just a matter of meeting the right person to get you plugged in to a cool spot, You might even end up jamming with them.