What makes a musician a "professional"? A recent experience got me thinking about this very question. While it’s safe to say that professionals are technically those who earn their living through a trade, I firmly believe that people who don't rely on music for their primary income can still operate with a truly professional mindset.
Coming prepared saves everyone time and makes playing in a band infinitely more enjoyable. That is why I want to highlight the critical distinction between practice and rehearsal. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there are fundamental differences that separate concerns when it comes to playing with others.
You've got to learn your instrument. Then you practice, practice, practice. And then when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.
— Charlie Parker
Practice is what you do on your own time at home or in your personal studio. It is where you learn the song structures, master your individual parts, work through solos, and make sure you understand every cue needed to perform your role as competently as possible. It doesn't have to be flawless, but the better you know the material individually, the smoother everything runs for the entire group.
Rehearsal, on the other hand, happens after you have practiced on your own. It is the time to come together and integrate your prepared parts with the rest of the band. Just as an actor is expected to know their lines before walking onto a film set, musicians should arrive at band sessions knowing their parts inside and out. Rehearsal is for polishing the collective dynamic, not for learning your chord changes on someone else's time.
Making this clear distinction has drastically improved my growth as a performing musician. I cannot stress enough the immense benefits of showing up prepared to any musical situation.
Thanks for reading.
— CSR 🎸