How To Gear Up For Early Morning Rehearsals
I’ve never been a morning person.
I enjoy the early mornings. I make the most of the hours before the work day begins. But I’ve never been that guy who naturally wakes up at 5:00am, eyes bright and ready to charge. Maybe someday I’ll get there but until then I’ve had to get really intentional about gearing up for Sunday morning rehearsal.
If I need to be up at 5:00am and ready to start playing music and leading a team at 6:45am there are a few things I need to do. Here is my routine for gearing up for Sunday morning.
Drink: Hydration starts the day before. I try to drink plenty of water to help prepare my voice for Sunday.
Prep: No one wants to start their Sunday rushed and frantic. I’ll make sure my clothes are ironed, breakfast is prepped and my gear is in my backpack on Saturday night. I don’t know about you but I don’t have the presence of mind to make sure my capo is in my guitar case at 6am.
Sleep: This seems obvious but it’s often overlooked. A good night’s sleep is essential! Don’t settle in for your a few episodes of your favorite show around 10:15pm. Don’t stay out late. If I want a full eight hours that means lights out by 9:00pm! I don’t always get there but I always try. This is often a sacrifice but it’s well worth it.
Wake Up: Waking up well before you absolutely have to is good for a couple of reason. The more time you have before rehearsal begins the more time you have to become awake and alert and warm up your voice. Try not to get up in just enough time to rush out the door and arrive on time. I’m up at 5, out the door at 6 and prepping at 6:15 for rehearsal at 6:45.
Warm Up: I like to warm up my voice all morning. It starts in the shower, continues through my drive and keeps going during set up.
Eat: 5:30am feels way to early for a full breakfast but be sure to eat something. There’s nothing worse than feeling weary from an empty stomach later in the morning. Fruit, toast, some protein or a granola bar is a good place to start.
Read: Take some time get your heart focused on the Lord. I like to meditate on a Psalm and pray for the day before I leave the house.
Drink: I know its painful, but vocalists, avoid that coffee! If you have to have some drink it early and hit the water hard afterword. The caffeine and milk can wreak havoc on your vocal cords. Either way, drink plenty of wanter or tea before and during rehearsal.
Our volunteer team, church family in ultimately God deserves our very best when we come to worship Him. Let’s be diligent and give it our all!
What about you? How do you gear up for an early Sunday morning? Share in the comments below.