This is Nakamura from Kubokan!
This might come out of the blue, but here’s a common concern among wind instrument players...
Where does everyone practice?????
It’s only after entering the workforce that I’ve really come to realize just how fortunate I was to have such a great practice environment back in college.
So, I’d like to share a little bit about how I and the people around me handle it.
・Music Studios
Actually, there are often music studios near train stations.
Unfortunately, my nearest station is in a quiet, residential neighborhood, so there aren’t any there, but you’ll find them quite often near major stations.
For individual practice, most places charge around 700 to 800 yen per hour, I’d say.
But even so, 1,400–1,600 yen for two hours is a bit of a stretch if you want to use it regularly...
I often use them for rehearsals with my jazz band (15–20 people).
・Outdoors
Free and unlimited use! You’ll see people practicing in large parks or along riverbanks. I’m a huge fan of Yoyogi Park and the Tama River.
It’s absolutely wonderful… but in the summer, the mosquitoes and heat make it impossible to practice, and in the winter, it’s just plain cold.
Since it depends on the weather, it’s hard to set up a music stand for practice. While it’s great for warm-ups and standard basic exercises, practicing with sheet music can be a real struggle.
・Karaoke
Many people are surprised and say, “Wow, you can actually play wind instruments there?!” but surprisingly, there are quite a few places that allow it.
They’re well-air-conditioned, and depending on the place, they have music stands, a drink bar, and you can even sing and dance. But it’s totally fine if you don’t sing or dance.
The major karaoke chain I used to go to charged “30-minute rate (about 150 yen) × number of hours + drink fee (about 500 yen),” so a two-hour visit with a drink came to just over 1,000 yen—which was actually quite a good deal.
*Please note that prices vary significantly by location.
If I had to name a downside, it would be that prices can more than double at night, during the year-end and New Year’s holidays, and during summer vacation. Locations in popular areas can also get quite pricey. Also, some people say they don’t like the overly echoey environment.
・Public Facilities
If you live near a public facility where you can practice wind instruments, you’re very lucky.
It seems there are rooms available for as little as 300 yen per hour. This is exactly why I pay my taxes.
For rehearsals involving dozens of people, such as in wind ensembles or orchestras, groups often use these kinds of facilities.
・At Home
If only this were possible, it wouldn’t be such a struggle... While it might be feasible in a single-family home, it’s difficult in apartments or condos unless they’re soundproofed.
Installing a soundproof room is an option, but considering the initial investment of nearly 1 to 2 million yen and the need for a large space, it’s hard to take the plunge.
It depends on the instrument, but with trumpets and trombones, you can play by using a silent mute. However, even though manufacturers have come up with various innovations, since the sound is muffled by blocking the bell, you can’t shake off the feeling of constriction while playing, the poor pitch, or that vague sense that you’re not really playing the instrument.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
So, I’ve introduced five practice locations—what do you think?
This might seem a bit sudden, but let me introduce a product that can help those struggling to find a place to practice.
・You live in an apartment or condo but want to practice at home
• You find standard mufflers uncomfortable and don’t like them
This product solves those problems.
I’ve demonstrated it in a video, so please take a look.
A New Option for Wind Ensemble and Orchestra Rehearsals: Shibaura Studio
I mentioned public facilities above, but popular practice spaces are bound to be in high demand among various groups.
Isn’t there a hidden gem—a studio perfect for thorough rehearsals?
Yes, there are—in Shibaura, Setagaya, and Haneda.
They’re spacious with high ceilings, so you won’t feel cramped while performing, and they have a lounge where staff can hold meetings during rehearsals.
There are truly wonderful studios like this in Shibaura, Setagaya, and Haneda.
And right now, they’re reportedly running a limited-time “Weekend Discount” campaign offering half-price rates.
To be honest, this is the very studio that Adam Rapa used when he visited Japan for the LOTUS event in the fall of 2024.
The facilities are top-notch. In fact, these are the studios that super-famous artists from Japan and abroad flock to use—and now is your chance to use one of Japan’s premier studios at half price.
Be sure to check it out.
If you’re a wind instrument player and this still doesn’t solve your problems, please stop by the store.
Let’s agonize over it together! (Though we probably won’t find a solution.)
Nakamura