No Practice Rooms!
One of the most pressing needs of all the bands, including amateur, commercial or professional is that, there are not enough practice rooms available in Male’. Two of the main reasons include unavailability of space and potential noise levels.
There are simply not enough spaces to go around. Even if a space seemed available for a while, the property-owner’s would rather have it leased to commercial space such as an office or a shop in lieu of a practice room. As musicians travel much with their equipment, practice room are mostly sought on the ground floor, which is the choice for a shop space.
Also, property owners are hesitant to lease their premises for practice rooms due to the potentially high noise levels. As everyone lives in such close proximity, a band playing in your neighbor’s which might be next to your bedroom wall might not be acceptable at all.
Over the past few years, only a few privately-owned jam studios did open but, had been shut down in no time. Perhaps it was just not feasible? Or, they had found better uses for the premises again or, better returns from investment in another venture.
The worry here is that without practice rooms or jam studios, new talent may not be flowing in to the music scene; existing talent will tend to deplete; and there might be no newer bands coming into the scene. This might already be happening.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:12
Thats quite true. Anyways, one good plan to this impending doom (ehem), is the government makes one big building in hulhumale, where all registered bands can practice in their allocated room, i seen this when i was in europe, and it works.
So i hope any government ppl or someone who cares for music (and is rich) actually does something like this. Maybe a % of the gig money can go to the buliding fund, in that way its self supporting.
tc. peace KJ
November 13th, 2006 at 14:51
Nice to see you here KJ.
Interesting concept – the community needs to help themselves. I believe that a solution has to come from within the music community. In the past, people have tried to help: resort owners have invested in bands; government has setup forums; and musicians have floated ideas too; the business community sponsors events. So, what’s missing?
The loud “voices” within music community are still stuck with old problems. So when someone gives them an ear, they hear a never ending list of problems. While this list of problems may be important, what the community fails to realise is that these problems are individualistic. It is for the community to identify which of these problems are faced commonly by the community and find common solutions that will benefit all and pave the way ahead for the future.
It’s very refreshing to see a concept here for a change. Of course your suggestions are still concepts. By communicating, discussing and exploring possibilities, I am sure the community would be able to find solutions. Someone once said that, rarely do ideas inspire people; more than that it is action that inspire people.
November 14th, 2006 at 09:19
i know im sliding away from the main topic here, which concerns “practice rooms”, but we all know thats not the only prob.
Something i like to point out is tha, being a musician is not such a respected profession in asia it self, unless you are a pro and worked your whole life at it (compare it to being a doctor or a pilot). And where are the music schools? most of the bands here, just practice by ear or simply downloads the tabs of the certain song, so it lacks “originalism”. I truly belive there alot more meaning to maldivian music, other thn a simple voice being blasted out on some artficial sounds or beats. For most of us, we have lost the true meaning of music, the musican or the artist, for most of us, is just the guy with the voice. they pay no heed to the rest of the music.
February 24th, 2007 at 02:55
Yea that statement above is true….me as a musician i know how everyone is suffering to find a place to jam…ppl have gotta start to help this helpless music scene of maldives…talent is ere…but the way to show the talent is less coz of no practice rooms….. (The worry here is that without practice rooms or jam studios, new talent may not be flowing in to the music scene; existing talent will tend to deplete; and there might be no newer bands coming into the scene. This might already be happening.) .. to this sentece id say…. this is happenin over ere…the same bands perform in all the shows…so everyone lets join our hands and start protesting to give practice room for musicians rather than prostesting for the presidency huh???