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As I near the end of my education I've been thinking a lot about where I'm going to practice in the future. While I can certainly still use the SoM here, it doesn't keep great hours (grad students have 24/7 key card access, which I of course wouldn't have anymore) and I'd of course have to schlep all tubas and gear everytime. I do know various churches I could probably use when available, but again I wouldn't really be able to practice on my schedule, and still have to lug all the gear. I live in an apartment so practicing at home is not really an option.

My question is:

Have any of you ever rented a storage unit to use as a practice room? Is it legal? I think one of those indoors climate controlled storage units in a 10x10 ish size range would make for a fantastic little practice studio.

thoughts?

I have no idea what the rental rates are for your area, but where I live, a storage unit like you describe would be about $500 per month.

Kevin, I did it while our house was being built and we were in an apartment. A lot of our stuff was in there as well so it helped with the lively nature of a cement floor with metal walls and roof. As to the legality you would probably want to ask whoever you rent it from what their position on it is. But I used it for about six months and really liked it partly because when I would practice at home the kids would immediately know where I was and come seeking money or whatever. Good luck, Ed

Mark wrote:I have no idea what the rental rates are for your area, but where I live, a storage unit like you describe would be about $500 per month.

Much much cheaper in my neck of the woods, <$150 a month I've seen.

When I got out of school, I’d go the the ‘Rents to do laundry and a decent meal once a week.

If I had a tuba to practice I may have gone twice!!

I know a flute player who goes down to the basement of the apartment building and practices in the parking lot. I guess a lot depends on the temperature, and for a tuba the reverberance could be a big problem, but if the parking lot has that sprayed on white stuff (sound deadening ?) on the ceiling it may be usable.

Athens, GA - home to many great and not so great bands. Practicing in a storage unit is a tradition. Leave all the amps, traps in the unit.

Nice unit, 24 hour access and security is about $130/month.


As far as I know no one has ever made an issue about it, except some noise complaints when the bands were rocking too late.