For bands reconvening in person rehearsals and performances, here’s what we’ve learned recently about social distancing for bands.

1. Setup early. You will need more time than usual to set because parking and walking paths will not be direct routes to the performance area.
2. Wear masks during setup. We instinctively go directly to the next piece of equipment and during setup we can inadvertently cross paths and get within six feet / two meters of another band member. You can remove the masks once everyone is at their stations and ready to rock.
3. Give singers and wind players extra space. Singers and wind players tend to project air and possibly droplets, so give them up to 12 feet and consider having them face away, or at least at an angle, from the other band members.
4. Set your creature comforts up along with your musical gear. This cut down on crossing paths to get things such as bottled water, sunglasses, lip balm, etc.
5. Rehearsals can be hybrid online / in-person. If you have a six person band and that’s one more than the group limit, offer to have band member, such as a second guitar player, rehearse through an online live video link.