Design Guide: Band Training Facilities
DG-1110-3-119
Practical Approaches for Accoustic Construction
March 1983
Figure 5-21. Room Acoustics in Main Rehearsal Room
B. Room Shape
The floor is flat and bare, allowing great flexibility in the
arrangement of band personnel. The ceiling is largely
The shaping of rooms for band practice and rehearsal
absorptive--at all frequencies including the lows, because
was discussed in 3-5.C. In summary, the basic recommenda-
it is suspended over an airspace. The reflective inserts in
tions regarding room shape are: (1) avoid perfectly square
the ceiling (minimum 4' x 4' each) help players hear each
or cube-shaped rooms, especially when designing small
other and also blend the sound as heard by the bandleader.
music rooms; in other words, let the principal dimensions
be unequal; (2) if possible splay one or more of the major
Assuming part of one major wall (usually the front wall)
surfaces, although with proper absorptive treatments, this
is covered by chalk or tack boards and thus must remain
is not always necessary; (3) avoid concave shapes that will
reflective, the opposite wall is permanently absorptive.
focus sound; (4) be generous with size, specifically with
Mounting the absorptive panels several inches off the wall,
ceiling heights.
as noted, or backing them with batt insulation, which will
add thickness to the treatment, increases absorptivity. The
C. Main Rehearsal Room
remaining walls--splayed in this example--can be cov-
ered with curtains or remain exposed, to suit acoustical
The design shown in Figure 5-21 illustrates the major room
preferences. The curtains could also cover the chalkboard
acoustics design issues for Main Rehearsal Rooms. This
if more absorption is required. Note that the curtains prefera-
space combines ample height with non-rectangular geome-
bly should be sewn in individually movable panels, each
try and incorporates fixed as well as variable absorbers.
up to 10' wide when extended. This permits locating cur-
5-24
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