What's the difference between "rehearsal" and "practice?"

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   jansharesposted 9 years ago

   What's the difference between "rehearsal" and "practice?"
   
   I think these are used interchangeably but "rehearsal" for me is when you're preparing for something that will be presented to an audience. What do you think?

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   Stargrrlposted 9 years ago

   You are correct.  Practice is what you do every day with something.  To rehearse means to perform in advance, like practice, but not.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for answering, Stargrrl. It bothers me when I hear the choir director use "practice" instead of  "rehearsal."

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   rlahaposted 9 years ago

   Practice is when someone is practicing something on a regular basis. For example, I play the piano. When I take up a new piece, I have to practice it for weeks and months before I can feel good about being able to play it in full. A rehearsal is the final piece practiced before a show or a concert. I hope that helps?

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      Stargrrlposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This was a better answer than mine.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent distinctions, rlaha. Thanks for answering.

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      rlahaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      

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      freecampingaussieposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I was going to say basically the same thing except I don't play anything.

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   Rafiq23posted 9 years ago

   I think practice is a continuous and routine work, while rehearsal is a sort of preparation before performing something.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I like your use of "continuous" and "routine" to describe practice. Thanks for answering, Rafiq23.

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   TheCranberryBarnposted 9 years ago

   Practice is what musicians do to get the music as close to perfect as they can. 
   
   Rehearsals are similar. 
   
   The term for rehearsal is generally used for a group of musicians, like a band, choir or orchestra.  Practice takes place in rehearsals as well, when the conductor goes over and over a certain section of music.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, thank you for this answer, TheCranberryBarn. Now I understand why the choir director uses "practice" because her goal as a musician is to get it as close to perfect as possible. The "rehearsal" definition very helpful.

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      TheCranberryBarnposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome.  I'm a retired Band Director, so it was interesting to read the confusion in your question.  Sometimes we use the terms interchangeably!

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   Zelkiiroposted 9 years ago

   The way I look at it, practice is the honing of your craft even during downtime, like playing the piano at night just to improve your skills.
   
   A rehearsal, on the other hand, implies an upcoming performance of some description and is simply the act of matching the skills you've been practicing with what said performance requires, like learning a particular piano tune in time for a chorus concert. There is also the implication that you might be doing this with your peers, with whom you'll be putting on this performance.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great explanation, Zelkiiro. Thank you for your answer.

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   Mark Johannposted 9 years ago

   Rehearsal is the pre-performance or dry run while practice is the daily routine which should be done to master the role you are assigned.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I like the use of "pre-performance" or "dry-run" to make the distinction. Thank you, Mark, for your answer.

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   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   Practice is done alone or with others. At home, in a park, in a car, anywhere.
   Rehearsal is done with a group before official performance.

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      jansharesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I like that distinction about an individual versus a group. Thanks for answering, Kevin.

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      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You are welcome Jan. :-)
      Happy Spring! Today is officially the 1st day of spring.

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   Reginald Thomasposted 6 years ago

   I believe that the difference between “rehearsal” and “practice” is that a rehearsal is a “concert” without an audience and when you practice, you are practicing for the rehearsal.

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