Hey guys. There is one thing about my woodsheding that really gets on my nerves. I wont go into a whole rant of detail. Theres some really important things im trying to work on with my bass. I just find it hard to just sit down and work it all out. I tend to just loss focus on my goals ive set for the session. Ive had this problem for years. Ive been doing good with setting aside time. But once i sit down. Get my material out and start working on what i have set. Ive ben giging alot over the years. And had lots of help from some fellow jazz cats teaching me stuff. I swear if I didnt have that,I would be no better then the day i started. The material im wokring on is to some, prob very complex. But i can see it improving my playing and reading alot. Just have to sit down and get it done. Anyone else have this problem at all?

Break you practice into short sessions like 30-40 minutes then take a ten minute break. When taking a break get up and walk about drink some water or something. Use a timer in the beginning. You will find you can get more done and practice many hours if you break up your practice. Also start switching topic for each short session. Force yourself to stop and move on when that session is done.

Doing this you learn to focus because you know its only going to be for a short time. Also you start learning to learn faster since time is limited. Give each practice topic one session and then a session or two for free practice on any topic or just to play.

I used to go thru the same thing and using a practice routine like I described I could practice all day, not get tired or bored, and get something done. Also make good overall progress because I touch every topic at least once a day. Might work for you.

Br

+1 DocBop, it's like that old saying "How do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time", and the same goes for practice/studying/woodshedding. The timer idea was passed on to me a couple of years ago and it really works. I use a 15min/5min for myself (MTV Generation) to accomplished more in a shorter amount of time. I originally used the method for IT certification exams and just started using it for my bass/music theory studies and I retain alot more. Keeping a journal also helps me alot, so I can keep myself moving forward and not going over the same material over and over, unless I need to of course.... frikin walking bass lines...!!! grrrrrr

I hope I was of some help...... "Now get to eatin that Elephant...!!" I like mine with mango salsa.. ;)

I knew I could count on you guys. Ill give that a whirl tomarrow. I know my biggest prob is this. I practice right by computer. Thats were all my music files are. At least when I get a bit distracted. I go to youtube and look up some of the stuff im working on. Or do a search here on what im working on. So i guess in a way it counts as practicing? I do have a few empty rooms in my house. So Im thinking about turning one into a practice room. Away from this darn computer!

10+2*5 (http://www.43folders.com/2005/10/11/procrastination-hack-1025) More confirmation of the "break it up into chunks" method.

Working at the location of your greatest distraction (youtube) is a problem that plagues all sorts of computer workers. You go to look something up & then 5 hours later... XKCD calls it The Problem with Wikipedia (http://xkcd.com/214/).

I'm a firm believer in space & location as mood setters. Turn a room into a practice room (I wish I had that luxury - NYC doesn't seem to allow it) and then just make sure you actually get your butt in there regularly.

Another note - the reverse of this can work in your favor. If your bass is the distraction it works equally well. I have a bass next to my couch & play during commercial breaks, etc. Heck I'll play along WITH the commercial breaks.

i practice by the comp.
but when i need to do something for a long time that i wont need it for (slapping, scales) ill move to my room or something