Best time split for practice/study?

[Pbassred]

I'm thinking about shaking up (or formalising) my routine. There are always songs to learn and phisical dexterity and theory and reading excercises to do and like most people, I don't get enough done - especially on the theory. Most of it doesn't stick, except the songs.

well I don't have a plan about excactly what to study yet but most practice aught to be broken up anyway. For each hour of practice, What split works best between song learning and theory? Or does anyone have a routine that works well?

[bassandbeyond]

Everybody's span of attention and biorhythms are different. But my rule of thumb is "break before burnout". In other words, take a short break or switch subjects frequently to maintain your focus.

Time of day is also an important consideration. Lots of musicians are night owls, but I prefer to get my practicing done first thing in the morning. That's when I can concentrate best, and then I can go through the rest of my day without feeling guilty about not having practiced!

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

I'm thinking about shaking up (or formalising) my routine. There are always songs to learn and phisical dexterity and theory and reading excercises to do and like most people, I don't get enough done - especially on the theory. Most of it doesn't stick, except the songs.

well I don't have a plan about excactly what to study yet but most practice aught to be broken up anyway. For each hour of practice, What split works best between song learning and theory? Or does anyone have a routine that works well?

Song learning I must do, so that goes according to the work involved. The rest is split into practice segments (I don't consider song learning practice, it's WHY we practice).

I divide the remaining time evenly between sight reading, chord tone type stuff and transposing, learning melodies (jazz heads, whatever)

[Pbassred]

yeah, but what is the % split.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

yeah, but what is the % split.

even, everything except song learning. so 25% total time for the other 4 things. If I don't have any songs to work on it's only those things, if I have songs to learn the time for practice varies but the ratio is the same.