Best way to have fun practising?

[Paul4703]

Been working hard at playing bass recently, keeping to a schedule and focussing on good technique. I've made steady progress but realise that I'm really not having any fun when I practice. For me this is a hobby and I really want to enjoy it.

So any tips on how to make practice fun?

[Eminentbass]

Originally Posted by Paul4703

Been working hard at playing bass recently, keeping to a schedule and focussing on good technique. I've made steady progress but realise that I'm really not having any fun when I practice. For me this is a hobby and I really want to enjoy it.

So any tips on how to make practice fun?

For me it's trying to learn a little bit of new information on a semi-daily basis that stops it getting tedious. There are a few routine things that I drill daily but I try learn something new as well even if it's taking a jazz standard and walking through the chord sequence linking chord tones which gives me new insight into harmony and composition. The other thing is to take regular breaks where I just noodle or stuff around trying to improvise. working on technical exercises alone can be tedious and can seem fruitless so I try to improve technique in a musical context. Jamming along to songs is also a great way to unwind. It's hard work sometimes but figuring things out that way is great ear training and is rewarding in the long run. I am a complete nerd though and love the frustrating challenges

[m_bisson]

I've been drumming for almost 10 years, and I find the best learning "jumps" happen when I don't practice for a week or two, but just play for fun. Your brain needs time to memorize things and sort of glue them in forever. There's no need to rush. So take a short break from "studying" and take what you've learned and try to play a few songs.

Also, record your playing. All you need is a 1/4" - 1/8" converter and you can plug the bass into the mic jack of your PC. How well it works depends on your PC though. Record a few songs now, save them, and record the same songs in another few months to see how you've improved.

I'm new to bass as well (3 weeks) and my main focus has just been getting comfortable with the fingerings and strumming techniques. Once I can handle the bass properly I plan on focusing more on the theory side of things.

[waleross]

+1 on the advice. I have been using a playable playlist to learn and plan on jammimg with a drummer and a guitarist soon. This gives me a goal to shoot for otherwise I'm just wasting my time.

[TheFantod]

Find some CD's that you love, and learn the bass lines to every song on the CD.
Almost 20 years after its release, I love to break out BSSM by the Chili Peppers and spend the evening playing through it.

[need4mospd]

Originally Posted by Paul4703

Been working hard at playing bass recently, keeping to a schedule and focussing on good technique. I've made steady progress but realise that I'm really not having any fun when I practice. For me this is a hobby and I really want to enjoy it.

So any tips on how to make practice fun?

50% practice, 50% fun stuff. For example, if you practice scales/chords in F for 15 minutes, try picking out a couple songs in F to play along with for 15 minutes.

[kreider204]

Some questions first:

What genre of music are you focusing on? Rock? Jazz? Blues? Classical?

Also, can you tell me what sort of practice materials you are using? Certain books? Are you working with a teacher?

Also, is this your first instrument, or do you play anything else?

[the general]

in the words of James Jamerson ' if you don't feel it, don't play it.' if you try to get into the groove of the song your playing, if you feel it, you will enjoy it. an example for me is sublime's santeria. if i just try to practice that, with no feeling, its not really fun. but if i get into the beat of the song, the lyrics, and get into that groove, the bass just flows. weird as it might sound, it helps me.