I can't remember where I am!

[iceshaft07]

THis has plagued me. I can't remember where I am in the song; you know, I am constantly thinking "Did I play that three or four times?"

Is there anything I can do to stop my mind from drifting so much when I play?

[Em Toons]

Trust your subconscious. I find that if my mind is wandering, my subconscious is still paying attention. I wouldn't make it an excuse, though, just a fall-back. If you are constantly forgetting, you'd better work on concentration. (That means more practice! )

[Beta]

If, say, you have to play four measures of straight 8th notes (same note), you can count, "one+two+three+four+two+two+three+four+..."

Beyond that, I have no tips.

[Lewis7789]

I catch myself forgetting where I am in Miles' "So What"... I agree with EM Toons though, just trust your gut.

[Beta]

Originally Posted by Em Toons

Trust your subconscious. I find that if my mind is wandering, my subconscious is still paying attention. I wouldn't make it an excuse, though, just a fall-back. If you are constantly forgetting, you'd better work on concentration. (That means more practice! )

As was said, this is good advice. But I find that if I have nothing invested in the song (I don't like it, or it's just too rote) my subconscious was never there to begin with- and that's where working on concentration comes in.

[DocBop]

You talking about losing track of measures or losing track of sections of a song. Losing track of measure then that you have to develop a gut feel for. That is the reason I get students started playing Blues and simple Rock tune. It helps them develop a feel for 4 and 8 bars going by.
Since most tunes we typically play the phrases are some multiple of 4 when lost your gut can kick in so you know you can fake it until the next phrase and get back on track.

For keeping track of sections that if a combination of the above, learning the song well enough to know the sound of the different sections so you can drop back in. Some tunes helps to know the lyrics to recognize sections. Last some tunes you just need to count.

[Depth_Charge]

I used to have that same problem. I play in a cover band and sometimes with newer material, I still have the problem.

For one learning to play the songs correctly from the get-go really helps your brain learn the way it's played. Not always easy but since discovering its existence I am a big fan of the Lynn Seaton method of learning songs by ear, which involves learning songs in chunks and absorbing the songs in your head before figuring it out on bass.

I also find listening to the songs repeatedly really helps to drive them into my brain...sometimes I'll forget and panic in thought but my fingers will still find the right notes some of the time.

[geoffkhan]

As DocBop said, learn to feel phrases of 4 and 8, and work your way up to feeling 16 bars go by, etc. Eventually you'll be able to anticipate the end of the phrase, etc. It has to do with listening from a more general standpoint, where you can hear the overall picture and feel the overall time flow. Sometimes if you get too focused on details you can lose this overall viewpoint--not that it isn't possible to do both, but you always have to keep that feel going no matter what you're focusing on.

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by iceshaft07

THis has plagued me. I can't remember where I am in the song; you know, I am constantly thinking "Did I play that three or four times?"

It sounds like you don't KNOW the song, you haven't internalized it.

Is there anything I can do to stop my mind from drifting so much when I play?

Record and listen, really listen, to what you play and then ask yourself if you're satisfied with it. This will help you to take your playing more seriously.

[kalle74]

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

It sounds like you don't KNOW the song, you haven't internalized it.




Record and listen, really listen, to what you play and then ask yourself if you're satisfied with it. This will help you to take your playing more seriously.

+1. Early in your learning process, you tend to worry about each measure, and whether you pull it off or not. As you develop, you learn the stuff down cold faster, and can concentrate on the song as whole, and it´s feel etc... It really helps to know the song´s melody, or something, to "guide" you through... Music is full of hints.


Recording is, IMO, the best way to develop your playing, as it gives impartial feedback.

[louieeadg]

write it down. follow your writings. internalize. stop thinking so much. tap your feet. nod you head. swing your hips. make patterns with your fingers. I don't know, how old are you? And you haven't learned to concentrate yet? Drink green tea. Change your diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables. And eat better protein. Play with your drummer more.