Need help developing a practice routine

[Distant Cousin]

Ok, so my practice has no structure to it at the moment. I'm working on a lot of different things at the moment so I really need to get some kind of semi-formal routine going. Quick list of stuff I'm working on in my lessons and helping out friends with performance exams:

-Started learning jazz recently. My walking isn't really very good, so I'm working on that. I've got my first jazz gig next month.
-Working on my reading. Not spending enough time on it though.
-Soloing. I need to improve this for an improvisation class exam, and also for my performance project. I guess different ways of soloing around chords and modes basically.
-Playing some prog metal on one friend's exam. Need to work on speed for this.
-Potentially playing bass for someone's "flamenco/latin" performance so I need to learn some basic techniques here!
-List of songs, mostly jazz, some rock and pop. No real issue here, just need to learn them!

That's about the long and short of it. I'm having a bit of a problem working out how long to practice everything for each day, and coming up with some kind of flow to it. Does anyone have any suggestions? The jazz, soloing and reading are the most important ones.

Thanks!

[bassandbeyond]

Sounds like you have plenty of constructive material to work on. As for how to structure your practice, that depends on 1) how much time per day you can spend practicing, and 2) your attention span.

I recommend rotating through your practice items in short segments. For me, usually ten to twenty minutes per item keeps me focused and productive. It also helps to take "micro breaks" in between. If you still have practice time left after covering all your topics, then go back to the top of the list and repeat the process.

The lesson on my site entitled "Practice Tips for Bassists" might be helpful to you (see link in my sig).

[oldcatfish]

I'm probably not the best one to give you advice here,since I have a short attention span. I tend to get burned out with too many exercises. So, here's how I'd approach it---I'd try to combine as many of the things you need to work on into just a few exercises. For example, I'd try to work on the new concepts, such as walking lines...by learning songs that have them. Maybe even get the sheet music first, then see how close your interpretation is. Something like that.

And the practicing short segments is right on the money, I always make better progress that way.

[Spin Doctor]

This is a time management issue rather than a practice issue. There are only 24hrs in the day and you have a lot going on. Prioritize your tasks in order of importance and set your time accordingly. For example, how definite is the potential Latin thing? You may want to consider ditching it, if you are just hanging on the hook and concentrate on stuff that directly affects your grades.

[Plays_For_Dog]

I have a set time I play everyday. I stick to that schedule unless something serious gets in the way (emergency). For me, I decided to play everyday before work. Since I work nights and live in an apartment, I can play with minimal impact on others. I know I have to leave for work by 3pm, so around 2 I stop whatever I've found myself into and pick up the bass.

[Jmathews8]

Is there a thread that talks about music theory to help with improvising?