Practicing while you do other things simultaneously....

[bassmanwho]

Over the years I have developed a practicing habit but I have no clue if this is fatal or beneficial to my playing. Since I am a heavy computer user, I stayed in front of the monitor for several hours a day, even when I practice. When I practice techniques, scales, even learn from songs, I tend to "simultaneously" browse the Internet, chat with friends on MSN, watch movies, TV show episodes with the sounds muted and subtitles on. Occasionally I'd move the cursor with my right hand or hit the keyboards to turn pages, and then continue practicing. I don't know if this is a bad habit. This prolongs my practice period, breaking them into fragments so that I practice many hours a day, roughly 6-8. I am wondering if any of fellow TBers are the same as I am. I am thinking maybe I should try to concentrate on one thing so as to let the brain absorb better. I just saw this thread talking about right/left-brain-ness so I am here to ask for suggestions.



Advice would be appreciated.

[JeffC]

I am a graphic designer and am also in front of my computer an ungodly amount of time during the day. When I started practicing, I would do the same thing and even have the TV on at a low volume. I have a detached garage that I have converted to a jam space, I mostly practice in there now. I sit on a stool or stand and I plug in my iPod to an amp if I want backing.

Since I have done this, I find I am learning MUCH faster. Not only that but I find that the hours melt away as I really sink into the music. Before I would check constantly how long I am playing and other things I have to do.

I've really got into the whole being free thing. No phone, no watch, no worries. I really prefer this way now.

Hope this helps

[Chipsonfire]

My practices tend to be similar to the OP, mainly because I have no books so my lessons are online or in pdf form. I also practice (basics like fretting technique and scales) with music playing because this is more entertaining than listening to a metronome, though I'm somewhat worried that I won't get everything I need because I'm not always hearing the notes. Any suggestions on improving my practices would be appreciated as well.

[Matthew Bryson]

I make it a point to not have any distractions when I practice. I insist that the TV in the room be off. If my kids are on the computer in the jam room, I make them turn the sound off or use headphones. I would never allow "other" music to be playing when I'm practicing music. I either sit on a stool in front of a music stand, or I stand. My two kids also practice instruments (flute & drums). I insists that they also practice without distractions like computer and TV. I can not imagine anybody saying that habitually having distractions while attempting "practice" could be anything but a bad thing. Sorry.

[Just J]

I sit on my couch and practice, sometimes with the TV on and muted, sometimes just watching some random show (NFL network is what I watch the most), but it gets distracting. I'll practice, then something will come on and I'll watch it, then practice, then watch, etc. Also, my room is setup so the TV is pretty far from the couch that's parallel to it, so I sit on the couch on the side. It's difficult to play and watch the TV, uncomfortable too, so I know this hampers me. I do have a jam room, but I've been constantly moving my amp around and the acoustics suck, Ds sound like crap (resonate horribly). Need to fix that.

I've read numerous times that when you practice, you should dedicate all your time to practicing, no distractions at all. If you're just jamming, it shouldn't matter, but you should really focus on your playing when practicing. Logic makes sense, you're trying to find flaws in your playing and fix them as well as improve speed and technique when practicing. If you're not paying close attention, you can over look flaws, form bad habits, or exacerbate existing flaws.

Yea yea, I'm a huge hypocrite, but I'm working on rearranging my schedule so I can find time to practice with no distractions.

[Chipsonfire]

Originally Posted by Matthew Bryson

I make it a point to not have any distractions when I practice. I insist that the TV in the room be off. If my kids are on the computer in the jam room, I make them turn the sound off or use headphones. I would never allow "other" music to be playing when I'm practicing music. I either sit on a stool in front of a music stand, or I stand. My two kids also practice instruments (flute & drums). I insists that they also practice without distractions like computer and TV. I can not imagine anybody saying that habitually having distractions while attempting "practice" could be anything but a bad thing. Sorry.

That's what I figured, I'll have to make a point to ignore IM's and get a stereo headphone adapter so there's no outside noise to distract me. Hmm, I think I need to go to radio shack today and invest in a few things >_>

[Saluki]

I have and hour drive to work and although I can't really practice, I do practice technique. I play different right hand patterns across the steering wheel or gear shift knob and also use a finger exerciser for both right and left hand exercises. Also when listening to XM I try to repeat bass patterns I hear or try to keep in rhythm with faster players like Steve Harris. Go ahead and laugh, but it has helped my speed, dexterity and endurance since my actual practice time is limited.

[eedre]

I can usually do a couple things while I practice bass. I tend to read a mag on the commode rug, take a dump, and play bass all at the same time.

[DocBop]

I would say what you describe is bad. I have had the same bad habit so I know where you are coming from. My computer is my practice tool being it is also my stereo, I have music on it, and practice tools. So sometimes the line gets very blurry. But for serious practice I had to learn to shut off the computer or now I go into another room to practice. I get more into what I practice that way so I get more out of less time.

Now if at the computer and it NOT practice its just having your instrument in your hand so you're working your fingers. Maybe playing along with some music, hear a tune or riff you like and play figure it out and play along that is good, but it isn't practice.

Serious practice requires your full attention. That is why I like practicing first thing in the morning or set aside time late at night. Inbetween I'll play and work on things but I don't alway consider it practice. Also it helps to plan your your practice and have things to work on.

[tswd]

It depends on where you're at, I guess. If you have bad habits, all you're doing is reinforcing them. Record some of what you're doing during your practices and then listen to it afterwards. If it sounds like crap, you should probably start paying attention.

I like to play with distractions once I have a song down. The reason is that being on stage is a very distracting experience. I want my muscle memory to be able to play the song on auto-pilot.

When I learned guitar, one thing I'd do is try to sing along with the song. That way, I was always thinking about the lyrics and not about what my hands were doing. It greatly improved my ability to switch chords in a song.

I've found that if I can play a song half-way decently when I'm not paying attention, it makes it that much easier to nail it when I do pay attention. So after I know a song from start to finish, I try to not think about it when I practice it.

Same thing with techniques. When first learning a technique, I have to concentrate and make sure I'm doing it right. But once I have the mechanics down, I practice it while watching TV or something to let my muscles get it ingrained.

[Wonder]

Originally Posted by eedre

I can usually do a couple things while I practice bass. I tend to read a mag on the commode rug, take a dump, and play bass all at the same time.

That's the **** my man!

[jaebee]

i think yours is an acceptable method for learning techniques, but otherwise unproductive. it can help you master right hand technique (i used to pund out muted 16ths while watching tv)

in reality, you do need to only practice in order to get the benefit of both combining technique and theory, and also creating music in general

[tkozal]

in season, Football (soccer) on the tube, sound off, captions on....

[cowsgomoo]

I believe you should minmize distractions when you need to... and 'practicing' whilst surfing the internet or taking a dump isn't exactly minimizing distractions

but having said that, if you love your instrument, you'll find yourself picking it up and noodling without being especially aware what you're doing... apparently Jimi Hendrix was known to wear his guitar round the house from waking to sleeping.. he'd cook with the thing round his neck, and yes, go to the toilet with it...

so whilst it's not my idea of practice, I think there's a lot to be said for playing the bass whilst doing other stuff... it's bonding time and i'm sure any time you spend with your hands on your bass is better than no time, even if it's not hardcore 'practice' time

sometimes it's good to be able to play without consciously thinking about it... out there at a gig you often need to be able to get through the song without consciously thinking too hard about it, as you might be concentrating on other stuff like jumping off the drum riser or sliding across the stage on your knees

[Chipsonfire]

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

I believe you should minmize distractions when you need to... and 'practicing' whilst surfing the internet or taking a dump isn't exactly minimizing distractions

but having said that, if you love your instrument, you'll find yourself picking it up and noodling without being especially aware what you're doing... apparently Jimi Hendrix was known to wear his guitar round the house from waking to sleeping.. he'd cook with the thing round his neck, and yes, go to the toilet with it...

so whilst it's not my idea of practice, I think there's a lot to be said for playing the bass whilst doing other stuff... it's bonding time and i'm sure any time you spend with your hands on your bass is better than no time, even if it's not hardcore 'practice' time

sometimes it's good to be able to play without consciously thinking about it... out there at a gig you often need to be able to get through the song without consciously thinking too hard about it, as you might be concentrating on other stuff like jumping off the drum riser or sliding across the stage on your knees

Although sliding on my knees may very well become a handy trick while playing bass, I think I should limit my distractions any time I have my bass in hand as I'm still working on learning the fretboard

[bassmanwho]

I've read all the posts. Thanks a lot you guys for your great replies. I can still work out my fingers when I'm surfing the net, but I'll minimize distractions when I really need to "learn" and play music.

[anon_6j591b0]

Doing anything but practicing while you practice is a complete waste of time and anyone who thinks different is a total wanker. Unless you've had some accident and need physiotherapy playing patterns while you watch tv or whatever is gonna do you no good and even then real physiotherapy would be better. Playing isn't a matter of being able to physically wiggle yer fingers.....you probably already have as much ability to do that as John Patitucci. What makes him better than you is his ability to choose what he's playing and learning that takes mental focus and jacking off with yer bass in front of the tv won't ever give you that.

[JebSmells]

I use my T.V. for learning scales all the time (can't remeber which bass vid it was that advised me to do so). It is a well known fact that T.V. uses up Zero brain power, that means you can watch T.V. and put your metronome onto the "just flash, no sound" setting and practise running scales with your right and left hands and get your musicle memory down. I know the difference between good and bad technique now tho, so i know for a fact all i'm learning is scale shapes and not bad technique from not concentrating.

Do whatever you want, if you think you should change it then do, but don't just do somehting that works for someone else IMO

Sorry Jeff, I think it works, guess it appears i'm a total wanker

[anon_6j591b0]

Saying "total wanker" was before coffee this morning an maybe a little harsh.
If you're honest with yourself though.....real deal, deep down, no bull-**** honest do you really think "practicing" in front of the TV has anything to do with getting better at making music? TV may not use any brain power but it's a well known fact that what it doesn't use it sucks right outta yer head anyway leaving you kinda stunned. And the getting yer motor skills together line doesn't wash either. It ain't about dexterity at all....most of us have way more of that than we can use. You don't believe it? See how fast you can play without trying to make any music....just run all over the fingerboard as fast as you can. The reason you practice is to try to connect the ideas in yer head to yer fingers and THAT requires you turn the gawd-damn TV off and concentrate. "Practicing" in front of the TV isn't practicing it's wanking.

[Grueber]

Originally Posted by jeffbonny

Doing anything but practicing while you practice is a complete waste of time and anyone who thinks different is a total wanker.

Wow, quite surprised to see that you are 45. I was expecting somewhere between 11-12 when I read that post.