Structured practice thoughts...

[kesslari]

I've been thinking about ways to organize my limited practice time, since I definitely find that I'm most productive in my practice when I'm focused.

I'm thinking about 5 "general areas" of focus, all of which are areas that I want to improve, and which, together, make up a huge chunk of musical and bass-specific knowledge. And of course there are overlaps between areas, because life is like that.

I'd like your thoughts and input as to if I'm missing something critical, or if this seems like a reasonable way to work.
Note - I've got years of experience playing in bands, generally groove well, and do OK in both "plays well with others" and "runs with scissors" kind of stuff. So the advice "play with a band', while good, isn't what I'm talking about here.

1. Fretboard knowledge. For me this is getting comfortable with and really knowing (immediately) the notes on all strings up the neck. I'm good in on the first 7 frets, but I feel waffley between the 8th and 12th frets, and have to think too much about which note is where. Once I feel solid from nut to 12th, I'll be sure to work it from 12 to 24, though I think that should be more straightforward as it's a repeat. Pacman's fretboard exercise, as well as slowly playing arpeggios while naming notes, and scales while naming notes, are my main tools here.

2. Dexterity and "building blocks". This includes exercises that both increase my physical abilities and give me the "legos" with which to build musical concepts - scale and modes (and sequences), interesting riffs, arpegios and sequenced arpegios. This in my mind is truly "practice" as opposed to "making music" - these are the ideas from which music is made, and create the physical structure and skills to be able to play what I hear.
This also includes playing along to drum machines to improve timing, working on grooves, technique, etc.

3. Reading. This is a seriously weak area for me, and consequently it takes a lot of effort for me to work on it (because the instant gratification factor is low). So it needs to be on the list, and scheduled, so I at least keep slogging through and making progress.

4. Putting it together - playing over changes. Here's where I take the various "building blocks" and work on using them to create music and to express. Working through Todd Johnson's "Jazz Gym" material tends to straddle the line between this and #2. This is the area to move "plays arpegios well, but sounds like he's playing arpegios" to "plays well". At least I hope so...

5. Goofing off - sometimes it just feels good to pick up the instrument and play whatever. All work and no play might as well make Jack an accountant.
Thoughts?