This may not go for everyone, but I rarely practise actual technique on its own, but instead try to use any techniques I have been studying as a way to write new stuff. I try to bring in at least one new song idea to the rehearsal room a week. so here is what i do:-
- Choose a key
- Find a cool chord progression (usually on guitar this one!)
- Record simple backing guitar part as something to jam to
- Work out a simple bass line for the progression
- Choose a technique to bring into the song (slap/tap/pick/whatever), one you wouldn't normally use/that challenges you
- Use your chosen technique to take the song somewhere you wouldnt normally go, for instance tapping gives you such a great range of notes you just cannot achieve any other way
This way you aid your creativity
aswell as practising technique so neither becomes rigid and purely learning/study time, your writing new material in new ways. A great way to keep things interesting.
Also keep in mind that you can't really do anything "wrong", you can slap badly or pick really sloppily but something cool might come of it. In all honesty if Jamerson hadn't done it how many people on here would be saying how un-efficient a technique "the claw" is and how you can achieve so much more by making full use of your right hand fingers?
I know, I bought Jamerson into it...flame on!!!!!
