• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Everyday Practice or Take a Break?

#41
I've always thought that if you're presented a challenge, if you're not actively working on it and decide to do something else, your subconscious is still working on it. It could be the reason why great ideas come to you during a walk or a shower - a change of scenery and/or action gives your outer-self the break while the inner-self gremlins keep hammering away.

That said, I try to play for a bit every day, but not necessarily a song I'll be performing soon. I just came up with an easier way for me to play a favorite song ("What Is Life" by George Harrison, if you must know), and I practice that a few times a day. It's fun and in other ways prepares me for the performance songs that I'll be practicing soon.

Of cours, YMMV and everyone's different. There's no right or wrong - just what works for you.
 
#46
It is always better to let the brain process new information after a few repetition ... so once the brain did his job, it is like you can do it.

I used to play everyday for many hours and double that number of hours when I was studying music at college level. Now I play when I feel it. If it takes a month or a year to learn a new song. So be it.

When I play I usually do like 4 things.
Scales, arpeggios, various fingers exercice but I mix it with a key. or a chord progression.
I will play a few songs that I like and already know because I like it.
I spend time on a new songs or riff or whatever.
I always take time to do improvisation. It happens often while doing scales arpeggios etc. I just have an idea or my finger pattern give me something cool and then jam with it with a BOSS loopstation. So I come up with the bass line, chords, flourish and a melody or solo over it. It is super fun to do and having effect pedals do help with that part.
 
#52
I think everyone's brains work a little differently and it's part of a musician's journey to learn what works be for thy self.

Personally I have several practice strategies for different things.

Whatever it is, reviewing it one last time just before bed always helps me.
 
#54
I'll work something for 15-20 minutes, then play something else, come back to the original thing for a while longer, rinse and repeat.

If I have written music or even just a tab and a recording, I can reduce the tempo until I've got it under my fingers. I'll try out different fingerings too, since tabs can be terrible that way. Then I'll work up to tempo, if that's possible.

Having a close approximation of the groove on my Beat Buddy helps keep it fun.

Some stuff, I really need to be playing everyday, or the technique just won't be up to snuff. I won't beat my head up against a wall, there's always tomorrow.

Things tend to settle into focus given some breathing space.
 
#55
Oh, Dr. Cheese, absolutely!

I'm the don't play it for a while, and get better at it type, and have been since my teens.

The way I learn something, retain it, and get better at it, is to practice it everyday or almost everyday intensely, and then to not play it at all, not for a few days, but for up to a month!

I don't know why I'm like this.
I guess the intense practicing forces the piece into your brain, then, when you don't practice it for a while, it gets a chance to soak into your head, and the next time you play it, your proficiency at playing it goes up a couple of knotches.

Case in point: I bought a Telecaster (Michael Kelly) last September in an effort to try and get better at guitar. I'm no fast chord changer, but, I'm not bad at copying lead riffs.
I've been practicing the intro to, "Hot Rod Lincoln," since I bought the guitar, and while it's still rough around the edges, not practicing it for about 2 months, and recently coming back to it has made it flow much more smoothly.
I'm going to keep at it for as long as it takes until I sound like the record.

The human mind is both wonderful and mysterious.

Brag photo time: here's my Tele.

Mike ;)
Kelly_3~2.jpg
IMGP6137.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: CatchaCuda
#56
I practice 5 days a week plus a rehearsal or gig. On new songs I will try to practice until I can't get them wrong. When I run into difficulty I'll put it down before I get frustrated. I then work on visualizing fingerings, structure and feel. When I come back to it the next day, it's almost always better.
 
#57
Dr. Cheese said:


I finally got the rythmn of the concluding vamp of River People. I can finally put it all together. This will be the first Jaco composition I have learned from beginning to end instead of a few riffs here and there.

What really gets me is that often I play a piece better if I don't play it for a day or two. Anyone else like this?
Click to expand...


Great job Doc!

I'm the opposite...the more fresh a tune is for me....the better I usually play it...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#59
nellie48 said:
I teach a science class on the brain and we learned that the brain, during rest, will take what you have learned and like a computer will "defragment" it and more efficiently store and hardwire this knowledge. I think this might explain learning something and then taking a break. Learning right before sleep will also enhance your learning.

I encountered this recently when learning a Led Zep song. I spent hours on the fast chorus part in Ramble On for several days in a row (spring break and bored) and just couldn't master it. My brain and my fingers couldn't get it to sound right no matter how long I practiced. Then I took a break for two days. On the first try back my playing was much better than any of the times before. Still not perfect though ;)

I
Click to expand...

I don't know if this is the same thing but this subject reminds me of when I can't remember something but if I don't try to remember, then I'll remember whatever it was.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#60
FWIW I suggest not practicing the same thing the same way every day and certainly not for hours on end. Your body and mind both need relief and variety to move forward with your playing. I use the analogy of a body builder's routine. He works out every day but not on the same body parts. Even dated days will be upper body while odd days are lower body. e.g. A) You need more time between repetitions, B) You need variety in your practice, C) You always need to bear in mind how the things you practice fit together into songs.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back