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Finding the Time

T

Terry_R

Aug 5, 2006
107
5
Canada
#1
Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone could share their tips on time management/finding time to actually practice.

I have really dropped off in practice department over the past year since our daughter was born - between working full time and home responsibilities, practice has fallen to the wayside.

I’m sure I’m not the only guy to go through this. So... any advice greatly appreciated!!
 
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#3
mambo4 said:
I think a disciplined , consistent daily time slot is the best approach
Even if it's just running scales for 5 minutes
Done every day it pays off
And trumps sparodic marathon sessions

The habit is the goal
Click to expand...

This ^^ Where time is severely restricted, a little every day, even 5 minutes, is better than a couple of hours once a fortnight.

When my kids were young/babies those 'night duty' stints were always good for an hour or so. You know the ones where you've put them back to bed in the middle of the night but you have to 'stand watch' for a bit before going back yourself. Even unplugged, the silence of 2 a.m. is a great motivator for developing a really light touch - the babies won't mind but try not waking the missus!!
 
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#6
mambo4 said:
I think a disciplined , consistent daily time slot is the best approach
Even if it's just running scales for 5 minutes
Done every day it pays off
And trumps sparodic marathon sessions

The habit is the goal
Click to expand...
Agree with this, even though I am retired and kids are grown, I am still a disciple of a set practice time (4 pm for me, after the dog has had her park ball time). I can relate, when my kids were young and I worked full-time +, it was hard and I did let it drop away for some years. Looking back, the best idea would have been to carve out 15-30 minutes before bed or after the kids were down.
 
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#7
Even as a professional musician the first thing that goes is practise time when schedules get tight.

Adding another voice to choir of folk saying it’s about the habit, quality and consistency over anything else. Some of the most brain draining practise sessions I have are where I have a timer set for 15 minutes and focusing on one thing. It also usually allows me to measure development a lot easier.

Pick one thing to work on and one thing only and devote the 5, 10, 15 or whatever number you can spare to get into it.

Having focus allows you to also know when your drifting into other things and pull it back to the goal at hand.

Anybody who practises a little amount consistently is always going to be better than people do large chunks but very inconsistently
 
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#8
Terry_R said:
Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone could share their tips on time management/finding time to actually practice.

I have really dropped off in practice department over the past year since our daughter was born - between working full time and home responsibilities, practice has fallen to the wayside.

I’m sure I’m not the only guy to go through this. So... any advice greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...

It’s challenging. I recently took on a huge uptick in gigs (like every weekend, sometimes twice) which is big increase for me. I have a family and a day gig, so practice time pretty much happens late at night when everyone goes to sleep. I plug headphones into my DAW, fire up YouTube on one monitor and excel on the other, and run through as much as I can. Like others said, it takes discipline or at least the stress of a looming deadline/gig!
 
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#9
I was in your situation about five years ago with the arrival of my eldest son, and now I have another that's just over a year old. Time management will really be the only way to find practice time, and what it really comes down to is compromise/sacrifice. What are you willing to give up for the practice time? For me, it was/is sleep. I'm a morning person, so I decided to get up an hour and a half earlier than I usually do before I go to work and make that my practice time, since it's a (usually) peaceful time of the day in my house that I can focus on bass.

So, you have to look at your daily schedule and figure out what you can cut out, or minimize. Also, look at some other parts of your life and figure out more efficient ways to accomplish them.
 
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#10
Terry_R said:
Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone could share their tips on time management/finding time to actually practice.

I have really dropped off in practice department over the past year since our daughter was born - between working full time and home responsibilities, practice has fallen to the wayside.

I’m sure I’m not the only guy to go through this. So... any advice greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Your daughter comes first. A bass guitar will never love you back
 
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#13
When I first started playing, I would take my bass to someone's house if I was spending the night and would take my bass on vacation. Those days have long passed but my best improvement was during those times.
 
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#14
Set the time. Even 15 minutes if that’s all you can. I have a very flexible schedule so I’m on strings late morning. But does she take a nap? That’s a block you can count on.
I remember how hard it was to eat and play when mine were little. But instead of collapsing on the sofa pick up your bass. And as she gets older she may come to watch you practice
 
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#16
Before retirement, when time was hard to come by, I got up an hour earlier than I really needed to so that I could get some practice time. Headphones, of course, were required in those early morning hours. And as I think back on those times, I believe those quiet morning hours sitting there under the headphones with a nice cup of coffee were some of the most productive practice sessions ever.
 
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#18
Terry_R said:
Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone could share their tips on time management/finding time to actually practice.

I have really dropped off in practice department over the past year since our daughter was born - between working full time and home responsibilities, practice has fallen to the wayside.

I’m sure I’m not the only guy to go through this. So... any advice greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...

Family first! But you should be able to work in 15 minutes a day to practice. Take it away from your fitness routine.. LOL! Or (ahem) social media...

Congrats on your daughter and placing a higher value on your family that personal hobbies.
 
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#20
Sometimes practice can be done without an instrument.

I am ALWAYS listening to music and figuring out changes and fingering while I'm listening. Sometimes I "practice" while driving the car by running through the circle of fifths, relative minors, and accidentals mentally. Sometimes, my "practice" is "hearing" arpeggios and naming the notes as I'm listening to chord changes. Sometimes, my practice is hearing roots and calling out the chords, or hearing chords and calling out their names.

There's always more than one way to achieve goals.
 
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