In my post, #35, my practice time should have read 20 minutes to an hour.
Not 20 minutes and an hour.
I'm getting old.
Mike
Not 20 minutes and an hour.
I'm getting old.
Mike
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How do you practice?
- Thread starter Whale guy
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- practice habits
Practicing, as in working on technique or weak spots? Sadly, I have been doing virtually zero. However... my playing time has gone way up and I have been learning and relearning songs both by others and by my own band. While playing, I have been trying to be conscious of technique, both in regulating right hand accuracy and force and left hand minimal motion/position shifting. I've also been playing around with the fretboard, trying out different positions to play certain parts to make them easier/more ergonomic.
I don't sightread and never have, though I have been getting pretty good at following along with tablature.
Improvising is a big part of my playing time as well; I've been watching YouTube channels and exploring harmonic concepts that are new to me on bass; though I have been familiar with the theory for literally decades, I haven't put much of into practice until recently.
So... an hour a day?
"Spain " was written by Chick Corea as an instrumental back in the 70s. Al Jarreau added lyrics to his version.I practice in my basement almost every day for between 20 minutes and an hour.
I have a list of bass lines/ song melodies I play, and just keep playing them until I feel I'm playing them very well.
Example: The bass line to Sir Duke, by Stevie Wonder.
I play every note exactly as it is on the recording. Nothing added or taken away.
Proficiency level: 8 out of 10. It's not such a hard line to play, but to play it fast is another story.
Spain, by Al Jarreau.
I don't play the bass line to this song, but rather the melody that Al is singing.
I play it at least twice per practice session, and sometimes I play it perfectly. Listen to it: The vocal line has a very Spanish Classical guitar feel to it.
Proficiency level: Between 8 and 10. When I do play it perfectly, it makes my day.
There are other lines and melodies I play, this was just a short list.
If I don't feel like practicing, I don't.
Whenever I practice, it's because I want to.
Another thing that I find odd: For my entire life, if I practice too many days in a row, less sinks in.
If I practice diligently for 5 days in a row, and then don't practice for 3 days, when I practice again, my playing is usually a little better.
Perhaps because I'm relaxed?
A good topic.
Mike
90% of my practice is writing and arranging and singing new tunes I am in the process of writing. Most of this is done with an ABG and includes chordal parts and hooks I usually wouldn’t do with a band.
5% is practicing original tunes already on my bands set list. I sing lead so there are vocals on almost all of these.
4% is improvising. Free form. Often turns into my next tune (I’ve been writing 1-2 per week over the last 4 years.
1% is a cover tune. Usually folk or bluegrass or reggae, but I go months without attempting a cover.
5% is practicing original tunes already on my bands set list. I sing lead so there are vocals on almost all of these.
4% is improvising. Free form. Often turns into my next tune (I’ve been writing 1-2 per week over the last 4 years.
1% is a cover tune. Usually folk or bluegrass or reggae, but I go months without attempting a cover.
Yes, you are correct!
I actually saw Return To Forever, but don't remember which year, because I'm getting old.
Ever since I heard Al Jarreau's version, I was hooked!
Such a good song to listen to or play.
Mike
I actually saw Return To Forever, but don't remember which year, because I'm getting old.
Ever since I heard Al Jarreau's version, I was hooked!
Such a good song to listen to or play.
Mike
Most of my practice comes from learning new songs (band music), due to playing with more than one band. It is not the best way to learn technique or theory by any means, but allows me to learn a wide variety of styles and bass licks, which is fun. Doubt I will ever learn deeper levels of theory, or how to read music (beyond chord charts or # system). Don't really care though, I am in it for fun, which to me is out gigging with decent bands, not sitting at home practicing daily (no time), but think it is awesome some people actually like to practice. There you have it
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That's awesome. Nothing simple about those songs. Out band once tried Sir Duke and couldn't pull it off. I was grateful, because I was really struggling.I practice in my basement almost every day for between 20 minutes and an hour.
I have a list of bass lines/ song melodies I play, and just keep playing them until I feel I'm playing them very well.
Example: The bass line to Sir Duke, by Stevie Wonder.
I play every note exactly as it is on the recording. Nothing added or taken away.
Proficiency level: 8 out of 10. It's not such a hard line to play, but to play it fast is another story.
Spain, by Al Jarreau.
I don't play the bass line to this song, but rather the melody that Al is singing.
I play it at least twice per practice session, and sometimes I play it perfectly. Listen to it: The vocal line has a very Spanish Classical guitar feel to it.
Proficiency level: Between 8 and 10. When I do play it perfectly, it makes my day.
There are other lines and melodies I play, this was just a short list.
If I don't feel like practicing, I don't.
Whenever I practice, it's because I want to.
Another thing that I find odd: For my entire life, if I practice too many days in a row, less sinks in.
If I practice diligently for 5 days in a row, and then don't practice for 3 days, when I practice again, my playing is usually a little better.
Perhaps because I'm relaxed?
A good topic.
Mike
maintenance.
i'm an old guy with old parts () --- knowing that the parts still work brings an enormous amount of personal satisfaction.
i play something (not tunes!) every day, so: i'd say that nearly 100% of my efforts fit into the "finger exercises" category. scales/reading/tunes are skills i can still take for granted.
I'm a geezer myself. I thought I was going to have to give up the bass until I discovered glucosamine condroitin (probably misspelled). I feel like a 20 year old again.
Were talking about getting back together too. Good luck.
Agreed.Funny how that works.
Two things I would say - first, make sure you understand the difference between playing and practicing. Playing Tush for the 10,000th time is not practicing. Second, this works for me and may or may not work for you, sometimes setting something aside for a day or two is more beneficial than continuing to hammer it every single day.
Can't help myself - a good teacher will help you make progress much faster than you can make on your own. Watching a Youtube video is not a lesson; there is no feedback. Feedback is essential and you don't know what you don't know.
