How much do you practice?

[StyleOverShow]

I work on walking through standards and sight-reading (need A LOT of work here), mostly. I'll work on learning certain riffs or songs that catch my ear sometimes. Mostly I transcribe other instruments and vocal melodies. Tv jingles, theme songs, classical music and so on are fun to work on.

Same workout for me. I work on a couple of different basses each night. I work on technique to warm up, scales and arpeggios then reading. When I get bored of reading I switch on some radio or CD and play along trying to not only get the bass line but the groove as well. I try different things like slap/pop over jazz standards, walking over RnR, etc. to set widest possible expressions. I probably practice 5 nights and work at least once a week.

 

[lhoward]

I don't practice nearly enough, because I suck that way. A few times a week. I try to keep it at about 45 minutes max. I get the headache thing too if I go too long. Not that you asked this, but I usually practice mostly technique stuff, then screw around for a while, and repeat.

I read a book called "The Art of Practicing." It had a lot of good things to say about how to practice. Not for bass, but for musicians in general. Check it out. It's a good book. It helped me to get more out of the times I practice. That is, of course, not an excuse for not practiceing enough.

I haven't found a book with only those words in the title. Can you be more explicit, such as who the author was?

Thanks,

Lloyd Howard

 

[stratovani]

I practice anywhere from 2 to 4 times a week. I'm in the process of learning to read bass clef so I'll spend some time working on that. Then I'll practice the music for the upcoming Sunday Mass. And then I do what I enjoy most - set up my iPod and play to whatever music I've got on. All told about 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time. Any more and I get tired and bored.

 

[Caiiz]

I practice bass 2-3 hours a day, mostly scales and technical stuff. Then comes band rehearsals 2-3 times a week. And as I'm often used as MD I spend a lot of time checking out stuff, writing sheets, coordinating, etc.

 

[Pacman]

For you folks pulling 3-4hr days, is bass your full time job?

It is for me.

 

[Pilgrim]

I practice once or twice a week, usually just for a few minutes. I know that's not enough, but I have five cars to keep running, an online course to teach, etc. That's why a weekly practice with the band is valuable.

Some weeks I do better than others.

 

[X Wolf]

Not even close to enough.

George

 

[ToddC]

For you folks pulling 3-4hr days, is bass your full time job?

No but I have from 6:00-00:00 on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday if I want to practice.

Putting a hammer in my hand is like putting a fish in a sand box. So my wife doesn't ask me to build walls or change light bulbs.

Before we were married I made her promise I would never have to mow a lawn, rake leaves, shovel snow, or de-ice the windshield again. We've been happily married for 33 years.

We cut each other some slack and ourselves too.
Give it a try and I bet you find all the time you want to practise.

 

[Pilgrim]

Not even close to enough.

George

I hear you, but it is what it is....and what it's going to be.

I'm a hobbyist, nothing more. I play a style of music that suits my skills and the practice time available. I'd love to have the time and discipline to practice 30 minutes a night, and I know I'd improve - but I have other commitments that are higher priority.

 

[bass'n it]

I'm in a cover band we rehearse once a week for about 4 hours....I generally practice on the bass 3-4 times aweek for about 45 mins or so unless there is a new tune were learning then,I spend more time learing the bass licks and either tabbing it or playing along with Cd's or do theory or sometimes a combo platter of all 3......



Spector Bass Club member # 109
Ampeg club member # 436

 

[polsab78]

I haven't found a book with only those words in the title. Can you be more explicit, such as who the author was?

Thanks,

Lloyd Howard

I have this book. It's by Madeline Bruser.

I've been practicing for around an hour or two a day since starting playing bass a year ago, but for the last month I've increased my practice time to around 4-5 hours a day. I work from home and married but no kids, so I got a lot of free time. I actually practice more during the weekdays as weekends are mostly spent hanging out with my wife . I'm taking advantage of the free time right now, as I suspect it will significantly decrease once kids come into the picture.

 

[kb9wyz]

Yes Lloyd.

Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music From the Heart
by Medeline Bruser
Invalid Link Removed

Knew I forgot something.

 

[quale213]

I am trying to convince my bosses right now to let me work from home as well. Right now I practice for about an hour a night except on monday (band) saturday (gig) and sunday, where i play for atleast 4 hours.