I am practicing six hours on Saturday.

[Dr. Cheese]

Technically, I won’t retired until 6/30, but I finish my last class 5/29 and it only has ten students online, so I have a nearly retired schedule already. On Saturday, 5/23/26, I am practicing six hours. I won’t do it all at once, but that is goal and intend to do it!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Congrats! Let the music begin

 

[gtirard]

Congrats, nice challenge.
Have planned any specific program yet, a list of topics you want to cover?
Can't wait to read your feedback…

WFIW, I've started to practice between 1 and 2 hours every morning when I wake up for a couple of month, with precise goals. For me, regular practice is better than intensive sessions, but I admit I've never tried 6 hours in a day.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Congrats, nice challenge.
Have planned any specific program yet, a list of topics you want to cover?
Can't wait to read your feedback…

WFIW, I've started to practice between 1 and 2 hours every morning when I wake up for a couple of month, with precise goals. For me, regular practice is better than intensive sessions, but I admit I've never tried 6 hours in a day.

I will mainly work on finishing Miles Davis’ first solo on So What? I also plan on playing D and E Dorian as many ways as I can all over the fingerboard. I also need to go over some songs for Sunday service.

 

[djmay]

Use some that time to read Molly Gebrian's book. It will make your practice time more effective.

 

[Gopherbassist]

You get diminishing returns on the amount of practice you do in a day. The optimum for most people is about three hours, most see almost no additional benefit with a fourth hour. Six hours can actually be a detriment, one study showed that people who practiced something for six hours actually showed less progress than people who practiced for three.

None of this is to dissuade you. The Gebrian book as suggestes is a great resource for how to get the most out of practice.

One thing to keep in mind: sleep is a fundamental and indispensable part of learning. Sleep in humans happens in roughly 90 minute cycles, with the last third of that being the part that helps solidify new memories and learning.

So, if you're going to practice six hours in a day, try to take a nap between the first three hours and the second three hours. 90 minutes at minimum, and 3 hours if you can get it.

Who doesn't like a nice nap?

 

[SteveCS]

Use some that time to read Molly Gebrian's book. It will make your practice time more effective.
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+10 for this book. IME 3x 20-minutes sessions per day over a 6 days is far more effective than a 6-hour blow-out. That said, I would not spurn the opportunity for a 6-hour blow-out if such a thing were possible. Enjoy your day, @Dr. Cheese !!

 

[oren]

Congratulations on your retirement, Doc! Enjoy yourself!

 

[LowWay]

+1 on Genrian. I actually took her on line course. I like and recommend it.

 

[eldorado2001]

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I consider practice “ me time”. That way it doesn’t seem like a chore I’m being pushed into doing.

It’s like exercising. Find something I enjoy doing and it just becomes having fun rather than working out.

Work vs Play.

 

[Shepsdad]

Congrats on the retirement! I’m hoping to do so in two years.

I had a pretty major surgery in 2024, and was off work for a few months, I played a LOT while I was off, mainly an acoustic guitar, some days I would play for 8 or more hours. I got really good, but a lot of what I developed kinda faded away after I went back to work.

 

[mikecd1]

Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement!

 

[Pings Bass]

Aha, go for it man! I had a teacher in the 90s who told me if I practiced 6 hours a day he'd have me ready for symphony auditions in 2 years. If I practiced 4 hours a day, it'd be more like 4 years. And if I practiced 2 hours a day, forget about it.

(Suffice it to say, I never did any symphony auditions, and here I am 30 years later playing nightclubs. )

 

[bhunt1]

Wow congrats! What a way to celebrate.

 

[darwin-bass]

I retired in March. Every day is Saturday except for Sunday. Saturday is the day I do home tasks and now with every day being Saturday I am busier than when I was working.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I retired in March. Every day is Saturday except for Sunday. Saturday is the day I do home tasks and now with every day being Saturday I am busier than when I was working.

I have heard that from some retired people (they are so busy and don't seem to have time for everything).

I have also heard others say that they are bored now that they are retied.

Best bet is to keep busy.

 

[alembicbones]

Congrats on retirement Doc! It's awesome to hear you are going to Talkbass and Playbass.

While it's great to play at home on your own, nothing beats playing in an ensemble. I know you have a standing church gig, and that's great. Have you ever approached any in your congregation about doing a side project? Having the chance to share your abilities with others can be so rewarding.

Best,
Bones

 

[joeLowB]

Another +1 on Molly Gerbian's book... it has truly transformed my practice routine and path to playing better.

You can see the finish line, @Dr. Cheese ! So happy for you! Play your heart out!

 

[Lo-E]

I am extremely happy for you! My retirement is still about two years out but, man, am I ready!

Get in there and play! Be careful with your hands, though…. bass is a physical instrument and six hours sure is a workout. Don’t start your retirement with tendonitis!