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Learning something and making it stick !!

Nov 14, 2006
4,334
2,855
Ireland
I was wondering if anyone else has the same experience with learning as I do. At present I am working my way through an interesting DVD bass tutorial. I decided it was false progress to move on until I have completely understood and mastered what I am doing at present. A few times, I have assumed I have nailed something. I am able to play it numerous times with out a mistake, and it "seems" to come naturally. I then move on to something else. A week or so later, I go back to revise, and it's gone. Granted, with a little more work I get it again. I know learning takes as long as it takes, and I have no problem with that, I just wish I knew when I have got it down for good. Perhaps it is my age... I wont see 50 again. :bawl:
 
I started out the same way. The route I took was to take the first two lessons and incorporate them into my practice. So when doing the major, minor, pentatonics, blues scales, i would simply put those lessons in. Granted, when you start out, you want to do 15 or 20 minutes at a time. Slowly work up the amount of time you spend practicing. Soon you will work up to a longer practice session. Biggest thing is switch up your routine to keep it fresh. That would be my suggestion. Have fun.
 
Review the things you've done previously. You'll find what used to take you a very long time will take only a couple minutes of brushing up. What you do not use all the time you will forget. Also a lesson should cover one aspect at a time. You could work on reading, then an arppeggio then a song. But you do not want to sit down til you learn all your scales, 5 songs and sight read impossible stuff. That is the problem with a DVD usually, it tells you a lot, you work on a lot. Work on one thing and move on. I've forgotten plenty.
 
Thanks guys ! Nice to know it's not just me.. !! I do make a habit of revising. On the plus side is the fact that if I do forget something when I go back to it, normally it does not take me too long to nail it again. I'll take on board your suggestions. :)