Over-practicing?

[Luff]

This is a very interesting subject. Michael Manring had some ideas on it in this interview:

Michael Manring On How We Learn - YouTube

Basically, a lot of learning something happens when you are away from your intrument. That's why, in my experience, practicing something often for smaller periods of time seems to yield better results.

 

[Dazzare]

Ive found that I practice in my dreams. Same thing with theory will I'm driving. My mind always just seems to be working by itself. I first started to understand theory itself I was sitting in my World Civ class at the university and it hit me like a truck so simple. Long story yes U can.

 

[carlthegroover]

Question: when is it appropiate to take a relatively long break from playing (say, a week or two, or even a month)? Is it something you feel you have to do, or is there a way to find out the best time to do so? Maybe not when you're still learning some beginner-intermediate stuff?

Note: To those who talked about Mexican food... most of times (if not all) what you call Mexican food is actually Tex-Mex (i.e. Americanized Mexican food) and quite different from real Mexican food... Just something to consider.

 

[dukeisdog]

Question: when is it appropiate to take a relatively long break from playing (say, a week or two, or even a month)? Is it something you feel you have to do, or is there a way to find out the best time to do so? Maybe not when you're still learning some beginner-intermediate stuff?

For me, it's when I'm just not feeling it. It doesn't happen often, but if I pick my bass up and switch my rig on and I'm not pumped to play, then I'll take about a week break.

After the week, I always try again and am as excited as ever to play.

 

[henry2513]

I definitely think it's possible to overpractice. During the Christmas break I was off for 11 days and took the opportunity to practice like a madman, 8+ hours a day.

About a week in I think I was playing my best ever - technique wise, I was nailing some very difficult passages and was able to push the metronome pretty high during my exercises. After that though I experienced a pretty sever drop off in how cleanly I was able to articulate at high speeds and began feeling some right arm muscle pain/fatigue.

Because I'm a stubborn ass I kept playing and kept seeing decreases in my "chops" until I finally took a break, minimal playing the night before maybe an hour and no playing last night. This morning I got up and fooled around some before work and my improved "chops" were back.

My lesson to myself is listen to your body, even though we're not athletes we've still got to pay attention.

 

[Jeff Huber]

My $0.02: I liken practice to physical exercise. You have to be persistent for it to do any good, and you need to challenge yourself or you stop growing, but it is possible to overtrain and yes, every so often you need a short break.



Jeff

 

[carlthegroover]

For me, it's when I'm just not feeling it. It doesn't happen often, but if I pick my bass up and switch my rig on and I'm not pumped to play, then I'll take about a week break.

After the week, I always try again and am as excited as ever to play.

That sounds about right. I still don't have the urge to rest, but since I don't practice daily (about 3-4 times a week), maybe I don't have to.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I definitely think it's possible to overpractice. During the Christmas break I was off for 11 days and took the opportunity to practice like a madman, 8+ hours a day.

About a week in I think I was playing my best ever - technique wise, I was nailing some very difficult passages and was able to push the metronome pretty high during my exercises. After that though I experienced a pretty sever drop off in how cleanly I was able to articulate at high speeds and began feeling some right arm muscle pain/fatigue.

Because I'm a stubborn ass I kept playing and kept seeing decreases in my "chops" until I finally took a break, minimal playing the night before maybe an hour and no playing last night. This morning I got up and fooled around some before work and my improved "chops" were back.

My lesson to myself is listen to your body, even though we're not athletes we've still got to pay attention.

It seems that you practice too much in a short periode of time when normaly you may play like 2 hours a day ... it is like too much too fast ... if you have increase the number ouf hours you play per day during a few month... playing 8hours a day will have no bad consequence.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Question: when is it appropiate to take a relatively long break from playing (say, a week or two, or even a month)? Is it something you feel you have to do, or is there a way to find out the best time to do so? Maybe not when you're still learning some beginner-intermediate stuff?

Note: To those who talked about Mexican food... most of times (if not all) what you call Mexican food is actually Tex-Mex (i.e. Americanized Mexican food) and quite different from real Mexican food... Just something to consider.

Of course some time I take a break ... like a day or two if I don't feel like playing. But never more than that. At one point in my life I had a severe depression and I stopped playing for many months, very close to a year and that ring a bell to me that something very wrong was going on.

I also think all the best musician doesn't stop for a long period because ... how can yu be any good technicaly and have that connection with your instrument if you don't play ?

 

[thomashawk]

It is good to take a break! Sometimes a day, a week or even a month is necessary. I have toured with some of the players mentioned here, and more often than not, they do not want to see their instruments on "off" days; even if that means 3 days in a row. I also know they take a week off from playing after long tours (unless they must prepare for upcoming work).

Perspective is as valuable as focus.

 

[cracked_machine]

We just played our first gig in three weeks (after 30 odd gigs last year) and you could instantly tell the break had done us some good. Don't get me wrong we all made mistakes (bum notes, chords, drumbeats) because of the break, but it all felt a lot more energetic because of it as well.

 

[mellowinman]

Whether vocal or instrument, I practice first by playing or singing the song, and repeating it until I know where all the parts go.

Then I spend a few days only listening, and practicing it in my head.

It really helps it come together, and then the next time I go to play it, it flows out real well.