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Practice in front of the TV?
- Thread starter JES
- Start date
On occasion (and on the weekends) I'll put a favorite DVD on, turn the TV volume down to where I can barely hear it and will practice. It's not distracting at all and the fact is I hardly pay any attention to the movie that's playing. Sometimes I'll start a movie, I'll really be into what I'm practicing and then I'll look up and see the credits rolling by!
Can't explain it, but I find it comforting. I'm home, I'm comfortable, I got my bass....it's good.
Can't explain it, but I find it comforting. I'm home, I'm comfortable, I got my bass....it's good.
For dexterity and finger independence exercises, I do occasionally practice them while watching a video or listening to a podcast. It's not a substitute for other mindful practice, but I think it still has some value as a supplement.
Is it the most efficient use of practice time...no. Is it detrimental. ..cmon now...that would mean that it actuslly makes ur playing worse or is perceived as a liability.
- Oct 18, 2012
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I never practice in front of the TV. I always practice alone so there are no distractions and I can focus on what I am doing.
i play my bass any chance i get.
- May 30, 2000
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Be aware of bad posture, bad wrist angles, etc. Most people are all slumped over when they are relaxing in front of the TV.
I do, quite a bit. Because I mainly sing and play at the same time, if I can play a song through and sing it with no mistakes while watching TV it shows me that I've actually learned it and can play it without thinking about it and regardless of distractions.
I also work on finger exercises and noodles a lot while watching the tube.
There have been studies done of people who learn/study better in quiet conditions while others do better with background noise.
I also work on finger exercises and noodles a lot while watching the tube.
There have been studies done of people who learn/study better in quiet conditions while others do better with background noise.
Agreed. An exercise to strengthen your hands would work, but learning something new would be a waste of time.
I've been doin' this since I was 12 years old. I keep a bass on each end of the couch, within arm's reach. And, I play along with commercials, or, whatever comes through the speakers of the TV. I know for a fact it has improved my ear immensely over the years. Hell, I had a great ear when I was 15! And, I owe it all to TV commercials. 
Yeah, that's pretty much all it is. Just "something" to glance at here and there and it doesn't distract me.
But if I'm learning a new song for church or for the band I'm in then I'm in my little bedroom studio so I can give the task at hand my total attention. That's when I don't want any distractions. But if I'm pretty much just going over something to get the actual physical playing better or if I'm just doing my own little jamming then sometimes I'll go in the living room.
"Pirates of the Carribean" is a great living room/practice movie. Especially in the evening on the weekends in the fall. Like I said...the work week is done and my chores are done. It's cold outside but I got my coffee, I'm kicking back on the couch with my bass, DVD is rolling......makes me a happy man!
I actually practice in from of the TV/PC because it is a distraction. I'm often distracted at a gig by the attire and dancing 
. By practicing in a distracting situation, it helps me handle it better. Works for me.
. By practicing in a distracting situation, it helps me handle it better. Works for me.
I do it with a headphone amp with one ear in and always with a click. I don't practice musical stuff as much - more just dexterity or exercises I make up to nail difficult passages in songs I am learning.
I actually think it is a good way to practice honing in on the tempo (the click in this case) despite the distraction of watching the show and especially when commercials come on that have songs at other tempos.
I dont find this detrimental or a waste of time. Just watch your posture.
I actually think it is a good way to practice honing in on the tempo (the click in this case) despite the distraction of watching the show and especially when commercials come on that have songs at other tempos.
I dont find this detrimental or a waste of time. Just watch your posture.
Definitely not. I only practice while suspended in a sensory deprivation chamber that beams the pure DI'd tone of my bass to the bones of my skull so I can focus like a real musician on my education. Also I tattoo sheet music on the inside of my eyelids.
You mean to say you don't laser it into your eyeballs themselves? Gosh, some people have such bad technique! Also what is the best sensory deprivation chamber for metal?
Works even better if you unplug it, remove it from your house and don't ever bring it back.
