Practice schedule for progress

[icarus88]

It's been 4 months since I started playing bass guitar, my daily practice routine is as follows: 1- theory (1 hour) 2- staccato (1 hour) 3- left hand finger independence and pivot exercise (1234 combination) (1 hour) 4- rake (1 hour) 5- (4 note, 8 note, 16 note exercise and gallop) (1 hour), is there anything wrong that I should change?

Everyone talks about the importance of practice but not how to do it.

 

[thunesBARROW]

You should also practice music or songs in addition to technique. You can learn technique from music, but you can’t learn music from studying technique only.

 

[icarus88]

You should also practice music or songs in addition to technique. You can learn technique from music, but you can’t learn music from studying technique only.

How can I learn a piece that I can't play?


There are short simple songs in the Ed Friedland bass method that I play.

 

[kleinenenten]

I'm just jealous that you have 5 hours a day to practice...

I started with walking bass lines and 12 bar blues - it teaches you rhythm, moving between strings, finger independence, and shows up in so many songs of various genres. It's a good overall thing to know. I don't play music that demands those lines, but they always come in handy.

 

[jTrolt]

How can I learn a piece that I can't play?

One note at a time.
If you are "talented", as questioning in your adjacent thread, you'll hear the note, and first find it's location on the neck. Second, you'll decide more intricacies, such as, the timbre, attack and energy behind the note, and intuit what approach to striking the note you choose.
After a while, your intuitive nature will help you to be able to do so much more quickly, with your interest/enthusiasm at the throttle.

As a young teen, I ate every freakin' note I heard, and either had a clue immediately how they were producing said notes, or quickly grabbed the instrument and took educated guesses.
Was I right every time? Absolutely not.
Did I learn and become proficient in a hurry? Of course. Even a few wrong guesses get you further down the road towards proficiency.
40 years later: Still doin' it, 'cause I love the crap out of music, and especially playing bass.
Still learning.
It's a life long process. Settle in. So many notes, so many bands, so much growth coming your way. It's gonna be a blast!
You've made a good decision to begin playing, which shows self-motivation, discipline and drive.
That is where real progress lives.

 

[thunesBARROW]

How can I learn a piece that I can't play?


There are short simple songs in the Ed Friedland bass method that I play.

Playing simple music is a good start. You could also play something more challenging, but break it down and play it slowly first.

 

[chris_b]

It's been 4 months since I started playing bass guitar, my daily practice routine is as follows: 1- theory (1 hour) 2- staccato (1 hour) 3- left hand finger independence and pivot exercise (1234 combination) (1 hour) 4- rake (1 hour) 5- (4 note, 8 note, 16 note exercise and gallop) (1 hour), is there anything wrong that I should change?

Everyone talks about the importance of practice but not how to do it.

We are all different, but your practice routine would put me off forever. Playing bass is supposed to make you feel good. Playing scales for an hour would suck the life out of me. I've been playing for decades and I've never had a plan other than playing songs.

Start by playing the songs you like to listen to. When you can play those, choose more songs. Move into different genres.

 

[icarus88]

I'm just jealous that you have 5 hours a day to practice...

I started with walking bass lines and 12 bar blues - it teaches you rhythm, moving between strings, finger independence, and shows up in so many songs of various genres. It's a good overall thing to know. I don't play music that demands those lines, but they always come in handy.

This resulted in swelling in my hands. Unfortunately, I had to reduce the time.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Check this template.

 

[KenSmithFan]

I’m a huge proponent of practicing, but your routine is putting you at significant risk of repetitive motion injuries. You’re completely focused on technique, which while important, is less important than knowing WHAT to play.

I don’t see anything about learning songs, practicing improvisation, learning walking bass lines - all critical skills.

I would strongly suggest finding a good teacher. With Skype you can study with anyone anywhere in the world. They can takes years off of your learning curve.