Pratice routine

I've been playing for a long time (17-18 years), and my practice is much different that early days, but basically all I do nowadays is download new tunes to jam with, or go back to familiar tunes that are a good workout. This way, there is always a new challenge. Try picking up new techniques that you haven't indulged in yet. I have improved a ton from TB alone, by some advice, technique, or simply reading of other works I have not yet discovered. Good luck to you.

 

Right now my practice routine isn't exactly how I want it to be but I'm working on it:

1) Warm-up (this includes stretching/shaking out my hands; scale runs, chords/arpeggios; playing a few songs that I know and focusing on technique). I've also been working out of Ray Brown's Bass Method book (great book!).

2) Lesson exercises and Sight-reading

3) Ear-training (I've been working on learning new songs lately.). Also, interval recognition.

I'm missing a lot of things I know I should be working on in there like more heavy theory, especially some Jazz theory.

I don't really have a time limit for each thing, except maybe 10 minutes a day working out of my Note Reading Studies For Bass book. Although, setting a certain amount of time each day for things I think works well if you have time constraints and don't have much time for practice.

I always have my trusty metronome by my side.

Anyway, the key to a good practice routine is you have to find one that works for you. Everyone on this forum can post their practice routines here, but that doesn't mean it's the best for you. You need to decide what goals you have and what you need to work on.

 

When I practice, I focus on my right hand technique with the other things. Alternating two fingers over 4 strings in differing patterns, rythems and meters has been a never ending exercise for me. I am always impressed when I hear a player who's right hand is fluid.