• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Self Quarantine Practice Regimen

dcgbass

Guest
Jul 8, 2018
86
77
Something else to ponder:

The Self Quarantine Practice Regimen

As we sit in our homes during this most difficult time I came up with a formula that is working for me as we wait for the “all clear.”

In stead of binge watching the TV, or listening to the news, how about improving our bodies and mind? There are plenty of ways to to use this time to ur benefit.

Here is a few suggestions:

Wake up!-Always a good start

Exercise-There are a number of full Bodyweight exercise routines you can search out if you do not have weights at home

Take a walk-Since walks are still allowed, go outside and clear your head.

Practice-The question I am always asked by students is “What should I practice?”
Here are a few ideas:

1-Warm up by reading a simple classical etude-This will get your eyes, ears and hands working together towards more challenging stuff.

2-Scales, chords, arpeggios-I bet your first reaction is “Been there, done that!” I know, I was there too a long time ago.
Here’s my question “Have you done them in all keys?” Come on, you know you haven’t!

3-Go back to #2. I know you’re resisting me!

4-Repetoire- Get the Real Book in Bass Clef. Pick a tune. Learn the melody. Create a bassline. Change the key.

5-Fiddle about- Play. Play. Play!-You will notice at the end f the first week you will be advancing in a number of ways, some which you may not have known about.

6-As with all practice. Have fun! This can be a joyous time for you. Forget what you cannot control. Do what you can do.

If you have any questions, let me know.
 
Nice. I throw in additional sections for
a) stuff that needs work on
b) speed building/metronome work. I start with qtr notes at 30 to 40 bpm and sequentially play 8th, triplet, 16ths, 5 tuplets, sextuplets etc to 12 tuplet. I skip 11 tuplets.
C) improv practice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
Work on the thing you always wanted to, but didn't have time.
The last 7 years have been filled with preparing the next musical. (I play 10-13 a year). Additionally I've added fretless to the mix and that takes up time with intonation studies. As a result, I let the jazz studies slip off the table. This morning I got out the Abersold books and CD's.
The worst thing about the quarentine is suspecting that once it's over, I'll know how I should have spent that time. Meanwhile, it's ii-V7-I and the Blues.
 
Beyond my normal “learn covers by ear” work, I have time to work on my SN reading. I have several transcription books to look at. Here was last night’s:
9D57E57F-F564-4C40-A277-9A3AF90F2276.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: IamGroot
Something else to ponder:

The Self Quarantine Practice Regimen

As we sit in our homes during this most difficult time I came up with a formula that is working for me as we wait for the “all clear.”

In stead of binge watching the TV, or listening to the news, how about improving our bodies and mind? There are plenty of ways to to use this time to ur benefit.

Here is a few suggestions:

Wake up!-Always a good start

Exercise-There are a number of full Bodyweight exercise routines you can search out if you do not have weights at home

Take a walk-Since walks are still allowed, go outside and clear your head.

Practice-The question I am always asked by students is “What should I practice?”
Here are a few ideas:

1-Warm up by reading a simple classical etude-This will get your eyes, ears and hands working together towards more challenging stuff.

2-Scales, chords, arpeggios-I bet your first reaction is “Been there, done that!” I know, I was there too a long time ago.
Here’s my question “Have you done them in all keys?” Come on, you know you haven’t!

3-Go back to #2. I know you’re resisting me!

4-Repetoire- Get the Real Book in Bass Clef. Pick a tune. Learn the melody. Create a bassline. Change the key.

5-Fiddle about- Play. Play. Play!-You will notice at the end f the first week you will be advancing in a number of ways, some which you may not have known about.

6-As with all practice. Have fun! This can be a joyous time for you. Forget what you cannot control. Do what you can do.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Excellent points sir! Especially the morning workout one - I've been doing it for...well, decades, and it sure makes a lot of other things during the day a lot easier.
And the music advice is strong, too. Then again I know it would...after all, I started learning bass from your book :-)
 
  • Like
Reactions: dcgbass
Excellent points sir! Especially the morning workout one - I've been doing it for...well, decades, and it sure makes a lot of other things during the day a lot easier.
And the music advice is strong, too. Then again I know it would...after all, I started learning bass from your book :)
Thank you so much for the kind words! Which of my books are you referring to!
 
Just recently joined a newly formed band for both my fretted and fretless so this is just an extended wood shedding period. After a couple hours of that, I’ll tool around on my upright and stay sharp on my Fakebook repertoire. Sometimes I’ll just learn a new tune from the book or just or work on my soloing.
Somewhere in the mix, I’ll mess around with the acoustic bass guitar.