To become better at my playing/technique. Also helps with relieving some stress at times.
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Why do you practice?
- Thread starter Road Hat
- Start date
I have no intention to ever be in a band again. I hope I never have another gig.
I'm not sure you could call what I do practice as I just pick my bass up and noodle around a while.
Why do I bother doing that? I guess so I can still honestly call myself a bass player.
It's better than playing solitaire.
I'm not sure you could call what I do practice as I just pick my bass up and noodle around a while.
Why do I bother doing that? I guess so I can still honestly call myself a bass player.
It's better than playing solitaire.
drumvsbass
Commercial User
- Aug 20, 2011
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- I work for Long and McQuade Musical Instruments Canada in Sales.
To crush my enemies, and see them driven before me.
LOL, I feel better knowing I am not the only one!
the reasons I continue to practice after 55+ years of playing bass (and keys) are:
to keep my hands/fingers loose and warmed up
to improve my playing dexterity (pattern, scale, melodic, rhythm exercises of all kinds)
to push myself by working on material that challenges my current chops ... it's a very cool feeling to master a new, difficult piece.
to learn new material (I gig in two very musically different, mostly original projects, with new material being written fairly regularly)
to re-learn old material that I like but haven't played in a while (I'm an old guy
)
to continue to understand the interaction between the parts of my rig (bass, fx, amp, cab etc) and how to get the best tone for the material I play
to have fun! I love playing music, and bass specifically since I first picked one up low these many decades ago
to keep my hands/fingers loose and warmed up
to improve my playing dexterity (pattern, scale, melodic, rhythm exercises of all kinds)
to push myself by working on material that challenges my current chops ... it's a very cool feeling to master a new, difficult piece.
to learn new material (I gig in two very musically different, mostly original projects, with new material being written fairly regularly)
to re-learn old material that I like but haven't played in a while (I'm an old guy
)to continue to understand the interaction between the parts of my rig (bass, fx, amp, cab etc) and how to get the best tone for the material I play
to have fun! I love playing music, and bass specifically since I first picked one up low these many decades ago
To stay supple physically and mentally.
i don't really practice anymore. I listen and play to streaming music everyday just cold.
After many decades of books, methods, and series just want to play any more.
I guess the only books I go through or "practice" now are slap books just cuz it's such a fun style!
I don't necessarily recommend this. Just where I'm at anymore. ☮
i don't really practice anymore. I listen and play to streaming music everyday just cold.
After many decades of books, methods, and series just want to play any more.
I guess the only books I go through or "practice" now are slap books just cuz it's such a fun style!
I don't necessarily recommend this. Just where I'm at anymore. ☮
I practice to learn new songs and to get up to speed with old songs. It's all related to gigging.
I typically don't rehearse with a band. If my practicing is good enough I don't need to rehearse.
I've been playing bass since 1965. If I can't play the thing by now practice isn't going to do me any good.
I typically don't rehearse with a band. If my practicing is good enough I don't need to rehearse.
I've been playing bass since 1965. If I can't play the thing by now practice isn't going to do me any good.
Thanks for the tip! I just now purchased it, and am looking forward to reading it. I'll also recommend it to the practice group.
It was recommend in one of the threads here years ago. Lots of great stuff here on TalkBass. Enjoy.
I’ve been playing professionally since ‘66. I practiced then, I practice now. I enjoy the time and frankly I savor the focus. I like learning new tunes. At 74, with some arthritis, I need to keep my fingers moving. Same reason I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and ride my mountain bike. You need to keep doing, so you can keep doing. I’m one of “those” people who play Bach almost every day and still find new things in it. 
At 72, a few joints in my fingers are disfigured and hurt from arthritis as well. I get painfull flare ups then for a while nothing hurts. I have not figured out if playing/practicing worsened the condition or is helpful. I thought about using lighter gauge strings (presently .050-.105) to lessen the load on my high milage fingers.
lighter gauge might help. I use Voltaren cream directly on my tight thumb and wrist and it helps. Celebrex can also help. my ortho says that moderate use is the thing to do to keep the arthritis from locking things up. don't stop playing!
- finger speed and endurance. (technique)
- learn fun songs. (play for the enjoyment) )
- learn challenging songs. (growth)
- strengthen my weaknesses. (Solidify)
- learn fun songs. (play for the enjoyment) )
- learn challenging songs. (growth)
- strengthen my weaknesses. (Solidify)
1.) I'm a musician. Practicing, that's what I do. Actually more than that, it's what I am.
2.) Long ago I learned that if you don't love (at every level of that word) making a sound with your instrument, or voice, you're in the wrong business. Better find something else to do.
3.) My job in an ensemble, regardless of what that ensemble is, is to help make others sound their best. I need to be ready to do that, because I expect that of the other members of the ensemble.
2.) Long ago I learned that if you don't love (at every level of that word) making a sound with your instrument, or voice, you're in the wrong business. Better find something else to do.
3.) My job in an ensemble, regardless of what that ensemble is, is to help make others sound their best. I need to be ready to do that, because I expect that of the other members of the ensemble.
To stay sharp.
I'm generally dealt the song with a type of style and then we are off. This means I have to play on the fly a lot.
But even for more stylised songs, I'll create my own lines but obviously with a serious nod to what everyone else is playing. I never copy parts so I need fluidity and facility.
I'm generally dealt the song with a type of style and then we are off. This means I have to play on the fly a lot.
But even for more stylised songs, I'll create my own lines but obviously with a serious nod to what everyone else is playing. I never copy parts so I need fluidity and facility.
