How Do You Practice ???!!!!
I find like most Musicians that daily Practice is key in becoming a well rounded player. Im finding that concerning practice every one is different. It is seed that Joe Pass at the height of his carer practiced only one hour a day where is Al Dimeola practiced for eight, Joe Pass could crush Al D despite the thousands of hours less practice and the 30 year carer gap? Here are some tips on being a healthy musician.
-listen to music
-listen to people you admire
-listen to players who might even play a different instrument for ideas.
-Keep your practice space free of distractions(TV)
-Set goals
-Practice in small segments to keep it interesting
-If you begin to play sloppy slow down, if it hurts stop!
-JAM!! Most likely the hardest and most important type of practice possible jaming with other musicians(especially for the young or beginner) will teach you more then any teacher or DVD.
Sorry for being a bit long-winded but now i would like to here how Montana practices and what tips tricks and general advice do you have? From the beginner to the virtuoso help Montana musicians reach their dreams. Feel free to respond to the question in the first paragraph.
Rock on !!!
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-listen to music
-listen to people you admire
-listen to players who might even play a different instrument for ideas.
-Keep your practice space free of distractions(TV)
-Set goals
-Practice in small segments to keep it interesting
-If you begin to play sloppy slow down, if it hurts stop!
-JAM!! Most likely the hardest and most important type of practice possible jaming with other musicians(especially for the young or beginner) will teach you more then any teacher or DVD.
Sorry for being a bit long-winded but now i would like to here how Montana practices and what tips tricks and general advice do you have? From the beginner to the virtuoso help Montana musicians reach their dreams. Feel free to respond to the question in the first paragraph.
Rock on !!!
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Views: 35
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ed Shaw on -
Recognizing my comment does not apply to musicians who do not have teachers, one of the
best tips I learned from mine is five minutes of chromatic scale practice every time you get
set to practice. Thinking about it, the better I play the chromatic scales, up the neck, the
better the scale I am using has got to sound.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart Weber on -
I do a version of this. I do chromatic octaves in first position working back and forth laterally. Total rubatto.
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Permalink Reply by Taylor Anthony Frost on -
If not a teacher, a mentor or a peer is always helpful to have around.
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Permalink Reply by Sean Eamon on -
One thing about practicing is you have to have fun sometimes too. When I'm not having fun I'll practice in kind of a scholarly mode. You're always trying to get from Point A to Point B and to put serious time in is the only way to get it done. If you're struggling, you have to consider how you're spending practice time.
As far as teachers, I've never had a formal lesson because I think you'll sound a lot like your teacher. I'm self taught without any formal lessons. It was a real struggle, but I have a different sound and technique from most guitar players.
I always encourage players to try alternate tunings, especially when you're due for some fun time. It's fun to experiment with that and stupid songs you'll never play in front of people.
On another note, my younger brother swears by that Steve Vai 30-hour workout.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Logan on -
Henry, Everything you posted is correct and most of the time I work that way and I know you're going to yell at me for this, but sometimes I do practice with the TV on. Got the idea from Yitzak Perlman (I think it was him) who said he would warm up watching the Yankees play, his mind thus distracted would stumble into things he may not have tried were he focusing strictly on his playing. I've written some of my best pieces watching NFL games with the sound off (unless of course John Madden or Troy Aikman are calling the game) and if the Cowboys are playing I put the guitar away, clear the room of sharp objects and chew on my fingers.
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Permalink Reply by Andy Meehan on -
Rock Band / Guitar Hero. It sounds stupid at first (and it probably is), but it has some redeeming qualities. It forces me to play on time and acts like a metranome. You learn a variety of drum beats (Neil Pert and Keith Moon stuff is great) and rhythm guitar techniques. If you're just starting out on drums then it helps you disconnect your limbs from each other The fast guitar parts loosen up your fingers and train your wrist/fingers on the picking hand. It helps with singing because you can see when you're off key. I've heard of people singing and playing an instrument at the same time to work on doing so live. If you do poorly, you fail out. If you're like me you hate failing and you keep working on it until you get it.
It won't help with any chords, scales, or any of the finesse of music, but it can help on expanding your physical abilities that you can translate into your own music. I enjoy just sitting around and practicing, but if you're really ADD then this might help you pay some damn attention and work on your technique while playing some fun songs.
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Permalink Reply by Jesse Jack on
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Back when I was in a band that played originals, it got to the point where we would play every day but it would always be the same songs every single day. I think that kind of stunted my musical growth.
My advice is NOT to play with your band every single day. Set aside time for yourself to do what you want to do and learn to play others' songs that push your boundaries a little bit. That's the only way to grow.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Hyland on -
Been bored and reading through old discussions! This is a great one. My first guitar lessons went something like this:
Lesson 1-Get a tuner. Tune your guitar every time you pick it up!
Lesson 2-Get a metronome. Use it every time you practice!
Playing in tune and in time are two things that can not be over stated.
I also think a good practice schedule should consist of a variety of different elements. In addition to practicing chords and scales (which has been mentioned) I think ear training is important. It's great to play along with music on the radio especially to get out of your comfort zone. I also think it's fun and challenging to just sit with your instrument and try to figure out a melody with out any music playing. For example a melody you've heard a thousand times, like Happy Birthday or The Star Spangled Banner.
I've also gotten a lot out of the dreaded picking exercise! They give you a physical work out, which is key.
The other important element is theory. Everyone who plays music would benefit from an understanding of theory, even a rudimentary one. This could include a period of sight reading during the session.
Lastly, and this one has been covered, you gotta have some fun, too. Practice should always involve some totally improvised jamming with out any particular direction.
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Permalink Reply by Mr Lee Mitchell on
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When I first started playing I would practice 8 hours a day. You get to a stage where unless you do practice solidly the next progressional step will not materialize. I found with practice that it magically appeared. Although I am a published author of music books - " Classical Masters For Acoustic Guitar " Published by Spartan Press, I have played most of my life by ear. The only advice I would suggest is - as most musicians who reach a certain standard will always advise - is to practice, practice, and practice again. You only have to practice an hour a day unless you've already put in the other 7! over a long period of years. As I'm sure dear Joe would have attested to. But one also has to remember that the man was undoubtedly one of the world's ultimate musical geniuses so to us lesser mortals, if you truely want to progress, is as many hours as you possibly can - and more than that. LOVE DOING THAT! LOL! There. That's me spent. Kindest regards Lee Mitchell...
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