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Topic: Practice...please help. |
Todd Pertll
From:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 6:37 am |
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I once had a membership to a health club. I would wander around the weight room for an hour or so using random machines, lifting random weights. At the end of my "workout" I felt like I really hadn't accomplished anything. But, on one occation I worked out with a trainer. After a 20 minute session with the trainer helping me, I was so exhausted I could barely move.
I have the same problem on steel. I'll get up from a 2 hour practice session and really feel like I didnt accomplish anything. I know that if I had a plan going in, my time would be better utilized.
I am hoping to get some suggestions on good practice routines to help me better utilize my time.
thanks,
Todd |
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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mtulbert
From:
Plano, Texas 75023
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 6:53 am
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Amen,
M |
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Todd Pertll
From:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 7:01 am
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trust me, I've had several lessons with Reece, and he has given me plenty to work on. He has helped more than I can describe.
I was just wondering about how other players organize their practice sessions to make the best use of their time. |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 7:35 am
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Get loosened up and relaxed on some things you know.
Work on some problem licks and exercises.
Then go on a search for the lost chord,
an exploration to a part of the neck that seems neverland.
Both chords and licks.
Then play something that you can play,
but challenges you, and has a trouble spot.
Go back and work on the trouble spot, then play the whole thing.
Learn part of a new tune, right, even if only 4-8 measures.
Plays something you know and like, fast but clean.
Take a break, go kiss the wife just because she will like it.
Repeat.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 28 December 2004 at 07:36 AM.] |
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John McGann
From:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 9:14 am
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Divide your time up and really focus on one thing at a time. What to do varies wildly from player to player depending on your goals and the styles you want to play...and how much time you have. An hour or two of focused practice will bring better results than an hour of coasting aimlessly.
1) Figure out what you need to work on
2) Isolate that and do it, with a metronome and/or backing tracks so you can be aware of your timing and tuning
I am working with Jamey Aebersold's stuff (www.jajazz.com) like the Dom 7 workout. It is helping me get comfortable with the C6th neck and various changes. I need to get more reflexive with chord changes in order to improvise on standards. I do this for about an hour a day, at this point just connecting voicings and chord soloing ideas in all 12 keys.
When I want to isolate pure technique, I go to the Joe Wright material. There's enough there to keep you focused for years!
YMMV!
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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...
[This message was edited by John McGann on 28 December 2004 at 09:16 AM.] |
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Gabriel Aaron Wynne
From:
Johnson Valley, CA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 9:49 am
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The first step is to sell me your Nashville 112. . . It's much too light for you and apparently doesn't give you the work out you seek.
Step two would be to purchase a Ranger 212 modified with a 15. . . If you're looking for some serious gravity, it will surely do the trick.
Seriously, have you picked up Jeff Newman's "Give Me An Intro?" It will challenge you and Jeff makes learning so much fun. (God rest his soul)
Steve Palousek also makes instructional VHS tapes that are super slick. He also makes the complex digestible.
12 strings confuse me from the start. Maybe you could consider a couple of 10s?
Two more thoughts. . .
Why don't you try practicing for 30-40 minutes? Personally, my brain gets full after 3. . .
Finally, if you practice to traditional country music and play with Americana bands, there honestly isn't much reinforcement or text book application for what you have 'learned' in that particular live situation.
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aaron
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 9:59 am
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Todd,
I too am a student of Reece. Wow.
I practice picking with a metronome or drum machine. Chose any key, starting on the little strings, go 1 2- 3- 4 5 6- 7dim 1 and then back down. picking all three notes in the triad. Use different positions for the chords. Speed up, slow down.
Then I go work on songs with rhythm tracks.
I really like Bob Hoffnar's Intonation practice. He has a CD well worth the money, that will challenge any body to move around and land on pitch.
Change strings often, make the instrument sound as good as you can. It is more fun to practice with the instrument/amp sounding great.
My 2c
Ron |
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Jon Jaffe
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:17 am
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All of the above is nice for organized left-brained folks,
but living room practice can be painful.
1. Find a gig. (not sit in)
2. Get the song list and listen to the music as much as possible.
3. Practice with others and come prepared
3. Feel the pressure to learn
4. Show up on time
5. Have a beer
6. Play as best you can[This message was edited by Jon Jaffe on 28 December 2004 at 10:17 AM.] |
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Gabriel Aaron Wynne
From:
Johnson Valley, CA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:28 am
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I love you Jon.
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aaron
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:29 am
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Right you are, John. Playing in front of people is incentive enough, and it's interesting to see how that incentive is often in the form of 'controlled restraint.'
The other part of it has to do with who's on the stand with you. Some time ago, I worked with an agency A-team whose members could virtually complete each other's sentences. Talk about gettin' up and gettin' with it! |
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:30 am
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| Oops! Sorry, . . . Jon. |
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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Gabriel Aaron Wynne
From:
Johnson Valley, CA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:40 am
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James. I thought you were magic in The Godfather.
By the way, where's a good joint to play in your neck of the woods?
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aaron
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Steve Knight
From:
NC
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 11:02 am
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Hello Todd,
After I warm up with some picking patterns, I use a technique I heard that Bill Evans (the jazz pianist) used. I've read that he would sometimes spend a whole night working on a single tune.
For example, you could work out the melody of the tune, then harmonize it in 3rds, 6ths, play it all in harmonics, play it on both necks (if you have a D-10), or on a different octave on the same neck. You could spend time just working on the bridge, going "up" to go into the bridge, or going "down" to go into the bridge.
Spending the extra time on the tune really helps you memorize it. If you're not bored of the tune, then you can repeat all of this the next night, playing it in a different key. You could keep changing keys every night & really feel comfortable playing that tune in any key. Of course, this all makes playing other tunes in other keys easier, too.
So, on a two-hour practice, you could:
1--warm-up for 15-30 minutes with "fundamental" exercises (picking patterns, etc.)
2--work out the melody of the tune
3--focus on either the verse, chorus or bridge
4--practice soloing over the changes
5--work out an intro/ending
Sometimes I spend 3 or more nights on the same tune, in the same key. One night I work on the verse, another night on the bridge, or even just the chorus.
I started this approach a few months ago, and I do feel like I'm getting more out of my practice time 
SK
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Gabriel Aaron Wynne
From:
Johnson Valley, CA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 11:32 am
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Damn! All this time I've wasted listening to steel players. . . Apparently I should have been learning from Jazz pianists.
Let me get this straight: Pluck around for 30 minutes or so on various strings, then. . . what the hell is a melody? Next step would be. . . oh yeah, use harmonics . . . yes! . . . Now i get it. If you're having trouble with the 'melody,' it's easier to master the chime! Now I'm getting it! OK. . . Now, some people spend all night learning a song? It's amazing that such retarded degenerates are out there. . . Typically, I know every song before I hear it. . . or it doesn't take me more than 3 seconds max to master! Shucks, I must be some kind of Jedi steel player or something? I usually warm up to the Digital Underground. . . "The Humpty Dance" is where I really start cooking! Bad grammar included!
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aaron
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 11:46 am
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Todd Pertll
From:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 12:22 pm
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Gabriel,
I just think you are upset with me because I take all of the low paying singer/songwriter gigs in town and leave you nothing but the paying country gigs.
Actually, I have been trying to play more traditional gigs and it is helping.
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Jon Jaffe
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 12:55 pm
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aaron,
Easy! Steve is a digital engineer and seems like a great picker. Adults learn things differently, and solve problems differently. It is the solution and the pleasure that counts. Todd will take suggestions from both sides of the fence and then do it his way. Anyway here's to intuition, feel and...........uh Bourbon. |
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John McGann
From:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 1:42 pm
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Yeah, Jon! Once you are on the stand, it is totally down to feel and intuition...In the heat of the moment, all that practice is what you call on, along with the nerve, and maybe a shot or two...hey, it worked for the Red Sox this year
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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 2:13 pm
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I think what John stated erlier is really the case in point. FOCUS...
If you are in school studying for an exam on History you don't tote the Math book around..
You really need to understand what it is you want to improve on whether it's Basics or Speed Pickin'..it doesn't matter.
A set regimented practice on a regular bases of the exact same stuff for days or weeks on end is in my small opinion the only way to advance on anything, not just the Steel .
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 22 April 2005 at 07:47 AM.] |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Dec 2004 10:40 pm
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| Hi Todd, regardless of your level of playing, call Maurice Anderson and he can get you "on the road again." Jody. |
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 21 Apr 2005 8:13 pm
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| Quote: |
| James. I thought you were magic in The Godfather. |
Thanks, Gabriel. Hope you never see me without my makeup!
As for venues in Phx, sorry, but I'm not much help these days. Haven't done gigs in years. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2005 10:34 pm
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It sounds to me like a notebook might help. I personally tend towards the "one song/one key for a whole day" school, but you might write up the first page in your notebook differently:
10 minutes alternating speedpicking
10 minutes major scales in Bb
10 minutes banjo rolls
15 minutes sightreading "Satin Doll", piano book
15 minutes free play
Etc. The advantage to the notebook is that you can restructure your practice to advance whatever you'd like. I personally diddle off into some highly impractical off-meter exercises and bar movement exercises, but you know what you want to play, right? Just a regular spiral-bound 5X7" or 6X9" drugstore notebook can help a lot, I don't know how anybody functions in the world without writing everything down, but then again I used to have a memory, oh well. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 22 Apr 2005 6:10 am
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Todd, this is a dilema that many face...
It's no different than studying for a test..something I was never good at.
There are many comments above that are right on the mark, and there are also many threads on the subject.
I have found that repetition is the secret to improvement for me.
Instead of jumping around during a practice session, for the past 3 or 4 month I have been playing the exact same things over and over and over..and over and over and over..
did I mention over and over an over ?
Yes , of course I also play some other things for my brain, but what I need to work on, or rather what I KNOW I need to work on is first and foremost.
I have recorded some simple tracks for a few basic tunes that we are playing in the band at meter...I have allowed for at least 3 verses or choruses for me to play over all in a row...
this allows me to play the exact same thing at least 3 times in a row or maybe 3 similar phrases ..then mix and match..I do this over and over..everyday..for maybe an hour a day..for about 3 months now...when I feel good about the phrases, I had additional phrases,additional extensions.etc...
repitition and discipline
these are the tracks I have been woodsheding on..with a tad more meter than expected...
Workin Man Blues
Ramblin Fever
Rocky Top
Our band features a very talented young Tele player, Matt Cook. This has forced me to turn up the wick and to play OUT OF THE BOX at meter...but playing OUT of the BOX is difficult when you can't !
t
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 22 April 2005 at 07:48 AM.] |
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