Practicing...

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degenaro

degenaro

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In order to not sound to pompous let me state that this is what works for me. And I've been asked about it and figured I'd share. Plus we might as well make it a thread since I'm curious how other guys practice.
Especially John perry. :)

Years ago I did what at the time I assumed everybody does, learn something half fast and when I got bored I moved on.
So I knew like a gazillion lines, sorta. And when it was time to pull them out it was really hit and miss. But then again back then in my severe substance abuse days hit or miss was the norm for me, and I really didn't think it had to with what I ...or more specially of what I didn't practice.

About a 8 years ago I came across this book called Effortless Mastery, and I was able to relate to very well. But even if the book is to esoteric for somebody there is a specific approach to practicing in there that worked great for me.
It describes that you can play something..
A) All The Way Through!
B) Perfect!
C) Up To Tempo!
D) Effortlessly!
Lets leave out D, since unless you went through the booka nd subscribe to the approach it's kinda annoying becuase it's just way feel-good, gooey, tree hugging, hippish kinda approach.

I digress...
So we have, Up to speed, all the way through and perfect.
Whatever you practice, lets say a minor pentatonic sequenced in 16th,, or a chord progression or a riff...pick 2 of the list. And make it happen.
Play it all the way through, at tempo...and don't worry about slop. Play it all the through perfect, and don't worry about tempo...just play it at a tempo-no matter how slow so it is perfect (as in in time, in tune, and in pocket).
Or play it at tempo and perfect, even if all you can do right now is 2 or 3 successive notes...play those up to speed. Then add another.
this approach will get whatever your learning under your hands, and once it's fully digested it can be opulled out at will and made to sound right.

As an example I was working on some new lines last night..in Eb, and I was transposing a line from another key. And thinking what happens when I play it in E over the Eb backing...nothing like determination to make a bunch of wrong notes right.

Muscle memory...when I went through Sheets Of Sound1 I spent an insane amount of time with the guitar unplugged on my lap in front of the televison, essentially just getting my hands to repeat the motion they had to learn. Once I had it under my fingers I actually started to incorporate it.

Questions? Comments?
 
I agree

keeping track of what you do is also important. Using a metronome and knowing what improvement I made was a big change for me. Starting slowly, like really slow also made me much better at learning stuff at a much quicker pace.
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Effortless-Mastery-Kenny-Werner/dp/156224003X/ref=sr_11_1/202-8232706-5542244?ie=UTF8
Was it that book? Is it worth the read? Because my slack practice routine and tendancy to noodle about for a while instead of actualy structuring everything.
 
         
pop_n_fresh":d523d said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Effortless-Mastery-Kenny-Werner/dp/156224003X/ref=sr_11_1/202-8232706-5542244?ie=UTF8
Was it that book? Is it worth the read? Because my slack practice routine and tendancy to noodle about for a while instead of actualy structuring everything.
That would be the book. If you can stomch esoteric concepts and meditation the book is fantastic.
 
         
pop_n_fresh":68fec said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Effortless-Mastery-Kenny-Werner/dp/156224003X/ref=sr_11_1/202-8232706-5542244?ie=UTF8
Was it that book? Is it worth the read? Because my slack practice routine and tendancy to noodle about for a while instead of actualy structuring everything.
That would be the book. If you can stomch esoteric concepts and meditation the book is fantastic.
 
Well I do many things that involve meditation. Tarot, I-Ching, Runes and general chilling out. And doing these has involved alot of research, especialy into Tao-ism and ancient Nordic culture and tradition.

I might have to order a copy.
 
Hey Ed. Mucho thanks for posting this [after some nag], I'm wondering how though to make best use of the meditations.
Any suggestions?
 
Ed, it comes down to if you want it bad enough....at least for me.

I like to schedule days for certain things......

Metronome
Chords
phrasing
jamming along to tracks

The toughest thing for me is once I go to about 100-104 on the ticker I can hit or miss scales at full speed but what I should be doing is to progress further on the ticker.

BTW the single string training is helping me learn the board.....thanks.
 
         
CoachZ":5cd00 said:
Hey Ed. Mucho thanks for posting this [after some nag], I'm wondering how though to make best use of the meditations.
Any suggestions?
i would have to type out the effortless mastery book for that.
botton line is that it'll help you get in the zone so your brain won't get in the way.
 
         
Digital Jams":cac1a said:
Ed, it comes down to if you want it bad enough....at least for me.

I like to schedule days for certain things......

Metronome
Chords
phrasing
jamming along to tracks

The toughest thing for me is once I go to about 100-104 on the ticker I can hit or miss scales at full speed but what I should be doing is to progress further on the ticker.

BTW the single string training is helping me learn the board.....thanks.
100-104 bpm playing what 16th triplets? as in 6 notes for every click?
if you reach your top speed go back 20 bpm, the play it twice perfect go up 8 bpm, play it twice, back 4 bpm play it twice, back 4 bpm...etc...within a week or two your top speed will be up.
 
         
degenaro":701ef said:
         100-104 bpm playing what 16th triplets? as in 6 notes for every click?
if you reach your top speed go back 20 bpm, the play it twice perfect go up 8 bpm, play it twice, back 4 bpm play it twice, back 4 bpm...etc...within a week or two your top speed will be up.

Straight 16th notes, 16 notes per 4/4 measure. What I am saying is that I am trying to fly instead of further progressing up the bpm scale.

I need more disipline and fight trying to burn after a certain level.
 
i havent practiced with a met in 5 years. i used to just turn it on "2+4" at Berklee and just jam with it, i should really start that again. lately when i practice i been trying to do things i dont normally do, it sounds kind of obvious, but sometimes its hard to try new stuff.
 
Thanks for sharing this Ed I'm really in a rut at the moment.

I do the same metronome drills on my lunch hour at work and then work on songwriting and noodling around when I get home :?
 
         
Shiny_Surface":047dc said:
Thanks for sharing this Ed I'm really in a rut at the moment.

I do the same metronome drills on my lunch hour at work and then work on songwriting and noodling around when I get home :?

I am in a rut too, too much freaking scales and clicker crap :x

So I went out during lunch and bought a Joe Satriani tab and jam book with cd and I am learning Flying in a Blue Dream :)

I am up to the solo :oops:
 
         
Digital Jams":1cfc1 said:
         

I am in a rut too, too much freaking scales and clicker crap :x

So I went out during lunch and bought a Joe Satriani tab and jam book with cd and I am learning Flying in a Blue Dream :)

I am up to the solo :oops:
To post a really obvious question...why buy a book instead of sitting down with the CD?
 
         
degenaro":1dee5 said:
         
To post a really obvious question...why buy a book instead of sitting down with the CD?

The obvious answer Ed my ears are not there yet and I wanted a quick kick start from the rut I was getting into.

I care tell major from minor and I knew Satch was lydian on this tune but I am just not there yet. My chord exercises are helping but I have a ways to go.

PLus the book on the simplest part, the beginning, is wrong :D
 
Interesting thread. :) My playing is going down the drain these days. May be I should set up a practice routine.
 
Ed, I say you should sticky this thread. It could be beneficial for people to see when they looking for it.
 
         
Nick":472f3 said:
I agree

keeping track of what you do is also important. Using a metronome and knowing what improvement I made was a big change for me. Starting slowly, like really slow also made me much better at learning stuff at a much quicker pace.

That's really the key to me although I need to get my metronome out more often. Warming up slow and practicing anything difficult the same way is easily the best way to go.
 
i love learning new stuff
my problem is i forget it overnight
because i squeesed the hell out of it

whats nice is where i take someones new techniques and apply them to what ever i have on the table of to do list
which i certainly love to go finger skateing nightly :)

doe's anyone else here finger skate
( with the actuall technique ) ?
 
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