Routine

[toeturecellbass]

What do each of you guys do when you practice.
Do you have certain things you do every day?or only on certian days?
Do you practice scales,technique,ear training,transcribing?

i am in a rut of sorts and have just resorted to learning old Incubus (Science friggin rules) songs and over the weekend I bought the Slap Bass video by Ed Friedland. I have been a Rock and Metal bassist for so long I never tried to learn slap and now am determined to learn it. So inspire me fellas!!

 

[Lex]

What do each of you guys do when you practice.
Do you have certain things you do every day?or only on certian days?
Do you practice scales,technique,ear training,transcribing?

i am in a rut of sorts and have just resorted to learning old Incubus (Science friggin rules) songs and over the weekend I bought the Slap Bass video by Ed Friedland. I have been a Rock and Metal bassist for so long I never tried to learn slap and now am determined to learn it. So inspire me fellas!!

best thing I did was get a teacher. I am getting lessons after 10 years of playing.

I have bought and owned many books/vids, but nothing has improved my playing more than having someone else pushing me to improve.

 

[Florin]

Yeah, a teacher will take you much faster on the right way, and you'll avoid learning bad habits.
When I study at home I use the metronome and a clock. So It is easy, I decide to study a pattern or whatever for 30 minutes, at one given tempo, so I do it It may sound silly, but try it. You'll feel almost like you have someone pushing you, because you know you must do it for 30 minutes, at this specific tempo, so all you have to do is to focus

 

[Lex]

Yeah, a teacher will take you much faster on the right way, and you'll avoid learning bad habits.
When I study at home I use the metronome and a clock. So It is easy, I decide to study a pattern or whatever for 30 minutes, at one given tempo, so I do it It may sound silly, but try it. You'll feel almost like you have someone pushing you, because you know you must do it for 30 minutes, at this specific tempo, so all you have to do is to focus

Also, I get up an hour earlier than I would (before work) and practice then... makes you feel good for the rest of the day

 

[bassplayer22]

I don't know if I consider it a routine, but a leave a bass on a stand in my living room. Instead of picking up the remote control for the TV, I pick up the bass. It is a constant reminder that without practice, you won't get any better.

When I do practice, I try and make it as worthwhile as possible though. I break out the metronome and go through the modes up and down and other various exercises on the fretboard. I structure my practice sessions to achieve goals. Video your lessons/practicing sessions as well. Seeing yourself play will help you fix any technique issues that you might have. 9 times of 10, if it looks awkward on video, it probably feels awkward when you are playing/practicing. Having good technique will help you to be a better bass player and musician. If it looks good, it more than likely feels good and tends to sound good as well.

Lex is right though, you need a teacher! Everyone needs a teacher at some point in their playing career, no matter what your level of play is. I have purchased a lot of good DVD's on bass instruction, but for the hands on stuff, nothing beats an instructor. There are two pluses to having an instructor/teacher.

1. If you are paying for the lesson, you are more likely to pay attention and tap the lesson for what it is worth.
2. Nothing beats a one-on-one session with someone sitting right in front of you. It just makes a huge difference, instead of hitting play on a DVD, you just simply ask the instructor.

One last thing... PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!

Tim

 

[Indianerdaniel]

Yeah, a teacher will take you much faster on the right way, and you'll avoid learning bad habits.
When I study at home I use the metronome and a clock. So It is easy, I decide to study a pattern or whatever for 30 minutes, at one given tempo, so I do it It may sound silly, but try it. You'll feel almost like you have someone pushing you, because you know you must do it for 30 minutes, at this specific tempo, so all you have to do is to focus

Also, I get up an hour earlier than I would (before work) and practice then... makes you feel good for the rest of the day

Beats jogging!