Hi, I am a newbie here. I'm enjoying reading through past discussions. I'm an intermediate level player, trying to improve on both the whistle and button accordion. I only have between one and two hours a day to practice. Does anyone have any tips on how to get the most out of a practice session? Should I work on style alone or speed as well? Should I practice both instruments every day or focus on one at a time? Should I work on several tunes or only a few? What works for you? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Dont practice on several tunes practice to make a couple perfect.
Work on scales to site read better.
Practice and get good with one instrument.
with such little time thats what you need to do.
Plus once you get decent at one you can switch, if you like.
Other then that your on your own
My practices are good like this
Scales
old songs I already know
then One- two new songs
takes me about two hours to do that
I Take a break
repeat
I would say that you can get more out of a one-two hour practice by focusing on what you do for the other twenty-two hours of your day. Constantly listen to good whistle and button accordion players, and constantly listen to all good ITM, and let the music sink in; then when you go back and start to play, you'll find you've been playing and practicing in your head the whole time.
practise one thing at a time
use a metronome
prioritise rhythm
learn ALL the notes in a tune
don't bluff over phrases
slow down
record yourself
listen objectively
don't compare yourself to commercial recordings
practise EVERY day.
listen a LOT
learn the same tune ( every tune ) in a couple of keys , it will make you a more intuitive musician, as oposed to playing by rote.
Practise alone
Practise with another musician.
Play with others.
Love the music.
while your on the journey
There are no shortcuts
There is always the question of speed. The folks here helped alot when I asked tha same question six or eight months age. I really like Pat Higgins' advice. Also, I carry a folder of CD's of really good players whenever I drive anywhere for any length of time. Listening to the good players is necessary. It also teaches some humility.
One thing I am trying to balance now is the speed question. You really have to do it from the beginning so you are not tentative or afraid of it at it. But......even if you master something at speed, and do some of the ornament, I know I have to always do a practice playing the speed piece slower, and focus on the precision of the "bones"-hitting every note where it's supposed to be. It makes the speed work better.
Also, this does take the place of the scales. You have to do them at the beginning, because you don't know enough tunes to get a good practice in. Also, scales give you can experiment with alternating fingerings, improvise things you will want to do as fills, and become familiar with accidentals that you may use only once in a while, but need them when you need them.
But you must practice every day, even if it is a short run through.
I have spent too much time over the past 30 years "playing things through" and not enough time practising. Practice has a goal, and a way of deciding if you have met the goal (playing the phrase through without a mistake, hitting every low D with authority, tuning my high A and B, whatever). I've spent the past 4 months practising just a few things (tone, diddley bits, and not making mistakes) and my playing has improved more than it ever has before. Previously I wanted to get "better". without having a clear idea of what I meant, or how I would tell if I was succeeding. Or my definition of better was too loose to be useful (eg "better" is more or less keeping up with this tune at session speed as long as there are so many people that no one can really hear me mess it up).
What got me going on this idea was someone saying that practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. Play it poorly 50 times, and you've learned to play it poorly. A variant goes "You never make a mistake if you never make a mistake". Still another goes "It's better to play it 49 times slowly, and once fast, rather than the other way round". So I am finally doing what many have said, namely start slowly, get it right, never play faster than you can play it perfectly, and speed will come.
I also like the idea of breaking my practice time down into smaller bits, each with a defined goal, so that I stay fresh and focussed. Currently I am working in about 10 minute chunks on tone, diddley bits, learning a new tune, and playing familiar pieces, but trying to: a) make them perfect, and b) play them new ways. There's my 40 minutes a day.
Well, yes, I always thought "practise" was the verb and "practice" was the noun, therefore it should be spelt "practising". However the spellchecker on MS Word picks up "practising" and changes it to "practicing". So I thought I must have got it wrong! Hence the "c" not "s"! Now I don't know what to think! Either way I should stop worrying about it and start practising! Or, practicing.
Hi all,
I'm pretty much a newbie on "the session" too. Have just taken up the tenor banjo (I know it's one of the b's!) great question and some really great tips. Thanks people, you've given me a great road map.
just a few things which have worked for me-having previously played different areas of music even though grown up with Scotish trad. I got some great advice from a super piano jazz teacher who never ever practised scales-he always felt they were bad for a musicians soul-at the end of the day musics meant to be fun-he always listened to a new piece of music everyday and tried to work it out as quickly as possible-then tried to play it back -I was originally a keyboard player and have played many different types of music and one thing I have always noticed is how many so called musicians delight in showing off little technical tricks but pay no attention to how things fit into the actual song or tune. Always try and think about the overall picture and try and play along with your different instruments to other styles of music-you get some great ideas that way. I'm sure a lot of people don't agree with this approach but its worked for me
"never ever practised scales-he always felt they were bad for a musicians soul"
I've heard variations on this thought 47,326 times at last count. It's probably true for some people. Most anything you can say is true for somebody. Personally, I can enjoy playing scales and I know dozens, maybe hundreds...okay, I know one other guy who likes to play scales. And we are *not* geeks! Well, maybe he is...
Anyway, if it annoys you to play scales, then maybe it *is* bad for your soul. But of all the musicians I've known, I'd say most of their souls were in far greater danger from sources other than playing scales.
Scales are at least a good way to warm up. Then your fingers are less likely to start out practicing mistakes.
I was told that you made better use of your time by NOT just playing a tune through, over and over, beginning to end, but instead spending most of your time on the little bits that you keep stumbling over - figure out why - work on the fingering, whatever, until it's smooth, then go back and play the whole tune, and if you can now play it smoothly at that speed, go a little faster - you'll uncover all the weak spots this way and put your time into the places that need it.
Well, y'know, lots of approaches work and for most of us the trick is to find a practice plan that does the job reasonably well *and* is something that we can live with for the long haul. Lifetimes ago, when I was teaching, I thought about this stuff every day. Today, when I bother to think about it, I try to think in terms of very basic, essential principles. The one that's most useful for me now is "Don't practice mistakes." If I really follow that rule, it doesn't matter so much what the actual content of my practice session is. Good training will happen anyway.
Any tips for practicing?
Any tips for practicing?
Hi, I am a newbie here. I'm enjoying reading through past discussions. I'm an intermediate level player, trying to improve on both the whistle and button accordion. I only have between one and two hours a day to practice. Does anyone have any tips on how to get the most out of a practice session? Should I work on style alone or speed as well? Should I practice both instruments every day or focus on one at a time? Should I work on several tunes or only a few? What works for you? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by buttons 'n' whistles
Re: Any tips for practicing?
ok here some tips....
Dont practice on several tunes practice to make a couple perfect.
Work on scales to site read better.
Practice and get good with one instrument.
with such little time thats what you need to do.
Plus once you get decent at one you can switch, if you like.
Other then that your on your own
My practices are good like this
Scales
old songs I already know
then One- two new songs
takes me about two hours to do that
I Take a break
repeat
hopes this helps
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by Mahoney
Re: Any tips for practicing?
I would say that you can get more out of a one-two hour practice by focusing on what you do for the other twenty-two hours of your day. Constantly listen to good whistle and button accordion players, and constantly listen to all good ITM, and let the music sink in; then when you go back and start to play, you'll find you've been playing and practicing in your head the whole time.
--DtM
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by Dan the Man
Re: Any tips for practicing?
A wise old man once told me:
Practice every single day, even if only for a little while. A bit of practice every day is worth more than a big orgy every once in a while.
Try to play just a little bit better than you did yesterday. Don't look for big leaps, just keep making small improvements, day by day.
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by mickray
Re: Any tips for practicing?
practise one thing at a time
use a metronome
prioritise rhythm
learn ALL the notes in a tune
don't bluff over phrases
slow down
record yourself
listen objectively
don't compare yourself to commercial recordings
practise EVERY day.
listen a LOT
learn the same tune ( every tune ) in a couple of keys , it will make you a more intuitive musician, as oposed to playing by rote.
Practise alone
Practise with another musician.
Play with others.
Love the music.
while your on the journey
There are no shortcuts
Good Luck
Pat
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by Pat Higgins
Re: Any tips for practicing?
I agree with Pat.
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by Fiddlebabe
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Yeah, Pat's is a good list. One thing futher up I wouldn't bother with:
"Work on scales to site read better." Utterly pointless
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Any tips for practicing?
A big orgy before practicing, though not traditional, does sound like fun to me...!
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by weebag
Re: Any tips for practicing?
One other thing.
There is always the question of speed. The folks here helped alot when I asked tha same question six or eight months age. I really like Pat Higgins' advice. Also, I carry a folder of CD's of really good players whenever I drive anywhere for any length of time. Listening to the good players is necessary. It also teaches some humility.
One thing I am trying to balance now is the speed question. You really have to do it from the beginning so you are not tentative or afraid of it at it. But......even if you master something at speed, and do some of the ornament, I know I have to always do a practice playing the speed piece slower, and focus on the precision of the "bones"-hitting every note where it's supposed to be. It makes the speed work better.
Also, this does take the place of the scales. You have to do them at the beginning, because you don't know enough tunes to get a good practice in. Also, scales give you can experiment with alternating fingerings, improvise things you will want to do as fills, and become familiar with accidentals that you may use only once in a while, but need them when you need them.
But you must practice every day, even if it is a short run through.
Best of luck.
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Any tips for practicing?
I have spent too much time over the past 30 years "playing things through" and not enough time practising. Practice has a goal, and a way of deciding if you have met the goal (playing the phrase through without a mistake, hitting every low D with authority, tuning my high A and B, whatever). I've spent the past 4 months practising just a few things (tone, diddley bits, and not making mistakes) and my playing has improved more than it ever has before. Previously I wanted to get "better". without having a clear idea of what I meant, or how I would tell if I was succeeding. Or my definition of better was too loose to be useful (eg "better" is more or less keeping up with this tune at session speed as long as there are so many people that no one can really hear me mess it up).
What got me going on this idea was someone saying that practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. Play it poorly 50 times, and you've learned to play it poorly. A variant goes "You never make a mistake if you never make a mistake". Still another goes "It's better to play it 49 times slowly, and once fast, rather than the other way round". So I am finally doing what many have said, namely start slowly, get it right, never play faster than you can play it perfectly, and speed will come.
I also like the idea of breaking my practice time down into smaller bits, each with a defined goal, so that I stay fresh and focussed. Currently I am working in about 10 minute chunks on tone, diddley bits, learning a new tune, and playing familiar pieces, but trying to: a) make them perfect, and b) play them new ways. There's my 40 minutes a day.
Hugh
# Posted on March 6th 2007 by flutefry
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Wow, thanks so much for the quick and thoughtful replies, this gives me a lot to think about (and practice!) Keep it coming!
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by buttons 'n' whistles
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Use an 's' not a 'c'
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by sooz
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Well, yes, I always thought "practise" was the verb and "practice" was the noun, therefore it should be spelt "practising". However the spellchecker on MS Word picks up "practising" and changes it to "practicing". So I thought I must have got it wrong! Hence the "c" not "s"! Now I don't know what to think! Either way I should stop worrying about it and start practising! Or, practicing.
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by buttons 'n' whistles
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Your spellchecker is using US English.
In English the verb has an "s" and the noun a "c".
US English has it the other way
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Bren
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Anyway, it's how you get to Carnegie Hall.
Boom, boom !
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Hi all,
I'm pretty much a newbie on "the session" too. Have just taken up the tenor banjo (I know it's one of the b's!) great question and some really great tips. Thanks people, you've given me a great road map.
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Any tips for practicing?
just a few things which have worked for me-having previously played different areas of music even though grown up with Scotish trad. I got some great advice from a super piano jazz teacher who never ever practised scales-he always felt they were bad for a musicians soul-at the end of the day musics meant to be fun-he always listened to a new piece of music everyday and tried to work it out as quickly as possible-then tried to play it back -I was originally a keyboard player and have played many different types of music and one thing I have always noticed is how many so called musicians delight in showing off little technical tricks but pay no attention to how things fit into the actual song or tune. Always try and think about the overall picture and try and play along with your different instruments to other styles of music-you get some great ideas that way. I'm sure a lot of people don't agree with this approach but its worked for me
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by harrisman100
Re: Any tips for practicing?
"never ever practised scales-he always felt they were bad for a musicians soul"
I've heard variations on this thought 47,326 times at last count. It's probably true for some people. Most anything you can say is true for somebody. Personally, I can enjoy playing scales and I know dozens, maybe hundreds...okay, I know one other guy who likes to play scales. And we are *not* geeks! Well, maybe he is...
Anyway, if it annoys you to play scales, then maybe it *is* bad for your soul. But of all the musicians I've known, I'd say most of their souls were in far greater danger from sources other than playing scales.
Scales are at least a good way to warm up. Then your fingers are less likely to start out practicing mistakes.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Bob himself
Re: Any tips for practicing?
You know "dozens" of scales? Bloody hell. You're up to 47,327 I'm afraid
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Ha! that didn't makes sense did it? I meant dozens of people who like to play scales. Oh, never mind.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Bob himself
Re: Any tips for practicing?
I was told that you made better use of your time by NOT just playing a tune through, over and over, beginning to end, but instead spending most of your time on the little bits that you keep stumbling over - figure out why - work on the fingering, whatever, until it's smooth, then go back and play the whole tune, and if you can now play it smoothly at that speed, go a little faster - you'll uncover all the weak spots this way and put your time into the places that need it.
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by drinharp
Re: Any tips for practicing?
Well, y'know, lots of approaches work and for most of us the trick is to find a practice plan that does the job reasonably well *and* is something that we can live with for the long haul. Lifetimes ago, when I was teaching, I thought about this stuff every day. Today, when I bother to think about it, I try to think in terms of very basic, essential principles. The one that's most useful for me now is "Don't practice mistakes." If I really follow that rule, it doesn't matter so much what the actual content of my practice session is. Good training will happen anyway.
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by Bob himself