Quote:
Originally Posted by babb9520  Andrew,
A question on practicing... The past few months I've found myself way too antsy when practicing. There's a lack of concentration, the breath doesn't seem to be there, and I feel kind of discouraged about having trouble sitting down and really focusing on what's going on. Schools over now, so I'm in the process of catching up on sleep and going out on runs more. Am I answering my own question with that? Any ideas that would help? Thanks,
Charlie |
First, going outside and getting fresh air and exercise is good for both physical and mental health, so go ahead and do it.
Same with getting plenty of sleep, good for both physical and mental health, so do it.
Second, what music are you using for practice?
If the material is boring for you, you won't want to practice.
I keep myself interested by practicing material I like.
For example, I might warm up with a very low, very slow "Danny Boy" and "Amazing Grace", pleasing myself with the rich tone I can get in that lower register.
After I am warmed up I play higher, more difficult material, such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "MacArthur Park" with a Maynard Ferguson record (but I dump out when he goes above High F#).
I used to think that playing 2-octave scales up to High F and back down many times in a row would give me iron chops.
It does indeed help a lot.
But I discovered that playing ballads an octave higher is much more challenging and builds my chops beyond what the scales were doing, even though they are both topping out at the same high notes.
(I do both the scales and the high ballads).
Admittedly, my practice is not as conventional as using Arbans or whatever, but it serves my amateur needs very well.
- Morris