How much do you practice.

Subject: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 19 May 02 - 11:35 AM

How much time do you spend each day practicing on your instrument? I try at least to get in a hour but sometimes that is to much. Bob

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,Pedant
Date: 19 May 02 - 11:40 AM

Well, I practise mine.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: weepiper
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:00 PM

Pedantic Guest, I practice mine. Bob - it depends. Some days I don't get much time at all but others I'll be on a roll and play for a couple of hours. It's not so much the quantity that matters but the quality I reckon.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:01 PM

Probably not enough...

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:10 PM

I used to play around 3 hours a day, but now I'm lucky to get in a hour. Yesterday we played for about 2 hours. Bob

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:14 PM

But is 'playing' practicing? To my way of thinking, 'practicing' is trying to do something you can't do very well.

Playing the things you know well doesn't make you a better player

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: clansfolk
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:31 PM

practise - every time I play whether at home or at a 'gig' it's practise and hopefully the more you play the better you become..... after 40 years in "the business" I would never claim to play or sing any number perfect.... and nobody I've known in the industry has claimed that... cast the first stone if you dare :-) - think of all the hours of retakes in the studio to get an acceptable "keep".

Be the best you can at the time and learn from your mistakes keep learning (even the "old stuff") and keep practising... and one day you may play something you feel at the time can't be bettered - make a note of the time and date - and the colour of the moon :-)

Pete

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:46 PM

The saying (and I concur) from a professional jazz player/instructor I know, in regard to practice is:

Miss one day, I know
Miss two days, my teacher knows
Miss three days, the whole world knows.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:52 PM

Why would you say sometimes that is to much

If you don't love it, why would you do it all?

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Justa Picker
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:54 PM

All playing is "practicing" and improving upon what you already have - whether in the privacy of your home, or even on stage.

In fact those nights on stage when a room is mostly empty most musicians I know think of it as "Paid practices (or rehearsals).

Practicing may be playing an entire song all the way through; or working on a particular lick for an hour; or practising moving from one chord to another one quickly (that's been giving you trouble); or just working up scales and arpeggios. It's all the same, and in the end, designed to make you a better player.

I generally spend a minimum of 2-3 hours a day during the week (broken up into half hour to 45 minute segments around lunch time, then after work, and then again late in the evening. On the weekends, it's broken up again, but I'm more likely to get 4-5 hours in a day, spread out.

Depending on what style you play, may or may not require more practice time. I find maintaining good fingerpicking technique absolutely requires daily practice. Kind of like being a triathalon athlete and keeping all the muscles toned, loose and flexible and constant remapping and reinforcement of all muscle memory and grids. Miss a day and you need 2-3 to make up where you were - at least with me anyway. If you truly love it, practicing is never work - but just another new adventure. *G*

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: kendall
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:54 PM

never

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: alanabit
Date: 19 May 02 - 02:44 PM

I get two hours guitar practice a day most days, which can be difficult with a girl and two young children to take care of. It also comes over as selfishness sometimes, as my voice collapsed two years ago, since which time I have not made a living as a full time musician. I think I am improving slowly, although at the age of forty-six I never expect to progress much beyond a bearable level of mediocrity as a guitarist.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Bert
Date: 19 May 02 - 02:52 PM

The rules are... (not just for music but for anything)

Ten minutes if you want to be able to do something
Two hours if you want to do it well
Eight hours if you want to do it professionally.
More if you want to be the best.

And I'm not going to fess up as to just how little I do.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 May 02 - 02:57 PM

Mentally (as a drummer) 24/7. Which as I'm a mediocre guitar strummer is silly. Fairly often but same old thing.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Tweed
Date: 19 May 02 - 03:16 PM

I practise,or practice,or praxtisses about an hour or two a day. Really it's not practic(s)ing at all. I just explore whichever guitar happens to be closest and if I'm able to come up with a new thing, I'll work at it til the dog looks up with the baleful eye and the wife turns off the lights. Then I know it's enough and time to go to bed. Is there an "s" in practice in yore edge of the world Pedantic Guest?

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Mooh
Date: 19 May 02 - 03:45 PM

Hi Bob,

Ignore the guest(s) comments if you want, they only impress themselves, we know perfectly well what you're asking. (I thought that the "ise" vs "ice" was Brit vs elsewhere usage...though even here in Canada I was taught "practice"...am I right, anyone know?)

I practice for varying lengths of time depending on my other responsibilities and time demands. If I miss a day, I generally more than make it up the next. Since one of my jobs is to teach people to play fretted instruments, I spend alot of time with instruments in my hands. This isn't practice (with some students I hardly play at all while with others I'll play my ass off) but it's better than nothing. I consider any playing I do for myself to be practice, whether it's gigging, learning new stuff, jamming with others or with recording/backing tracks, writing, rehearsals, or whatever.

Even with all that, if practice makes perfect I haven't practiced near enough.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,Anahootz w/o cookie
Date: 19 May 02 - 04:16 PM

Mebbe one day I'll reset that damn cookie...

I PLAY about 2 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. When I play, sometimes I will stop to PRACTICE a part or phrase than needs fine-tuning. About 3 times a week, I LEARN a new tune to add to the list of tunes to PLAY with parts to PRACTICE. When I get bored with that, I will DRILL on arpeggios and the Aonzo scales, or mebbe just regular scale variations, but since they are not tunes, there is no need to PRACTICE them, just DRILL.

All different aspects, imho.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: C-flat
Date: 19 May 02 - 05:03 PM

I practice all the time. Not neccessarily a consious effort, or even neccessarily with the guitar. Sometimes when I'm in the car my mind may wander and I start working out a song I've just heard on the radio or tapping out a finger pattern while a song runs in my head. At home I usually pick up a guitar several times in a day for short periods unless I'm in the middle of something new, then I can dissapear for hours on end, much to my partners discontent! I've recently found some guitar tab for simple Bach pieces which, although I'm not a classical player, I've found to be both refreshing and musically stimulating. I think it's good to occassionaly get into other styles as I believe it can only improve your knowledge, technique and understanding, whatever your prefered style. If anyone's interested there's some Bach tab here.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Bert
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:29 AM

I just read this thread again and feel obliged to comment on Kendall's post which I missed first time because it was so short. Kendall, You're just a rotten show off and I don't believe ya. *GRIN*

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: CarolC
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:40 AM

On average, I probably play/practice two to three hours a day. I think of it as playing in that I do it because I enjoy it. Technically, it's probably practice because I think I've got a long way to go before I can consider myself to be a competent accordion player.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:00 AM

Come on now Kendall, I'm sure that you practice sometimes.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: kendall
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:07 AM

Never, honestly.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: kendall
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:12 AM

I was getting ready to do a performance with Gordon, (he DOES practice) and I just couldn't get it right. I said "I never practice" he said "It shows."

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: paddymac
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:18 AM

Sometimes practice can be work, sometimes joy, and sometimes simple escape. I tell my kids (grown now) that practice is cheaper than a shrink and not near as fattening as beer.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Jim Krause
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:47 AM

True confessions. I'm not that disciplined. And my playing shows it. I seem to practicd whenever I'm insprired to do so. That's about every day. If I don't pick up one of my instruments for at least fifteen minutes, or thirty, then the rest of the day just isn't right.

I practice on whatever needs the most immediate attention. If for example the band has a big job coming up, I might work on something where the mandolin needs attention. Or, I might work on a song where I have a difficult time remembering the second verse, for another example.

I just got back from doing a festival with the band last week end. And I met up with this really superb guitarist. We've seen each other numerous times. So I asked him for some tips on improving my slide guitar technique. So this morning, I'm playing the bejeezus out of my old round neck Dobro, working on such tunes as Keys to the Highway, Statesboro Blues, and one or two of my own.

I need to get cracking on the fife. Haven't played that at all in a few days. Got a re-enactment coming up over Memorial Day week end.
Jim

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Pied Piper
Date: 20 May 02 - 11:52 AM

I play the Highland pipes on average 3 hours a day on 4 or 5 days a week, wilst making my living as a street musician, and piper at weddings and funerals. Pipes have to be played regularly to remain stable. I have an electronic chanter (Deger) that I practice on most days learning new tunes and trying to improve my technique.I allso play the Recorder and Whistle which I carry with me at all times to play when the oppertunity arrises ( about half an hour a day). The secret to my way of thinking is to ALLWAYS enjoy your playing. All the best PP.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,Mudjack "work"
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:13 PM

Doctors, lawyers and dentist practice, folks who play music just have fun. In order to keep the set list active and brain ready, I find I must do the set list at least twice a week. If not, the memory bank shows signs of weakness. CRS sets in and does it ever show. Do I practice what I preach? No and the set list is shrinking again. I try to maintain a two forty minute set list and lately I have struggled with the memory work. So back to having fun and "practice".
Mudjack

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,Dagenham Doc
Date: 20 May 02 - 05:11 PM

As a singer I always practice. I have about 120 songs that I know and usually have about 15 that I work on . I practice every night that I'm at home and of course always when I drive in the car.......why?? because I love it.

Doc

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Áine
Date: 20 May 02 - 06:25 PM

Well, when I ruptured the disc in my back, I had to stop practicing; then, after my back surgery, I had to learn how to practice a completely different way.

Before the surgery, I would curl up on my bed or the couch, and plunk away and call that 'practicing'. Well, boy howdy, how the world has changed.

Now, I have to sit use a wooden straightback chair, sit on the edge of it, making sure my back is straight, use my guitar strap and a classical guitar footrest. I've had to learn how to hold my guitar all over again, how to place my right elbow behind the front of the guitar, how to let my left arm relax and not tense up, thus letting my fingers use their natural weight on the strings. I hold my right hand differently now, too -- more in a 'cup' position than before.

Basically, it's been starting completely over. Before I would just play some songs -- now, I have to really work on chord changes, arpeggios, fingerpicking, etc. I've had to change the way I play -- probably for the better (hahaha). After three months, I've worked up from just holding the guitar and posing my fingers over the strings, to about an hour and a half a day.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: kendall
Date: 20 May 02 - 07:25 PM

I'm a lousy picker. Always have been, and no amount of practice can change that. Besides, picking is not my long suit anyway; storytelling is.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 21 May 02 - 12:08 AM

53 - Have you had a stroke or something? Something like having to type with your tongue or a pencil pencil in the mouth? Are you perhaps in rehab? Your postings are short and enigmatic for an adult.

Just curious.

Best Wishes,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Kaleea
Date: 21 May 02 - 12:21 AM

When i was in Music School, many, many moons ago, I was informed that I was required to practice 2 hours per day for each hour private lesson which I took at the university. Let's see, 2 hours per day on voice, which was my major, and 2 hours per day on flute, which was my other major, although they only allowed us to have ONE major, and then 1 hour per day on piano which I also took all through my years at the university, and 1 hour per day when I took Euphoniun (aka Baritone Horn) lessons for aobut 4 semesters, and then I directed 2 choirs (we had 2 different services, thus 2 choirs) and I taught music lessons-guitar, piano, flute, etc, and as I recall, the first year I was in school I counted the hours I spent in & out of class on music school--72 hours per week!! Not to mention all the the hours I spent on my "regular" classes such as math & history & science & the rest of the stuff I never had occasion to use again in my life. Oh, yes, and now that I'm old & gray, after work I teach music lessons, and I go to the session (Irish, of course!) about once a week, and a couple of festivals per year (gotta go to Winfield!), and now & then I play weddings, funerals, & I'm in a couple of bands, volunteer at a local museum playing music about twice a month. Come to think of it, I don't think I ever practice any more!

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,CAZ
Date: 21 May 02 - 06:24 AM

I try to practice my violin at least one hour a day but if I don't manage this I don't worry because sometimes I'm on it for 2-3 hours.

My main instrument is my voice which I practice twice a week if you include one of them being a gig. I don't practice much more than this because I tend to pick up melodies and harmonies very quickly and retain them. As for the words I tend to remember these also but I don't know how. I might go around the house humming to myself and of course I sing in the car but that's the only extra practice I get.

If something special is coming up like a Folk Festival I'll practice more because it's important to be spot on and professional.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: hesperis
Date: 22 May 02 - 12:23 AM

Not enough. Hopefully that will change soon.

When I was in high school, I practised at least two hours a day, usually silent fingering in class and actual playing at lunch and after school. Weekends, it depended on whether I wanted to lug the intrument home on the bus. Was the best in the school, but that doesn't necessarily mean much. *g*

Visualizations help, too. It's a mental practicing.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 22 May 02 - 12:36 AM

About two hours a week, plus whatever gigs come along. And I know this is not enough. I think it would be best to play at least a little every day. Al

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 02 - 12:50 AM

You consider a gig "practice" - ah, pity the poor audience.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 22 May 02 - 01:04 AM

When its slow you can try out your new songs and get paid for doing it. I like those kind of practices.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 May 02 - 04:45 AM

Trying not to be pedantic, but I felt the need to comment on Pedantic Guest's comment and subsequent grammatical confusion. Practice with a 'c' is the noun and Practise with an 's' is the verb. Easy isn't it? And I now have to admit that I only ever practise once in a blue moon, should do loads more I know, especially since I'm always nagging my son to do his practice. I must say i do find it hard to know what to play when I'm practising.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Leeder
Date: 22 May 02 - 01:12 PM

To answer Mooh and the Pedant, at the place I used to work as an editor we used "practise" as a verb and "practice" as a noun. This was represented as Canadian usage (mid-Atlantic?). Exclusively with a "c" was regarded as British, and exclusively with an "s" was regarded as American. These were represented as tendencies, not hard-and-fast rules. However, I'm right and everybody else is wrong.

I practise as little as possible but take part in as many sessions and jams as possible; I find improvising with other players more valuable than rehashing old stuff. I never play anything the same way twice anyway. unless the tune is so strong that it refuses to be improvised upon.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 May 02 - 03:10 PM

drummers? practice? er run that by me again....

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Hrothgar
Date: 23 May 02 - 05:41 AM

Yes, drummers have all sorts of practices.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 23 May 02 - 08:09 AM

:::snicker:::

Mr. Red, the reason you even have to ask the question "Drummers practice?" is because lots don't.

As for me, not nearly enough, but I do try to take it down off the wall and work out rhythms to canned music at least once a week. Not nearly enough, I know, but I just don't have any more time. My band practices together not nearly enough either.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Peg
Date: 23 May 02 - 10:31 AM

I sing just about every day. The voice does get rusty if left unused. Even in public where I may not want tosing too loudly, I go over phrasing in my head or go over songs to memorize them better.

I am not apt to pratice musical instruments though which might explain why I am way better at singing than I am at any instrument.

Kendall, just a thought. Not singing for a while and then doing a lot of singing all at once (on tour or at a festival) puts a terrible strain on the voice...once your throat heals you might consider doing simple warm-up exercises each day. Consider it like the treadmill for the cardiac patient!

Peg

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: kendall
Date: 23 May 02 - 11:09 AM

I'm afraid you are right, Peg. I never had to warm up before, but, I will now. Did you get those mandolin chords?

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:58 AM

refresh.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:03 AM

Not enough. That's the simple answer. It depends on bookings, as much as anything. I practice pretty heavily on my own, and with the Messengers when we have an impending booking. When we have a short breather, I mostly sit and screw around, waiting for inspiration. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:08 AM

I pin the words of a song I want to practice or learn on the wall above my sink, and as I'm washing up I sing my heart out.
Also when I'm using the vacuum cleaner I can really let rip!

Sal

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: wilco
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:54 AM

On stringed insturments: everyday, for an hour or two. Two or three times a week for three or four hours in jams. On harmoica, while traveling in my vehicle, for hours and hours.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 12:16 PM

Enough to play with those I enjoy playing with. On a gig - since I don't solicit them - they get what I got. I like to play and play fairly well. I'm not interested in becoming a pro but have played with pros by request to do leads or sing harmonies. Mostly it's just plain back porch picking and it's fun.

Probably an hour a day average.

Steve

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: 53
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 12:23 PM

Not enough now.

Subject: RE: How much do you practice.
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 12:38 PM

I learn songs and practice them in the car to and from work (around 1 hour a day) but since I haven't mastered the art of playing an instrument at the same time I don't practice them nearly enough which is why I tend to sing unaccompanied!