LearnJazzPiano.com archives: What do you practice? And for what purpose?

jwtulp -- 01/10/2005, 15:26:57 -- #10271

Hi there, I find it particularly hard to determine what to practice since everything seems important and an exercize seems never finished, it can always better. So I am wondering: what exercises do you practice, for how long, what is the purpose of each exercise, and when do you move on to the next exercise? Thanks for your reply! Jan Willem

7 -- 01/11/2005, 01:53:30 -- #10284

There was a similar thread awhile back that covered this subject in depth: http://www.learnjazzpiano.com/citadel/scotcit.mvc?intro_off=1&action=forum&sub=display_thread&room_id=1&id=7776 To get a well rounded education you  have to bounce around a bit. The British have an expression "A change is as good as a rest." That means when you're fed up with doing something difficult, do something else that's difficult. You'll experience a "restive" state (until you get fed up with that - then do something else or go back to the first thing you were working on). Mastery of music is not really like a ladder where you have to learn one thing before moving on to the next. It's more like a pyramid: Build a little mound over here, a little mound over there and so on. Eventually it all comes together.

Paul -- 01/11/2005, 08:51:50 -- #10288

Here's an outline of a routine that works well for me 1. harmonic - mostly issolated ii v i progessions in all keys. I use the Phil DeGreg book for this. 2. melodic- different melodic paterns or"licks" in all keys(usually ii  v i or blues stuff or frangments from tunes- especially bebop). Also I use chords or bass paterns in the left hand when I do these exercises. 3. scales/arpegios.- sometimes all do traditional scales with both hands or jazz scales in the RH with diffenrt chords shapes in the LH. Also with the jazz sclaes I'll improvise along with the Abersold play along "Getting it Together" 4. transcription- I'll transribe bits and pieces of things I like. It could be anything. Sometimes I'll right it out and sometimnes I'll just play along. More than anything it serves as ear training. 5. Tunes- first I learn just the melody then the melody and a single bass note. Then the melody and rootless voicings. Then I'll work on a solo arrangement. I try to really focus and repeat problem areas over and and over...Sometimes I'll sing the melody and comp although I'm not a singer at all. 6. Sight Read- This is my least favorite part but I try to do a little every day. I read easy classical and easy jazz arrangements. It takes me 3-4 hrs to get through my routine. If I'm don't time I'll just a little from each section. Maybe just play some thing in 2 keys. Also I'll like to stretch and warm up with Hanon execises.

marksdg -- 01/11/2005, 09:15:33 -- #10289

I practice about 8 hours a week, and for all of that time I just work on pieces I want to play.  I don't do exercises separate from pieces I am learning.  Sometimes I will concentrate on certain aspects of a piece, like voicings, walking base lines, improvising, or introductions.

alhaynes -- 01/11/2005, 10:21:55 -- #10291

The non-professional has severe constraints on practice time. An hour would be a good day, and of course 3-4 per day is out of the question. A narrow focus is required. I try to play a little Bach for finger discipline, but all the remaining time has to be spent on the songs I'm learning, or polishing, or trying not to forget. There's really no time for scales, exercises, or Chopin. Maybe when I retire .....

marksdg -- 01/11/2005, 10:52:11 -- #10292

One thing I do for extra practice is I will try to figure out a chord progression or a lick by ear from a recording (yes, this can lead to distracted driving) and then play it later.  In that sense, time in the car listening to music becomes a type of practice time.  I will also hum a lick, and then try to figure it out.

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