TSSN - Posted - 01/04/2011:  11:53:13

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I'd like to know how folks practice, individually. Is it free form, or do you a follow a regimen of some kind? For example, if I only have an hour, I will go through something roughly like this:

05 min - Tune up / scales
10 min - New tune for the week (usually only one)
15 min - Review of previous (troublesome?) tunes / maintain repertoire
15 min - New tune of the week (more practice of)
10 min - New tune of the week (skills - chords/accompaniment, arpeggios, tremolo)
05 min - Open? --- But, close out with scales

Some of this I have come by through personal preference, some from books and DVDs, some from private instruction. Anyway, it works for me...

So, let's hear it. What do you do?

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/04/2011:  12:14:46

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My practice varies, but I typically practice by learning a new tune or more specifically (and more fun) is recording. I do a lot of multi-track recording and I tend to learn more from doing this than anything else. If I'm recording a Mandolin track and it has a really tough pass, I'll typically do it 2, 3, 4, or more times until I get it right. By the time I'm happy with the track, I usually have it down pat.
Other than that, I'll pick a melody or section from a break, or a scale, and play it over and over until I can nail it at speed.
I also spend a lot of time just fiddling around with different chord voicings and moving back and forth between chords (playing sevenths, ninths, etc.) to increase accuracey and speed.
In short, I do what ever feels good and what ever is the funnest for me at the time.

Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 01/04/2011:  13:11:13

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I'm leaning right in there to what the Ant says and I will throw my hat in with the Free Form folks.

I pretty much play what comes to mind as I have the instrument in my hands.

The 'practice' part comes into play when I am working on trem, double stop riffs, or chordal passages. It's not hard to come upon something that challenges my skill level and gets me to focus a little more than just plinking scales and modes... not that there's anything wrong with that! :-)

TSSN - Posted - 01/04/2011:  13:22:44

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Thanks. Keep it coming! I do that sort of thing too, but what you and Ant describe is more like what I would call "noodling." Anyway, I don't want to get caught up in terminology.

Thanks again. Let's roll on...

Woodman - Posted - 01/04/2011:  14:27:35

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I do both approaches depending on how much time I've got. Mostly I'm following my bro-in-law's advice and keeping the mando out on a stand all the time. Idea is if it's there handy to just pick up any time, I'll have it in my hands several times a day and it will become a familiar extension of myself. I noodle on a song when I've got a couple minutes, do purposeful practice when there's more time.

Don't know if it's a valid theory, but sounded good to me and seems to be working as predicted.

Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 01/04/2011:  14:44:34

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quote:

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Originally posted by Woodman

I do both approaches depending on how much time I've got. Mostly I'm following my bro-in-law's advice and keeping the mando out on a stand all the time. Idea is if it's there handy to just pick up any time, I'll have it in my hands several times a day and it will become a familiar extension of myself. I noodle on a song when I've got a couple minutes, do purposeful practice when there's more time.

Don't know if it's a valid theory, but sounded good to me and seems to be working as predicted.

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That is a GREAT theory and worked for me. I played bass professionally for 30 years and many years ago I took a class with a gent named Dale Titus. Dale was just transitioning away from helping to get the Musicians Institute in L.A. off the ground and started taking students. I was really excited to be able to pick his brain. At the first lesson he had me explain, step by step, what it took for me to get my bass out and ready to play. He ended up telling me to do exactly what your Brother-in-law told you to do and it worked wonders. My practice time went way up because of that.

As for "Noodling", that's about half right. Maybe even 2/3'rds right. :-)

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Edited by - Gerry Cassidy on 01/04/2011 14:47:46

Muscle Tone - Posted - 01/04/2011:  15:30:51

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Every now and again I'll work on scales, but most of the time I tend to work on tunes that I've tried to learn, but haven't been succesful with yet.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/04/2011:  23:13:28

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I prefer to learn some tunes and if I find some tune difficult, then I practice scales or slides exercises or whatever my problem is, and after practicing that a while, it's much easier to play the tune I had problems with before.

Susan H - Posted - 01/05/2011:  03:48:26

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Patrick,I like your practice schedule. I do something similar to that myself. I believe learning scales and arps will help one improvise in a jam session much easier. Thanks for sharing.

un5trung - Posted - 01/05/2011:  05:31:28

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I think it's good to have a warm up exercise of some sort, but where I go from there depends on any variety of factors such that I can't sketch out a daily routine like the one above.

Various artists are known for having a set of scales and arpeggios with which to start every session. Grisman and O'Brien come to mind, think maybe Marshall and Thile as well. You can probably look them up online. O'Brien has some arpeggios at the Mandozine, for example, and I've read Grisman talking about his warm up routine.

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/05/2011:  06:15:15

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quote:

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Originally posted by Woodman

I do both approaches depending on how much time I've got. Mostly I'm following my bro-in-law's advice and keeping the mando out on a stand all the time. Idea is if it's there handy to just pick up any time, I'll have it in my hands several times a day and it will become a familiar extension of myself. I noodle on a song when I've got a couple minutes, do purposeful practice when there's more time.

Don't know if it's a valid theory, but sounded good to me and seems to be working as predicted.

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Same for me too. Sometimes, I'll just keep mine slung across my back with the strap and just walk around the house doing whatever. If I could play 24 hours a day, I'd do it!

JaMando - Posted - 01/05/2011:  06:37:13

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I am usually limited on time, so I go for quality rather than quantity. A good 5-10 min. warmup with FFcP. Some noodling and improve and the rest of my time I play with rythm tracks or the metronome.

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/05/2011:  06:56:01

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Well yeah scales arpeggios odd keys included 1-4-5-2-6m round abouts new or rarely used chords and chord forms right hand exercises ala J. Moore a new tune or two and an older one or three to tighten up, an old tune in a new key .. and play along w/ the radio or a cd, time spent an hour to an hour and a half ..... Sometimes I will spend more time on a new tune but that is about how it usually works out......

Petimar - Posted - 01/05/2011:  09:48:28

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I break practice into 3 areas

Technique

Learn new material/perfect old material

Play for fun

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/05/2011:  12:40:09

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quote:

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Originally posted by Petimar

I break practice into 3 areas

Technique

Learn new material/perfect old material

Play for fun

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I completely agree

mandoteacher - Posted - 01/05/2011:  13:02:43

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quote:

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Originally posted by TSSN

I'd like to know how folks practice, individually. Is it free form, or do you a follow a regimen of some kind? For example, if I only have an hour, I will go through something roughly like this:

05 min - Tune up / scales
10 min - New tune for the week (usually only one)
15 min - Review of previous (troublesome?) tunes / maintain repertoire
15 min - New tune of the week (more practice of)
10 min - New tune of the week (skills - chords/accompaniment, arpeggios, tremolo)
05 min - Open? --- But, close out with scales

Some of this I have come by through personal preference, some from books and DVDs, some from private instruction. Anyway, it works for me...

So, let's hear it. What do you do?

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Nice. I like your list. Here's mine:

First 30 minutes are scales. I start the session with a different scale set each day going clockwise around the circle of fiths starting with C at the top. Each scale set is the major 2 octaves and 4 picking patterns (4 quarter notes, 8 8th notes, 16 16th notes and 2 sets of triplets) using 4th fingers and keeping fingers down; then the relative minor same (picking patters, etc), then the arpeggio for both. It takes about 12-15 minutes to do each scale set. I try to do 2 scales a day.

The next 30 minutes are exercises. I'm working through a book of classical violin exercises called Wolfahrt (yeah I know) that are a beast on my left hand. Taking it slow!

Next 30 minutes are new material for the band or something I'm working on personally. I practice each part one measure at a time, sometimes just a couple notes from one to the other very slowly. Sometimes I record myself and play it back while I play along with it. Sometimes I'll record the chords on guitar and play them back while I practice over them.

Last 30 minutes are review of past projects and old material.

I try to practice 2 hours a day minimum.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/05/2011:  13:33:54

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I like mandoteacher's plan too, though unfortunately I haven't got 2 hours a day to play the mandolin (I have some homework to do or many tests to study... And when I have a bit of free time I have to choose to play banjo, mandolin or dulcimer, so I don't practice more than 3 hours a week with the mandolin).

fairportmando - Posted - 01/05/2011:  17:57:10

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For several years now I have been using John Bird's practice tips that are posted on Mandozine: mandozine.com/index.php/techni...ice_tips/

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/05/2011:  23:47:17

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All these tips are good, but I think that every peson is different from another, so everyone would change a little the practice plan to make it more comfortable for them (that is, if someone's really good with the scales, she/he is not going to spend 10 minutes doing scales, she/he would do it for some minutes and then skip to something which is harder for her/him.

TSSN - Posted - 01/06/2011:  09:11:09

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Lot's of great stuff here. Thanks for all the replies. I can't muster 2 hours at one sitting, though I do hope, one day, to utter the words '...new material for the band..." Mandoteacher, you're gonna be a bad (good) influence for sure.

I have a version for 1 hour and one for 1/2 hour. Everything else is more like noodling. And it is good to have the mando out where you can just grab onto it. (and justufy having more than one...)

JaMando mentioned FFcP, which I haven't been too successful with. Maybe I just need to try harder. Anyone else employ that?

Curt - Posted - 01/06/2011:  11:21:21

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My practice sessions are entirely up to the Muse. What I feel like playing, I do. Only if I've a gig and have to learn some songs do I "force" myself to play anything other than what I want. So sometimes it's scales, sometimes Celtic, sometimes OT, sometimes BG lics, etc.

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/06/2011:  13:51:31

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All good stuff. Did I mention I Love this site!

Bassora - Posted - 01/06/2011:  16:17:30

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When I'm practicing music with my partner:

• We start off with user-friendly tunes. He usual starts with fiddle then moves to banjo and I just bounce around on the available instruments. Warm-ups may take 10 to 20 minutes.



• We then work on regular repertoire pieces, songs and tunes for an upcoming performence, songs that we sing (generally don't sing until after the "instruments" are warmed-up. This will go on for as long as it goes on.



• Then we get around to new stuff. Sometimes its a tune one of us has picked up and it is introduced. Sometimes that person has written out a chord sheet (which can be so very helpful). Sometimes we listen to a recording, either CD or something from the computer. Then we try to play the piece together. Almost all of our tunes are learned by ear so some of this learning can be accented by really interesting pitches.

Basically, we just have fun with the rehearsal. If it ain't fun, it's time to hang-up the instruments.

Literally, if one of us is too tired or getting too frustrated or can't concentrate on the music, we hang-up the instruments until later in the day or the next day. Music is suppose to be fun and relaxing and we don't want to spoil the fun and relaxing part of the experience.

Bassora
having fun with music along the Muddy Mo
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Edited by - Bassora on 01/06/2011 16:19:13

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/06/2011:  23:10:09

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bassora
Literally, if one of us is too tired or getting too frustrated or can't concentrate on the music, we hang-up the instruments until later in the day or the next day. Music is suppose to be fun and relaxing and we don't want to spoil the fun and relaxing part of the experience.

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I completely agree with you. That's what I do with my fiddler friend and we sure have a lot of fun :)

jazzrambler - Posted - 01/07/2011:  12:12:52

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Being primarily a guitarist and not wanting to sound like a guitarist on mandolin, I have been slowly working through Jethro Burns' 'Sweet Georgia Brown.' That tune and a few others like "Alabama Jubilee," "After You've Gone" and "Cherokee" really opened the guitar fretboard for me. I'm hoping they'll do the same for mando. There's only one mando player I know in town that can really tear it up, most of the rest are like me, just guitarists.

Robes - Posted - 01/09/2011:  06:48:55

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[quote]Originally posted by Petimar

I break practice into 3 areas

Technique

Learn new material/perfect old material

Play for fun


yep,.... that sounds about right..... Ya gotta throw in the fun stuff...

old mando man - Posted - 01/09/2011:  09:40:34

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I am new to the mandolin,but I think it is a good practices Idea maybe for me to learn one measure at a time or maybe the first chord ( all the measures in the chord)of the tune before going to the next chord of the tune.how do you all learn the tune?

Bowen Mando - Posted - 01/09/2011:  10:50:23

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Vey interesting thread. Here's my 2 cents' worth, as a novice player:

Bits and pieces of advice I have used from teachers so far:
"If you are self-taught, then you are the teacher AND the student. Don't be both at the same time."
This means, setting youself goals and breaking them down and drafting your own practice plan. Then, when you sit down to practice, you as the student follow your teacher's plan. I find this very helpful. I like structure.

"If you want to play fast, play slowly and get it into your fingers until you don't have think about it."
Repetition, slowly and acurately.

Recently I've been learning new material backward, starting with the last bar first, then adding the preceding one on when each is comfortably in my fingers.

I am amazed what my fingers will do when I've been practicing scales and arpeggios, then go back to a familiar tune!
To me, practice is not the same as noddling, although both are important.
They are both tools to achieve the same end: to have fun with the instrument. After all, it IS calling "playing".

I guess that's more like 3 cents' worth!

majikgator - Posted - 01/09/2011:  13:20:31

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practice?

TSSN - Posted - 01/10/2011:  05:29:19

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@Susanne Schloegel
Thanks for the information. I especially liked your "If you want to play fast, play slowly and get it into your fingers until you don't have think about it." Someone (Mike Compton?) was quoted as saying "The secret to playing fast is to play well slowly."

Works for me.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/10/2011:  08:41:01

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quote:

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Originally posted by TSSN
"The secret to playing fast is to play well slowly."

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That's really true

JMalmsteen - Posted - 01/14/2011:  11:12:27

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In general, regardless of the instrument I'm practicing, I'll do the following:

For every new song that I'm working on I will:
(1) Learn how to play the song itself, with a metronome so that I know my timing is correct
(2) Practice the scales that go along with the song
(3) Practice solos for the song
(4) Listen to as many versions/players as possible to get a feel for where people are taking the song. This is a very important step to me since I am fairly new to the genre (bluegrass and old time) and this is how you get an idea of what a solo should sound like. I am not recommending flat out copying someone's solo but listening to get an idea of what the song can sound like played by someone who is familiar with the style.

Tomm - Posted - 01/14/2011:  11:48:12

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Don't think this is necessarily a good way, but at this stage of the game, I just pick up what ever instrument and play with no other intent than to pay attention to detail....tone, cleanliness etc. I might play, phrases, scales, strum or chop if I have a melody on my mind just whatever strikes me at that moment. Again I just pay attention to detail as I've heard it called... doodle

un5trung - Posted - 01/14/2011:  11:55:12

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quote:

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I just pick up what ever instrument and play with no other intent than to pay attention to detail....tone, cleanliness etc. I might play, phrases, scales, strum or chop if I have a melody on my mind just whatever strikes me at that moment.

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While I don't necessarily endorse the approach described above I have to admit that it closely resembles my own weak-kneed attempt to master our wonderful instrument.

Tomm - Posted - 01/14/2011:  12:30:50

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And I'm sure we're not alone. I think my approach probably has a tad of A.D.D. attached to it. Hey it works for me at this stage of the game. Certainly would not recommend it as a way ofstarting out!

mark - Posted - 01/14/2011:  13:43:00

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bowen Mando


Recently I've been learning new material backward, starting with the last bar first, then adding the preceding one on when each is comfortably in my fingers.

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I have started practicing fiddle tunes with the B part.

Instead of having the first few measures as my most practiced portion (after every restart) ... it moved to the middle.

Doing it your way would lead everything to your most practiced parts ... a good idea.

Matt DeBlass - Posted - 01/14/2011:  14:50:29

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My routine is similar to the OP, although there are days when I don't get to practice in one long block of time. I try to start each morning with a few sets of the Aonzo scales (FFcP up the neck, basically), then turn to whatever new piece I'm working on. If I have time to keep going I'll go on to the "needs work" pile, otherwise I'll come back to it later in the day. If I have down time that day I'll do a bit of ear training by playing along with the radio, trying to pick up the melody then build a couple riffs off of that.

JMalmsteen - Posted - 01/15/2011:  12:37:54

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quote:

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Originally posted by Matt DeBlass

My routine is similar to the OP, although there are days when I don't get to practice in one long block of time. I try to start each morning with a few sets of the Aonzo scales (FFcP up the neck, basically), then turn to whatever new piece I'm working on. If I have time to keep going I'll go on to the "needs work" pile, otherwise I'll come back to it later in the day. If I have down time that day I'll do a bit of ear training by playing along with the radio, trying to pick up the melody then build a couple riffs off of that.

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Playing along with the radio is loads of fun, or playing along with cds that don't have mandolin tracks on them.

un5trung - Posted - 01/15/2011:  13:51:57

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quote:

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Playing along with the radio is loads of fun, or playing along with cds that don't have mandolin tracks on them.

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Greet idea! I sometimes add a mandolin track in my mind when I hear a tune that doesn't feature the instrument, so it would be fun to actually try it.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/16/2011:  11:13:39

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I usually use Band in a Box to pick along with -- that way I can be sure my timing is correct. Of course, I figure out how to play the song first before I turn on BIAB, and then slowly kick the tempo up as I become more proficient at picking the song. Guess that's from using BIAB with the banjo and guitar before I started on the mandolin.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/16/2011:  11:24:44

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quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

I usually use Band in a Box to pick along with

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Where can I dowload it?

I actually use Old-Time Machine, which is very good, though it hasn't got as much tunes as I'd like :)

Bowen Mando - Posted - 01/16/2011:  12:47:41

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Wow, Band In A Box is expensive!

woodwizard - Posted - 01/16/2011:  17:35:24

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Most of the time my practices consist on just playing tunes, Brushing up on old and working on new tunes all the time. Never get bored. There are a lot of tunes to learn. Been studying OT really hard for a few years now so you can guess how many hundreds of good ole' fiddle tunes there are out there to tackle. Sometimes I just go down my tune list and pretend I'm doing a house concert. I keep it fun.