jbear
25 posts
Sep 19, 2013
7:14 AM
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I've got some major gaps in my knowledge and I've temporarily ceased learning any new material for now.
Currently, I'm playing the 2nd pos minor pentatonic scale up and down - 1b to 10b bent - in a few different ways. Three notes at a time, two at a time, four at a time, and skipping a note. All up and down, then repeat.
I've been doing that for 3 days now, literally nothing else. No tunes. I think in a few more days I'll move on to 3rd pos and then 1st pos. But only when I can do it without thinking. When I say not thinking, I mean literally with no conscious effort at all.
Does anyone have any advice for purely technical exercises like this? I feel that it's only once I can do things like this 100% without thinking that I'll be able to play what I want to play during improvisation, properly. But I'm interested to know if anyone has advice.
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The Iceman
1168 posts
Sep 19, 2013
7:26 AM
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I'm a fan for slow, long tones given to each note of the scale you are practicing in order to let the sound of each soak into your subconscious.
Then, pick one note and see if you can go right to it.
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The Iceman
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jbear
26 posts
Sep 19, 2013
7:30 AM
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I think you've hit on an important point which is that it's all about getting what you need into your subconscious.
Sounds like an excellent idea, I'll do it.
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Frank
2763 posts
Sep 19, 2013
6:22 PM
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On a little side note jbear...when you play music without thinking, remember to let the music surface and come out that only easily and naturally wants to - with out any contrived effort on your part.
What this exercise does... is reveal, what it is, that you truly have embedded in your musical bank account. If you find yourself trying to force any of the music out - then that is a clue you have bitten off more then you can chew, back-off, relax the ego and only play what you are easily capable of at this moment in time.
In otherwords - learn to accept what you can easily play when improvising as the truth of your skills. The stuff that feels un-natural and clumsy save for your practice sessions, were you can focus on improving your intimacy with those problem areas.
So the tip is - when you are in "playing" mode>>> PLAY...(don't think)...because you have done your homework and can trust your hardwork will pay off.
When your in "practice" mode>>> THINK...(don't play)...because your objective is to burn into your sub-conscious the theory until it becomes FACT :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 19, 2013 6:38 PM
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JInx
543 posts
Sep 20, 2013
1:06 AM
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disagree
think when you play, be decisive and create with intention
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
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A440
109 posts
Sep 20, 2013
1:21 AM
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It's an interesting question.
For years, I did not practice with any structure, but would jump around from exercise to exercise, to trying to learn a Little Walter riff, to songwriting, to working the scales, to working on OBs and TB techniques. For awhile that worked. I dipped into a range of skills... but often I did not completely master them. Now I am much more focused. I have a few simple routines that I work through: scales, precise bending repetitions, specific riffs, etc., repeating them over and over until I master them. In the end, it does not really matter WHAT you practice, but I think it is important to repeat the exercises until you really master them. This can be boring, but I think focus repetition is the key. Eat the elephant one slice at a time.
By the way, the French word for "practice" is "répétition".
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jbear
28 posts
Sep 20, 2013
1:29 AM
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Frank, Jinx - Both interesting points of view!
I would previously have thought that the conscious effort to plan what you're playing, and push yourself, is the best way to play. But I've been reading Effortless Mastery (Frank I suspect you have read it!) and it definitely encourages not thinking at all.
It makes sense, because the really inspired solos your hear are 100% on time - and to be completely in time and natural sounding, it's almost impossible (at least for me) to plan what to play next and push myself to play something I haven't done for a while. It comes out with a stumble and not natural.
Even if I can only play root notes I am going to try not to think about it. Except for during practice in which I'll try and practice fast scales, jumping to random notes, and all that stuff mentioned above.
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The Iceman
1172 posts
Sep 20, 2013
4:17 AM
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Kenny Werner knows what he is talking about.
Instead of fast scales, see how slow you can play them.
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The Iceman
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Frank
2765 posts
Sep 20, 2013
4:56 AM
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I've had Kennys book "Effortless Mastery" for 10 or so years after I beleive it was the Iceman who recommend seeking its guidance...
It is the type of book that can be read from beginning to end 100 times in a row- year in and year out, yet retains your interest like it's the first time all over again...
What I described is my experience taken from following the simple advice that Master Teacher Kenny Werner minces no words describing...
My personal musical interest is relaxed improvisation - which Kenny lays out the road map for in simple layman's terms. If you need a breathe of fresh air, Kenny will show you how to open the window :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 20, 2013 4:57 AM
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SmokeJS
157 posts
Sep 20, 2013
5:10 AM
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Though others tell me it seems contrary to my personality I practice both meditation and yoga. So I was wondering if anyone using the Kenny Werner book also makes use of the accompanying CD?
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jbear
29 posts
Sep 20, 2013
1:24 PM
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I haven't listened to it yet but I will at some point. There's a lot in the book...I'm really trying to absorb some of it and not go too crazy all at once.
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The Iceman
1176 posts
Sep 20, 2013
2:56 PM
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jbear...
take it slow with the book.
One chapter at a time. don't move to the next one till you "get it".
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The Iceman
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