Welcome
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • BIO
  • PERFORM
  • LESSONS
  • ASK MIKE
  • SECTION JAZZ

Practicing

10/30/2013

1 Comment

 
"If I sound good when I'm practicing, Then I'm not practicing". This statement attributed to Charlie Parker is significant because it really defines what practice should be. Practice is an opportunity to not only correct weaknesses but to explore your musical potential.

What a lot of musicians, myself included, don't realize is that there are various ways to practice. The old "drill until you get it perfect approach" is the least effective because all your focus is on the physical aspect of playing. You need to hear what you are practicing so that you can absorb it. 

Practicing slowly allows you to hear and correct the flaws in your playing. Slow tempos provide a great view of your articulation. If your articulation is sloppy your phrasing will be affected. If you can play slowly, faster tempos will become easier.

Hearing is a significant step in improving, no matter what instrument you play. The ability to hear is as necessary as seeing to a painter. Scales, rudiments, long tones are all necessary but taken to mind numbing proportions they can become mechanical and stiff.

When you practice you should have a musical goal in mind. The first thing is to get the spirit of what you are playing. It may be sloppy but it's the first step in learning to hear a difficult phrase or concept. Once you get the spirit of something the letter will follow.

Mental practicing should be part of your practice routine. The act of sitting in a chair and thinking about a piece of music has as much value as practicing for hours. Drummer Grady Tate uses this method all the time. He told me, pointing to his head "that I prepare here." 

Metronomes and other devices are tools that should be used wisely. Musicians need to develop a natural feel for time. The goal of practice should always be to prepare you for that most important thing; The gig!

                                       The groove continues... 



1 Comment
Marco
10/30/2013 04:50:55 pm

Great, Mike. Right on the money as always. May I translate to Italian so my kids can enjoy? please let me know. Peace, Marco Andreoni

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mike DeSimone --Talking about all things drums and music

    Archives

    March 2016
    January 2016
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    March 2011
    January 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.