Perfect Practice: A Musician’s Guide to Rapid Growth

There’s a saying that practice makes perfect. Perfection is challenging to achieve, which is why this saying falls short for me. I believe that perfect practice makes perfect. So what is perfect practice?

How to Practise

Playing an instrument requires three things: physical, sensory, and mental skills. You need to practise all of these individually and in combination.

The Three Aspects of Playing

1. Physical: This involves posture, technique, and finger dexterity.
2. Sensory: Listening with our ears and reading music with our eyes gives our brain the input it needs.
3. Mental: This is about focus, processing information, and giving orders that are carried out physically.

These three aspects form a constant loop as we play. This process is what we need to perfect, and I call it the cycle of perfect practice.

Slow Practice

When learning something new, give your brain time to process information. The slower you go, the more thorough your brain can be. My first rule of practice is to play everything slowly.

Professional musicians will tell you that playing something extremely slowly can be harder than playing it faster. This is because elements like time, tone, intonation, and technique become very exposed. These are the elements you need to analyze and perfect in the practice room.

Engaging the Mind

Turn boring exercises into fun challenges for your brain by approaching them with a specific mindset. The key is to have a clear goal for each practice session and exercise. Make sure your goal is S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

For example, a SMART goal might be: Perform the C major scale, using a specific left-hand fingering pattern, at 40 beats per minute (BPM), playing half notes, ascending and descending, 15 consecutive times without fault.

You can shorthand these goals like this: Scales: C major | Specific LH pattern | ♩ = 40 | Play 𝅗𝅥 | x 15

By setting specific goals, your practice becomes more effective and engaging.

Practice Diary

Use a blank journal as a practice diary. Plan your sessions and track your progress.

Here’s an example layout:

KEY: LH-Left Hand, RH-Right Hand. ABC, XYZ, EFG are subsitute names for a book name, a technique or a piece of music.

Your Fingers Obey Your Brain

If you find yourself just moving your fingers without mental engagement, stop immediately. Take a break, then return with focus. Every note you play should be deliberate and intentional.

Suggested Practice Routines

Add variety to your practice sessions. Include:

• Scales
• Technical exercises
• Learning pieces or songs
• Developing tone, intonation, and timing
• Ear training and transcription
• Sight reading
• Studies in different music genres
• Improvisation
• Play-along tracks or group performances

Final Notes on Practice

• Always use a metronome.
• Always have a specific goal.
• Ask yourself why you’re playing a particular exercise.
• Try new things and add variety to your routines.
• Consistent, regular practice is key. It’s better to practice for 15 minutes daily than for two hours once a week.
• Listen to other bassists’ recordings and live performances for inspiration.

Setting Long-Term Goals

While daily practice goals are important, also set long-term objectives. These might include:

• Mastering a challenging piece within three months
• Improving your sight-reading speed by 20% in six months
• Learning to improvise confidently over standard chord progressions within a year

Track your progress towards these goals in your practice diary. Regularly review and adjust them as needed.

Mental Preparation for Practice

Before you start practicing:

1. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
2. Visualize a successful practice session.
3. Review your goals for the day.
4. Clear your mind of distractions.

This mental preparation can significantly improve the quality of your practice.

Making Practice Enjoyable

To maintain motivation:

• Reward yourself after achieving practice goals (e.g., a favorite snack, some leisure time).
• Mix challenging exercises with pieces you enjoy playing.
• Record your progress and listen back – hearing improvement can be very motivating.
• Practice with friends or join a music group for social motivation.

Effective Practice with Limited Time

When time is short:

1. Prioritize your most important goals for the day.
2. Use focused, high-intensity practice sessions (e.g., 25 minutes of concentrated work followed by a 5-minute break).
3. Practice mentally when you can’t play your instrument (e.g., visualize fingerings, mentally review pieces).
4. Make use of small pockets of time throughout the day for quick practice sessions.

Remember, consistent, focused practice, even for short periods, is more effective than irregular, lengthy sessions.

Conclusion: The Keys to Effective Practice

As we wrap up, let’s revisit the core principles that will guide you towards more effective and rewarding practice sessions:

1. Slow Practice – “Go Slow To Go Fast”: Remember, the foundation of perfect practice is patience. By practicing slowly, you give your brain and muscles time to fully absorb and perfect each movement. This deliberate approach might seem tedious at first, but it’s the fastest route to true mastery. As the saying goes, “Go slow to go fast.”
2. Engaging the Mind: Mindless repetition is the enemy of progress. Every practice session should be an active, engaged process. Set specific goals, focus on each note, and constantly evaluate your performance. Your mind is your most powerful practice tool – use it wisely.
3. Planning with a Music Practice Diary: A well-structured practice diary is your roadmap to improvement. It helps you set clear goals, track your progress, and maintain a balanced practice routine. Regularly reviewing your past practice sessions will show you how far you’ve come and where you need to focus next.
4. Developing Good Practice Habits:
   • Always use a metronome to develop your sense of timing and rhythm.
   • Have a specific goal for each practice session and each exercise.
   • Include a variety of components in your practice: technical exercises, pieces, tone work, sight-reading, ear training, and improvisation. This balanced approach will make you a well-rounded musician.
5. Consistent Review and Adaptation: Regularly review your practice diary and track your progress. Celebrate your improvements, no matter how small, and use this information to adjust your practice routine as needed.

Remember, perfect practice is about quality, not just quantity. By applying these principles consistently, you’ll make steady progress and develop not just as a bassist, but as a complete musician. Your journey of musical growth is unique and personal – embrace it, enjoy it, and keep practicing!