I’m an 82 year old guitarist. I had been a teen aged bass player. I wasn’t very good and couldn’t afford good equipment. I had to pay school tuition. But since no one else played bass, I used to get live gigs for weddings, college beer parties,etc. I had a swing feel that people liked back in the day. I enjoyed the gigs immensely!! Therefore, I agree with you. Playing with others was so inspiring!! I guess how to find other depends a lot on where you live!!
Location is everything. Agreed. Btw....I know of a few sax players who got more work playing bass. There must be some inner connection between the two instruments, eh?
Cheers for this advice Dave. I joined a Wind Band last week with a real conductor! Struggled at first but I have 20 new pieces to practice and can play alongside other musicians. Challenging but enjoyable. The band varies from Recorder players to Trombones, from Flutes, Clarinets to Bari sax. I now play alongside 3 other Tenor Sax players and we have a Drummer. Thanks for the advice, it spurred me on to get out of my practice room and go play LIVE!
Recording yourself playing in "performance mode" is a must. Assuming you have "good ears," you will hear the good and the bad that needs to be addressed. From there, correct any shortcomings and re-record for a progress report. It's what the pros do.
Thanks Dave another excellent video. I know exactly what you mean about "red light fever"...I'll bite the bullet and start. Thanks again; very helpful.
@davegoodsax I find it hard to practice really slowly because I'm always trying to cram in as much as possible. I usually manage about 90 minutes a day, maybe five days out of seven. Depends on how many gigs I've got.
I really like the suggestion that we should practice at full tone. It is hard in an apartment, so in my closet in my apartment I focus on reading rhythms accurately and getting those under my fingers. It also gives a great opportunity to internalize and memorize parts. Work with what you got and make the best of it.
Absolutely. What I tell people is that they first need to learn *how* to learn: don't go through the motions and practise mistakes. Be critical of yourself, try new things, try hard things not yet mastered and struggle with it. Wrestle your shortcomings until you defeat them. Baby steps are still steps, and don't be too hard on yourself. Know that the self critique comes from a person who has your best interests at heart. (Yeah, and I still cringe when recording myself (or rather, at playback.)
I know real people is better but using Aebersold is one way to play over some cool stuff and for the most part great players. It is common the use in the woodshed.
Great comment, thanks....but I'm on the fence about Abersold and here's why: his backing tracks(and other's) are chord progressions. No song. No melody. For advanced players, that's ok. But for the rest, it's like groundhog day. The chords just loop over and over. Better? Play along to actual recordings...use Spotify or RUclips or whatever to find complete songs and fit yourself into them. You will grow much faster as a musician with melodic structures to push off from.
Great job thanks sharing aloha coach Mundo
Thanks, amigo. I hope that all is well
I’m an 82 year old guitarist. I had been a teen aged bass player. I wasn’t very good and couldn’t afford good equipment. I had to pay school tuition. But since no one else played bass, I used to get live gigs for weddings, college beer parties,etc. I had a swing feel that people liked back in the day. I enjoyed the gigs immensely!! Therefore, I agree with you. Playing with others was so inspiring!! I guess how to find other depends a lot on where you live!!
Location is everything. Agreed. Btw....I know of a few sax players who got more work playing bass. There must be some inner connection between the two instruments, eh?
Thanks Dave :)
Cheers for this advice Dave. I joined a Wind Band last week with a real conductor! Struggled at first but I have 20 new pieces to practice and can play alongside other musicians. Challenging but enjoyable. The band varies from Recorder players to Trombones, from Flutes, Clarinets to Bari sax. I now play alongside 3 other Tenor Sax players and we have a Drummer. Thanks for the advice, it spurred me on to get out of my practice room and go play LIVE!
Right on!!! Keep us posted, ok?
I just started playing the tenor recorder, but you advice still applies. Thank you!
Thanks for checking in....I'm not familiar with that instrument, but welcome to the channel.
Recording yourself playing in "performance mode" is a must. Assuming you have "good ears," you will hear the good and the bad that needs to be addressed. From there, correct any shortcomings and re-record for a progress report. It's what the pros do.
Thanks for checking in....yes, it is truly amazing what you start to notice about your playing when you record your practice/performance.
Thanks Dave another excellent video. I know exactly what you mean about "red light fever"...I'll bite the bullet and start. Thanks again; very helpful.
Yeah. I can play a passage really well and then tank when I press Record.
Thanks Dave, playing really slowly is hard but gives great results.
Yes, it IS hard. Do you have any thoughts as to why?
@davegoodsax I find it hard to practice really slowly because I'm always trying to cram in as much as possible. I usually manage about 90 minutes a day, maybe five days out of seven. Depends on how many gigs I've got.
I really like the suggestion that we should practice at full tone. It is hard in an apartment, so in my closet in my apartment I focus on reading rhythms accurately and getting those under my fingers. It also gives a great opportunity to internalize and memorize parts. Work with what you got and make the best of it.
Very good advice -- but, if you can get outside and let loose, do it.
Absolutely. What I tell people is that they first need to learn *how* to learn: don't go through the motions and practise mistakes. Be critical of yourself, try new things, try hard things not yet mastered and struggle with it. Wrestle your shortcomings until you defeat them. Baby steps are still steps, and don't be too hard on yourself. Know that the self critique comes from a person who has your best interests at heart. (Yeah, and I still cringe when recording myself (or rather, at playback.)
Thanks for your comments -- all of them good points.
Yes! Great stuff
I hope it helps
Spot on. Cheers from Dallas.
I hope this helps.
Good points.
Thanks....I hope this helps!
I’m working on the trumpet but I figured your advice would probably be applicable to all instruments. And I was right. Thanks!
Welcome! Thanks for sharing your experience.
I know real people is better but using Aebersold is one way to play over some cool stuff and for the most part great players. It is common the use in the woodshed.
Great comment, thanks....but I'm on the fence about Abersold and here's why: his backing tracks(and other's) are chord progressions. No song. No melody. For advanced players, that's ok. But for the rest, it's like groundhog day. The chords just loop over and over. Better? Play along to actual recordings...use Spotify or RUclips or whatever to find complete songs and fit yourself into them. You will grow much faster as a musician with melodic structures to push off from.
I cannot play fast anyhow…
Makes two if us