Self Discipline Advice Please |
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Self Discipline Advice Please |
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Apr 1 2016, 07:39 PM |
Hello folks,
I'm hoping you can help me with an age old problem of mine I always enter my practise space saying "Right! I'm splitting my time into 3 parts; lesson; workshop; jamming". I then end up spending my whole time on my current favourite which at the moment is the applied theory workshop. I actually get so carried away I sometimes spend a lot of extra time on it finalising a recording or something and when I end up going to spend time with my wife it is only 30 minutes from bed time (I have an early start of 5:30am so need a fairly early bedtime of 22:30) and then I feel awful for not spending much time with her though she never ever moans about it, bless her little cotton socks How do you manage yourself to make yourself do what you say your going to do? I've tried all sorts of things like alarms in another room, I just go and switch them off and get back to my practise. I've tried alarms on the screen, all sorts. The alarm thing worked for a few days as it was like being at school and the end of a lesson but that soon waned. So any advice would be gratefully received as I am neglecting my Petrucci lesson and other things. Thanks folks -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 1 2016, 08:50 PM |
Thanks man, your last line made me smile
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 2 2016, 09:20 AM |
Thanks Todd,
I enjoy everything but my big problem is I go through my whole practice session doing one thing. Currently I need to work on my Petrucci lesson, the Applied Theory lesson, and the creativity lesson BUT I always stick on just one, I never intend to but it's like playing a video game, I keep having one more go , I keep saying "aaaargh I'll get it right this time then do something else", but I say that for 90 minutes. I've even thought about " rubber band on the wrist" therapy Cheers buddy. -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 2 2016, 10:46 AM |
Spending time with loved ones and having enough time to practice is always a difficult one.
-------------------- My SoundCloud
Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15 |
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Apr 2 2016, 04:17 PM |
I'll be the contrarian and say that it's perfectly fine to focus on one thing during your practice session - especially if you're really into it.
Why do you have to practice the Petrucci lesson? Are you gonna play Dream Theater songs on a gig that's coming up? Intensely practicing one thing will also help all the other things. It may not be so obvious in the beginning but trust me, it does. You will gravitate towards working on the other things once you feel that you have a bit of a handle on the theory stuff. *It's how I practice and I've been doing this for a living for almost 30 years now. The fact that you want to and that you can sit down with your axe for a solid 3 hours is friggin' fantastic. I wouldn't question it too much. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Apr 2 2016, 05:44 PM |
Thanks Ken,
Very valid comments there, I guess I feel I'm missing out by not doing the Petrucci lesson because it is a set piece that I will enter into REC whereas the Applied Theory is improvisation so I'm not forced to do techniques I'm not good at and therefore may not improve. Hope this makes a much sense to you as your comments did to me. Cheers buddy -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 2 2016, 06:04 PM |
Yes, that makes sense ... from the standpoint that you have a personal 'goal' (the REC).
AK Rich's above advice is also excellent. Music isn't a horse race. If you're really inspired (which is a gift) to work on your theory and improv - put the REC aside for awhile. A compromise would be to learn one technique in the Petrucci lesson that you dig and focus on it within your improv practice. *That's how I 'accomplish' learning, utilizing and finally incorporating a new technique or concept into my playing. I find one element ... and force it into everything I do for a few days or even weeks. I back off when I get it and it feels natural. When it feels like mine as opposed to the person I stole it from. As technical as music 'can' be ... it's still an art. Inspiration in art (as well as science) is non-linear. Don't lose track of that. This post has been edited by klasaine: Apr 2 2016, 07:41 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Apr 2 2016, 07:15 PM |
Fantastic words by klasaine.
However if you still feel that you need to work on that stuff that you are missing, these are different possible solutions that come to mind to solve your current situation/feeling Phil: - Dedicate the first 10 minutes of your diary routine to that stuff that you think you should practice, and then go for the enjoyable improvisation section. Don't let the less enjoying part to the end. - Instead of working on Petrucci's lesson to polish your technique, use the improvisation moment to do it too. - Work on 1 topic each day. -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Apr 2 2016, 08:58 PM |
I have to agree with Ken. But if you want to focus on 3 different things to practice. Rather than trying to split your practice session into 3 areas, why not dedicated each session to one of the 3 and alternate daily? Thanks Rich, I have thought about this but then I always think I should practice things daily to improve, otherwise I think that two days off is detrimental but then I suppose that getting stuck into one thing for ages is much much worse Yes, that makes sense ... from the standpoint that you have a personal 'goal' (the REC). AK Rich's above advice is also excellent. Music isn't a horse race. If you're really inspired (which is a gift) to work on your theory and improv - put the REC aside for awhile. A compromise would be to learn one technique in the Petrucci lesson that you dig and focus on it within your improv practice. *That's how I 'accomplish' learning, utilizing and finally incorporating a new technique or concept into my playing. I find one element ... and force it into everything I do for a few days or even weeks. I back off when I get it and it feels natural. When it feels like mine as opposed to the person I stole it from. As technical as music 'can' be ... it's still an art. Inspiration in art (as well as science) is non-linear. Don't lose track of that. Thanks Ken, I come from a precision engineering background (www.omegapistons.com) and I think that is what hinders me, it hinders me in DIY at home, and if I get someone to do work, it's never good enough, I work to microns or tenths of a thou in imperial, they work to millimetres or 1/8 of an inch in imperial. I'm the same with my music, I always think it has to be strictly adhered to. I need to shake that off. It isn't something to be measured it's something to be enjoyed. Cheers buddy. Fantastic words by klasaine. However if you still feel that you need to work on that stuff that you are missing, these are different possible solutions that come to mind to solve your current situation/feeling Phil: - Dedicate the first 10 minutes of your diary routine to that stuff that you think you should practice, and then go for the enjoyable improvisation section. Don't let the less enjoying part to the end. - Instead of working on Petrucci's lesson to polish your technique, use the improvisation moment to do it too. - Work on 1 topic each day. Thanks Gab, I will have to try and do this. A big part of it is that I feel that I am letting you down as an instructor. I have had teachers in the past, in many subjects saying "Why should I bother if you don't do what I tell you?". It's not that I am not doing what you tell me to do, ie, the Petrucci made easy lesson, I am just getting distracted by something else at the moment. This makes me feel that I am wasting your time as a tutor. Thanks Gab -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 2 2016, 09:55 PM |
Don't feel like your wasting anyone's time, mate!
All the instructors and your fellow students just want you to keep growing and you certainly are - what more can anyone ask for? |
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Apr 2 2016, 10:03 PM |
Thanks Chris
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 4 2016, 03:14 PM |
Thanks Gab, I will have to try and do this. A big part of it is that I feel that I am letting you down as an instructor. I have had teachers in the past, in many subjects saying "Why should I bother if you don't do what I tell you?". It's not that I am not doing what you tell me to do, ie, the Petrucci made easy lesson, I am just getting distracted by something else at the moment. This makes me feel that I am wasting your time as a tutor. Thanks Gab My main goal is to see you progressing as musician and that's happening so I'm proud of you. I can show you the way I do it but it doesn't mean that it's the right way. You'll find the right way on your own. My mission is to help you to keep on track but even more important to keep you motivated. -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Apr 4 2016, 09:13 PM |
Thanks Ben,
Thanks everyone -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Apr 5 2016, 02:30 PM |
hey phil, how are you getting on with those minor pent box shapes?
-------------------- You say 'minor pentatonic ' like it's a bad thing |
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Apr 5 2016, 02:41 PM |
hey phil, how are you getting on with those minor pent box shapes? eeeek, been distracted by arpeggios mate -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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