Topic: how should you practice??? (Read 11189 times)

juker · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2009, 09:19:38 AM »

Quote from: HallelujahAl on April 22, 2009, 09:15:14 AM

This'll get 'em going ALERT!!!!!

You don't need to play scales - just play tunes - it's more fun, more economical, and adds constantly to your reportoire!

AL

Great response Al! I think I'll run with this one.

Lester · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2009, 09:45:33 AM »

Quote from: HallelujahAl on April 22, 2009, 09:15:14 AM

This'll get 'em going ALERT!!!!!

You don't need to play scales - just play tunes - it's more fun, more economical, and adds constantly to your reportoire!

AL

Not one to agrue with a member of the Army especially one armed with a banjo

but I believe learning scales other than the up and down the rows versions is a positive boon as your fingers will learn where the cross row possibilities are. And when you have done that learn tunes as well

ganderbox · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:10:46 AM »

Quote from: ukebert on April 21, 2009, 10:37:33 PM

Actually this is why I am an average clarinet player and a reasonable piano player, because it takes much less effort to open the lid of a piano than it does to set up a clarinet...

Also the reason why I am a very average hurdy-gurdy player and reasonable melodeon player!

Quote from: HallelujahAl on April 22, 2009, 09:15:14 AM

This'll get 'em going ALERT!!!!!

You don't need to play scales - just play tunes - it's more fun, more economical, and adds constantly to your reportoire!

AL

You need to play scales up and down the row to start with just to learn where the notes are, but playing tunes is better for learning their patterns and shapes. The same is true for learning to play in odd keys.

Matt Langley · « **Reply #23 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:01:21 PM »

I always start with a few scales just as a warm up really.

What I have also found really useful is 'bits' of scales and arpeggios (I'm sure I got this idea from another post on the forum but I can't remember who suggested it).

E.g. GABG, ABCA, BCDB, CDEC etc. etc.

Try playing these on one row and then across the rows if you can so you are only pushing or pulling all three notes. Little runs like this occur in tunes all the time (unlike complete scales) so they really help your tune playing straight away.

Matt

juker · « **Reply #24 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:22:48 PM »

This forum is a real inspiration - so many people keen to share their knowledge. Thanks to all of you.

Owen Woods · « **Reply #25 on:** April 22, 2009, 02:11:36 PM »

When I practice scales I practice them up one row then on the push, going cross-rows and then on the pull. Lack of a push C and E and pull D gets rather irritating, unfortunately.

Theo · « **Reply #26 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:26:05 PM »

Depending on what you want to play its also useful to practice right hand chords. You can play chords of D,G,C,Em,A,Am,Bm, all with one finger on the D/E button on the D row.

Ebor_fiddler · « **Reply #27 on:** April 22, 2009, 11:16:24 PM »

Definition. Chords: things organists play with one finger. (Dischords - things organists play with two fingers). Source? A mug in my kitchen cupboard.

risto · « **Reply #28 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:12:38 AM »

Quote from: IanD on April 22, 2009, 12:08:24 AM

Find a new tune that you really like, learn it, ...

Quote

..... when you spend the whole of Sunday afternoon playing one tune, but it's worth it. Probably...

... then I added basses and ornaments to the haunting tune 'Le Canal en Octobre' by Paris played by Dominique Riviere (the tune has been mentioned here, the Scottische) and been playing that one single tune soon almost two weeks. I have no plans to stop in a while.

(If someone is interested in this tune with Dominiques ornaments and basses I could post it in the tunes section, just let me know.)

ladydetemps · « **Reply #29 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:22:01 AM »

Quote from: IanD on April 22, 2009, 12:08:24 AM

when you spend the whole of Sunday afternoon playing one tune, but it's worth it. Probably...

I did that the other saturday..and ended up with my arms wanting to drop off....four whole hours

I've really got to stop binge practicing.

Bob Ellis · « **Reply #30 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:36:39 AM »

Quote from: ladydetemps on April 23, 2009, 09:22:01 AM

Quote from: IanD on April 22, 2009, 12:08:24 AM
when you spend the whole of Sunday afternoon playing one tune, but it's worth it. Probably...
I did that the other saturday..and ended up with my arms wanting to drop off....four whole hours I've really got to stop binge practicing.

Practising is like revising for examinations, it is more effective to break it up into several shorter sessions rather than one long one. It is also more enjoyable that way!

IanD · « **Reply #31 on:** April 23, 2009, 11:58:11 PM »

Quote from: ladydetemps on April 23, 2009, 09:22:01 AM

Quote from: IanD on April 22, 2009, 12:08:24 AM

when you spend the whole of Sunday afternoon playing one tune, but it's worth it. Probably...

I did that the other saturday..and ended up with my arms wanting to drop off....four whole hours I've really got to stop binge practicing.

Why?

Ian

ladydetemps · « **Reply #32 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:59:44 AM »

Quote from: IanD on April 23, 2009, 11:58:11 PM

Quote from: ladydetemps on April 23, 2009, 09:22:01 AM
Quote from: IanD on April 22, 2009, 12:08:24 AM

when you spend the whole of Sunday afternoon playing one tune, but it's worth it. Probably...

I did that the other saturday..and ended up with my arms wanting to drop off....four whole hours I've really got to stop binge practicing.

Why?

Ian

why what? Why did I binge practice or why should I stop doing it?

HallelujahAl · « **Reply #33 on:** April 24, 2009, 09:39:14 AM »

Quote

why what? Why did I binge practice or why should I stop doing it?

Look you guys really need to be careful - binge practicing every now and then is ok - but if it becomes a regular thing then you could very well find yourself being addicted. And believe me going cold turkey is no fun !

AL

ladydetemps · « **Reply #34 on:** April 24, 2009, 09:42:18 AM »

Quote from: HallelujahAl on April 24, 2009, 09:39:14 AM

Quote
why what? Why did I binge practice or why should I stop doing it?

Look you guys really need to be careful - binge practicing every now and then is ok - but if it becomes a regular thing then you could very well find yourself being addicted. And believe me going cold turkey is no fun !

AL

It started out as just filling up time between lunch and dinner (you know when the only thing on TV is repeats of 'whodunits')...now if there was only a saturday afternoon session locally...I'd have something to do.

HallelujahAl · « **Reply #35 on:** April 24, 2009, 11:25:56 AM »

Quote

It started out as just filling up time between lunch and dinner (you know when the only thing on TV is repeats of 'whodunits')...now if there was only a saturday afternoon session locally...I'd have something to do

See, its happening already - you start out binge practising and now you're talking about sessions already. I fear it's the rocky road to melodeon ruin for you

AL

ladydetemps · « **Reply #36 on:** April 24, 2009, 01:52:00 PM »

Quote from: HallelujahAl on April 24, 2009, 11:25:56 AM

Quote
It started out as just filling up time between lunch and dinner (you know when the only thing on TV is repeats of 'whodunits')...now if there was only a saturday afternoon session locally...I'd have something to do
See, its happening already - you start out binge practising and now you're talking about sessions already. I fear it's the rocky road to melodeon ruin for you

The session thing....is something I'm building up to as I think the thought of a session is petrifying..I need someone to drag me kicking and screaming to one...then I'll be perfectly fine about it next time.

As for the practicing....I've got the house to myself again on saturday.....so another super long practice is planned

Bob Ellis · « **Reply #37 on:** April 27, 2009, 08:42:56 PM »

Quote from: ladydetemps on April 24, 2009, 01:52:00 PM

The session thing....is something I'm building up to as I think the thought of a session is petrifying..I need someone to drag me kicking and screaming to one...

Well, m'lud, you see the lady asked me to drag her kicking and screaming to a session. She particularly stressed the kicking and screaming. I was brought up to respect the wishes of ladies so, well, what could I do?...

ladydetemps · « **Reply #38 on:** April 28, 2009, 01:25:51 PM »

Quote from: Bob Ellis on April 27, 2009, 08:42:56 PM

Quote from: ladydetemps on April 24, 2009, 01:52:00 PM
The session thing....is something I'm building up to as I think the thought of a session is petrifying..I need someone to drag me kicking and screaming to one...

Well, m'lud, you see the lady asked me to drag her kicking and screaming to a session. She particularly stressed the kicking and screaming. I was brought up to respect the wishes of ladies so, well, what could I do?...

Is that what the unmarked van outside is for?

Keithypete. · « **Reply #39 on:** May 09, 2009, 02:35:06 PM »

How very true! I have thrown many a tepid cuppa down the sink after having spent too long playing once the tea has been left to brew. Having said that - it isn't always good practice. I tend to break things right down then re-construct them. Little and often is good, but if you don't spend time in the saddle you never will be able to ride! The most important point surely is to enjoy yourself.

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Author Topic: how should you practice??? (Read 11189 times)

HallelujahAl

HallelujahAl