Focus

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we discuss, "Focus". I remember talking to horn players that were in high school band.They would tell me that their playing would kinda stagnate all school year long, then improve significantly after band camp. Why? Well, it is a solid week if intense focus with no distractions. Now, we as adults cannot do that. We have other obligations. BUT...we can do it in small "bursts" which can still yield results. I frequently ask musicians what and how they practice. Learning tunes for gigs aside, the answers range from an occasional book or video to just "riffing out"....on the couch or bed while watching TV. They usually feel anywhere from unmotivated to frustrated to disillusioned. The issue is a lack of focus, IMO. With focus comes progress and progress comes the desire for MORE progress. Ok, how? Much of this I have covered before, now we will combine and expand it with regard to focus. Planning ur shed before you start...even a week or more in advance goes a long way. This way u know what ur going to do BEFORE  u sit down. Try to have a quiet place to shed...even a corner of a room...with everything handy and ready. Don't forget to alert cohabitants when it is shed time. They have no idea unless to tell them and will greatly diminish interruptions and distractions. Those with small children..tell them when ur sitting in ur practice area, it is mom or dad's "homework" time....try it...it works! Try to map out some sort of goals to work towards...they can be long term, short term or both. Having trouble? Talk to a teacher or more experienced colleagues. Thue will undoubtedly help What you want is to make the most of your shed time. Whether it is 12 hours or 12 minutes. Of course, "fun time" can be induced in this..but even that can have a purpose.  I have seen HUGE improvement in my playing and with students with this mindset...even students with "crazy" lives/jobs...it makes the most of ur time.  As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com.