Practice or Preparation? (Full Version)

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seanm -> Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 16:49:00)

I was just thinking about 'practicing' and how the term isn't very accurate. What is practicing? A practicing physician is a working professional. Practicing is not rehearsing because that is simulating performances (or is it?). Seems to me that a better mind set and term is preparation. Preparing yourself and playing for something. How do you define (or execute) 'practicing'? Thoughts?

Sean



Miguel de Maria -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 17:05:20)

shawnie, check out what I just posted



Ron.M -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 17:06:20)

Sean,
I don't know if it's the same in the US, but in British English there are two words "practice" and "practise".
The first means to exercise a skill ie like a doctor etc.
The second (with an "s") means to do something repeatedly to gain a skill.

However even here the spellings are often interchanged.

cheers

Ron



seanm -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 17:18:15)

Good point Ron. Though I threw that in as an example (and you have deftly answered that point) I was really just pondering what people think about or set as goals when they practise. For instance, I don't think I rehearse enough and don't play enough at tempo but I do think about how a section that is less comfortable will be a weak point during a performance. I think I've been reading too many pedagogy books lately :)

Sean



Doitsujin -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 17:36:46)

ups false threat...



Ron.M -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 20:11:33)

I know what you're saying Sean..
I find it very difficult to play a complete piece, because that usually consists of various techniques and when I get to something I can't do ...it sounds crap!
So I never really get into the "preperation" phase myself! [:D]
So this in effect ruins my musicianship, because I can never get experience of looking at the piece as a whole and developing other very important elements of playing.
Other folk don't have this problem, and will accept that the majority of the piece is OK, but there are a few passages that are a bit rough...but that's OK!
I think it boils down to a personality thing really.
I think the folk with a "musician's" brain..like say..Edgar, Miguel, Jon etc will take the path of playing a complete piece and accept the slightly ropey bits to a degree.
'Cos they are mainly into music.
Other folk will get bogged down in fine detail... (probably those from Engineering or Scientific backgrounds IMO.[:D])

cheers

Ron



Jon Boyes -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 20:21:49)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron.M
I think the folk with a "musician's" brain..like say..Edgar, Miguel, Jon etc will take the path of playing a complete piece and accept the slightly ropey bits to a degree.
'Cos they are mainly into music.


I don't think I could afford to do that. I take a more pragmatic view - if, after thrashing something around for months, there are bits that are still ropey the piece is discarded (asuming I have exhausted all possibilites ie improving technique, changing approach etc). Plenty of good music out there and I would much rather play stuff that I can play really well, at least as far as gigging is concerned.



Miguel de Maria -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 22:08:29)

I gig with material that many of the "talented amateur" group would be never dream of exhibiting in public, in that it's not completely prepared. But sometimes you have to fill 4 hours and you just have to do it... Playing in the background, as I usually do, encourages mediocrity. Recording to a high standard (something I am attempting to do currently), helps reduce that, as does playing for people who are watching.

Ron, don't forget to play some music! It's fun!



edgar884 -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 23:13:33)

Hmmmm musicians brain hmmmm.

Well I think all you can do is keep pluging away at it, one thing I do is the parts that are a problem I focus on the week before a show. Hopefuly eliminating a mistake.

I think the best thing you can do is your best. And make sure the set list is in an order that will give you confidence.

I like the idea of recording, it's the best way to really analyze your own playing.

I always practice my set lists in order as well so I get used to that certain set list.

Always play what you know well and play it with energy, I think the trick is to always play a song with everything you've got even if you have played that song 5000 times.

I for one take it all with a grain of salt, I mean here in Utah I am a great Flamenco player, on this forum I am baby food. I can even hack out some improv stuff and people think that it's Flamenco and they love it, maybe it's not traditional or puro but I am helping to spread the word of Flamenco none the less.

I don't think there is a certain way to rehearse but there are ways of using commom sense when trying to make use of your time.

Most of all have fun, cause were not all Pacos, and never will be so why kill our selves over it.[:)]



seanm -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 18 2006 23:35:52)

To extend what you're saying edgar884, what about playing whatever you're playing with conviction regardless of what your own personal confidence is? Kinda swtiching from practise mode to performance mode and really 'selling' your performance regardless of it's preparedness. I think we've all seen performers who weren't particularly good but really sold the perfomance as a whole.

At what point is it Ok to perform and just cover your mistakes as best as you can. 50%? 75% 95%? Personally I can play through mistakes really well (not only because I make a lot of them HA! but also because of a lot of years of ensemble playing where you can't stop or loose your place). I guess it depends on the audience as Miguel alluded to. But then again isn't that training yourself to accept a lower standard of playing from yourself (dangerous).

Sean



Miguel de Maria -> RE: Practice or Preparation? (May 19 2006 4:59:06)

It's a fine balance between reality and perfection. I like the idea of putting everything you can into your playing. Unfortunately, tonight I really struggled. I was playing for this sales event for condos in Scottsdale, and for some reason I was getting really sleepy. On a break I went and got a Coke from a bar because I couldn't keep my eyes open! Not too much energy in my playing tonight. Guys who put out the energy night after night like Mick Jagger are great...

I think that in a sense proficiency is the enemy. Once you get to a certain level, it's pretty easy to coast. Lots of the working pros around here are very much mediocre. You get sloppy, lazy, etc. But you just can't settle for mediocrity.



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