Seafroggys
Well-known member
Even though I don't live with my drumset, I do have a practice pad, and I do Tommy Igoe's Lifetime Warmup daily (or try to) to improve my technique and to keep my chops up.
How long have you been singing or playing and do you still practice ?
G
gloryblues
New member
Mmmm!!
First guitar? 10th birthday; 1957
First actual gig? December 1962.
First paid gig? Easter Saturday 1962.
Do I still practice? Yes, every day. (Well, most days)
It's nice to see so many of my generation still plugging away at all levels of the craft. Having said that, I see that the youngsters are holding their own as well. So despite reports to the contrary, live music is healthy and as vibrant as ever.
As for my own fortunes as a muso? I have just retired from a long and prosperous career as an Automobile Technician. So...
Bank balance overflowing, NO.
Body wracked by substances, NO.
Bed full of groupies? (I will just go check) NO.
Oops! wandered off subject a bit; sorry.
As far as singing goes, I am a baritone. Can't do that high pitch screech that continues to be so popular. I had some voice coaching decades ago to try and get up the registers a bit (to be trendy). Didn't work, sounded like someone doing a bit of owl stretching. Actually, thinking about it, maybe it did work!!
I love this forum, you are never too old to learn and I keep getting tips and stuff from Home Recording.
Thanks everyone.
First guitar? 10th birthday; 1957
First actual gig? December 1962.
First paid gig? Easter Saturday 1962.
Do I still practice? Yes, every day. (Well, most days)
It's nice to see so many of my generation still plugging away at all levels of the craft. Having said that, I see that the youngsters are holding their own as well. So despite reports to the contrary, live music is healthy and as vibrant as ever.
As for my own fortunes as a muso? I have just retired from a long and prosperous career as an Automobile Technician. So...
Bank balance overflowing, NO.
Body wracked by substances, NO.
Bed full of groupies? (I will just go check) NO.
Oops! wandered off subject a bit; sorry.
As far as singing goes, I am a baritone. Can't do that high pitch screech that continues to be so popular. I had some voice coaching decades ago to try and get up the registers a bit (to be trendy). Didn't work, sounded like someone doing a bit of owl stretching. Actually, thinking about it, maybe it did work!!
I love this forum, you are never too old to learn and I keep getting tips and stuff from Home Recording.
Thanks everyone.
jigfresh
Enjoying life
I agree, it's really fun to read the different perspectives. Quite a wide ranging group we have here. It's cool how much everyone gets along.
B
bongoboy
a clown without a circus
Yeah, we all pretty much play nice. Things can get a bit heated from time to time, but it's because all involved have a passion for what they do. You can't take things personally when things get nasty. People have opinions and egos. But after all, this is an internet forum.
M
MarvinG
New member
I've played my instrument for 25 years. I don't practice by myself outside of band rehearsal. However, I'm not always happy with my skill level, wish I were "better" (i.e., there are things I know I cannot do that I wish I could do), but I'm old and lazy and complacent and not all that interested in really putting in the hard work practice to go beyond my current abilities. I guess I'm fine with where I'm at when faced with knowing it would take serious work practicing to move forward.
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BroKen_H
Re-member
I'll be 54 next year and that will mark 50 years of piano for me. Started bass 10 years later (and drums somewhere around there). Picked up a guitar for the first time about 10 years ago. Still practice and perform with all, but my keys are sliding a bit as mine has been at our church for the past 5 years. Gonna hafta lay down some cash and get another keyboard one of these days. Or maybe I could spend more time at the church...
Anyway, about 5 years ago I picked a song on the guitar that was way above my ability to play. Frustrated myself practicing it for about a year and a half, then finally started getting it. Now, it's pretty easy and I've picked up a lot of techniques, etc. from playing it every day. Now I'm looking for a new song that's over my head again...so yes, I still practice every day, but sometimes it's just to play one song. Singing is easy. I still practice breathing control and pitch control most of the time (even at work). But I don't belt the vocals unless it's for performance or getting ready for performance.
Anyway, about 5 years ago I picked a song on the guitar that was way above my ability to play. Frustrated myself practicing it for about a year and a half, then finally started getting it. Now, it's pretty easy and I've picked up a lot of techniques, etc. from playing it every day. Now I'm looking for a new song that's over my head again...so yes, I still practice every day, but sometimes it's just to play one song. Singing is easy. I still practice breathing control and pitch control most of the time (even at work). But I don't belt the vocals unless it's for performance or getting ready for performance.
R
ronhar
New member
Basically a bass player and singer for 45 years give or take some lean years (playing, not me!). Never practiced beyond prepping for or performance. All the other instruments I play are poorly performed because any practice is just fooling around for funzies. Close to retirement so maybe .......
R
ronhar
New member
Oh, I forgot. Good to see so many new members reply. And Grim, keep up with the good questions. Makes me want to think. I heard it prevents "old timers" disease...
mjbphotos
Moderator
First guitar at age 15 in 1971. As soon as I had chording and key structure down (self taught) I taught myself the same on my father's grand piano.
These days, 'practice' is working on new songs - cover songs for gigs, and stuff I am writing.
Over the weekend I pulled out my new notebook of lyrics (big print I can read when on a stand without reading glasses) and had to relearn a few songs I haven't done in many months but had only played out once or twice. Guess I need to 'practice' more!
These days, 'practice' is working on new songs - cover songs for gigs, and stuff I am writing.
Over the weekend I pulled out my new notebook of lyrics (big print I can read when on a stand without reading glasses) and had to relearn a few songs I haven't done in many months but had only played out once or twice. Guess I need to 'practice' more!
G
gloryblues
New member
Typo alert!!
Should read...
First paid gig? Easter Saturday 1963.
Should read...
First paid gig? Easter Saturday 1963.
D
dervish riff
New member
47 years on guitar, off and on with bass and keys, still play everyday, otherwise my hands get stiff. Finally getting things lined up for digital recording, but I've had different rigs with tape since I was 13. Doing repairs since 1980, so not much surprises me anymore, lol.
morningafterrec
New member
I've been playing for over 10 years now and I try to play at least an hour or two everyday and I make sure I at least practice for 2 hours a week. You can never stop learning and you can never stop getting better!
StudioHermit
Complete Amatuer
Getting in a little late here, but... Started playing piano at 7, although haven't really sat down at one since I was 15ish. Started playing guitar at 10, Played in a band all through high school, but quit when I was 19 (paying the bills became more important). But, have always played guitar at minimum 2-3 hours per week, more the last 4 or 5 years. So, I guess that would be close to 35 years. YIKES!!!!
B
Btyre2013
New member
I started playing piano at aged 4 so that's 25 years now, a long time, with definitely a silly amount of hours practice, at some points in my life over 10 hours a day
Mr Clean
AKA Teddy Wong
When I played solo gigs I'd practice 2 or 3 times a week. Quick run through the set list and a couple of extras I kept as stand-bys just in case. I know so many songs though I could and can, sit and play all night if needed. Reeling off the old Rock N Roll hits of yesteryear.
When I joined a band playing bass I practiced a lot. The band had no basslines for me to copy as such and I'd not touched a bass before so I literally had to wing it. After 4 days of owning a bass I played my first gig and 2 weeks later I was in a studio recording. I'm a confident person though. Nothing phases me. After a few months I never practiced the songs we played. We didn't rehearse. I just went to gigs, played and that was that.
Now I'm busy doing nothing, I don't really practice as such with anything. I play my guitar a lot, every day without fail, usually. I sit and make shit up. Annoy the wife singing silly songs about her arse. Fun stuff. Not rigid scale practice or set lists. I'm going to get back into the odd solo gig in the near future though so practice of that nature will return. I'm going to a family party tomorrow night actually, the guitar will be with me, the alcohol will flow and the drunken Irish will be singing into the early morning. Looking forward to that.
When I joined a band playing bass I practiced a lot. The band had no basslines for me to copy as such and I'd not touched a bass before so I literally had to wing it. After 4 days of owning a bass I played my first gig and 2 weeks later I was in a studio recording. I'm a confident person though. Nothing phases me. After a few months I never practiced the songs we played. We didn't rehearse. I just went to gigs, played and that was that.
Now I'm busy doing nothing, I don't really practice as such with anything. I play my guitar a lot, every day without fail, usually. I sit and make shit up. Annoy the wife singing silly songs about her arse. Fun stuff. Not rigid scale practice or set lists. I'm going to get back into the odd solo gig in the near future though so practice of that nature will return. I'm going to a family party tomorrow night actually, the guitar will be with me, the alcohol will flow and the drunken Irish will be singing into the early morning. Looking forward to that.