How To Practice - Media

A Year in Bass - Week 11/12 - Distance Learning

Mike Saville — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:41:42 +0000

With the start of the new academic year at most british universities it has been an extremely busy couple of weeks for me. Sadly this has meant less 'hands on' time with my bass

On the plus side I have been itching to play when I do get the opportunity.

Despite this I've not been idle and have continued my bass development. Last week was about learning the fretboard a little better. This week I've been finding out more about the instrument I'm playing. All the while I've also been listening to the player of the month - Paul McCartney (transcriptions to follow next week ) Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 10 - Going Solo

Mike Saville — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 05:34:10 +0000

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you simply can't do everything that you want to? Well I've got one of those this week.

I'm working away from home for the whole week, have lots of work to complete and need to practice lots of things other than the bass for paid work that I have in the next few weeks.

All of which does not leave much time at all for the bass.

I'm sure many of you have been in similar situations - you want to practice but genuinely struggle find the time. Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 9 - Progress Review

Mike Saville — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:39:16 +0000

Show Notes

It's my last week with James Jamerson for the time being:

This coming week I'll be continuing to work on some motown pieces on the back of the Jameson book.

It's also the last week I'll be using the Friedland book. Ending this will be like losing an old friend (

Music for this week: Read more . . .

iPhones as Musical Instruments: Practice Performance

How To Practice — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:37:18 +0000

One of the more unusual performances I've seen - though given how much time people spend 'practising' their iPhones everyone should be an expert Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 8 - Fantastic Mistakes

Mike Saville — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:27:14 +0000

Set myself up for a big time fail this week - but on the up side it has meant I've learnt more than in any other week

Show Notes

I'm still highly recommending this book:

This coming week I'll be continuing to work on some motown pieces on the back of the Jameson book. Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 7 - Posture

Mike Saville — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:13:38 +0000

I've made some good progress this week, resolved an issue with my neck and also set myself a difficult challenge for the week ahead

Show Notes

The version of For Once In My Life that I am going to be working on for the coming week comes from this book. It is excellent. I'd throughly recommend it:
Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 6 - Plateaus

Mike Saville — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:15:49 +0000

This week I outline a couple of exercises which have plateaued. This is common for musicians and if you continue to practice in the right way should resolve itself.

Show Notes

New music for this coming week:

This coming week I'll be working on some motown pieces on the back of the Jameson book. Read more . . .

A Year in Bass - Week 5 - Problem Patterns

Mike Saville — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:57:34 +0000

This week has been the first that I've not really made quick progress. I know I'm still improving but it has been slowed. As I explain in the vid I need to take a fresh approach to scales.

To the experienced bass players out there - if you notice me doing anything stupid - just shout I'd appreciate it.

Show Notes

Bass recording is again much better thanks to an M-Audio Fast Track USB Audio Interface. Read more . . .

Why Student's Don't Learn What We Think We Teach

Mike Saville — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:14:48 +0000

A very interesting lecture by music educator Robert Duke. Particularly pertinent for me were his comments on the difference between what teachers view as important and the fact that this is rarely conveyed to students.

A Year in Bass - Week 4

Mike Saville — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:21:44 +0000

I've just learnt first hand the usefulness of scales. I've been practising scales and arpeggios over the past few weeks. This week I've been learning Midnight Hour and have been able to apply this learning directly to this piece.

If you are just beginning to learn or would like to take on a project like this I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. Read more . . .