Playing vs Practicing

[phdmerrill]

Hello again. I've been working on Rhythm Changes, working out a million different variations of I VI ii V arpeggios and bebop lines in different positions. I've even started some fun experimentation with anticipating and suspending chords by playing a given chord's arpeggio one or two eighth notes over into the next chord, or playing the next arpeggio one or two eighth notes early.

But very little of this work is retained when I try to make use of it over the backing track. I believe this is because in my practice routine, rather than trying to play full choruses, I am just isolating phrases that won't necessarily connect with my instincts when I play over a high-paced backing track.

From now on, I'm going to try more often to play full choruses when practicing with the guitar alone, but it'll be a bit of a test of discipline, because I'm really just after getting a good variety of I VI ii V phrases, (or so I think). I do realize though, that playing the head and the B section--the less challenging parts--during practice will probably help commit those I V ii V's to muscle memory when playing the real thing.

This issue is probably less relevant to tunes that aren't as difficult and idiosyncratic as Rhythm changes, but I want to ask, how much of your practice is focused on working out phrase material, and how much of it is actually reciting and improvising tunes? This definitely connects with some stuff I talked about in past threads, I know.

Also, any advice on playing Rhythm changes (haha)? Thanks, guys.

[morroben]

I learned long ago that any little phrases or changes that I'm working on need to immediately be put into the setting of a song for me to really get much out of them. Hard to really quantify it. If it's my normal morning practice session, I might work out basic changes on paper and the fretboard for 20-30 minutes, and then figure out a few songs I can practice those with for the remaining hour and a half. It helps me get it to memory and use things musically. I'll often try to jumpstart learning a new song this way.
Your comment about trying to anticipate a change early or drag it into the next chord for a beat or two...I find that stuff to be even more suited for practicing over a song I already know. Those changes ahead of or behind the beat are easier to get a grasp on if my ear knows what's coming, or what it should be expecting.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. But I'm no expert.

[itsall4you]

Everything takes time to apply to your playing. It's great that you are working on stuff in small chunks. I would suggest not trying to use it in a "high-paced" backing track. Try find a slower backing track. Maybe close to 100bpm where you can still think fast enough.

As the concepts/ideas that you are working on becomes solid you'll be able to play them at faster tempos without thinking too much about it. You'll start hearing them naturally.

[SwingSwangSwung]

Click on the "Guitar Planet" link in my signature. There's some insight there about practicing which uses Rhythm Changes as an example.

[jmstritt]

When I practice I always relate it to a tune, this way it isn't an issue of practicing or playing, because I am doing both at the same time. So if I am working on RC, I would work out the arpeggios, some bebop lines, and then some ii V stuff for the bridge. The I'd work on comping it in a few different positions using really sparse voicings. (I like using just the 3rd and 7th on the bridge, and then just changing one note on each chord change. (Jim Hall does this a lot)). Then I'll go the other way and throw in some altered V chords and different subs that I can use on the A section to sound more lush. This way I have full and sparse comping, and plenty of melodic material to solo with.

[Kman]

Your best bet is to transcribe some I Got Rhtyhm solos. There are many out there. Write them out and get them under your fingers then analyze them. It's hard work, but well worth it and fun.

You can simplify it also.

I; V7; I; V7
I7; IV; I; V7

over the A sections. Also think blues scale at times on the A section.

[EightString]

Trying to apply new concepts at high speed right out of the gate can be an exercise in futility.

One thing I often do regarding backing tracks is put together two versions at differing tempos.

Not only does this offer additional stylistic options, but offline, I can work on playing through those changes at slower speed to work out new improvisational concepts, then play along the high-speed version after those concepts are fully internalized, and I'm mentally hearing and feeling what I'm playing, not "reciting".

[Hurricane Ramon]

Originally Posted by phdmerrill

Hello again. I've been working on Rhythm Changes, working out a million different variations of I VI ii V arpeggios and bebop lines in different positions. I've even started some fun experimentation with anticipating and suspending chords by playing a given chord's arpeggio one or two eighth notes over into the next chord, or playing the next arpeggio one or two eighth notes early.

But very little of this work is retained when I try to make use of it over the backing track. I believe this is because in my practice routine, rather than trying to play full choruses, I am just isolating phrases that won't necessarily connect with my instincts when I play over a high-paced backing track.

From now on, I'm going to try more often to play full choruses when practicing with the guitar alone, but it'll be a bit of a test of discipline, because I'm really just after getting a good variety of I VI ii V phrases, (or so I think). I do realize though, that playing the head and the B section--the less challenging parts--during practice will probably help commit those I V ii V's to muscle memory when playing the real thing.

This issue is probably less relevant to tunes that aren't as difficult and idiosyncratic as Rhythm changes, but I want to ask, how much of your practice is focused on working out phrase material, and how much of it is actually reciting and improvising tunes? This definitely connects with some stuff I talked about in past threads, I know.

Also, any advice on playing Rhythm changes (haha)? Thanks, guys.

=====================

There's a thin line between these two but to sum it - you play the way you practice .

Practice intensely and play that way .

Practice with grace and beauty and you play that way

Practice like it's a chore and your playing will sound labored .

This concept applies to many things besides music and guitar playing .

Sincerely :

Hurricane Ramon