My advice would be a hybrid of those two options. Do you need to warmup the 2nd time around? Then, warmup again. Did your first session leave you at a place where you know right where to pick up? Then, pick up from there. Great question.
Discuss the lesson: The Ideal Practice Session
Thank you for the reply. I like the hybrid option!
Today’s practice was split with the “Expand” part divided between the two sessions.
I have to say that following the outline left me feeling my practice was so much more focused - especially the Audit part - I can’t wait for more!
I’ve been looking for something like this my whole musical life… So helpful. Thanks Ben!
Thanks for this lesson! My practice sessions are usually just playing the same songs over and over. I’m so excited to start this new method of practicing!
@BanjoBen, what would you recommend for those who have multiple instruments? In a day would you practice one after another or split them up during the day? Or would you practice one every day? Thank you!
That’s tough to say, just depends on your time available and goals you have for each instrument. I used to have time to practice all of them, but I just don’t anymore.
Thank you @BanjoBen ! I felt like you could, but at the same time I didn’t want to feel like cramming.
BanjoBen, great lesson for sure and im looking forward the further lessons in the series. Which Full Focus planner are you using?
Well this is kind of embarrassing seeing everyone else is totally grasping this and is further along. But when practicing with albums I’m still not sure what key they are in or what they are changing too. How do I get there? And I’m no where near ready for improvisation …I’m still trying to learn my scales 🫣 Maybe I missed something somewhere? I’ve been going through each video and ( sub video ) I thought anyway.
Do you have any suggestions?
Hi @Tx-gal Angie
Trust me Angie your not alone. I have been studying banjo for 15 years and I struggle to find The Key a tune is in if it’s not in G, C, D or A. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Thankfully most bluegrass tunes fall within these four Key’s. If a man is the vocalist generally the Key is G if a woman it’s often C
A few Bluegrass Standards are played in the Key of Bb, F & E
Some of Earl Scruggs early tunes were recorded in G#
I hope this is of some help. But I too live in hope that someone can offer a better way of helping to determine what Key a tune is in.
@Tx-gal I’ve heard Ben say that almost all songs (at least for bluegrass) will end on the root note of the key of the song. For instance, the melody line of Nine Pound Hammer in the key of G will end on a G note. Hope that helps.
Trying to figure out the key is a great learning exercise, but if you’re totally stuck, you can use Chordify.net
I have heard that too. Problem is if you are waiting on the LAST NOTE at a jam session you can’t participate in the jam till it’s over.
Better solution is to ASK what key the tune is in.
that would be a fun jam!
It is always better to ask, that way you can have fun and not just sit and listen.
I use Chordify all the time. It really fun and easy to use, especially since it shows when different chords come in.
If I need just the key and perhaps the BPM, I use https://vocalremover.org/key-bpm-finder, and that works as well.
@Archie at a jam session, the person picking the song will also typically announce the key in which the song will be played. She was talking about playing along with albums…
Hi @rspillers Ryan in my experience that is not always the case. I have come across people who learn a tune but have no knowledge of key, key signature or timing. But I take your point about albums.
I accidently found it when searching for a vocal remover app so I could practice different backups. I found it very useful and use it frequently.