I just watched the 8 bit big band live at berklee and I must say your solos were so good! They were very interesting especially since I haven't seen you play much tenor before.
Bravo. there are things you should not practice for more than 10 min at the time but the real practice is simple repetition until it becomes second nature. And it takes a good night sleep for the memory to becomes engrained. You can't learn something you need to do on the same day.
Happy New Year Dave! Virtually the only time I get to play for a full hour is when playing in public. My (short) practice times are usually limited to 2 topics.
I feel this. I’m at my last semester of music school and my biggest gains are coming from working V - I connection. Start on beat 1 and end on beat 1. Listening deeply for tension and release and not playing a single thing after the release. Only applying this to my little suede shoes and someday my prince will come. I’m waiting for these tunes to be fully internalized before I move on. It’s better to sound good on two songs than mid on everything rn for me lol ( it’s been about a month and a half of digging deep on what I’m saying)
I very much agree! We humans are sadly very bad at multitasking, forcing yourself to focus on one super specific thing at a time really builds up the muscle and mental memory you need to achieve “higher order” techniques and ideas. Hardest part really is the dullness of doing the basics over and over again! imo very important too to give yourself some time at the end of every session to just “have fun” (whatever that means to you), lest practice become something dreadful; longevity/sustainability is just as important!
Great advice, Dave! Too easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you're drowning in things you should be practicing. "The More You Know" cracks me up every time! Do your young students have any clue what that means?
Hey Dave! When you say practice theory, do you mean like learning theory or analyzing a piece of music? Just curious how you would practice theory if you were a student.
Want a simple and clear way to improvise? Watch this FREE masterclass:
➡ www.davepollack.com/freemasterclass
3:41 1. Warm-up Maintenance
3:52 2. Technique
4:44 3. Repertoire
5:08 Transcribing or Theory or Improvisation
I just watched the 8 bit big band live at berklee and I must say your solos were so good! They were very interesting especially since I haven't seen you play much tenor before.
I appreciate that! I don’t play tenor often and alto is definitely my voice, but it was an absolute blast
Bravo. there are things you should not practice for more than 10 min at the time but the real practice is simple repetition until it becomes second nature. And it takes a good night sleep for the memory to becomes engrained. You can't learn something you need to do on the same day.
Happy New Year, Dave! Your playing with the 8BBB was awesome! Looking forward to a great year!
Thanks so much, and same to you! 🙏
Wow. You nailed me Dave. What great advice. I will take this to heart immediately. Jim DeLucia
Great to hear! Hopefully it can help you going forward
Great video Dave!
Thanks so much!
Happy New Year Dave! Virtually the only time I get to play for a full hour is when playing in public. My (short) practice times are usually limited to 2 topics.
Love that! Even if you only work on 1 topic, focus on it and really learn it WELL.
I feel this. I’m at my last semester of music school and my biggest gains are coming from working V - I connection.
Start on beat 1 and end on beat 1. Listening deeply for tension and release and not playing a single thing after the release.
Only applying this to my little suede shoes and someday my prince will come. I’m waiting for these tunes to be fully internalized before I move on. It’s better to sound good on two songs than mid on everything rn for me lol ( it’s been about a month and a half of digging deep on what I’m saying)
Absolutely! And here’s the thing - if you can really sound great on those 2 tunes, getting others up yo that level will be quicker and quicker!
I very much agree! We humans are sadly very bad at multitasking, forcing yourself to focus on one super specific thing at a time really builds up the muscle and mental memory you need to achieve “higher order” techniques and ideas.
Hardest part really is the dullness of doing the basics over and over again! imo very important too to give yourself some time at the end of every session to just “have fun” (whatever that means to you), lest practice become something dreadful; longevity/sustainability is just as important!
Totally agree! It's hard to slog through the monotonous stuff (but it's necessary) but yes just having fun is incredibly important!
Happy New Year, Dave!
Same to you!!
Great advice, Dave! Too easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you're drowning in things you should be practicing.
"The More You Know" cracks me up every time! Do your young students have any clue what that means?
Thanks! And no they don’t 😔 really shows the gap between me and them, hahaha
Happy new year
Same to you!
I’m guilty, but I’m not sure what to practice as I’m a master of none. I’m awaiting saxophone success community.
SSC will definitely help you out a TON with what to practice, HOW to practice, etc. Stay tuned!
Hey Dave! When you say practice theory, do you mean like learning theory or analyzing a piece of music? Just curious how you would practice theory if you were a student.
👍👍
yooooooo happy 2025 man !!!!
And to you as well!
@@DavePollack u are the legend in person.... i am from italy beginner sax player XD. ty you for what u do 🤟
It is not possible for me to practice less. 😢