[Grambo]

I like to multi task.

For example, when I listen to a podcast lecture, I usually play a video game at the same time. When I'm working on programming, I usually watch tv.

I'm trying to come up with something I can I do while I play my sax. I don't think I can handle more than twenty minutes at a time without doing something else as well.

hmmmm, any suggestions?

 

[baritone saxophone]

watch tv

 

[hakukani]

Get tested for ADHD?

 

[Swampcabbage]

Baseball or Golf works best. That way you don't really have to pay attention. Or anything with Sharon Stone in it (except Casino). You get the idea. But, it's best to only do it while do exercises (like running scales). You should be thinking about what you're doing, but anything that you are trying to program for muscle memory would work.

However, you are best to practice for 20 minutes without distraction than 2 hours with it in my experience.

 

[Swampcabbage]

Ooo, if you feel you need the tv on. Then get yourself a timer (just a cheap kitchen one will do). Set it for 20 minutes and that's all the time you get for scales, long tones, reading, songs, (per section). TIme and task is arbitrary. However, I've noticed that with the timer going I am less likely to fart around on a task and really try to concentrate on what I'm doing more. This is also good fro keeping track of how much time you really do practice.

 

[JL]

I would say this sort of "multitasking" is exactly what you should AVOID like the plague. Full attentiveness to what you are doing is required to get the most out of anything you do, including, and especially, practicing your horn. Be fully engaged in the moment without distractions. That is the key. If you can't do this at all, then try practicing meditation. Of course, you'll have great difficulty at first if your ability to pay attention is so poorly developed. There is a real benefit to practicing attentiveness and getting "in the zone." Of course in the society we inhabit, this is a real challenge. But playing the horn is one way to get there, at least for me. Climbing a mountain or running a whitewater river are also good ways to get focussed.

Edit: If you are talking about taking a break after practicing for 20 or 30 minutes, that's a different matter. And that may be a good idea. But when you practice, just practice.

 

[Ferret]

I've found that if I focus on just playing, slowly my attention span has increased. If I don't focus, slowly my attention span decreases.

Play for 20mins at a time, then come back later and do another 20. Eventually you'll turn that 20 into 30, 40 and an hour+.

 

[Swampcabbage]

These are true. I guess I think of it in another lane altogether. I have neighbors close by and a wife and daughter and no secluded space so there is are all sorts of distracions. I've found the timer helps me focus on the task at hand. Also, I've found that when playing in a bar it helps to be able to zone out all this stuff. Like meditating and someone starts a lawn mower in the middle of it.

 

[Grambo]

Get tested for ADHD?

Aha, yeah.

For some reason, I have this picture in my head of me doing all sorts of random activities while playing, like getting groceries, and mowing the lawn. lol

I guess I'll try to increase my attention span via the horn, and try television should that fail.

 

[hakukani]

Aha, yeah.

For some reason, I have this picture in my head of me doing all sorts of random activities while playing, like getting groceries, and mowing the lawn. lol

I guess I'll try to increase my attention span via the horn, and try television should that fail.

That's not ADHD, that's guilt.

 

[jazzsax07]

Glancing around at all the nice looking ladies in the audience.
Making eye contact is that much nicer

 

[hakukani]

Glancing around at all the nice looking ladies in the audience.
Making eye contact is that much nicer

SSHHH! My wife might hear.

 

[martysax]

Glancing around at all the nice looking ladies in the audience.
Making eye contact is that much nicer

That's why I stopped wearing sunglasses on stage.

It'll probably cause macular degeneration.

Does that make me a degenerate?

Yes.

 

[martysax]

SSHHH! My wife might hear.

It doesn't really matter.

We're sax players. Much worse is expected!

 

[martysax]

I'm trying to come up with something I can I do while I play my sax. I don't think I can handle more than twenty minutes at a time without doing something else as well.

hmmmm, any suggestions?

I usually cook, you know food, while I play in the house.

While at a gig, I drink while I play

 

[fluteloop]

i hate to admit it cause i know i should focus more, but i read sotw while i'm doing long tones. esp discussions on tone production, i get so wrapped up in what i'm reading i'll play another 45 minutes on some new exercise i just read about and just keep going...

 

[JL]

Glancing around at all the nice looking ladies in the audience.

Yeah, this is one distraction I don't mind at all. In fact I embrace it wholeheartedly. The term "inspiration" comes to mind.

I can tune out all the rest. One night a guy attacked another guy with a broken bottle. I didn't notice anything until the fire engines, ambulance, and police cars came roaring up with sirens blaring. Even then, the band played on.........

 

[betelsax]

I get a lot of good practice time in between at bats and pitches.

 

[coolsax2k7]

i sit in chatrooms where people spin music and i read the text and playalong with the music, while sitting down. I rarely watch tv, I don't have one even set up right now, nor do I have cable.