Challenging the Conventional: Personalized Strategies to Optimize Your Study

Studying pieces progressively and incorporating orchestral excerpts into personalized practice strategies is an even more effective approach than traditional books and methods. Continuing with the theme of “maximizing our study time,” we must be aware that nowadays, study time is reduced due to work, family, and social responsibilities, as well as constant distractions like social media and frequent notifications. It is essential to learn to manage our time effectively. Over the past few years, I have been focusing my energy on this, and it has naturally influenced how I study, work, and teach.

Why orchestral excerpts are the best practice strategy?

In the past, studying the double bass required reviewing numerous method books. However, today, resources are more concise and to the point, allowing us to solve specific problems more quickly and efficiently. These new approaches mainly enhance musicality, including singing (melodies) in adaptations of great works from the first positions on the double bass, as found in the methods of Suzuki and George Vance, to name a few.

Following this line of work, why not study pieces progressively and, even better, orchestral excerpts as part of our technical routine from the beginning? After all, these excerpts also consist of scales, shifts, rhythmic patterns, etc., don’t they?

Although traditional methods have their value, it’s important to remember that we can address the same technical issues using different pieces or, better yet, orchestral excerpts. This approach not only diversifies our practice but also helps us develop greater versatility and adaptability in our skills.

Traditional methods don’t work for everyone

In my early days of studying the double bass, I found myself in routines where the goal was to move on to the next lesson regardless of my technical progress. Honestly, it’s easy to become demotivated this way, especially if you are someone who questions processes.

Fortunately, I later found excellent teachers and understood that not everyone has the same problems and abilities; it’s not necessary to go through the same books for the same amount of time. As we know, every body is different, and everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses.

Here are two videos on this topic. I hope you find them useful. Let’s study together!

The bottom line

In summary, repertoire pieces for the double bass and orchestral excerpts should be the first challenge to tackle, addressing musicality from the beginning. From there, if necessary, we can incorporate specific technical exercises to help us strengthen our weaknesses.

Traditional study programs do not take into account individual strengths and weaknesses, nor personal goals with the instrument. Not everyone will need the same exercises, in the same order, or for the same duration.

For this reason, I have decided to include a personalized program in my teaching approach, as I strongly believe in this method.

Let’s incorporate pieces and orchestral excerpts into our routine

I have two videos for you. Studying tuning through singing: in this video I show you a couple of examples. Start without vibrato to listen in detail and make corrections; and, Two tips for studying orchestra excerpts: In the following video, I share with you two ways to improve virtuosic excerpts.