Question Visualization?

[AnthonyD]

Hey guys - curious about practice habits and the use of visualization. I've read both sides of the argument and thought it would be interesting to get this group's take on its use - and usefulness. I am a fan...

I have a 2+ hour drive for my workday commute (each-way). I also fly quite a bit for work as well. Sometimes while in the car, and always while on a plane, I pass the time "practicing" new material, or more often, running through a set-list in preparation for an up-coming gig.

With a playlist cranked on the stereo or in my headphones, my right-hand is anchored on the center console (in the car) or on my right thigh (on a plane) and my fingers play along. Left-hand doesn't get a workout, but in my mind I am "seeing" finger placement - following the fretboard, thinking about the notes I am playing.

I am convinced it works for me, though I am aware there are those that just don't buy it. What say y'all? Have you aver tried it? Do you find it useful?

 

[Soulkeeper]

I do it too, and I find it effective to some degree. Of course, most of the practice has to be done with the instrument in your hands, but as a supplement, I find "dry practicing" to be good. Well, at least a hundred times better than nothing.

In fact, when I learned some djembe techniques, half of my practice I did while walking (without a djembe), and vocalizing the onomatopoeic names for the different types of strokes in rhythm with my steps.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I do it as well and it does work...in terms of Chord Tone Exercises. Circling through 7 chords...starting on different notes...

All of a sudden after a couple of weeks...I know where they are without looking...

 

[Holdsg]

do/done it for both of my instruments, bass and keys, works almost as good as the real thing.
you know how its said we only use 15% or something like that of our mental capability, that's letting your subconscious mind learn the songs as well as your conscious mind. Your subconscious mind is a terrible thing to waste!

 

[KevinM]

I've used that method pretty effectively to memorize new songs while doing other tasks.

 

[AnthonyD]

I do it too, and I find it effective to some degree. Of course, most of the practice has to be done with the instrument in your hands, but as a supplement, I find "dry practicing" to be good...

Agreed - while my right-hand may get a bit of a work-out, there's nothing here that's going to help with physical, left-hand technique. All about memorization of the material and being in a comfortable mental place when the time comes to actually play.

 

[AnthonyD]

Seems (at least with this gang) it's proven useful.

I love it - and the sub-conscious thing - I absolutely agree. I've gotten so much better at deliberately "not thinking" about what to play when I find myself in a song with an upcoming passage that I feel unsure of. I turn-off the conscious thinking and way more often than not I breeze right through the part.

 

[nurnay]

I go this when I go for walks. It helps!

 

[stu42]

Yep. I do it too. I almost can't help but visualize how the notes go whenever I'm listening to music - whether I know the song or not. I have no idea how effective it is at helping me learn but it's something I've been doing for a long time. To me, it's kinda like tapping your feet to the beat.

I also have a habit of ad-libbing in my head while I'm listening to music - and I visualize myself playing my imaginary lines as well.