Beginner or Advanced? How My 60 BPM Practice Strategy Can Help You

[@bobreynolds]

Hello again. ►► Grab my FREE 7-T Jazz Practice Framework at bobsvirtualstudio.com

[@Benjo787]

Hi

[@2012tupi]

Hello there.

[@Asa_Morris]

Bob!

[@edtovar5432]

Your camera and lighting set-up is so clean! And with great audio to top it all off! You’re taking these videos to the next level! Much respect for all you do!!

[@dreonthekeys88]

Where can I get one of those 60bpm shirts

[@bounderby99]

My philosophy about this question is that there are things that are “advanced,” but there is nothing that is truly “beginner.” There is always room to work on the fundamentals, and the more advanced you are, the more you get out of those fundamentals.

[@bobreynolds]

100%

[@pastrocchio]

Truth has been spoken

[@63Baggies]

Not music related, but the great golfer Jack Nicklaus would say the same thing to his teaching pro Jackie Burke at the beginning of every season. "Consider me a beginner, please teach me" He won 117 tournaments that include a record 18 majors. Nuff said?

[@bobreynolds]

@@63Baggies love that! good process is good process

[@aqualili]

yeah you can take a basic major scale theoretically anywhere. the question is at what point is it going into absurdity.

[@MisterstereoOso]

Bob is definitely the best educator on You tube, we are truly blessed with his passion, clarity, musical intelligence & above all his generosity ❤🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@beckyn9338]

I have probably commented on this video before, but I keep coming back here. I have watched many times. I have shared this video and told people about this video numerous times since I first saw it. Why? Because I have personally gained so much from this practice!! When I played in high school and college, I was a dumb kid and short cut everything. I played everything just enough to get by. I was a decent player, thanks to a bit of natural ability, but I was never really great. I may be too old to ever be really great, as time grows shorter every day, but as I do and learn things the right way now, and see/feel the benefits, I enjoy playing so much more! Thanks for sharing this and all your wisdom, Bob!

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

As a drummer who switched to sax, one tip: don't always use 60bpm. Vary between 57 and 63 so that you don't calibrate your inner clock too closely to a single tempo.

[@bobreynolds]

Good tip

[@PabloVestory]

In the same vein, i frecuently use a metronome app with randomizer, if it gives you a tempo too fast or too slow just subdivide it. (and another one, or better analogically 12 old cards to randomize the 12 keys too, lol)

[@mrmills7]

Thanks Bob, excellent as usual.

[@JensLarsen]

Always good advice and food for thought! Thank you 🙂

[@StephenB_LE9]

The message of Slow, Straight, and Slurred, is one of the nuggets that has helped my progress in getting a better time-feel, and hence being able to play tunes in time. Many thanks to Bob’s monthly work-sheets!

[@SaxPracticemanJazz]

英語は、苦手ですが何となく話していることは理解できます。テンポを遅くして、まずはゆっくり練習。それから、徐々にテンポを上げる。音源を使って、スウィングで練習する。練習あるのみですね。 プロとアマチュアの違いは、やはりリズムなのでしょう。 勉強になります。 Practice practice practice....

[@georgehiggins1320]

I really like short 5-15 second ideas that can be looped over and over but are rooted in fundamentals. Getting lost in the repetition is a super cool experience and it makes you notice more about what it is that you're actually doing.

[@mileswhite4329]

Awesome. Jazz saxophone technique as a spiritual practice of self mastery.

[@Northernbreed1738]

Kind of speechless as to to clarity and focus of this important aspect of being a musician. Thanks, Bob. Excellent message.

[@musicman3569]

Thanks for emphasizing this, Bob, for people like me it really helps with the encouragement side of things to see that even pros like yourself still do these sort of things. I would call myself "the high end of intermediate" and have been working on getting my speed up and it is often frustrating to see all the videos of everybody only playing these riffs/songs at 240bpm+ and feeling like you must be really bad to not be able to do that. It's normal for content producers to want to "sanitize" what they post to only their best work or show things they are very comfortable with doing, so I appreciate the honesty and openness. Once I "gave myself permission" to just play songs at a comfortable speed for longer periods of time (even if it is super slow) it is just like you said, I'm not practicing mistakes and the cognitive load is so much lower that I instantly was able to focus on clean finger movement and better style/tone. I've learned to really enjoy the extra style I can add when going slow and have fun with that aspect of it. I didn't push myself to get the speed up at all for a good couple weeks and with that comfort I could actually feel when my brain was naturally ready and wanted to speed up because I was so comfortable that it had all become subconscious. Cheers!

[@bobreynolds]

Love this! 👏

[@skullbonefortnitefilms4156]

Thank you for creating these videos. I'm a 70 yr beginner who enjoys your videos and music. Looking forward to seeing you and the band in Manchester, England, later this year.

[@MisterstereoOso]

Same here, 78, never too late 🇬🇧👍

[@DNS0875]

Thank you for this elaboration. I’ve been somewhat embarrassed by studying everything that way (tenor and soprano) because it’s what works for me. It also keeps me focused and driven. It’s a relief to learn that this technique actually is super legit. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@bobreynolds]

Don’t be embarrassed. Be proud!

[@joshuaskaja7873]

Just like the third time you watch this excellent video, you notice new things... like a copy of Austin Kleon's Show Your Work on Bob's desk. 😎

[@bobreynolds]

👍🏻

[@kevinAuguillard]

Maybe one day I’ll be able to play like you. Just picked up a soprano saxophone early this year and started to practice in June. It’s been quite a journey. Thanks for giving me some ideas for practicing.

[@diegojorge9659]

This video is gold, thanks a lot.

[@drprodukcija2386]

That's so true. Everything needs to be practiced at a super slow tempo. Great lesson even Eddie Daniles talks about it a whole lot. GJ! Cheers! 💪🎷

[@XB29SP]

Went back to this video. Slowing things down exposes my crap! Been using drum tracks instead of metro, but after getting something down at a certain speed, I then slow down the track and hear how sloppy I am. Maybe it's me wanting to get on down the road with what I'm playing, but it takes real effort to slow it down and work on clean execution. Playing a line with long and short note values, then short and long values seems to even things out when I return to the line playing straight note values too. Did I make any sense there? Rhythmically?

[@KFF-k2i]

I really really missed your vlogs,such an inspiration to practice again and again

[@trpdelhi]

Thanks for this, been a fan for almost half a decade now. Also, the phrase sounds similar to one of Chopin's nocturnes in Bflat minor 🙌.

[@koho]

This is great. Whenever I do this sort of thing on guitar I am humbled. And my timing immediately improves. (Thank you Bob for these offerings. They are precious pearls dropped from the top of the mountain.)

[@velvetknight780]

I just did what you advised on a double time section in a piece I have been working, it came out great. I have had issues with double time and using the metronome. I will continue to use your method. Thanks Bob. Hope to see you perform soon.

[@velvetknight780]

Now it’s been a week. I have used the metronome and noticed all my time is more consistent. I’ll keep working with this. Thanks Bob.

[@bob_dubois]

it is so great to hear you - as a very much accomplished musician - talk about how you practice in order to improve. Not only are the techniques you mention so helpful, but also your entire attitude helps any musician understand there's no end goal to this journey!

[@ging3rH3ndrix]

Bob! Great to hear from you dude

[@andreas7149]

Great advice, and as always you sound great too!

[@ianleemusic]

Thank you, this is great!

[@musicmanson]

Thank you Bob! This is amazing

[@michaelford8986]

Great video, as ever, Bob. I always say to my students that getting something right (and safe / secure) is only a mater of A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CORRECT REPETITIONS: Totally agree that the HOW is much more important than the WHAT when it comes to practice! (excuse the capitals - couldn't find any other way to emphasise the words!)

[@DinoSoldo]

A very precise answer to “what should I practice?”. If we find ourselves asking this we know we’re not listening intently. Awesome video. I’m looking forward to the next one.

[@darleyramos7918]

Top dmais quero fz aula com vc

[@crackyflipside]

Love this. Kind of stumbled on this pattern too with pentatonic scales. Working long tones, I get bored and start slurring through the pentatonic notes above and below the long tone note. Quarter, eighth, and sixteenth, but for now mostly eighth notes haha Been helping my dexterity and hesitation at letting notes flow in time without choking on mistakes.

[@koho]

Is it wrong that I trust this man more because behind him there is a whiteboard with various colored post it notes?

[@bobreynolds]

not at all lol

[@jazzbrew68]

So many good things are shared in this one and reinforces what I've been working on. Both you and Janek Gwizdala have stressed the importance of repetition. When two of my favorite musicians say the same thing -- I pay attention! I also like what you said about paying attention (being mindful) during practice. Every exercise gives us the opportunity to address many things IF we pay attention. Thanks Bob. Great to see you - you've been missed.

[@nickpilgrim1966]

Great Bob. Getting the time feel is the biggest challenge to sounding good. Thx for sharing this approach.

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Very good Bob. 60 bpm method is working well for me. After I feel good at 60 I bump up to 65, to 70 and keep going until I reach a set goal. Always start slow before moving on. Great stuff man. Thank you

[@bobreynolds]

👍🏻 try the opposite, too: when you have it at 60, work your way down to 30

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

@@bobreynolds I will Bob. Thanks....

[@Osnosis]

@@jacquelamontharenberg And even harder: try putting the click on 1, then only 2, then only 3, etc. Really firms up your internal time.

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

@@Osnosis will do... thank you...

[@es9466]

He returns

[@allrockirwin23]

Big Lebowski is truly a film where you always find something new no matter how many times you watch it. Thanks Bob amazing lesson. This aggression will not stand man.

[@bobreynolds]

Totally! note the date on his check

[@NathanSMadsen]

Your tone is just KILLER Bob! Love it!

[@24acresofparadise]

Great ideas!

[@drewjones2012]

I'm a lapsed guitarist who took up competitive gaming. I always find helpful parallels between the practice you explain and my efforts to build muscle memory outside of music. Thanks for another great vid

[@cjfl1962]

Hello Bob, what mouthpiece, reed and ligature are you using?

[@jordandukemusic]

You’re the man! Love your videos. I’m always thinking those sixteenth notes for subdivision even if I’m playing quarter, half, or whole notes.

[@williamyoung3070]

60 BPM is the one practice tempo I avoid. My resting pulse rate is usually around 60 and after listening to the ticking of clocks for decades, I figure I should have that tempo internalized by now. You can tell when things in everyday life are slightly faster or slower than 60 BPM - like various versions of the Final Jeopardy theme music. You can get a feel for blocks of time based on 60 BPM without counting or hearing a click, like one minute of microwaving or five minutes of tea brewing. It's not something to shed, just an awareness that you're continually developing the ability to feel a 60 BPM tempo in various ways.

[@bobreynolds]

This is not about getting a feel for a tempo. It's (among other things) an exercise in mastering the space *between* the clicks so that you can eventually deliver quarter notes with the click so precisely that the click disappears. (very challenging)

[@tommydoggettsaxophone]

In one of your VLOGs or maybe it was in the Studio, you talked about a book of musical quotes…something like Musicians talking about Music. There was a quote by a piano teacher who’s advice was “take the part of the song you perceive to be difficult and make it easy.” That’s what I tell my students and that’s exactly what you’re saying here. Nothing is really beginner or advanced if you truly break it down to its smallest chunk. And because you break that awesome lick down, I’ll be learning it this weekend. Ha! Take care.

[@keesauto]

The Dude minds man...

[@oooooo-cs6nj]

Genial Master bendiciones 🙏

[@nobodyofconsequence9930]

Wow !

[@Edgarromero94]

Thank you so much Bob, where can I get a drum loop like that??

[@bobreynolds]

drum genius app

[@marcellonoia9418]

Wonderful piece of solo on There will never be!

Awesome insight Bob! Many thanks

[@owentemplin3372]

These videos get me out of so many practice ruts I get in. Good stuff man.

[@patrickolugbemiro9377]

Bob, every time I watch your videos, you remind me of the little things I miss and enjoy about the sax! Thank you!

[@rickgraham786]

Excellent info Bob. #60 BPM

[@johnkremastos5713]

Hello Bob once again a very helpful piece of info ,I am in Australia,I have had an 8 year break from playing,I have found this lesson very helpful,especially when coming from a long break,thank you so much for the material 🙏

[@matthew1040]

Bob, do you have pdf of what you played at the end of this video? Great stuff. Thanks.

[@Kridesaxguy]

super Bob

[@williesordillo8621]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@soulfred]

Thanks.

[@bobblues1158]

AMEN!

[@operationblackout1095]

Hey Bob, when your using headphones. How do you hear your instrument?

[@willstonier5895]

Great video Bob! I really like the drum loop, is there anywhere we can download them?

[@bobreynolds]

Check out the Drum Genius app

[@Asa_Morris]

Heya Bobathon, just jumped onto the list for your virtual studio. The confirmation email and your website say the next opening is June 2021 : ) Any idea when it'll be open next, or is that still beyond the fog of war? Amped nonetheless! Also, hope your upcoming Europe tour is without a hitch, and fulfilling!

[@bobreynolds]

Whoops! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Will reopen later this month (September). bobreynoldsmusic.com/studio

[@frinaanting]

Awesome as always! And was that a Seinfeld reference at 3’15” … ;)

[@jonahwalt]

This video is so great! Do you have a specific swing loop that you play to, or do you just pull one up on KZbin?

[@bobreynolds]

Drum genius app

[@racehoglund7251]

Haha that’s funny, I always mix up There is No Greater Love and There Will Never be Another You too

[@gonzaloottonelli5572]

Yay! Big Lebowski, my favourite film! What haven't you noticed the first time? The tiny tip or the milk on his moustache? haha or is it the phrase?

[@ChristophEisinger]

11:34: "I just try to go slow" -> Plays super fast

[@maurell-webb820]

What drum loop and metronome apps are you using?

[@bobreynolds]

Drum genius and tempo

[@bryanleighton8509]

What neck strap?

[@bobreynolds]

Dejaques

[@NoahHornberger]

playing slow shows you the areas where you are focusing on something else other than the music

[@jackjackdaw5065]

The Dude abides.

[@noahesills]

Am I tripping or did you rearrange your studio??

[@bobreynolds]

You’re not tripping

[@saxiroth6647]

Press thumbs up if you received your practice fuel for the week

[@kasperkat454]

Thumbs up if you skipped practice to watch this now instead of later xD

[@espr7564]

This guy just talks in circles, never finishes a sentence 😱

[@bobreynolds]

⭕️🟣🟡⭕️🔘☺️

[@Osnosis]

@@bobreynolds Definitely: Bob is so tongue-tied you'd think he's Donald Chrump. In truth, Bob is one of the most articulate and focused teachers in all of jazz.

[@odycmboden3580]

Oh yeah, bro you can’t play the root beer rag!

[@63Baggies]

Tone....

[@2D2Productions]

Great lesson! Thank you.