How to practice tunes

Hi guys here is a schedule that you can follow for practising tunes in a proficient way.
I’ve lost and i’m still loosing a tot of time playing around with the instrument but not really studing and fixing anything in my brain so i wrote down this practicing routine. I tested it and it works really good with me… I hope it will work also for you.

HOW TO STUDY TUNES

1. Choose tunes that you like
2. Listen to different famous versions of the tune (youtube, spotify, Cds, etc…)
3. Correct chords and melody notes from the real book version you have print (a lot of times they are wrong).
4. choose the and write down some of the substitutions or alternative chord sequences that you like most from the version you listened to.

practice always with the METRONOME and RECORD Yourself!!

PRACTICE THE MELODY

5. Practice just the melody and write down the stiking you want to use (try out different versions because the sticking change the phrasing). Once you find the best sticking, stick with it for the rest of your life!!!
6. Sing melody (the exact pitches!!) and root of the chords.
7. Play melody and bass simultaneously.
8. Play melody and 3-7 of the chords.
9. Practice the melody and the chords slowly in 3-4 different keys in order to understand the intervals of the theme and the chord progression.
10. Memorize melody and chords.
11. Arrange your own version and write it down!!!

PRACTICE SOLO AND COMPING
1. create a play along of the solo form with logic or garage band just with a simple bass line and drums and then loop it (it takes 5 min cause the drum is a loop and play a simple bass line is easy with a midi keyboard). Otherwise you can use Aebersold/I Real/Band in a box.
2. Write down some two notes voicings for the left hand that you will use for comping yourself and stick with them when you practice the solo.
3. Write down 2 chorus of possible chord progression for comping another soloist:
- try to connect chord with common note,
- use open and close voicings
- find a good voice leading

At the beginning stick with the chords that you wrote!!! Play them always on the first bit of the measure (1-3 if there’s two chords). It seems stupid but in fact it is really diffcoult.
4. Record a solo with the play along (just bass and drums) then play it back and comp yourself : you’ll understand a lot of what you play and how’s your time fell!!!

At the and of the practice session record a version of the tune (Melody, Solo, and Comp): tomorrow you will hear it and you will start practice JUST the things that where not good.

For me the writing process is a part of my practicing 'cause i’ve notice that if I write down chords, melodies, my own version etc… I learn the stuff I’m practicing quicker.

Of course when I perform then I forget what I wrote and I improvise freely…

Remember that performing and practicing are two different moments.
When you practice you judge yourself…when you play you just have to enjoy what you play!!! Of course I still working on it=)

Let me know what you think about it.
Best
Giovanni Perin