Physical Practice Journal

Can anyone recommend a physical practice journal? I spend all day on my computer and prefer to write on paper.

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Really any journal should do the trick. I don’t think there are any specifically tailored for music practice. You will need to develop your own template(s), but that’s also nice :smile:
If you want it a bit more “fancy”, try the ReMarkable Paper Pro:

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I don’t use a practice journal but I do like to take notes on paper. When I do, I use these, they’re 5X8 so nice and small and they’ve got a built in bookmark.

Personally, I prefer dot grid paper to all the other formats, but, as always, YMMV :smile:

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I write the date on my bass buzz 3mo plan. It’s becoming a 6mo plan but at least I’m practicing almost every day even if the course has taken a little bit of a back seat.

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I just love journals.
I use any and all for practice notes.

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There are actually a good number of them, several purpose-built for bassists. Do a search for “bass practice journal” on Amazon and you’ll be treated to a plethora of options, one or more of which may work for you. I’ve never used one of these, but I have heard good things about the one from Dan Hawkins.

If you don’t like Amazon, a local music store that deals with school band instruments is likely to have journals for students to use, and that’d likely be another good option for you.

A third possibility is to adapt a workout journal. Gym visits and music practice have much in common, with a big one being consistency is the key to progress. Workout journals usually have spaces for what you did a particular day, what your goals are for the coming days / weeks / year, etc. It might look funny recording your scale practice under “sets and reps”, but in a way it kinda fits.

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I truly love just good old Moleskines. Then again work usually buys them which is good because they are really expensive for a notebook.

I actually prefer graph paper though.

I love this thing.
I use it for everything.
Game changer.

Even have sheet music loaded up on it.

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I bought my wife one last Xmas. She loves it. I prefer using my 13" ipad with a removable textured screen covering and Goodnotes.

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This is my idea of a minimalist journal

A calendar. You press on the day and it lights up, everyday I practice I get a light. And I can see at a glance if I’m slacking.

I could not do a journal.

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If you like Moleskine (I myself used them for years), check out Leuchtturm1917. Similar concept, better quality.

Notebooks - LEUCHTTURM1917?

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And they come in dot grid.

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I’m so bad at journals, but I do recommend a good training routine, it has really helped me lately. I cannot imagine not doing this before I start working on songs:
Chromatic runs for 8 mins using 1 finger per fret, with metronome. Increase speed every 2-3 weeks.
Fretting hand speed exercises for 10 mins, also with metronome.
Circle of 4ths intervals in 3 positions.
Circle of 4ths starting on third note, playing it as triads. Last two exercises are for more fretboard knowledge.

This has really become a habit and only one day where I did not have time to practice properly, did I play without doing these exercises. It felt so wrong.

Getting a solid practice routine is so amazing. Get to it!

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Ooh those look nice and are actually cheaper too.

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I know it’s in German but I bought this:

If you want to design or DIY your own journal, this could be fun to look at. It has a playful vibe and I think I’ll gift it to my friend’s kids.

It says:
Weekday - total time

  • What did you practice? :eyeglasses:
  • What’s going particularly well? :+1:
  • Are there questions or problems? :-1:
  • How long have you practiced? :clock1:
  • Assess your progress: :slightly_smiling_face: :neutral_face: :slightly_frowning_face:

Cheers,
Antonio

Dropping this link here for easy reference again in the future…thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Bass-Guitar-Practice-Journal-Musical/dp/B08WZL1PKT#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

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I just spent way too long on the Leuchtturm1917 page :rofl:

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Ooh, maybe we should make one that is like a kids advent calendar. Every time you practice you get a piece of chocolate…

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Is this an app or an actual calendar?