{"id":13253,"date":"2023-06-16T18:40:58","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T22:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/audioapartment.com\/?p=13253"},"modified":"2023-06-16T18:59:36","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T22:59:36","slug":"what-is-woodshedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audioapartment.com\/techniques-and-performance\/what-is-woodshedding\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Woodshedding? Mastering the Art of Focused Music Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever heard of the term ‘woodshedding’? No, it’s not about building a shed in your backyard to store your old drum kits<\/a>. In a way, it is about creating space – space to grow, to learn, and to find your unique musical vibe. My buddy and I were just talking about this, how it seems like the art of woodshedding’s taken a backseat these days. Many newbies hitting the live scene, don’t bring that polished vibe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or worse, they lean heavily on tech to patch up their performance shortcomings. But let’s be honest here, all the auto-tune and effects<\/a> in the world can’t disguise the gaps. The crowd can tell the difference. They don’t vibe the same way they would with a performer who’s truly honed their craft. And serious music heads, the real pros, know the true power of woodshedding. So what exactly is woodshedding?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is woodshedding?<\/strong> Woodshedding in music refers to the dedicated and focused practice of a musical instrument or technique in isolation, typically done in a private and uninterrupted setting like a woodshed (hence the term).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is woodshedding in music?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Woodshedding is that deep dive into practicing your instrument.<\/strong> It’s the committed musician’s way of getting all up in their craft, stripping it down to the core, and working out all the kinks. When you’re woodshedding, it’s just you, your music, and a whole lot of focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine a guitarist, right? She’s working on this killer solo, but there’s a section that’s giving her a tough time. She doesn’t just breeze through it, nah, she zooms in. She dissects that tricky section, note by note, riff by riff, until she’s got it nailed. She’s in her own world, her own musical woodshed, chiseling away at the rough edges till she shapes them into a smooth groove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And hey, it’s not just me who’s big on woodshedding. Top musicians across the globe swear by it. Take John Coltrane, a legend of the saxophone<\/a>. The dude was known for his insane woodshedding sessions. He’d practice for hours on end, exploring scales and patterns until he could play ’em inside out, upside down, and every way in between. That’s the power of woodshedding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first encounter with woodshedding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let’s rewind to my early days as a budding musician. Picture this – me, a shiny new electric guitar in hand, full of dreams and rock n’ roll. There was this particular song I was head over heels for and my goal was to play that song and make my guitar sing those very same notes. But there was this crazy-fast riff right in the middle that seemed like an insurmountable wall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t nail it. Then, a more seasoned musician buddy of mine introduced me to woodshedding<\/strong>. “Isolate that riff,” he said, “Work on it, bit by bit, till you get it right.<\/em>” So that’s what I did. I retreated into my own musical cocoon, me, my guitar, and that elusive riff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I worked on each note, each transition, and each tiny movement of my fingers. And one day, out of the blue, I got it. I played the riff, start to finish, with no stumbles. I had climbed that wall. That’s woodshedding for you, folks – it’s tough, it’s demanding, but oh boy, the feeling when you finally get it right? Pure magic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is woodshedding important for musicians?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Woodshedding isn’t just about mastering the technical aspects of a musical piece; it’s about tapping into the emotional core of the music <\/strong>and delivering a performance that resonates with listeners. Through intense and focused practice, woodshedding allows musicians to connect with their audience on a profound level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle memory frees up mental space, allowing performers to focus on expression and emotion rather than getting caught up in technicalities.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When musicians commit to a piece of music, something magical happens. Muscle memory frees up mental space, allowing performers to focus on expression and emotion rather than getting caught up in technicalities. With each note flowing effortlessly, they create an immersive experience for their audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music has the power to tell stories and evoke emotions. Through woodshedding, musicians refine their ability to communicate and deliver a captivating narrative. They learn to breathe life into the music, weaving tales<\/strong> with their instruments or voices, leaving the audience mesmerized and captivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you make the most out of your woodshedding sessions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taking woodshedding seriously means treating it as a deliberate and focused endeavor. By setting goals, creating an optimal practice environment, utilizing deliberate practice techniques, and leveraging helpful tools, you can make the most of your woodshedding sessions and accelerate your growth as a musician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image of a guitarist playing an electric guitar while sitting on a bed. Source: unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n