Focus

[zuzu]

Do you have a time of day that seems easiest to focus? On music in particular? First thing in the morning is best for me. First thing...I mean, pee, coffee, roll tape. Recording, writing, or playing, I will normally get the best stuff I will do within the first hour, maybe the first 10 minutes, of waking up in the morning.

How about you? Do you find some particular time of day, or perhaps I should say, the routine associated with a particular time of day, more conducive to creativity than others?

[mr. beaumont]

Your post title made me think of Hocus Pocus, so instead of replying to your post like I intended, I'm now listening to and trying to figure out the yodeling part on guitar. So apparently it's not the morning for me

I have a rather lucid half hour every afternoon, after my last class leaves for the day...I reflect on what went well and what didn't, and usually play a little guitar as well. I think it's the most focused I am all day. For an adult with ADD, I'll take it.

[Bluenose]

My brain, in fact my entire body seems to work better in the morning provided I had a decent nights sleep so that's when I try learn to play new, interesting things I've gleaned from Y/T. Later in the day I may play things I know but with the intention of smoothing out the rough parts.

[Glennwillow]

I am a morning person. I have always done best in the morning, just like you.

- Glenn

[Mr. Jelly]

Mid-morning, second cup is my enjoyment time to play. I may or may not chose to focus. If I plan on focusing on something I pick when I want to do it and the I do it. That can be any time of the day.

[Bob Womack]

Morning recording sessions, please.

Bob

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by zuzu

Do you have a time of day that seems easiest to focus? On music in particular? First thing in the morning is best for me. First thing...I mean, pee, coffee, roll tape. Recording, writing, or playing, I will normally get the best stuff I will do within the first hour, maybe the first 10 minutes, of waking up in the morning.

How about you? Do you find some particular time of day, or perhaps I should say, the routine associated with a particular time of day, more conducive to creativity than others?

Hi zuzu…
I used to think it was morning, but at age 75 (with naps now an enjoyable part of my life), I'd say after sleep.

If I catch even a 'cat nap' of an hour or so during mid-afternoon before an evening time of playing, I'm more focused.

[zuzu]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Morning recording sessions, please.

Bob

YES!!! But you and I are among the very few, it seems...

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Your post title made me think of Hocus Pocus, so instead of replying to your post like I intended, I'm now listening to and trying to figure out the yodeling part on guitar. So apparently it's not the morning for me

This is why I don't practice enough! "Focus?" I immediately went down the the same rabbit hole, yodeling in my mind.

Seriously, my mental wiring allows me to get in the zone and focus on something fairly well. The problem is taking the fist step to engage that gear and get things rolling. With me, instead of practice it might be composing, or mixing, or reading poetry anthologies looking for an interesting lyric.

[TBman]

Generally around 8:00pm - 10:00 pm which is usually my "guitar time." Now that I'm fully retired I will sneak a practice session or two in during the day as well.

[Deliberate1]

I play 1-3 hours a day, and at all times throughout the day. Personally, I do not notice much difference in my physical, cognitive or emotional quotient between the morning and afternoon.

But, often, my greatest playing pleasure happens when I pick up a guitar after 9:30pm. I love playing at the end of the day. Often, it is not so much "playing" as just exploring. Just five years in, I am very much in the discovery stage. Like, I will play a triad, and then figure out where the same chord exists elsewhere. Or play a diminished or 7th chord and then try different positions to see how it can be resolved. Or just play a random collection of notes to see what they sound like together. Coming from a lifetime of one dimensional horns, the multi-dimensionality of the guitar is a mystery and marvel to me. And my brain and even my ears seem most open and receptive to that wanderlust at night, before bed. I know that I am done when Rusty, our trusty Aussie, comes over and boops/nibbles my right hand, as if to say, "time for bed, Django."
Good dog.

David

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by zuzu

YES!!! But you and I are among the very few, it seems...

I do all my recording in the mornings, too.

- Glenn

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi zuzu…
I used to think it was morning, but at age 75 (with naps now an enjoyable part of my life), I'd say after sleep.

If I catch even a 'cat nap' of an hour or so during mid-afternoon before an evening time of playing, I'm more focused.

I have also found that after a nap these days (I just turned 76) that I do well in the my studio.

- Glenn

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by zuzu

YES!!! But you and I are among the very few, it seems...

A lot of my work is for scoring sessions and the corporate types keep banker's hours!

Bob

[Dave Hicks]

Right after breakfast and just before second breakfast.

D.H.