How can I improve my in game basketball shooting? I have a pretty good shot when I'm just shooting around, but it drastically falls off in in-game situations. How can I practice in-game shooting when I mostly practice by myself?
posted by ben5757 on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Some interesting music to learn to play on the chromatic a. Accordion? I've started with fiddling around with chord combinations, "He's a Pirate", "La Valise de Amelie" and playing some pentatonic improv stuff. And a little bit of reggae. I'd like some suggestions for pieces to learn that will help with technique - left hand fingering and two handed playing. [more inside]
posted by singingfish on Nov 8, 2009 - 0 answers

Where in Portland, OR might I go to practice piano...for free/cheap?? [more inside]
posted by Lutoslawski on Nov 4, 2009 - 9 answers

How do I start marketing a dentist? [more inside]
posted by beingresourceful on Oct 13, 2009 - 14 answers

Please help me fill up my time. I am a psychologist in private practice, and thanks to the recession, I have multiple times during the week with nothing to do--this is a new experience for me, and aside from the anxiety of not working as much as I need to, I am also bored to tears. Unfortunately, it is an hour here and an hour there--never any good block of time, and although in the future I may have to rearrange my schedule and put all my hours together, at the moment I am trying to maintain hope that I will be able to fill those hours with new patients. I am sick of surfing the internet, going for walks, updating patient files, and reading whatever (professional literature, novels). Any suggestions, Mefites, for how I can spend my time more productively, or at least entertainingly?
posted by chaoscutie on Oct 8, 2009 - 21 answers

You play the piano fairly well, you've had lessons, you enjoy it and when I tell you that I'm learning the piano you tell me that looking back on all the years of lessons and practice, the one thing that helped you the most of all was ________, and the thing that you felt was a biggest waste of your time was ________. [more inside]
posted by HopStopDon'tShop on Aug 27, 2009 - 18 answers

Is there anywhere in the DC area I, being relatively broke, could practice on a real piano? [more inside]
posted by phrontist on Aug 21, 2009 - 7 answers

I liked piano at first, but under the stress of preparing a huge portfolio for college, it's quickly replaced by resentment and boredom. More inside. [more inside]
posted by Yasuo on Aug 2, 2009 - 7 answers

How do Olympic gymnasts (and other gymnasts at the elite level) train for their routines? Do they break their choreography into segments? Is there a set, systematic schedule or program used across the sport? A way to measure their progress? How might this compare (or apply) to the way a musician might prepare for an audition or a competition? [more inside]
posted by Busoni on Jul 30, 2009 - 4 answers

What are some good movies that are entirely or mostly in Spanish? [more inside]
posted by swellingitchingbrain on May 28, 2009 - 40 answers

I kinda feel like rounding up a couple of rubber practice knives and coating the edges in lipstick and having some simulated knife fights just for kicks. [more inside]
posted by GleepGlop on May 26, 2009 - 18 answers

I just graduated from law school on Sunday. I want to open my own law firm and practice criminal law after I pass the Oregon bar. But how can I get up to speed fast enough that I don't give my new clients poor legal services? [more inside]
posted by Happydaz on May 21, 2009 - 16 answers

How do bands in cities practice? I've got the band, I need the space. [more inside]
posted by tmcw on May 20, 2009 - 22 answers

Japanese conversation practice with a native speaker in the Portland, OR area (or maybe Skype)? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on May 19, 2009 - 6 answers

When I practice my shakuhachi (bamboo flute) I'm usually easily distracted, unfocussed, and lacking energy. However, I have excellent practice after orgasm. How can I replicate this without having sex with my wife before each practice/performance? [more inside]
posted by zachawry on Apr 14, 2009 - 12 answers

I need some advice on how to do better on reading comprehension questions in the verbal section of the GRE. [more inside]
posted by SpacemanStix on Mar 24, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I avoid annoying the neighbors while I practice a musical instrument? [more inside]
posted by realpseudonym on Feb 15, 2009 - 25 answers

Who was the comic book artist who improved his hand-drawing skills to mastery? [more inside]
posted by lore on Jan 29, 2009 - 6 answers

ESL-filter: Where can a fairly advanced ESL student practice her English for free? [more inside]
posted by ambrosia on Jan 25, 2009 - 5 answers

What books should I buy while applying to law school? I want to decide which school and area of concentration are best for me, and learn more about the law school experience as well. [more inside]
posted by xanthippe on Jan 6, 2009 - 22 answers

How do I learn to write crisp, short and in-depth memos? [more inside]
posted by l33tpolicywonk on Dec 18, 2008 - 14 answers

I have been learning to swing dance for almost a year now, and I have enjoyed it very much. However, I will soon be traveling for an extended period of time (over six months), and will not be able to continue with my classes or lessons during that time. What can I do to keep my skills from atrophying while I am away? [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek on Oct 18, 2008 - 6 answers

How do I establish a regular meditation routine? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Oct 3, 2008 - 15 answers

I am a clinical social worker looking to start a private practice. Are there any good books that cover the basics on how to do this? if you are in private practice, how did you start? What are the main things I should know? Is it possible to make a living doing this? Should managed care be avoided? [more inside]
posted by marlys27 on Aug 24, 2008 - 4 answers

How do I practice law...without a law degree? (WAY more inside...sorry) [more inside]
posted by hal_c_on on Aug 7, 2008 - 13 answers

Is there such a thing as a rubber balisong or butterfly knife? What I'm wanting is a balisong that has the approximate heft expected, so it can be tricked with a bit, just without all of the potential for profuse bleeding. [more inside]
posted by grabbingsand on Jul 27, 2008 - 11 answers

How can I learn to apply theories and concepts that I learn to real-world situations? [more inside]
posted by AvailableName on Jul 10, 2008 - 6 answers

How should I go about learning to play the Octave Mandolin? [more inside]
posted by mjewkes on Jul 1, 2008 - 6 answers

Im a Freshman Computer Engin. Major and I want to learn more programming/logic by myself. Any books/Resources/Sample Projects you might recommend? [more inside]
posted by Javed_Ahamed on Apr 24, 2008 - 22 answers

So, this afternoon I am going to pick up my first guitar. What's the best way to get started? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Apr 10, 2008 - 31 answers

Given that I have a somewhat substantial history playing the piano, how difficult would it be to take up lessons for the piano again after years out of practice AND start, for the first time, lessons on the Violin? How beneficial would such "cross training" be? How difficult would it be to find a teacher who could guide me on such a hybrid path? Other Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Apr 8, 2008 - 5 answers

Does anyone know of software that will "listen" to my drum playing via midi and show me where I screwed up? [more inside]
posted by razdrez on Apr 3, 2008 - 9 answers

What are some activities that are like 'going to the gym' for your profession? [more inside]
posted by mullingitover on Mar 27, 2008 - 90 answers

I'd like to learn a new language during my daily commute. What is the best language learning audio cd available? [more inside]
posted by zippity on Mar 25, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for really terrible creative works made by well-regarded artists. For example, Picasso's secret crappy drawings, or John Coltrane playing out of tune. I welcome examples from all creative pursuits from all eras: literature, music, art, dance, theatre, film, architecture, graphic design, etc. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Mar 4, 2008 - 41 answers

When I was an undergrad (the first time) I saw a quote on the door of one of my music professor's doors. The subject had to do with practicing and I swear it used the phrase "On Tackling the Beast". I think the quote was from a book but I can't remember. Sound familiar to anyone?
posted by Silvertree on Feb 29, 2008 - 5 answers

Can I run a criminal law practice out of my apartment? [more inside]
posted by pantheON on Feb 27, 2008 - 23 answers

Help me build a database of math problems to keep my skills sharp. [more inside]
posted by kjackelen05 on Feb 14, 2008 - 9 answers

Any experiences with drum practice pad sets? After moving into a small apartment and considering my options, I've decided to get a practice pad set. These are two sets that I'm considering: Remo and DW. Anyone know anything about these, or others? Thanks!
posted by k7lim on Jan 14, 2008 - 7 answers

Is helping family from New York prepare wills and trusts the "unauthorized practice of law" if I'm an attorney from a different state? [more inside]
posted by pikaboy202 on Dec 6, 2007 - 7 answers

Drummers! Give me some tips on how to practice without a kit at home. [more inside]
posted by hector horace on Oct 25, 2007 - 10 answers

Should I seek an entry level job at a gym as an alternative to a short and brutish legal career? Would it be any better? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 10, 2007 - 6 answers

Help me find guided meditation mp3s. [more inside]
posted by Ash3000 on Sep 4, 2007 - 10 answers

Index card quest! I'm looking for a very particular kind I've seen in the past: a small (smaller than standard 3"-by-5", like 2"-by-1"!), possibly pastel-colored set of cards that come on a single, small binder ring (not spiral-bound!) and are enclosed in a plastic cover (not a fabric one!), almost certainly with a snap. [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Aug 4, 2007 - 12 answers

I've been invited to join a project team to redesign our website, as a technical resource. How best can I help the team ? [more inside]
posted by matholio on May 28, 2007 - 11 answers

I want to learn how to learn more effectively and efficiently. What steps should I take to maximize my ability to master skills and retain information?
posted by TwelveTwo on Feb 24, 2007 - 14 answers

I'm re-teaching myself piano and need suggestions for drills, scales and other practice material. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Feb 15, 2007 - 12 answers

Violin/Musician Filter: Help me whip my fingers into shape! [more inside] [more inside]
posted by mittenedsex on Sep 1, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm a fourteen-year-old cellist and singer who experiences no trepidation in practicing the former—in our finished basement or otherwise—but who is intractably reluctant to practice the latter, either upstairs with the piano or downstairs. This is beginning to present a problem. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 21, 2006 - 19 answers

How can I make my left hand stronger and more limber for piano? [more inside]
posted by baltimore on Aug 20, 2006 - 17 answers