http://www.nicklayton.com
Practice routine?
Hey just wondering what kind of practice routine people use. Has anyone found a routine that gives them great results?
# 1
The first thing I play is scales, to warm my fingers up. I play the composite box blues scale up the fretboard from Ab, the minor scale from G, the major scale from G, a middle eastern box scale from Ab, and one of my teacher's jazz scales from G. Then, while the scalar structures are fresh in my head, I'll do some lead jamming, either with one of my jam CDs, one of the free jams on GT, or just with a drum machine. After that, I'll mess around with some basic chord progressions, to get into chordal thinking mode, and finally, work on the songs that I'm learning or composing.
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong
If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.
l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong
If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.
l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
# 2
As far as a regulated practice schedule, I've never had one. I just leave the guitar out, ready to go, and treat it like another form of entertainment like video games or watching tv. I figure as long as I enjoy doing it, I'll just naturally learn stuff.
# 3
Originally Posted by: schmangeAs far as a regulated practice schedule, I've never had one. I just leave the guitar out, ready to go, and treat it like another form of entertainment like video games or watching tv. I figure as long as I enjoy doing it, I'll just naturally learn stuff.
That's exactly the way I do it too. The only practice exercises I ever do are sweep picking arpeggios - if I'm about to play a lot of them and alternate picking 1,2,3 & 1,2,3,4. I always found having a "regime" took the fun out of playing the guitar, which is what it's all about for me.
# 4
Yeah, I think a big key is surrounding yourself with music/techniques/books that inspire you.
http://www.nicklayton.com
# 5
Exactly Nick. One thing every guitar player should have is a guitar one subscription. It's great. Every issue has lessons with pros, great articles, tabs, and 4-6 tabbed songs with explanations of how to play them. It's been my #1 teacher.
For life is quite absurd and death's the final word, You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
METOOB
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
METOOB
# 6
It is true that playing the same scales over and over again can get tedious but there are exceptions. There are two ways to practice. One is where you pick up your guitar and just play along with a song that entices you to use your established skills... ie, alternate picking, sweeps, arpegggios etc. Your not trying to play the song exactly or the solo. Merely hanging with it, doing your own version within the context of the key and using it as a background. But, there is a time when you have to sit down, turn off the music and concentrate on a very specific technique that you are trying to perfect like alternates or sweeps, string skipping etc. This will require strict discipline and hours of work. It is a necessary evil required to advance your skill.
# 7
Yeah, I think as you decide on what it is you want to practice it really should reflect your goals as a musician.
For example, if you want to be a virtuoso neo-classical player you'd definitely need many hours of disciplined technique work.
For example, if you want to be a virtuoso neo-classical player you'd definitely need many hours of disciplined technique work.
http://www.nicklayton.com
# 8
# 9
Finding your own routine really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Whatever you feel is best...however definetely warm up and warm down!
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