Practice regime advice requested

Greetings, all--new member here, completely blown away by the site. It's wonderful, and has a ton of very, very helpful information!

Anyway--I'm looking for some advice regarding the way I practice. Currently, I'm using an acoustic guitar (yamaha 720); shopping for an electric, but that's turning out to be a rather complex decision making process. I put in anywhere from 30 mins to (sometimes) 2 hours a day, time/energy determined. Usually, this is what I do.

First--warm up/build finger strength by going through the Spider Legs exercises, but on a chromatic scale. This takes around 10-15 minutes.

Second--using a metronome, I go through a couple major/minor scales, using a couple different patterns for each (this is based on the absolute beginner section). Another 10-15 minutes.

I've just started toying around with the barre chords exercises described by Mr. Schlegel in the beginner section--another 10-15 minutes.

For whatever remaining time I have left, I toy around with simple songs that I know, but mostly just in the capacity of playing the basic chords in conjunction with whatever else is going on. Trying to get beyond stuff that just utilizes A/G/D/E/F/C major/minor chords.

Specifically, I'm wondering what I can do to work in new techniques, and which techniques might, as it were, but "next on the front of progression." I've glanced at quite a few of the lessons beyond the "Absolute Beginner" stuff, and quickly became overwhelmed. I fully subscribe to the idea that mastering any of them will be time well spent, regardless of what sort of music I might want to play in the future, I'm just not sure where to go at this point.

Thanks in advance, and thanks for this great site!

M

Hello Mercur,

first off, you've built yourself a very good routine. Good job.

In addition to what you've learned in the beginner's guide, you might want to add some hammer-ons , pull-offs. These are two basic techniques. Once you've practiced these and feel comfortable, take any of the exercises that you were doing previously and try to add hammer-ons and pull-offs. Try the spider exercises with these two techniques :)

The key is to build on what you've learned so far. If you know an exercise in and out, try adding new techniques to it. Mix it up. It's always easier to learn a new techniques while using patterns and exercise you already master.

Good luck, looks like you're doing a fine job with your routine.

Welcome, Mercur.

I really applaud your approach to your practice routine! Most player, imo, lack the discipline you're exhibiting.

I can't really add anything to what Benoit said. But just keep at it. When you're done with the "basic" major and minor chords, then maybe you can add the maj and minor 7ths. And, of course, learn the barred versions of the chords you already know.

I'm a big proponent of practicing on an acoustic; if you can get it down on an acoustic, it will be that much easier on an electric.

Is there any particular problematic area you're specifically encountering at this time? How's your picking? I'm not expecting an instant answer, just tossing something out for you to think about.

The members and instructors here are great, helpful, and most of all very supportive.

It's difficult to give you a straight answer on your question since you didn't say what type of music you're into, state any specific problem you may be encountering.

As to where you are to go to next, I'd say that depends on where you are now. When you're ready, post back on what you're doing and specifically on what you wish to achieve next. I guarantee the members here will be here with plenty of useful suggestions. In the meantime, I'd say keep doing what you're doing, master what you know, and this may help you decide which direction you're going. Welcome to GT!