do you run scales and modes the whole time, say an hour?
do you run scales 15 minutes, chords 15 minutes, improve 15 minutes,
etc etc?
how is your practice time organized?
another 80s metal fan.
practice time.
ok so its practice time. how do you organize your time to get the max out of it?
do you run scales and modes the whole time, say an hour?
do you run scales 15 minutes, chords 15 minutes, improve 15 minutes,
etc etc?
how is your practice time organized?
do you run scales and modes the whole time, say an hour?
do you run scales 15 minutes, chords 15 minutes, improve 15 minutes,
etc etc?
how is your practice time organized?
# 1
Originally Posted by: electric circus
how is your practice time organized?
In the most disorganized possible way.
Carmine
Regards,
cm
# 2
I agree with Carmine, as disorganized as possible
I'm a beginner so I'm doing the Fundamentals 1 course right now
I'll do 15-20 minutes on the four simple chords at the beginning of the course and then 5-10 minutes just strumming and making noise. I try to use those four simple chords in random order to practice chord changes. Sounds like ..... well let's just say it ain't Hendrix or Page, yet :D
Don
I'm a beginner so I'm doing the Fundamentals 1 course right now
I'll do 15-20 minutes on the four simple chords at the beginning of the course and then 5-10 minutes just strumming and making noise. I try to use those four simple chords in random order to practice chord changes. Sounds like ..... well let's just say it ain't Hendrix or Page, yet :D
Don
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. - John Wooden
Reputation is what other perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and nobody truly knows that but you. But you are what matters most. - John Wooden
Reputation is what other perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and nobody truly knows that but you. But you are what matters most. - John Wooden
# 3
ok guys heres the deal.
you have to organize your practice time.
its a must. to get the most out of your time you gotta organize.
lets break down a hour.
15 minutes running 1 maj and 1 min scale to 12th fret and back.
this warms up the hands and fingers and gets the mind ready to focus
on the lesson for the day or the practice.
15 minutes on chords. run through a few progressions smoothy and
cleanly.
15 minutes running scales and modes.
15 minutes towards whatever book you working or if something off this site is
what your doing then work on that. work on theory if you want to.
there, thats a good solid plan for practice.
its organized and easy to keep on track.
ok so now your on day two.
15 minutes running 1 maj and 1 minor scale to the 12th fret.
pick the same 2 as before until you can run them smoothly and cleanly.
say the notes as you go, it helps. then when you have gotten pretty
comfortable, change the scales to 2 new ones, again saying the notes as
you go. or, you can use the same 2 as before, but different fingerings.
15 minutes on chords. again run through a few progressions that you might
already know. this time, try to learn 2 or 3 new ones.
maybe try some jazz chords or classical. learn the notes of each chord,
maybe learn them in different positions.
15 minutes towards your book or website learning.
this is just an idea on how to use your time wisely and get the most of your time. set a game plan and stick to it.
only move on and change to different chords, scales, and modes when your comfortable with what youve been doing.
every 3rd day cut everything back to 10 minutes. in doing so you get
20 minutes to jam out doing what ya want.
discipline yourself, earn that 20 minutes of jam time.
it will feel good when you get it. now dont confuse play time with study
time. they are two different things. it sometimes takes self control and focus
to not run one into another.
you have to organize your practice time.
its a must. to get the most out of your time you gotta organize.
lets break down a hour.
15 minutes running 1 maj and 1 min scale to 12th fret and back.
this warms up the hands and fingers and gets the mind ready to focus
on the lesson for the day or the practice.
15 minutes on chords. run through a few progressions smoothy and
cleanly.
15 minutes running scales and modes.
15 minutes towards whatever book you working or if something off this site is
what your doing then work on that. work on theory if you want to.
there, thats a good solid plan for practice.
its organized and easy to keep on track.
ok so now your on day two.
15 minutes running 1 maj and 1 minor scale to the 12th fret.
pick the same 2 as before until you can run them smoothly and cleanly.
say the notes as you go, it helps. then when you have gotten pretty
comfortable, change the scales to 2 new ones, again saying the notes as
you go. or, you can use the same 2 as before, but different fingerings.
15 minutes on chords. again run through a few progressions that you might
already know. this time, try to learn 2 or 3 new ones.
maybe try some jazz chords or classical. learn the notes of each chord,
maybe learn them in different positions.
15 minutes towards your book or website learning.
this is just an idea on how to use your time wisely and get the most of your time. set a game plan and stick to it.
only move on and change to different chords, scales, and modes when your comfortable with what youve been doing.
every 3rd day cut everything back to 10 minutes. in doing so you get
20 minutes to jam out doing what ya want.
discipline yourself, earn that 20 minutes of jam time.
it will feel good when you get it. now dont confuse play time with study
time. they are two different things. it sometimes takes self control and focus
to not run one into another.
another 80s metal fan.
# 4
# 5
you dont find learning fun, knowing that what your playing makes musical sense?
wouldnt walking up on stage at open mic night and blending in be fun to you?
i guess its just me. knowing what your doing and why it does or doesnt work
is very important. knowing what your doing is very important, if you dont, it will be picked apart by those that do.
there is a big difference between a guitar player and a musician.
walk into any guitar store and you will see guitar players everywhere, all day every day. see how long you set there until you find a musician.
the guitar player knows his licks and chops, even knows a list of songs
that can get him through a couple of sets no problem.
he knows his basic maj and min chords as well as a few scale and mode shapes, just enough to entertain the average listener.
the musician however knows his guitar and how music works.
he knows how to build chords and scales, how they relate, and when to use what. he walks on stage at open mic night and asks for the key and time sig
and the rest comes to him as he goes. the musician knows the form and structure of what hes playing.
the guitar player is usually pretty limited in the big picture,
the musician continues his education every opportunity he has.
with a organized practice plan you will be 10 fold the player or musician.
so ask yourself, are you giving your passion for the guitar 100% ?
are you squeezing every possible opportunity out of your practice time?
everytime you pick up your axe for a hour are you learning something new?
im not talking about a song or a run, im talking about musical knowledge.
wouldnt walking up on stage at open mic night and blending in be fun to you?
i guess its just me. knowing what your doing and why it does or doesnt work
is very important. knowing what your doing is very important, if you dont, it will be picked apart by those that do.
there is a big difference between a guitar player and a musician.
walk into any guitar store and you will see guitar players everywhere, all day every day. see how long you set there until you find a musician.
the guitar player knows his licks and chops, even knows a list of songs
that can get him through a couple of sets no problem.
he knows his basic maj and min chords as well as a few scale and mode shapes, just enough to entertain the average listener.
the musician however knows his guitar and how music works.
he knows how to build chords and scales, how they relate, and when to use what. he walks on stage at open mic night and asks for the key and time sig
and the rest comes to him as he goes. the musician knows the form and structure of what hes playing.
the guitar player is usually pretty limited in the big picture,
the musician continues his education every opportunity he has.
with a organized practice plan you will be 10 fold the player or musician.
so ask yourself, are you giving your passion for the guitar 100% ?
are you squeezing every possible opportunity out of your practice time?
everytime you pick up your axe for a hour are you learning something new?
im not talking about a song or a run, im talking about musical knowledge.
another 80s metal fan.
# 6
# 7
# 8
Kudos to you electric circus! You're absolutely right in what you say. You're obviously very passionate about guitar and that's great.
I don't take it that seriously myself but that's because I'm an older guy. I'm far more organised than some but way short of players who want to do more than me and that's just the way it is.
It's all about a happy medium. Organise and push yourself or you'll never progress but only push yourself as much as you're ambitions require or you'll push too hard and maybe spoil the fun and give up!
I've pulled together a practice 'routine' for myself which I mostly stick to and it changes all the time but at least it provides a structure. Without this structure I'd probably not have made the progress I have in the last year, more progress than I've EVER made and that's thanks to GT and my real desire to improve.
I don't take it that seriously myself but that's because I'm an older guy. I'm far more organised than some but way short of players who want to do more than me and that's just the way it is.
It's all about a happy medium. Organise and push yourself or you'll never progress but only push yourself as much as you're ambitions require or you'll push too hard and maybe spoil the fun and give up!
I've pulled together a practice 'routine' for myself which I mostly stick to and it changes all the time but at least it provides a structure. Without this structure I'd probably not have made the progress I have in the last year, more progress than I've EVER made and that's thanks to GT and my real desire to improve.
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium]Youtube Channel - Jim47ww[/FONT]
# 9
slick
thats what i wanted to hear. you realize the pro's of a good structured
study habit. care to share what it is your doing thats working for you?
thats what i wanted to hear. you realize the pro's of a good structured
study habit. care to share what it is your doing thats working for you?
another 80s metal fan.
# 10
Hi Music Circus,
of course I was using some irony towards myself, I hope you noticed this.
I think the big point is to ask "what are your aims?". After this we can discuss about practice, therefore everyone will be different. When I was studying at university for my PhD I had my schedule to follow and did not have any time left for anything else. Now I really wished that I could have become a musician. Now, after years I just got bored listening to music and decided to play. But with a job, a family and a kid there is no so much time.
Carmine
of course I was using some irony towards myself, I hope you noticed this.
I think the big point is to ask "what are your aims?". After this we can discuss about practice, therefore everyone will be different. When I was studying at university for my PhD I had my schedule to follow and did not have any time left for anything else. Now I really wished that I could have become a musician. Now, after years I just got bored listening to music and decided to play. But with a job, a family and a kid there is no so much time.
Carmine
Regards,
cm
# 11
oh theres still time carmine. its what you do with the time you have that makes the difference.
another 80s metal fan.
# 12
Originally Posted by: electric circusyou dont find learning fun, knowing that what your playing makes musical sense?
wouldnt walking up on stage at open mic night and blending in be fun to you?
i guess its just me. knowing what your doing and why it does or doesnt work
is very important. knowing what your doing is very important, if you dont, it will be picked apart by those that do.
there is a big difference between a guitar player and a musician.
walk into any guitar store and you will see guitar players everywhere, all day every day. see how long you set there until you find a musician.
the guitar player knows his licks and chops, even knows a list of songs
that can get him through a couple of sets no problem.
he knows his basic maj and min chords as well as a few scale and mode shapes, just enough to entertain the average listener.
the musician however knows his guitar and how music works.
he knows how to build chords and scales, how they relate, and when to use what. he walks on stage at open mic night and asks for the key and time sig
and the rest comes to him as he goes. the musician knows the form and structure of what hes playing.
the guitar player is usually pretty limited in the big picture,
the musician continues his education every opportunity he has.
with a organized practice plan you will be 10 fold the player or musician.
so ask yourself, are you giving your passion for the guitar 100% ?
are you squeezing every possible opportunity out of your practice time?
everytime you pick up your axe for a hour are you learning something new?
im not talking about a song or a run, im talking about musical knowledge.
You are clearly proud of yourself and consider yourself a fine musician. I don't care much for the implications you make here, but I'm glad it's working out for ya. Rock on.
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 13
That's a pretty subjective view. It sounds a lot like you have a renewed enthusiasm and it shows in your posts. Good for you!
However, I think it's more important to encourage anyone and everyone to play according to whatever their level of drive dictates to them. It's not about becoming the maddest shredder or most learned theorist. To say that someone who does not follow your definition of a practice schedule is not a musician is just wrong.
mu·si·cian
1. a person who makes music a profession, esp. as a performer of music.
2. any person, whether professional or not, skilled in music.
Just my two cents.
However, I think it's more important to encourage anyone and everyone to play according to whatever their level of drive dictates to them. It's not about becoming the maddest shredder or most learned theorist. To say that someone who does not follow your definition of a practice schedule is not a musician is just wrong.
mu·si·cian
1. a person who makes music a profession, esp. as a performer of music.
2. any person, whether professional or not, skilled in music.
Just my two cents.
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 14
razbo
i NEVER said that someone who didnt follow the given practice layout wasnt a musician. i gave my personal definition of guitarist/musician.
nobody was "judged" in any way. your jumping to conclusions here.
the post was about everybodys practice routine.
what are folks doing to better themselves.
believe it or not, some folks are just perfectly comfortable
playing in their bedroom or family room to the cd's of their fav bands.
some folks are just as comfortable picking up the guitar and getting the lead out after a really long week.
theres even people that desire more but are stuck in a rut and just keep playing the same stuff over and over again because they dont know what else to do.
so seeing that you missed the point of my post, i'll explain it.
the benefit of a structured practice plan far outweighs the unfocused plan where one just wonders across the fret board with no direction.
10 minutes or 1 hour, doesnt matter.
i wanted to see how other people were using their time, so i could add to mine anything i see interesting.
carmine inturn asked "wheres the fun in that" and the post took off from there in a slightly different direction.
i NEVER said that someone who didnt follow the given practice layout wasnt a musician. i gave my personal definition of guitarist/musician.
nobody was "judged" in any way. your jumping to conclusions here.
the post was about everybodys practice routine.
what are folks doing to better themselves.
believe it or not, some folks are just perfectly comfortable
playing in their bedroom or family room to the cd's of their fav bands.
some folks are just as comfortable picking up the guitar and getting the lead out after a really long week.
theres even people that desire more but are stuck in a rut and just keep playing the same stuff over and over again because they dont know what else to do.
so seeing that you missed the point of my post, i'll explain it.
the benefit of a structured practice plan far outweighs the unfocused plan where one just wonders across the fret board with no direction.
10 minutes or 1 hour, doesnt matter.
i wanted to see how other people were using their time, so i could add to mine anything i see interesting.
carmine inturn asked "wheres the fun in that" and the post took off from there in a slightly different direction.
another 80s metal fan.
# 15
It's all good. Moving right along... nothing to see here! ;)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 16
ok razbo the spot light is on ya. how do you spend your practice time?
another 80s metal fan.
# 17
It's probably best to leave the spotlight switched off for now :D
When I've collected my thoughts I'll give you an insight into my loose practice habits EC. For what it's worth :o
Cheers
When I've collected my thoughts I'll give you an insight into my loose practice habits EC. For what it's worth :o
Cheers
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium]Youtube Channel - Jim47ww[/FONT]
# 18
I'm a newbie but I've watched friends for years who play and here's what I've seen. I have a friend (I'll call him Bob) that loves guitar and probably has more raw talent than most of the people out there playing professionally but he's never progressed past a couple of failed attempts to start a band. Bob can play any song he hears and play it well, but he has no feel for writing music and putting it together from scratch, and he'll admit it. He also hasn't progressed in his playing skills in years, even though he plays several times a week. Another friend (Jeff) is like me, has a passion for music and guitar but the skills come slowly. He, however, has kept to a pretty ridged practice schedule for years and now he can play circles around Bob AND he knows and understands how the music he plays and writes is put together. He plays in a fairly popular local band, but he came into his skills pretty late. If he had started playing in his teens... who knows where he would be.
The point is that I think that electric circus is right, mostly. Everyone can benefit from some sort of structured practice schedule. Some of us need a tightly structured schedule (I do) and some not-so-much, but having goals and working toward them will get you farther than fooling around with no direction. Bob finally understands that now. He now sets aside practice time to work on specific things and he's progressing.
On the other side, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Leave some time in your practice schedule to shred and goof off. It's supposed to be fun too!
Just my two cents.
The point is that I think that electric circus is right, mostly. Everyone can benefit from some sort of structured practice schedule. Some of us need a tightly structured schedule (I do) and some not-so-much, but having goals and working toward them will get you farther than fooling around with no direction. Bob finally understands that now. He now sets aside practice time to work on specific things and he's progressing.
On the other side, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Leave some time in your practice schedule to shred and goof off. It's supposed to be fun too!
Just my two cents.
# 19
Originally Posted by: electric circusok razbo the spot light is on ya. how do you spend your practice time?
Fair enough. I basically do the opposite of everything you said. :D
Without giving you a long background post lets just say that at 46, my purpose for playing music is strictly theraputic. I have no aspirations to be in a band, nor expectations of ever again playing publicly. I am one of those now content to play at home to CD's or occasionally with friends.
There is no sense trying to document the randomness of my sessions. I have no plan except trying to spend at least just one session per week learning something from GT. The rest, I jam or practice what I've been working on (songs, style, etc), try to develop ad-lib-abilities, do some speed drills, learn a new song, try and remember an old song... Last night I spent half an hour ad libing blues riffs around an open A chord. You get the idea.
If some instructors here read this, they'll surely be grinding their teeth!
In no way am I trying to suggest this is a good idea for anyone but myself. In fact, I can guarantee it'll get you there slower than a structured and disciplined method. But I am not sure where there is anyway. I'm not sure I even want to get there, I'm just enjoying life along the way. Some people run, some people jog, some people walk. Is one of them right? :)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 20
