How to Plan a Practice Session

I've been trying to play for some time now, but have had limited results. I'm bliitzing through (and discarding) the Lisa McCormack videos, finding them too basic and of little to no use. I need to pick up the guitar and PRACTICE! Are there any videos that help with planning a meaningful practice session? I'm thinking, at the moment:

Warm-up

Basic scales (C-major and G-major, both in the open position, for me right now)

Basic chords and chord changes

Latch on to a song and stick with it until it sounds like something

Any advice will be gratefully appreciated.

I'll share what I like to do but, beware, it comes without preapproval by those that know their way around a guitar (or a practice session).

I recommend to all players, particularly newbies, the book, [u]Zen Guitar[/u], by Philip Toshio Sudo. Despite its title, it is not about Zen, it's not even about how to play. Instead, it is about the mindset of guitar and how to approach learning the instrument. It's a small book and a short read but it's a read that I and others do over and over. It is motivational. (do a Forum search -- you'll find a couple threads about the book). New or used, the price won't break the bank... $12 for Amazon Kindle, $6 to $13 for paperback from Amazon.

Learning guitar is an unending road. It is not a race, it is not a competition. It's about music and having fun.

Good luck and have fun.

john

Thanks, John. Liked what you said so much that I have already added Zen Guitar to my Kindle.

Good deal! Glad I helped.

Good luck, have fun.

Thanks John, great advice. Time is not the issue for me, focus is. Your advice on planning practice sessions should have occurred to me since I am a teacher, lol!

[br]Thanks John, I may use this quote below if you don't mind. Good stuff!

"Learning guitar is an unending road. It is not a race, it is not a competition. It's about music and having fun"--john

Originally Posted by: klee9

[br]Thanks John, I may use this quote below if you don't mind. Good stuff!

"Learning guitar is an unending road. It is not a race, it is not a competition. It's about music and having fun"--john

Cool!

Originally Posted by: Keith Altazin

Thanks John, great advice. Time is not the issue for me, focus is. Your advice on planning practice sessions should have occurred to me since I am a teacher, lol!

Where do you think I learned it from? My Lady is a retired Spec Ed teacher. I told her of your post and we both had a good chuckle about your 'Doh!' moment.

Good luck, have fun.

"Any advice will be gratefully appreciated".

For thinkers without blinkers, I've always found this guy's considered advice worth listening to.

Works for me. Might for you?

Cheers.

manXcat