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Post by grampalerxst on Jan 20, 2014 4:14:33 GMT -6
I don't have any profound thoughts of universal wisdom. Not even sure this isn't a rhetorical question sort of thread, but here's my current routine. I start with 4 sets of "3-minute drills" where I pick an open string along with the metronome at a slow setting (< 80). The first set is quarter notes all down-picked, the second is all eighth notes all down-picked, and the third is eigth notes alternate picked. I try to pay attention to striking the string with plenty of force, and how the sound quality varies picking the strings in different spots. For the fourth 3-minutes I switch to swing eights and go through a simple 12-bar shuffle progression just using the open root-fifth chords (no added sixths or sevenths) to help internalize the 12-bar progression and shuffle groove. On a good day the four sets get to be a meditative exercise that helps me focus. Next I do a few minutes of the old one-finger-per-fret drill, again at slow speeds and focus on being even and consistent. After that I usually take 5 and then hit BYCU/BRYCU, working through the exercises and the songs. This week I'm still in the Lesson 1 sections, maybe for one more week. It gets tedious but I force myself to again work at slow tempos for most of the time--it forces me to really pay attention to what I'm doing rather than fall into old (but sloppy) muscle memory patterns. Then I always have a few "riffs" from songs I noodle with for a time as sort of a warm down. This month it's "Free Ride" and "Miss America". Both present some challenges and are refreshing to the ear after a solid meal of the blues. Total time is 45min - 1 hr. Occasionally I'll repeat it more than once per day. My goals right now are centered around developing a strong basic foundation for my right hand, which somehow got left behind all these years. I'm also one of those people who has to work a bit to tap into whatever native sense of rhythm I might have. So it's pretty rudimentary and boring around my house. I still am in the process of making all the mistakes it's necessary for me to make in order to progress.
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Post by TommyD on Jan 20, 2014 5:32:27 GMT -6
grampalerxst, I wish I had your discipline. I think I may try to make a habit of doing the first few minutes of your routine each time I sit down to play. I tend to practice the lesson about half an hour each morning, and at least that much in the evening. After working on the lesson I'll then go over some of the pervious lessons just to keep them fresh. I should probably work on some songs as well, instead of just working on the lessons from the book. But John's lessons seem to keep me entertained enough that I don't really feel like working on much else!
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Post by matonanjin on Jan 20, 2014 17:15:36 GMT -6
I didn't read the article linked (Other than to stare at the babe in the sexy underwear for a few minutes) but I did pick up this gem, "So they keep buying mags to find the secret path to guitar excellence — which I doubt the guitar mags are complaining about!". I have purchased so many guitar teaching materials it's embarrassing. I keep looking for that secret sauce that is going to have me playing like Joe Banamassa overnight. It hasn't happened yet. No, really, you can't believe the books, mags and downloads I have.
But back on topic. I was just pounding away hours on end. I was really getting burned out and about ready to give up. When that teacher on another forum that I have mentioned posted a recommended practice schedule. Out of a 30 minute practice schedule only 10 minutes of it was actual practice. His entire philosophy around his recommended schedule is to make it fun. What a revelation!!
His theory for 30 minutes is the following: 5 minutes - warm up 10 minutes - study 10 minutes - learning a song 5 minutes - improvisation.
Since I have adopted this I firmly believe that I am progressing faster than when I was "pounding away" on study 1 to 2 hours per day.
I have modified it for 1 hour so my schedule is:
5-10 minutes of warmup 20 minutes of study. Right now I am working on barre chords and my hand tires quickly so this is closer to 15 minutes maximum 20 minutes of learning a song 15-20 minutes of improvisation.
That is my schedule first thing in the morning. I get up, let dogs out, make coffee, pour my coffee, let dogs back in and we go to my office/studio to practice. This is done with headphones on as to not wake my wife.
Right now that schedule is: 5 minutes warm up 15 minutes Barre Chord session in Learn and Master Guitar 20 minutes learning "All I Have to Do is Dream" 20 minutes of BYCU Sessions 1 & 2
I am with grampalerxst in that I may repeat this once or twice through out the day.
My second hour of the day is: 20 minutes - Learn and Master Guitar Open Chords Power Work Out 20 minutes - TrueFire "50 Blues Rhythms You Must Know" by Corey Coniglio (Currently #1 rhythm) 20 minutes - Improvisation. Just putzing around with backing tracks.
If I practice a third hour I duplicate what I did in the first hour.
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Post by grampalerxst on Jan 20, 2014 17:28:42 GMT -6
grampalerxst, I wish I had your discipline. I think I may try to make a habit of doing the first few minutes of your routine each time I sit down to play. I tend to practice the lesson about half an hour each morning, and at least that much in the evening. After working on the lesson I'll then go over some of the pervious lessons just to keep them fresh. I should probably work on some songs as well, instead of just working on the lessons from the book. But John's lessons seem to keep me entertained enough that I don't really feel like working on much else! We'll see about the discipline part if I can stick with it. Mostly, my right hand is just plain clumsy and I'm an inch shy of desperate to fix it. I got the idea for the 3-minute drills from a youtube video. The goal there was to use it to increase speed so you can shred, but I decided it my be worth trying it out with a flavor more suitable for my needs. tbone: where's that intersection?!
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Post by matonanjin on Jan 20, 2014 17:41:04 GMT -6
tbone: where's that intersection?! Have you not heard the Robert Johnson story. Where he sold his soul to the devil to become an awesome guitar player? Rosedale, Mississippi! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson"Locals in Rosedale, Mississippi claim Johnson sold his soul to the Devil at the intersection of highways 1 and 8 in their town"
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Post by grampalerxst on Jan 20, 2014 18:36:36 GMT -6
tbone: where's that intersection?! Have you not heard the Robert Johnson story. Where he sold his soul to the devil to become an awesome guitar player? Rosedale, Mississippi! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson"Locals in Rosedale, Mississippi claim Johnson sold his soul to the Devil at the intersection of highways 1 and 8 in their town" Yes, I'm aware of the legends surrounding Robert Johnson. I was half being facetious and half wondering about this "Tommy Johnson" who I'm not familiar with.
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Post by grampalerxst on Jan 22, 2014 11:01:28 GMT -6
Ah, a pop culture reference. Thanks for clarifying, tbone.
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Post by Marc on Jan 23, 2014 9:37:04 GMT -6
This is my fable attempt to pull this thread back on the main drag. I've been looking at this thread for a few days wanting to reply, so here i am. Here is my opinion on practice, the routine and playing. had i always taken my own advice i would be a much better player.
This is an approach i took, several years ago it is very similar to what matonanjin suggested mixed with with what athletic trainers will do. I saw my playing grow alot.
First write down and log your practice session. If you don't log your session they you did not really practice.
Second know the difference between practice and playing. Playing is what we wanna be musicians and musicians love to do. practice is something you do to get better at the 'playing' part. again think about athletics. I love basketball, i love playing but hated doing the running drills, dribbling drills, shooting drills etc. At the same time if it was not for the drills I would not have been able to play basketball very well.
Third have a mix of different items your working on. approach things differently, and keep you sessions short.
Here is a few examples of 40 minute sessions.
5 min warm up - run though some scales and chromatic exercises 10 min scales - run though some scales, single and double string scales 10 min chords - work on some chords focus on forms that give you trouble, switch back and forth between a few diffrent trouble shapes 10 song work - work on a song, or a BYCU tune 5 min warm up - this is really a cool down, run though some scales and chromatic exercises
now go play if your not ready to put the guitar down.
another session
5 min warm up - run though some scales and chromatic exercises 10 min arpeggios - run though some arpeggios , single and double string patterns 10 min Ear training - try and transcribe a song or pick out a note or two out of a chord your listing too 10 song work - work on a song write a song, or a BYCU tune 5 min warm up - this is really a cool down, run though some scales and chromatic exercises
and yet another
5 min warm up - run though some scales and chromatic exercises 10 min Music Thory- work on applying and studding some music thoery make 1 + 1 =2, once you do that bend the rules because in music sometimes 1 + 1 = 3. 10 min Scales- run though some scales, single and double string scales 10 song work - work on a song, or a BYCU tune 5 min warm up - this is really a cool down, run though some scales and chromatic exercises
Forth, have a key of the week or month. It's easy to get in the rut of playing in the key of E, A OR G. it's easy to learn the chords in the the the 'main' keys, the scales. I found that when i focused on a different key, my ears opened up, and i got creative. transcribe songs from one key into another. BYCU songs are pretty easy to do this with too.
I have more thoughts but i think i'll stop there......don't want ti give away all me secrets.
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JohnG
Full Member
Posts: 193
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Post by JohnG on Jan 23, 2014 11:04:34 GMT -6
The lessons in BYCU and the rest of my books demonstrate what I feel is important to include in your practice routine. Most of the outlines above sound good to me. If there is one thing that I question a little, it would be that some of the routines cover a bit too much and spread the efforts on each area a bit thin. I think it's best to work on about 3 areas of study. BYCU has you doing scales, chords and progressions and a tune. I like that, because you get the technical and theoretical study, but you also get a musical piece in which you see how to use the other 2 elements, while, presumably, enjoying the music. And the bottom line is that you first picked up the guitar to make music. Nobody picks it up and says, "I want to play scales!" Scale study is to help you chart out the fingerboard and learn the keys and develop the technique that will enable you to let your spirit fly. (OK, that was a bit dramatic.)
Focus is important. Steve Vai (not my preference, musically, but a great player) said you should spend about 80% of your practice time on one main element. I don't go quite that far, but then, he's got a lot more chops than I do - played with Zappa, too.
Just remember that it's a long term project. Choose what you work on carefully. You can make adjustments as you go along, but try not to jump around too much. (That's why you want to be thoughtful about what work on.) Sticking to the program is key to success.
I still choose 2 or 3 things to work on, some for a couple of months or less, and some longer term, for a year or more. It takes discipline, passion and drive.
I hope that helps.
JG
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Post by matonanjin on Jan 24, 2014 11:03:56 GMT -6
First write down and log your practice session. If you don't log your session they you did not really practice. Second know the difference between practice and playing. Playing is what we wanna be musicians and musicians love to do. practice is something you do to get better at the 'playing' part. again think about athletics. I love basketball, i love playing but hated doing the running drills, dribbling drills, shooting drills etc. At the same time if it was not for the drills I would not have been able to play basketball very well. Third have a mix of different items your working on. approach things differently, and keep you sessions short. snip .... Forth, have a key of the week or month. ...snip I really agree with marc998's comments here. I do log my practice sessions, as you will see, to the point of anality. But just the process of doing so points out to me the areas that I was weak for that session and I review at the end of week when planning my next week. Here is my practice log (from early last year because I did this screen capture and posted on another forum): There are some "glitches" on this that you will probably catch (that have been corrected in the VBA subroutines). These have been since corrected but you get the idea. I just type in the time when I start practicing and the time when I finish and it counts everything. At the end of the week I just click the "New Week" button and it adds a new worksheet, clears everything to start over. I don't have a "key of the week" as marc998 suggested. (I'm not to the point of working on keys yet) But I do at the beginning of the week, after reviewing the previous week, set down goals for the week and practice plan for the week. My first sheet of the logging workbook is a week planning sheet. It has my practice goals and I try and concentrate also on some software like Reaper. This week it was to have been the song slowing software Song Surgeon but I, admittedly, haven't done much with it
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Post by grampalerxst on Jan 30, 2014 17:38:40 GMT -6
Slightly off the main topic, but I ran across a video clip where the speaker said to expect it to take on the order of 3000 hours of practice to become proficient on the guitar (at least it's less than the 10,000 hours to achieve virtuosity in whatever endeavor you pursue I've heard about). If I start my count now and keep my current pace, I'm 6 years and 4 months away from the brass ring!
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