What is your practice regiment?

[tapper mike]

Here is the current regimen (approximately one hour each day):

4) Jazz standard rhythm comping with Band in a Box (5 minutes)

Here's the thing about comping. It's a necessity when you are in a swing band. And you should comp to standards as standards are what you would be using it for. I made good money back in the 80's as part of a Swing (Pre War) band. That's all I did all the time. I got to take out one solo in four years playing out three to four nights a week. But that's all I got to do with them.
If you want to lay down backing tracks comping that's fine. However it doesn't work well for developing chord melody.

When working on chord melody you want your melody to move up and down the neck to correspond better with the chords. Justifying chords with melody on top is easier with extended chords and drop 2 chords

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6HGwZ_QDqg&t=1120s

In context with that. One really needs to scale in all positions shifting to the next position seamlessly rather than focusing all keys in a particular section.

[bharris22]

About three to four hours a day, five days a week the last three and half years. But it's constantly changing, I make a point of changing it up a little bit every week to keep things interesting. Here's my exact routine right now, but it won't make much sense without explanations I'm afraid, and that's as it should be, everyone should be making the routines that work for them, based on their short, medium and long term goals. I'd be happy to expand if anyone has any questions on particular parts though.

- Wipe Down, Tuning & Finger Stretches
- Spider Exercise 150 bpm
- Finger Gym 80 bpm
- Find CGDAEBF 160 bpm 2 min & 1 min on G (do visualisation later in bed)
- Maj scale 80 bpm 16th notes
- Modes: Name Intervals for Maj & Min Pent Scales, Daily Mode In G, Open G, Barre Chords
- Modes: Play 1 string (150 bpm) and 2 string (149 bpm) patterns
- Modes: Harmonise & name chords in key of G with all three shapes
- Modes: Play all modes with chords 150 bpm
- Modes: Play all modes parallel in G 150 bpm
- Modes: Explore Daily Mode with drone (relate chord to mode)
- Modes: Switch between all Maj & all Min Modes in G with drone (relate chord shapes to mode)
- Minor Pentatonic Runs 134 bpm 3 versions (GET TO 135 BPM THEN ADD TOGETHER)
- Minor Pentatonic/Blues improv (with backing tracks 84 or 100 bpm, or free)
- Disappearing Metronome 60 bpm 16/8/4/8/16 Notes
- Strumming x 5
- Songs: 1) Sulis 3 x 2 min 55 bpm 2) Satie A & learn B 3) Anji A, B & learn C 4) Fine Horseman (Capo 2) 92 bpm
- Travis Picking Book: Two Chords or Patterns Per Measure - 6 Types (FINAL WEEK)
- Fingerstyle: 3 x 5 min
- Extra: New Andy Video & Rewatch Old Andy Videos
- Dicking about/more songs (in evening)

Yes, it's very heavy on the technique right now, but that's because I have a ten year goal of fast tracking myself to becoming a very good guitarist, and I play a lot of songs/have more relaxed/less structured dicking about in the evenings (which is just as important as the structured routine I do earlier in the day). That's also usually when I start to try and come up with my own stuff.

Things like the strumming, disappearing metronome and daily mode practise also change depending upon the day of the week. At weekends I just dick about when I feel like it/no structured routine.

Another note, this is purely acoustic, I only pick up the electric about once every two months.

Very impressive!! You are lucky to have that amount of time available . I hope you are making good progress toward your goal.

[Hermetech Mastering]

Cheers, yeah, I played guitar for 10 years but not seriously, a few years ago I decided to get serious. I work from home and am usually able to do three or more hours practise on weekdays. Have seen HUGE progress, but of course, still so far to go, in fact it never ends, it's all about the journey!

Long term goal is just to be a competent all round guitarist, but specialising in acoustic folky fingerstyle, after a decade of this intense study.

Medium term goal was/is to get some decent recordings, but before I could do that I wanted my chops and timing to be good enough to record, that was the focus for me of the Justin Beginner and Intermediate Courses, the first two years. I think they are getting there now, so I have been recording a lot more the last 18 months (see link below, I'll let you be the judge...)

https://xetb.bandcamp.com/album/a-leaf-must-fall

Short term goals change all the time, I am currently coming to the end of an intense six months on Modes and Theory.

[reggie1979]

Mine is horrific. Not sure what to do, too old, too undisciplined and too "youtube" a centric.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

@ bharris and Hermetech Mastering: Very inspiring! A call to action! Thank you so much

[Hermetech Mastering]

Mine is horrific. Not sure what to do, too old, too undisciplined and too "youtube" a centric.

Not trying to be nasty, but with that attitude, you are never going to practise very well! I'm 45, started my hardcore practise 3 1/2 years ago. Discipline has to come from within, no one can give that to you. YT/online learning is GREAT! Not sure what to do? Start the free Justin Guitar Beginner Course, only needs 20 mins a day or so, at the beginning. It was exactly the structure I needed to help me along, maybe it will be for you too?

https://www.justinguitar.com/categories ... ns-classic

BTW, according to his recent newsletter, it's about to be totally overhauled/upgraded, so you might want to wait a few weeks to see what transpires, before starting. Maybe a good New Year's resolution?

[tapper mike]

Since I've started this thread my routine has changed in varied ways.

I've decided to give up on the linnstrument. Not that it isn't a fine instrument and I'm in awe of it's capabilities it's just that I practice it too little and even when I was practicing up to four hours a day on it I didn't feel like I was reaching my potential fast enough.

I've gone back to practicing scales for at least 20 minutes a day. One key a day in all positions. Straight up one position then down the next. As well as common patterns I'm also practicing my ear training for that key. I'm no longer using a metronome. Instead I use a minimal arrangement in BIAB drums and root bass, straight 8 and swing patterns.

I'm working out "Blues for Alice" in a slower tempo. Haven't played it in years. Once I get it down I intend to play it in all Twelve Keys.

I've stopped doing my own arrangements and transcribing them. While there is nothing more fulfilling than playing your own arrangement. It's long hard work. I've got enough of my own transcriptions and other "worthy" transcriptions of repertoire to keep me occupied.

I've stopped tapping unless I'm playing something in my repertoire that requires it. I have about 20 songs I've transcribed using my tap plus fingerstyle technique but it doesn't come naturally and I have to do my own transcription work to make it happen.

I've stopped using standards in BIAB for improvisation/soloing. It's much more challenging to use the demo songs for the styles and I find myself actually dabbling in my own melodic writing rather than simply covering a melody for the head.

I've gone back to soloing/improvising BIAB away from my other practicing.

I'm trying to move my Chord/Melody repertoire away from the computer / paper. That becomes a crutch after awhile where you need the sheet to play the song. You should have it well enough in your hands / head that you can play it without a sheet. It's also a confidence thing.

I've decided no more Blues/Rock/Pop. Before I'd keep my chops up just in case the opportunity to join or form a band came along. I'd rather be very good at one thing than mediocre at many of them. It's clutter. I'm also going to store my "non" jazz guitars. Playing my archtops and tele only.

I'm keeping up with my drop2 chord studies. Dom7, Maj7, min7 working through all positions and the circle of 5ths. It's funny to me as before when I'd learn a new chord I'd learn it in the context of a song.

I've also made the commitment that I'll record once a week.
A practice section, An improvisation and a song from my repetoire. They may or may not go public. But that way I'll have something to gauge my progress and If I die someone won't come in look at all my gear and say I had nothing to show for it.

[reggie1979]

Mine is horrific. Not sure what to do, too old, too undisciplined and too "youtube" a centric.

Not trying to be nasty, but with that attitude, you are never going to practise very well! I'm 45, started my hardcore practise 3 1/2 years ago. Discipline has to come from within, no one can give that to you. YT/online learning is GREAT! Not sure what to do? Start the free Justin Guitar Beginner Course, only needs 20 mins a day or so, at the beginning. It was exactly the structure I needed to help me along, maybe it will be for you too?

https://www.justinguitar.com/categories ... ns-classic

BTW, according to his recent newsletter, it's about to be totally overhauled/upgraded, so you might want to wait a few weeks to see what transpires, before starting. Maybe a good New Year's resolution?

yeah, it's pretty nasty Just goes to show that musicians aren't nice (as pointed out by a music teacher years ago)

[Russell Grand]

-t

[Hermetech Mastering]

Sorry, didn't mean to come off as nasty, genuinely trying to help, the Justin stuff was extremely helpful for me. I think if you really want to improve your "horrific" practise regime, you can!

[Forgotten]

^^
I didn’t think you did - blunt maybe, but I think you came over as being concerned and helpful.

[reggie1979]

Which is why I don't come here much anymore. One persons "opinion" is somehow treated as god, when another's is treated as garbage.

There is no use in trying to single it out, the mob rules..........

[tapper mike]

I see that with guitars and I see that in myself. Sometimes I project my ideals beliefs thinking that they have more weight. It's impossible for everyone to balance out and say "to each their own"

Nonetheless I'll repeat what I stated earlier.

If you've always done what you've always did, you'll always get what you've already got.

Some people are more than satisfied where they are. Cool for you,

Some others what to achieve more and the only way to do that is by applying themselves more. Though having a new guitar or new piece of gear can inspire one to play that initial inspiration will fade in time. I loved my jackson dinky before I bought it. I imagined all the songs I'd be able to recreate on it. I'd practiced them on my other guitars as best I could and when it arrived I fell in love with the look and feel of the instrument driving me harder to play those 80's hair metal covers. It was a blast for awhile. But then reality hit me that I'd never be playing in a band let alone "out" with it and my interest waned. I still play the dinky and a few of the songs I learned for it as an alternative to my jazz studies as it's a nice break in direction. But it wasn't the guitar that made me able to play those songs it was the work that I put into practicing and playing which made it happen. Practice isn't work if you enjoy what you are doing and focused on where it will take you.

Practice can be work if you get easily distracted or frustrated. I've practiced hard for decades. I've had a lot of great times playing guitar and I've had a lot of nights just going through the motions even though the crowds loved it.

If everything was easy then everyone who ever owned a guitar would be awesome at everything they did on it. The truth is only 10 percent of new guitar buyers stick with the guitar. Sometimes I think that's a good thing because if you aren't loving what you are doing you should move on to something that you like.

I practice because I want to be the best that I can be at what I like to play and listen to the most. Sure I have life and other things and sometimes I get disillusioned and lose direction. But practice brings me focus, clears my head, puts aside distractions and helps me to achieve my goals. It's the only way I can take my playing to the place I want to be.

My two favorite quotes on inspiration to being better

It's not enough to just wish on a star. You have to reach to them

Every journey begins with a single step

[perfumer]

It's a mixed crowd, by the looks of it. Some guys have been playing for decades, some are just starting out, some won't say. Some know jazz theory and some get stoned and play power chords on a wall of fuzz. Some have several hours a day to practice, and others practice in the evening after work and at weekends.

It's impossible to give advice that would fit your anonymous personality 100%. But whether it fits or not, it should be taken as what it is - an attempt to help, an advice - just say 'thank you' and move on.

For example, I could say to the jazz guy - hey, dude, you're over-intellectualizing it! Forget the theory and play with your soul. In "The Last Samurai" they were teaching him to fight, and the only advice was 'no mind'. But will this work for tapper mike?! I'm not going to bet my coffe on it.

[tapper mike]

Good, you need your coffee and I need my practice time.