Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › Practice exercises to do every day
- This topic has 8 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 2 months ago by Canada Moose.
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December 5, 2017 at 3:52 pm #86990
Hey all, I’m loving the AM lessons, and it has benifitted my playing very quickly.
That said, I’d still like to have some daily routine (perhaps 10 minutes) to develop speed, accuracy, endurance.
Could anyone reccomend a good routine that you use?Thanks!
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December 5, 2017 at 5:20 pm #86996
I’ve seen several new members comment on a lack of structure on this site. All I can say is, there’s so much “takeaway” stuff from each of Brian’s lessons I have no complaints and love this site. But I can see a new member’s being overwhelmed with the amount of “stuff” here.
Here’s what I usually do when I practice- whether it be electric or acoustic- I’ll run thru the minor penatatonic scales – see My Courses- Blues Lead Guitar Course. If I’m practicing electric I also go thru the Hednrix Style Rhytym Course, it’s good to practice timing with this.
For the Lessons, I rotate days on the ones that I like and am trying to master. I typically practice an hour a day. Current favs:
Acoustic Practice:
Microlessons: ML019, ML020, ML022 ML023, & ML033;
Ragtime Lessons: EP014, EP204
Fingerstyle Lesson: EP027, EP039
Acoustic Blues: EP154, EP211Electric Practice:
EP045, EP046, EP070, EP146, EP199, EP223, LEG019, LEG022, EP022, EP158, EP184, EP054Hope my suggestions help.
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December 5, 2017 at 6:39 pm #87003
I’ll start with this from my own experience… it depends on what genre you really want to get good at.. also skill level,, by skill level ,,if you are a beginner, you can’t do no better than beginner courses such as is here inside Active Melody …especially for the blues! If blues genre is your thing, you can’t go wrong here,,in time you’ll learn all the basic blues lick ..the scales/positions..and the in between,,like slides hammer-ons bends/vibrato/feel etc. even if you think you are intermediate or pro player..this site has good insight for general practice. I think if I know I enjoy Brian and keep up with his weekly lessons! Bck to beginnerlevel, all I can recommend is tke beginner courses and don’t skip anything,,go it real slow..learn everything in the courses. if and when you do, you won’t wonder which or what exercise to do. When you ask how to practice everyday..you be best to learn basic theory and chords scales notes along the entire fretboard.
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December 5, 2017 at 10:39 pm #87020
Hello Ed,
There are so many different ways to warm up before playing that it is difficult to make a suggestion. I’m not sure of your skill level so this may be below your ability and not hold your interest.
You mentioned speed, accuracy and endurance. So here’s what I suggest:
Learn the major scales. Start with the C major scale and learn all five patterns. Say the note names as you play them. Play it to a metronome starting at a comfortable pace. By using a metronome you can keep track of your speed and slowly increase it as you improve. (that will help with your speed obviously) Occasionally make a recording of yourself to make sure you are playing cleanly and accurately. Playing the scale patterns all over the neck will help with your endurance as well as memorizing the notes. I would suggest learning the scales of C,G,D,A,E. You can add others later but these are the most common. Even thou the scale shapes stay the same, by saying the notes out loud you will also be memorizing the notes of each scale and the fretboard.
Jim
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December 6, 2017 at 3:35 am #87029
I suggest this: get a copy of The Practice of Practice and read it thoroughly. Amazon.com or just Google it. You will be enlightened.
Sunjamr Steve
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December 6, 2017 at 2:57 pm #87056
Good advice Steve! You have to “Learn how to learn”………
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December 6, 2017 at 4:08 pm #87062
Hi Ed,
It’s natural to search for the most efficient way to achieve something but it can also be just another form of procrastination. So spend a little bit of time (not much) working out a method and then ‘just do it’. Stop thinking about efficiency and just do something. Every day.
You will naturally improve your efficiency by seeing what works and what doesn’t.
Do the monthly challenges, they are a good motivator to get something done. And also a good record of your progress.
Be patient and persistent and don’t overthink it.
Here’s another book: Do The Work by Steven Pressfield.
I wouldn’t say I highly recommend it but it does have some good ideas in it. -
February 12, 2018 at 5:46 pm #92798
Thanks, Sunjamr!
The Practice of Practice is a great read.
Big Al
I get paid to practice. I play the game for free.
Junior SeauI'm learning to play for the Free Beer!
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February 12, 2018 at 6:39 pm #92805
Big Al, you ask a good question about a practice routine, but the answer is different for everyone.
For me, I’ve never been able to follow any structured practice plan, just don’t have the self-discipline. Sometimes I do 3 or 4 days in a row with a metronome and timer and practice list, but then life intervenes and my little practice routine disappears.
On the other hand, I love just picking up a guitar and playing every day – either running thru my “set” of pieces I’ve learned over the years and want to keep alive in my finger memory, or noodling pentatonic scales or blues riffs all over the neck, or applying that noodling by jamming over a backing track. My most fun is probably digging into a new lesson or challenge or solo or new song that’s caught my attention. I can spend hours every day for weeks (months, years) learning and playing a new song.
Everybody’s different and it depends on your goals. For me the bottom line is enjoying every minute, and even though I can’t find the discipline for a structured practice routine, I do play for hours every day, and somehow over time I just get better at playing the stuff I enjoy playing.
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