Practice Tips

 

Beginners
and
Youngsters

Intermediate Students 
and
Hobbyists

Advanced
and
Motivated Students.

Play your new songs or exercises every day.
 
Have a
regular practice time,
 like just before dinner or just after dinner.

Try to make your notes, chords and songs sound good, like a song.  If you have an assignment in a guitar book, it will be marked with a colorful page marker.

-------------------------------------

A few more tips... 

--On the weekends, try practicing once in the morning and once after dinner.

--Ask your parents to listen.

--Feel good about your new skills.  Have fun.

--Suprise your teacher, look ahead in your book.

--Play more if you want to.  Play other songs, too, but always practice your assignment.

Use your practice time like we use lesson time:
  1. Have a set practice time every day.
  2. Skills and Drills (5-10 min.)
  3. New Song (15 min.)
  4. Old Song(s) (15 min.)

Skills and Drills: Do one or two Skills and Drills you learned at lessons.  These are usually LEFT HAND drills or RIGHT HAND drills.  Examples include:  chord switching, picking exercises, strumming exercises, fingerpicking patterns, playing and naming bar chords, playing scales, etc etc.)

New Songs:  Practice your new song(s).  Relax and start slowly.  Focus on quality (clear notes and chords, a steady beat.)  Add speed and polish as you get more comfortable with the song. 

Feel good about your new skills, and have fun.

Play hard parts over and over again. 

Old Songs:  Review "old" songs--especially your favorites--to keep them fresh.  Can you play them from memory?

Knowledge: Take a minute to recall the knowledge topics discussed at lessons.  Past knowledge topics include: finding octaves on the fretboard, playing harmonics, bar chords, diminished chords, naming every note on every string, playing trills, vibrato, syncopation, etc.  

Repeat the basic format (middle column) two or three times a day, or just add songs. 

  1. Put down your guitar from time to time to eat, sleep, and talk to people.

2. Practice time does NOT need to be all in one chunk.  You can practice your new song in the morning and review old songs and do drills at night.

3. Add songs to your practice time, since they incorporate skills and knowledge.  Memorize them.

4. Think about your goals, like what you want to do with guitar and why.  Are you a hobbiest, or do you want to make money playing guitar?

5. There is not enough time to do everything, and it will pay to have a focus (e.g. bluegrass, rock, jazz, fingerstyle or folk). 

6. Keep having fun.  Notice advances in your abilities, knowlege, skills, and growing repertoire.  Feel good about them.

7. Repeat the basic format (column 2) two or three times a day.  DO drills to improve coordination, strength and accuracy.

8. Review songs you already know to keep them fresh or improve them. 

9. Shop around for a music magazine that looks right for you.  Spend time reading it and practicing whatever looks good to you.  If you have a question about something, bring it to lessons.  Here are a few I have seen around:

  • Guitar Edge
  • Guitar World
  • Guitar Player
  • Just Jazz Guitar
  • Classical Guitar Review
  • Fingerstyle Guitar
  • Down Beat
  • Jazz Times
  • Sound Board (classical mag.)
  • Fretboard Journal

10.  Go see live performances when you can.  Get a good seat.

11.  Join your school's jazz band.  Start your own band.  Start a music night with friends.  Start a family band.  Jam with friends.

12.  Take music classes at your school.  Sign up for choir.  Read a book about music theory.

13.  Go to a book store, like Borders, and browse through their guitar and music sections. Do you need a book on guitar maintenance and repair?

14.  There are often special summer programs, guitar workshops, and music camps for all styles and interests.  Google for them, and sign up.

15.  Go to a music store, look through their instructional materials.  Buy an instructional DVD or book as a gift to your self.