Dear Surf Guitarists!

I'm interested in what you do to practice the guitar (or, your instrument if its not the guitar)? Do you work on scales (if so, which ones?); practice different chord inversions; work on new techniques; do you work on learning new songs? Are you working out of a particular methods book (if so, which)? Or, do you just sit down and play and let whatever comes to mind go to your fingers?

What about amount of time spent in practice? Do you schedule daily practice time? If so, do you break it up in a systematic way (e.g., 30 minutes on scales, 30 minutes on new songs?).

Thanks for your input!

Sonic Screwdriver
http://www.sonicscrewdriverband.com

Practice-WAZZAT? We don't need no stinking PRACTICE!
Seriously, find someone with similar interests and PLAY. Way back when I first started (and dinosaurs walked the Earth) I was fortunate to have an old neighbor who already knew all the stuff I wanted to learn. During the Summer, I spent 12-18 hours a day at his house playing. I should mention that both of his parents were deaf, so we could play as loud (relative, considering my 5 watt Skylark amp & his Silvertone amp-in-case) and late as we wanted.

I come up with a progression I like the sound of and use my Delay pedal (DL4) to record a short loop and play over that. It's not a real looper so it only does a short loop (14 or 16 seconds, can't remember) so sometimes if it's a long and complicated progression I can't even fit the whole "A" section and I can only play one chord for the loop, play over that for a few bars, then loop the next, play over that, then loop the next, play over that...

When I feel I'm getting stale, I learn something new and really challenging. That kind of cleans out the "cache" and my noodling goes off in a different direction.

I did scales and modes religiously 20, 30 years ago. It's good for you, but I don't want to do that anymore. And I'm a grown assed man. If I don't wanna, I ain't gonna...

When I was in high school, I used to lock myself in my room for 6-8 hours a day and learn Otis Rush, Freddie King, Albert Collins, etc... tunes note for note. That, without a doubt, helped me to be competent on the guitar.

These days I can't really do that, so I'll usually work on new tunes I have ideas for or if a show is coming up, I'll play my tunes to stay sharp. Once in a while, I'll work on someone else's stuff. I'm currently working on Phil Baugh's Dry Camel; which is teaching me something new. I do still try and practice/play at least an hour or two a day; more on the weekends.

Some people have strong ideas about practice regimens. For example, Jim Campilongo (one of my favorite current guitarists) says that he has to have a goal in mind when practicing and that he doesn't just sit there and noodle on the guitar. I tend to agree with that (although I don't always adhere to it). It seems like a good way to force yourself to continuously learn/improve.

Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook

Yup...check out The Little Willies

Lee Alexander (bass), Norah Jones (piano/vocals), Richard Julian (guitar/vocals), Dan Rieser (drums), and Jim Campilongo (guitar)

i thought so. i went to a music workshop a few years ago and he was the special guest in one of the classes. our class was invited in. i'd never heard of him before but his command of that tele was impressive.

www.surfintheeye.com

Ruhar
Jim Campilongo (one of my favorite current guitarists) .

I wasn't familiar with Jim Campilongo so I checked out some youtube stuff. I think I'm going to like him. Reminded me for some reason of Bill Frisell (whom I like alot), maybe his touch or the jazzy variations on a theme approach. Thanks!

I'm working through Chords & Progressions for Jazz & Popular Guitar by Arnie Berle. I bought it last January and I'm not very far into it. I'm using it to improve my technique and understanding, so I don't feel rushed at all. For the first time I find that practice is yielding noticeable results. Doing the exercises also frees me somewhat from feeling I have to master actual performances, and realize that that will come a little easier later on.

I don't have any sort of schedule. I do have one guitar tastefully on display in the living room upstairs and another in the music area downstairs, so that when a few minutes present themselves I can just do it. Oh yeah, there's one at work, too, for lunch hour practicing.

A practice tip I learned on the 'net, and the one I find the most valuable, is to practice what you don't know, not what you do. In other words, don't waste time playing the (fun) part of the song you already know, and then stumble at the hard part, and then start over from the easy part again. If you're practicing, just practice the hard part over and over again. For example, my book shows a chord progression as part of learning new chords. Well, the first transition is Gmaj7-Gmaj6. These are new chords for me, so I've just been practicing going from one to the other for the past couple of weeks. I do play other things as well, but I realize that practicing these chord transitions is the most useful.

I don't know if this is obvious or not, but a music stand is a great study aid. It puts your books, sheet music, and tabs just where you need them. Not on your knee, not spread out on the floor.

I use tabs. I also practice from sheet music, which is another skill that improves. If I can't find tabs or staff, sometimes there's a midi file that you can convert to tabs or sheet music using Tuxguitar.

RK

RK

My rule of thumb was....if I was enjoying it I would do it....if I wasnt it becomes a chore and no point.

You wont improve by doing something simply because you feel you should...the important thing is you must be in the mood and want to do it...chords,scales,a new piece whatever.

Having said that Band practise is something else you have to do it regardless.

Segovia practiced 5/6 hours every day almost till his death...which came in his 80's.

I make myself just play guitar, plugged in or not. Sheet music or noodling for a MINIMUM of 1 hour per day. Everyday. Right now being in college and having a ton of free time I'm averaging 3 to 4 hours a day practicing and writing. you'll be shocked at your own progression if you stick to a daily routine!

formerly SvD, bots.... member since 2006. Same game different name!