[XIEmperorIX]

I'm curious how some of you went about practicing and how you disciplined yourself to do it? I'm trying to get into using a metronome/drum machine but after about 45min-hour I start to lose focus on what I'm doing no matter how hard I try and start to lose interest, tips anyone?

[Vegetta]

Originally Posted by XIEmperorIX

I'm curious how some of you went about practicing and how you disciplined yourself to do it? I'm trying to get into using a metronome/drum machine but after about 45min-hour I start to lose focus on what I'm doing no matter how hard I try and start to lose interest, tips anyone?

First
Spend some time warming up first (10 min or so) When I played a lot (6+ hours per day) I could pretty much play anything cold but now I find unless I warm up a bit it is hard to do anything productive.

have a plan on what you intend to work on: Scales/sweep picking/picking/ arpeggios or learning a song

Spending too much time practising one aspect can lead to carpal tunnel.

Remember to have fun...playing should never be all work - make a mix tape of songs you like and jam along with them.

[G.B.N.B]

I've only been playing for about 5 or 6 months but this is what I do/did. When I first started I had track after school so I didnt get home till about 5. Then I had homework, shower, dinner etc. So once I got all that stuff out of the way I took 30 mins doing 3 exercises (this may not be healthy though but... I like it). Starting no lower than the 12th fret (by lower I mean don't start at 11 or lower just to clear up any possible confusion) I depress my fretting fingers moving to a higher string once all have been depressed. Then move down the neck (towards the 1st fret) Uhhh....like this...
B: 12-13-14-15 E: 12-13-14-15 D: etc. and so forth then when I finish the high e string i move down and start with my pinkie so its e: 14-13-12-11 G: 14-13-12-1 etc. and so forth again. I do it at a nice even pace and make the notes flow and not sound so staccatto.The second exercise you can do anywhere on the neck but I like starting it at the 5th fret. Hammer on down to the high e with the index and middle. Then hammer on back to the low B on the 6th and 7th frets. Then back down to the high e using ring and pinkie. Then back up to the low B using middle and pinkey fingers. Then back down using index and ring. Then back up with index and pinkey. 3rd exercise is the same but with pull offs.I'll do this while watching tv to avoid getting bored. It really helps though, my fingers feel all nice and limber afterwords and It probably strengthens 'em too
Then from like 10 to 12 p.m I'd practice whatever my teacher gave me to learn. Personally I don't use a metronome, I just listen to the song a thousand times and get the rythym stuck in my head, and tap my foot while playing. But yeah metronomes are a good idea.
Now that tracks over, I have alot more free time so I just practice whenever I get those spontaneous urges to pick up the guitar (which seems pretty frequent). I try and set aside 45 minutes for planned practice time, which is when I use an amp and foot stool, or practice standing up. I usually end up going past 45 minutes though and stop whenever I get tired or realize ive been downstairs a long time.
So I guess.... practice when you feel like it to avoid getting bored. It's not fun if your bored. If your really into your guitar you'll probably end up practicing a sufficient amount of time.
Theres my 2 cents. P.S: (Sorry if I sound like im patronizing) Double P.S: (Sorry for the long post.)

[Guitarist4JC]

I've been playing for 20+ years, and I came up with a practice routine that I used for the past 7-8 years after graduating college. I was a psych major and learned alot about learning which helped me on guitar. Enough of that this is what I do and has helped me get to the next level. Warm up fingers with the chrono thing where you've seen everywhere I'm sure 1-2-3-4 on all strings I use up and down picking on warm ups of the 4 notes per string. I'll do three per string 1-2-4 pattern and 1-3-4 and sometimes throw in the 1-3-5 pattern 2-3x a week. After warmed up which usually take approx 10 minutes. I work on each topic for 15 minutes since you can only learn 15-20 minutes at a time. Your mind will wander after this, usually. I go through scales playing in 2's, 3's, 4's, backwards in 2's; new licks; rhythm or chord progressions; song construction; ear training; and just improvising. This has worked for me by breaking it up and spending x amount of time on each section. Hope this helps.

[jski7]

Originally Posted by Guitarist4JC

I've been playing for 20+ years, and I came up with a practice routine that I used for the past 7-8 years after graduating college. I was a psych major and learned alot about learning which helped me on guitar. Enough of that this is what I do and has helped me get to the next level. Warm up fingers with the chrono thing where you've seen everywhere I'm sure 1-2-3-4 on all strings I use up and down picking on warm ups of the 4 notes per string. I'll do three per string 1-2-4 pattern and 1-3-4 and sometimes throw in the 1-3-5 pattern 2-3x a week. After warmed up which usually take approx 10 minutes. I work on each topic for 15 minutes since you can only learn 15-20 minutes at a time. Your mind will wander after this, usually. I go through scales playing in 2's, 3's, 4's, backwards in 2's; new licks; rhythm or chord progressions; song construction; ear training; and just improvising. This has worked for me by breaking it up and spending x amount of time on each section. Hope this helps.

That's my exact routine ! Only difference being that I usually warm up for about 30 min. , and I TRY to go through it everyday . Other than that , it's the same . Been on it for about 6 yrs now .

[Guitarist4JC]

Great minds think alike! Have you ever played same note on each for a note recognition ex. play A on each string while building up speed than go to E then B etc.
That really helped me out when I started out finding the notes on the fretboard quickly.

[Drew]

Practice? Bah. Practicing is for sissies.

Actually, the other plus of 15-minute practice blocks is it's MUCH easier on your hands, and greatly reduces the risk of tendon damage.

Some stuff (drills involving building muscle response, not "learning" in the strictest sense) you need to taper into longer blocks - your alternate picking motion is what I specifically have in mind - but as a rule of thumb, go about your workout like a weight lifter - do sets.

-D

[Leon]

my #1 is to just have fun

i don't really practice, i just try to play songs that i like. it all works out in the end though, because i usually end up trying to play DT songs (currently working on Voices).

[jski7]

Originally Posted by Guitarist4JC

Great minds think alike! Have you ever played same note on each for a note recognition ex. play A on each string while building up speed than go to E then B etc.
That really helped me out when I started out finding the notes on the fretboard quickly.

My have tried it once or twice , but not regularly . I'll give it a "serious" go , and see how it works .

[XIEmperorIX]

Thanks for all your help guys! I feel a lot better about how I play/practice and feel it is actually getting put to good use!