Is anyone else frustrated with lack of discipline? To much to learn? Practice plans that don't work?
I thought this would be a good thread for everyone to write down there experiences with what has helped them improve and to help me
I normally find myself sticking with a practice plan for a couple of weeks then after that goes tits up. End up trying to work on something else. Do you change your practice plans regular? Do you work on one topic only at a time?
There are a lot of distractions like youtube where you will watch something then want to learn it, then move on to something else etc
Personally i like to work on
Ear Training
Fretboard Knowledge
Technique
Improv
Comping
Slide guitar
Its hard fitting it all in, or feels like each area isn't getting enough time
Comments
I also have a set of general exercises that focus on tuning or position shifts or timing which I do less regularly (and probably less regularly than I should).
That approach seems to ensure that I always make general technique progress, but I also get to actually play quite a lot so it's not constant scales or arpeggios or othersuch useful-but-boring work.
I now pretty much look only at the material and techniques I’ve been specifically tasked with in my lessons, as I’m now mad keen to get back to another lesson and prove that I’ve been working hard at it.
I used to be all over the place with my ‘practice’ which wasn’t really practice at all in any meaningful sense. I’ve made more progress in 4 lessons than in the 4 months that went before.
Now I teach others I understand the importance of focus, structure and discipline to practice. All my learners are weekly and I set them weekly exercises or songs to learn and expect them to have made progress the following week.
If you're still learning or not advanced its very difficult to know what to work on and what order to do it in as there's so much to do.
If you want to make a living at it then you do need to be disciplined and work very hard. If it's a hobby then you need to do whatever you need to do to enjoy it.
Edit: fiddlesticks video link broken, let's try this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s_KOk4dk98
I think you have to be true to yourself - if you’re naturally ill-disciplined, you might improve on your ‘natural’ self a bit - but in truth you’re probably not destined to be a great technician....
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
A method that works for me might not be the one that works for you either.
That said, I do a few different things:
1. Daily exercises for accuracy and synchronicity between the left and right hands.
2. Daily transcription of songs and solos.
3. Regularly playing with others.
4. Not slacking off when I get bored or distracted.
5. Hitting it little but often. 6 x 20 minute practices is better than a 2 hour session.
That is essentially it but it is something that took a long time to develop and the specifics of each point are pretty varied.
I did this with guitar and bass.
When I wanted to learn drums (about 5 year ago) I also added in regular lessons with a professional player who had an even more efficient method for learning that instrument, which is to break everything down to 2-3 things at once.
The main thing though is I made it the focus of my life.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com