The Lesson Loft — Guitars

[phil-the-thrill]

Slow down. Any thoughts?

[1001gear]

[Warning: altered subject line^^]

I agree. Take ALL the steps in a PROGRESSIVE manner at a pace such that you GET each step before progressing.

The simplest way as well.

What's the matter with everybody??? :freak: |_o_|

[JonR]

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phil-the-thrill wrote:
Slow down. Any thoughts?

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I was thinking of the exact same answer when I saw the thread title.

[windmill]

my new approach is no more than 3-4 notes at time

get the basics and understand what is going on

[jonfinn]

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phil-the-thrill wrote:
Slow down. Any thoughts?

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Yes.   Don't try to be great.  Rather, practice an unreasonable amount, then increase that amount by a factor of ten.

Loving what you do goes a long way.

Why you shouldn't try to be great is the same reason Yoda told Luke that "For a Jedi Pilot, there is no try.  There is only do....  or do NOT."

[BydoEmpire]

Use Deliberate Practice, as described in the book "Talent is Overrated."  Basically, don't be an autopilot.  Don't think "how many hours should I practice?" and instead think "what am I going to learn?"

And slow down...

[phil-the-thrill]

Well Yoda, I certainly want it to sound great. What should I do?

[jeremy_green · Accepted solution]

Well, slow down may be one aspect of it... but it certainly isn't the "absolute fastest way to be great". It COULD be... and a lot of players would certainly benefit from this approach. But to me what is more important is being musical. Making phrases... being able to repeat your lines. Playing things intentionally, WITH INTENT - not because they are a comfortable finger pattern. LISTENING and judging every note based on musicality is critical. 

Going slow is LIKELY part of this process ... but to me the speed is a small factor. Focus, listening, touch and playing music ALWAYS... these to me are the real game changers.

[benzem]

Go down to the crossroads...

[1001gear]

First step, forget *great*. Get competent. Good news is you can do that by the numbers. While you're busy learning you need to formulate concepts about yourself and music. These can and probably should be very broad and general and serve as context and reference to your quest. Keep going.

[BydoEmpire]

"There's only two things to remember: 'don't stop' and 'keep going'."

-Frank Zappa

[phil-the-thrill]

Great replies. I was just trying to liven things up around here.

The title kind of reminded me of some of the advertisements I see on the internet,,,,"learn to play in just three days....." New comers always asking about shortcuts, etc.

[phil-the-thrill]

The absolute best reply that I've read on a guitar forum was from a veteran. When asked how to get better, he replied. "stop posting in the forums and pick up the guitar." Haha.

Like right now. I've got my guitar in my lap, but my hands are busy typing.

That reminds me, I gotta go now.

[phil-the-thrill]

Thanks again guys.

Jeremy_green, that's about a hundred dollars worth of free advice. Thanks

[Jasco]

Practice less.

[3shiftgtr]

The fastest way to be great is to eat lots of spicy foods and pass gas when you are on stage. Then all the band members will be making the "stink face" which causes every one the audience to think you are playing amazing stuff and freaking out your bandmates.

This is the quickest way to percieved greatness, cuz true greatness is merely an opinion.

[Jasco]

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Jasco wrote:

Practice less.

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And by that I mean less material not less time.

Most people practice ineffeciently.

The three main negative factors affecting practicing are:

1. Too much material. It's tempting to try to be good at a lot of things instead of great at one. Remember "good is the enemy of great"

2. Lack of time. It takes at least 2 hours per day to make any real progress. If you're putting in more than 6 you might be reaching a point of diminishing returns, however..

3. Difficulty level.  Many people try to tackle material that is too far beyond their technique level or musicality level.

[BydoEmpire]

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Jasco wrote:

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Jasco wrote:

Practice less.

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And by that I mean less material not less time.

Most people practice ineffeciently.

The three main negative factors affecting practicing are:

1. Too much material. It's tempting to try to be good at a lot of things instead of great at one. Remember "good is the enemy of great"

2. Lack of time. It takes at least 2 hours per day to make any real progress. If you're putting in more than 6 you might be reaching a point of diminishing returns, however..

3. Difficulty level.  Many people try to tackle material that is too far beyond their technique level or musicality level.

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I think that's a great post, and very true.  I wish I could replace all the hours of practice I put in with HALF the hours of effective, focussed practice.  I would also add:

4. Not Learning - "practicing" stuff you already know over and over isn't going to help you grow.  Now, it's important to get things down cold and not just say "okay, I was able to do it once, move on" but at the same time, you have to keep pushing yourself.  Don't think "how long am I going to practice," think "what am I going to learn?"  This has been a really big shift in mindset for me.

5. Autopilot - Sit down to practice something.  I mean really practice.  Set a timer. See how long it takes before your mind wanders, or you start just noodling on the guitar.  The first time I did this I'm not sure I even made it one minute.  Staying focused is very important, and you have to be diligent, honest and aware of yourself.

One note on "not enough time."  I wish I had two hours a day to practice.  In the rare case I am able to get that time in, it is hugely beneficial, and there are certainly some things that just take time for your body and mind to grasp.  That said, a few years ago I said "I need to get 15 minutes a day.  If I get more, great, but if not, just get 15 minutes."  I've learned so much since then.  I tought myself to read music.  I've learned a ton of standards, I've done some writing, technically I'm much better.  All on 15 minutes a day.  It's not optimal, but previously I used to have the attitude "I don't have enough time to practice" so I wouldn't.  Then a week would go by.  Setting the bar low enough to be achievable given my schedule and other priorities has kept me focused and helped me learn.  As busy as I am, I can usually find 15 minutes. It's up to me to make that time worth it by setting goals and staying focused.

[phil-the-thrill]

That's good stuff Bydo.

I especially like the "15 minutes per day" comment. I feel everyone should pick up the guitar every day, even if they don't have two hours to spend practicing. That's why its a good idea to keep the guitar on the stand within reach. Good advice. Thanks.

[Virgman]

I have no fracking idea but Jasco makes sense.   You don't see too many "speed metal-thrash-acoustic-texas blues-fingerpicking-bluegrass-flatpicking-Gypsy jazz-fusion-flamenco guitarists".

And Jon Finn's idea about practice a lot and then do it ten times as much.