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How can you tell you have practiced too much?

Julian Barton

Free Bird Player
Nov 11, 2019
179
0
This is a question I am curious if I am missing some things. Lately I have been trying to play things and I seem to be progression backwards on some things such as the pull me under solo. When is it time to call it quits for a little while?
 
G

Guest

Guest
When your fingers stop working. You have been playing things all okay throughout the practice, then you start getting a bit scruffy – basically your fingers getting fatigued.
When you have been practicing for such a long period of time, you begin to doubt what a note is and you start to over think. Then you forget the chord progression to ‘Wonderwall’. Basically you are getting tired.
I think when you have been sitting or standing for long periods of time in the same spot, that can be a sign of “you need to get up and move about”. I know I get the fidgets and lose concentration.
If you are suspecting you are over-practicing, then It’s good to get up, stretch your legs, get some fresh air, get lots of sleep, eat some oats, then back into the practice.
 
J

Jak Angelescu

Guest
I agree for sure. I use to think I had to bust out 5 hours a day of practicing to get anywhere. But I’ve actually found myself to be improving more with 3. You mentally and physically can get fatigued if you practice too much Some times even a few days is good. Practicing is just like school or working out. You need time to rest from it.
 

Jamie London

GYNNER
Staff member
  • Nov 11, 2019
    840
    1
    2,033
    32
    California
    synner.com
    12
    I know I’ve been practicing too much when I start to play badly haha If I practice for let’s say, 4 days in a row, 3 hours a day, by day 5 I’m actually a bit sloppy and not making as much progress as I was the days before and that’s when I know I need to take a day or two off I’ve been really cracking down on getting better at the harmonica and ocarina so those two fill my time on the days I’m taking a break from guitars.
     

    Jake Arnold

    Free Bird Player
    Nov 11, 2019
    49
    0
    31
    Traverse City
    I agree with everyone above.
    I noticed I start moving backwards when I focus too hard on one specific scale or technique for a while without jumping to different stuff in between.
    For example I have been working on sweeps alone for like an hour everyday for 3 months and I felt I had stopped progressing. I went on a road trip and didn’t try to sweep at all for about a week (which I thought was bad) but when I went back to it, it was like I had gotten 5 times better at it by not doing it for a few days. Stepping back for a few days after working really hard seems to help alot. I assume it let’s the muscle your building heal.
     

    Gabriel Corso

    Free Bird Player
    Nov 11, 2019
    282
    2
    I think that what determines whether you have practiced too much or not is your main goal as a guitar player.
    Now, the path to getting good at something is hard, frustrating and dark haha.
    Sometimes you just want to give up and try something else.
    But you stand up and try again until you achieve it !!
    I struggle a lot when it comes to guitar practicing, or studying for my exams. Sometimes you just need a little break ( 1 hour or 1 day). It is like that level on a video game – you tried 50 times, but still failed hahaha.
    You got to be persistent! If someone can do it, Why can’t I do it too?
    Keep up playing man! I feel the same sometimes, but it does not mattter. Everyone has its time to learn something.
    G.
     

    Dan Shipway

    Slim Shady
  • Nov 11, 2019
    726
    158
    9
    You know that red stuff in your body? I think it is called blood? If that starts pouring out of you like niagra falls you might want to stop.
    Seriously though, at the first sign of pain, stop and see what you are doing, in most instances it is probably that your muscles are not used to what you are doing but if it is something that you usually feel comfortable doing it is definitely worth checking out