Practice Help

[Jaxon Muller]

Hello,

This is my first post to the community, very grateful this exists. I was wondering if anyone could provide tips on the best way to practice? Syn talks about "perfect practice makes perfect," I think that's exactly right. What do you consider to be "perfect practice"? I'm beginner-intermediate level of playing.

Thanks!

 

[idssdi]

Practice with a metronome, holding the pick the right way, don't rush it and most importantly have some fun too

 

[Jaxon Muller]

Practice with a metronome, holding the pick the right way, don't rush it and most importantly have some fun too

I've employed the metronome, do you recommend a certain tempo to begin at and how fast to speed it up from there?? Thanks for your reply!

 

[idssdi]

I've employed the metronome, do you recommend a certain tempo to begin at and how fast to speed it up from there?? Thanks for your reply!

It depends on what you're playing really. If it's 16th notes I start at a lower BPM than when it's quarter or 4th notes. Usually around 80 BPM is a good plays to start for me.

 

[Ben newton]

The best way to practice (depends on how you like to learn);

- Practice what inspires you to play (however try to listen and learn lots of styles)
- Use a metronome
- Understand your strengths and weaknesses, creating plan of action to work on key points you might be struggling with
- Keep your instrument tuned
- Practice your scales, chords and arpeggios
- Ask questions when you dont know the answer. Ask a question if you are unsure. Ask a question even if you know.

In my opinion, perfect practice depends on a few points (not necessarily to do with music study)

- Quality of practice (practicing at a comfortable speed, practicing safely, good sleep routine)
- Quantity of practice (However if you are not practicing safely such as causing yourself repetitive strain, then quantity isnt so great) So practice safely
- Learner Type (Making use of your preferred learning styles such as visual, auditory, read and write and kinesthetic)
- Having reliable material and learning from reliable sources

Overall what perfect practice is to some isnt necessarily perfect practice to others, so use this site as a form of study material and explore these ideas yourself!

 

[Jaxon Muller]

It depends on what you're playing really. If it's 16th notes I start at a lower BPM than when it's quarter or 4th notes. Usually around 80 BPM is a good plays to start for me.

Great thank you so much!

 

[Jaxon Muller]

The best way to practice (depends on how you like to learn);

- Practice what inspires you to play (however try to listen and learn lots of styles)
- Use a metronome
- Understand your strengths and weaknesses, creating plan of action to work on key points you might be struggling with
- Keep your instrument tuned
- Practice your scales, chords and arpeggios
- Ask questions when you dont know the answer. Ask a question if you are unsure. Ask a question even if you know.

In my opinion, perfect practice depends on a few points (not necessarily to do with music study)

- Quality of practice (practicing at a comfortable speed, practicing safely, good sleep routine)
- Quantity of practice (However if you are not practicing safely such as causing yourself repetitive strain, then quantity isnt so great) So practice safely
- Learner Type (Making use of your preferred learning styles such as visual, auditory, read and write and kinesthetic)
- Having reliable material and learning from reliable sources

Overall what perfect practice is to some isnt necessarily perfect practice to others, so use this site as a form of study material and explore these ideas yourself!

Thank you so much for the thoroughness of your reply! I've checked out your vids, incredible! I will apply this criteria when practicing, I realize it is subjective from player to player but I am definitely interested in what works for those who seem to excel in the areas I want to grasp. Thanks again!

 

[Firsty Lasty]

For me personally the #1 most important thing is to not repeat mistakes and always be willing to slow down enough to focus on any needed details. I get the best results when I focus on improving how I play something well below how fast I can actually play.

Trying to race against a metronome always results in no progress or even a loss of progress for me. Looking back there hasn't been a single time it has helped.

 

[Daniel Verde]

I think there is already a bunch of really great advice here which is specific to guitar. This might seem strange, but seriously watch this youtube video on Michael Jordan. I feel like the attention to detail and dedication that you'll witness here can be applied to practicing ANYTHING. The training that goes in to being great is arguably even more important than the talent. Again it might seem strange, but I challenge you to watch this video and think of how it applies to your guitar playing.