I really enjoyed that video. We are all delusional that the pros roll out of bed with zero practice and rock it on stage. Practice practice and more practice is the secret. Thanks for the advice and sharing what works well for you. Have a great weekend.
Jeff
5min finger exercise warm up
20min of scales with metronome (regular/3 in a line ect)
20min of various blues shuffle/riffs
10min of solo improv over backing track
10min percussive strum practice
This is the “practice” I aim to get done everyday until I’m happy with how I’m playing them.
Then it’s just songs, songs, songs 
all the songs I’m working on have a technique or skill I’m trying to develop, like barre chords/finger style/picking out single notes while strumming ect.
Of an evening/late at night I’ll do 1min changes of any chord transitions I’m struggling with, I usually stuff a sock under the strings at the bridge to mute the sound so not to wake/annoy anyone lol, I’ll do this while watching YouTube.
I’m fortunate enough (or unfortunate, depends how you look at it 
) to have the time to put into practicing/playing most days. I know that’s not the case for most people.
Biggest thing is to keep it fun and interesting 
Cheers Jeff.
Getting there but its been way more than a common cold, not that I’d had one in years. But I ain’t no spring chicken no more, which could be a factor.
Had a good 90 minutes session this morning with a few electric blues routines but very cumbersome but improving towards the end. Will drag the acoustic out and run through the OM song this evening but questioning if I should leave the vox for a few days.
Hope you get better yourself, there’s always another OM on the horizon, so bide your time !
Hi Jeff,
I tend to follow a structured learning routine most days (on others, I just play songs 
). Always starting with finger stretching, pinky workout, and one song for repertoire revision. Then, I’m practicing all the techniques and chord changes I want to improve.
The final section always is playing songs which I’d like to be part of my repertoire. At the moment, there are about 4 to 5 songs I’m working on.
Some minutes are always reserved for my new electric guitar, but mostly I’m playing in my acoustic.
And as others have already emphasized - the most important part is having fun 
.
Exercise-wise - I’m closing out my 5th month of learning the guitar and currently stuck in Grade 3 Module 15 for the 3rd week. Still can’t play through the bass notes link medley without making at least 1 error (with Guitar Pro). Also having some problems with the hammer finger exercise especially since I’m focused on keeping all fingers as close to the fretboard as possible (no flying index and pinky finger)
Songs - I’m now able to play Blackbird and We Can Work It Out together with the record and am learning how to play Norwegian Wood and Jessie’s Girl. I still struggle with Power Chord rock songs at full speed.
Music Theory / Ear Training - I’m trying to memorise the fretboard by spending 5mins/day no flashcard quizzes. I also use the jamming session to note every single note I’m playing. Also learnt about the Circle of Fifths and Major Keys (FCGDAEB, BEADGCF).
Thanks for sharing. You definitely have a full plate.
Ausgezeichnet😎 sounds like you have a great plan.
That’s something I struggle with. I always gave too much on my plate for adequate practice. I have to find a way to squeeze it in somewhere. I play everyday but not always quality practice and fundamentals like people said here.
Hey Jeff,
Always enjoyed your playing, your enthusiasm, and your zest to get out there.
You’ve identified some areas for improvement, so there’s a good basis for your practice right there.
I’ve found, over nearly 3 years, that structure and pinpoint focus are crucially important.
ie. Structure - a formal, written practice structure that gives direction, makes you accountable, and removes the dithering about.
Pinpoint Focus - being very specific with practice items. Time based, with specific steps/processes. eg practicing the major pentatonic;
5 mins - E and D CAGED shapes - 3 in a line pattern - ascending/ descending - 6/8 timing - start at 130bpm.
For me, every Sunday is a new schedule, reassessment, review, adjustments etc.
Its not really alot of work once you get it rolling.
This is what is working for me. Its personal for everyone I suppose. In the end though, if I’m doing something I love, and spending considerable time doing it, it makes sense to give myself the best shot at it.
Is it always perfect? Certainly not. Do I falter at times? Certainly do. But the above mindset and regime always brings me back to centre.
Cheers, Shane
I just jotted down a few things this week that I want to consolidate on and what I want to do in my next phase, which I plan to do in person with an instructor. I am looking for a local instructor now. I think my strumming to backing tracks is ok but without a backing track I don’t feel like I’m making music. I going to create a practice routine today for the items I want to consolidate on. This the plan for now and hopefully in-person lessons will keep me focused.
Consolidation Phase:(next 2-3 months)
Next Phase: (Instructor)
Wow you have a full plate. That is impressive the level of detail you have. For those who posted here it gave me lots of ideas to get myself a structured plan to improve. Thank you !
Hey Jeff,
I get where you’re coming from, I think pretty much all of us have beat ourselves up at one point or another for not progressing as quickly as we would like. My perspective changed with something a great guitarist and instructor said to me, and a question he asked me:
Be the best guitarist YOU can be.
(lol - I know I’m never going to be as good as most, but I’m OK with that because now I don’t feel the need to compare my playing with other folks).
Did you have fun?
(Every single time I pick up a guitar! Every missed note, crappy performance, buzzy chord, every single time. I love it!).
Once I learned to just let go, and be OK with doing the best I can do - playing (or in my case, attempting to play!) has been an entirely different experience for me.
Just sharing a few things that changed my perspective.
Keep doing what you’re doing man, just make sure to have fun doing it!!!
I’m working on being able to switch from playing rhythm to doing little lead fills where appropriate (not long solos, I don’t ever expect to be able to do that) and then switching back to rhythm on time and smoothly. It’s harder than I thought it would be 
.
Thanks a lot Jim. I remember you said something like that before about not quite feeling your best after performing and the guy you were with saying did you have fun? All good then. I’m still looking forward to getting out to Burbank eventually and some studio time. I posted an Aerosmith song yesterday which needs some work, but I’m happy I got through f# minor and A#. Those are kinda tough. I checked out unskinny bop and think that one is achievable. A lot of good advice from you and others here so thanks a lot.
Anytime Jeff!
Not feeling my best after my first live performance is an understatement - until I was asked if I had fun!
Let me know when you’re in town man, we can figure out a three or four chord diddly - don’t feel like you need to learn anything. If I can share any of the little shortcuts or tidbits I’ve learned, more than happy to do so. If I can share some of the joy guitar has brought me, I’ll be paying forward for all the folks who helped me along the way.
Just remember, smile - have fun every time you pick up a guitar!
I’ve been swamped at work for the last month so have almost entirely fallen off practicing. I picked at a few songs but they were more complicated then I could find the energy for. I think I’ve finally settled on Hey Hey, I’d like to learn a song to get back into a regular practice routine. Justin’s got a great lesson, and I also have the EC Unplugged tab book.
Nothing in particular, well, I should be practising Open Dominant 7th chord changes from Grade 2, but I just going though various songs in my song book and playing them instead (I guess you could say I became slightly better in strumming with a pick on an electric guitar because of this).
I definitely feel you there with work responsibilities. Try the 5 minute rule, which is leave your guitar out on a stand( not in a case), then play for 5 minutes whatever you want. It’s better than zero minutes. Songs should always be part of your routine in my opinion. Often the 5 minutes will turn into a longer session.
Hi Aurimas.
Thanks for sharing. Your songs are getting better and better each time you post one.
Hey Jeff, interesting thread, thanks for this, really helpful to read through everyone’s tips above 
My practice is very regimented and always follows the same pattern…
