I’ve been practicing an hour everyday for the last year and now I’m on vacation in Spain for 2 months. Hope I don’t forget everything and fall out of my practice schedule when I get back home. Any suggestions? Maybe I should buy a practice guitar at a music store here.
Hi Thomasine,
First of all, enjoy your holiday … 2 months wow, yes that is so long that I would buy a second hand guitar somewhere and play it under the Spanish sun
Have fun,Greetings, from a cold windy rainy Netherlands
Rogier
I agree with Roger, get a cheapy and play in that sun man cheers Hec
If you are able to take long vacations often, you might even consider buying a travel guitar.
Most folk on here don’t even need the travel excuse to buy another guitar
On a more serious note, I would only buy another guitar if you think it will increase the enjoyment of your holidays. You will be fine and back up to speed in no time when you get back, if you are genuinely interested in playing it. Definitely don’t buy one out of guilt of fear of losing skills
I wouldn’t worry about losing any skills Thomasine. I have taken several weeks at a time off playing for various reasons, and yes you may be a little rusty at first but muscle memory is a wonderful thing when it comes to playing guitar and anything you may have forgotten will quickly return.
Enjoy your holiday in sunny Spain !
Just enjoy your holiday and stop worrying about it, it’ll spoil your holiday - just go with the flow, have fun then come back refreshed with a more relaxed resolve!
Don’t worry about your progress.
You might need a few days to get back were you were but it will come back soon
2 months without guitar would feel quite long for me.
Not for the sake of your level but for the sake of;" I feel like playing a tune in the sun", I would consider buying something cheap there as well
For me going 2 months without playing guitar would be like forgetting my toothbrush. I’d would have to buy one or find somewhere to play one. Second hand shops or pawn shops are a good place to start. Some music stores will rent guitars aswell.
That’s just me though if your holiday doesn’t include playing music that’s OK.
I hope you have a great holiday Thomasine. Two months ? … well it’s all relative to how long you have been playing … 3 months, 3 years, 3 decades ?
I have been playing 4 years, and have had many 2-3 week breaks. Sure it took several practise sessions to get back to where I was. The longest break I have had is 4 weeks, travelling in Eastern Africa (yeah, I know, a tough gig … ! ). That took took me over a week to fully get back into things.
I will have another 4 week stint much further south (-70 deg) … even more … early in '25; hence guitars are not really practicable on my travels.
Buy another guitar ? Consider whether it is practicable for you to be able to practise, and whether fellow travellers would be happy with the idea too …
Assuming you have a green-light and you think it will be played, then go for it. What you buy is personal choice. Some people like traveller-style guitars (personally I don’t, having tried-out a few), others like the “mini style” like Taylor/HB/etc (had one and sold it, just not for me). However my judgement is based upon my personal criteria and usage.
Should I go somewhere less remote in the future, and for an extended period, I will bubble-wrap an acoustic 12-fret in a hard-shell case. and take my chances in the cargo-hold.
Hope that helps.
Happy holidays …
(AI was not abused in the writing of this post)
Some music shops will rent out guitars. Perhaps that’s a possibility.
Good comment, I bought a Journey OF-660 carbon fibre travel guitar and it’s been a great option when flying anywhere.
That’s the one I bought.
I have a Taylor mini that gets dragged to and fro.
I’m thrilled with mine. Had it for over eight years now.