Music Lessons, Little Rock
Practice Journal - update
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It's been a while since I've posted anything on practice. My routine has been in flux over the last 6 weeks as I'm tweaking to make best use of my time (one of the problems we all deal with).
For the last several days, I've been trying to get 5 hours in, but not all at once.
Six main topics are split into 20-25 minute blocks. They are Technique, Scales/Arpeggios, Chords, Reading, Ear Training and Repertoire. Once I finish the first cycle of the six topics, I'll start it all over. This makes up 4 hours. I then take an hour to work on anything I want, improv, vibrato, licks, etc.
This method seems to work better in that with such a small time window, I don't lose focus as easily as I would if I were working on a single item for a full 45-60 minutes.
In addition, I'm documenting everything ... My metronome settings, string sets, problem areas, etc. This way, the next time I hit the cycle, I can easily remember what I need to focus on this time around.
When you have it organized like this, you are more likely to stay on track and not waste time rehashing old material.
Anyway, to give you an idea of what I've been doing, here are my practice notes from yesterday for both sessions.
1. Technique (1) - all patterns comfortable at 107 bpm 16th notes. Had a tricky 3 note per string patter that alternated finger patter every string (124, 134, 124,134, etc). Found that I kept losing strict alternate picking on this pattern, which through my rhythm off slightly. Work on that next time.
1. Technique (2) - strict alt picking on 3 note pattern still troublesome. Slowed tempo down to 90bpm 16th notes and improved exercise. Still needs work for tomorrow.
2. Scales/Arpeggios (1) - Reviewed all modes, pentatonic patterns. 3 note per string modes had the same hiccup as the technique exercise (a carry over I guess). Work that out next segment.
2. Scales/Arpeggios (2) - Put a band in a box progression on and worked modes in the key of A ... changing chords in the progression to match to tonality of the mode. Practiced working modes off B string as a starting/stopping point. A little finger confusion. Need to clean it up next practice.
3. Chords (1) - writing out chords built on stacked fifths from the minor pentatonic scale. For example, G minor pentatonic (G Bb C D F) ... The chords are G minor (G D Bb), Bb sus (Bb F C), C sus (C G D) Dminor#5 (D Bb F) and F sus (F C G). This creates a im, bIIIsus, IVsus, Vminor#5, bVII sus progression. Worked out chords on strings 4 2 1.
3. Chords (1) - finished stacked fifths on string sets 5 3 2 and 6 4 3. Put progression in Band In A Box and practiced soloing over chords. The minor pentatonic sounds refreshingly different when played over the 3 sus chords.
4. Reading (1) - 20 minutes.
4. Reading (2)- 20 minutes.
5. Ear Training (1) - Ascending/Descending intervals in A.
5. Ear Training (2) - Ascending / Descending intervals in A.
6. Repertoire (1) - Practiced Green Day "When I come around" for teen jam session
6. Repertoire (2) - Practiced Guns & Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" for teen jam session.
guitar guitar lessons guitar workshop jam session practice practice schedule guns and roses green day scales chords rhythm
It's been a while since I've posted anything on practice. My routine has been in flux over the last 6 weeks as I'm tweaking to make best use of my time (one of the problems we all deal with).
For the last several days, I've been trying to get 5 hours in, but not all at once.
Six main topics are split into 20-25 minute blocks. They are Technique, Scales/Arpeggios, Chords, Reading, Ear Training and Repertoire. Once I finish the first cycle of the six topics, I'll start it all over. This makes up 4 hours. I then take an hour to work on anything I want, improv, vibrato, licks, etc.
This method seems to work better in that with such a small time window, I don't lose focus as easily as I would if I were working on a single item for a full 45-60 minutes.
In addition, I'm documenting everything ... My metronome settings, string sets, problem areas, etc. This way, the next time I hit the cycle, I can easily remember what I need to focus on this time around.
When you have it organized like this, you are more likely to stay on track and not waste time rehashing old material.
Anyway, to give you an idea of what I've been doing, here are my practice notes from yesterday for both sessions.
1. Technique (1) - all patterns comfortable at 107 bpm 16th notes. Had a tricky 3 note per string patter that alternated finger patter every string (124, 134, 124,134, etc). Found that I kept losing strict alternate picking on this pattern, which through my rhythm off slightly. Work on that next time.
1. Technique (2) - strict alt picking on 3 note pattern still troublesome. Slowed tempo down to 90bpm 16th notes and improved exercise. Still needs work for tomorrow.
2. Scales/Arpeggios (1) - Reviewed all modes, pentatonic patterns. 3 note per string modes had the same hiccup as the technique exercise (a carry over I guess). Work that out next segment.
2. Scales/Arpeggios (2) - Put a band in a box progression on and worked modes in the key of A ... changing chords in the progression to match to tonality of the mode. Practiced working modes off B string as a starting/stopping point. A little finger confusion. Need to clean it up next practice.
3. Chords (1) - writing out chords built on stacked fifths from the minor pentatonic scale. For example, G minor pentatonic (G Bb C D F) ... The chords are G minor (G D Bb), Bb sus (Bb F C), C sus (C G D) Dminor#5 (D Bb F) and F sus (F C G). This creates a im, bIIIsus, IVsus, Vminor#5, bVII sus progression. Worked out chords on strings 4 2 1.
3. Chords (1) - finished stacked fifths on string sets 5 3 2 and 6 4 3. Put progression in Band In A Box and practiced soloing over chords. The minor pentatonic sounds refreshingly different when played over the 3 sus chords.
4. Reading (1) - 20 minutes.
4. Reading (2)- 20 minutes.
5. Ear Training (1) - Ascending/Descending intervals in A.
5. Ear Training (2) - Ascending / Descending intervals in A.
6. Repertoire (1) - Practiced Green Day "When I come around" for teen jam session
6. Repertoire (2) - Practiced Guns & Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" for teen jam session.
guitar guitar lessons guitar workshop jam session practice practice schedule guns and roses green day scales chords rhythm
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