Forum players under 21 (Page 18 of 25)

Welcome!

Hey DirtyBanjo, hope you don't mind me chiming in with a response to this one.

I'm sure it's the case for most players, but I've always just played/studied what excites me at that moment in time. If I'm inspired by Jazz players, I'll improve my theory knowledge, if I'm inspired by virtuoso musicians, I'll concentrate on technique etc. This method probably is a little disjointed and is the reason why I sucked at learning music in school, but I found that I learned SOOO much quicker if it was something I actively sought out and WANTED to learn, which is why now I don't question it and just go at my own pace.

There's enough responsibilities and things to worry about in life as it is, and I don't feel the organic and visceral nature of music should be one of them. But that's just my thoughts, structured practise and study works great for some people and the important distinction is that they enjoy that method greatly, it's just how they're wired.

So no I don't schedule what I'm going to practise at this stage, that might change but I NEVER force anything when it comes to music. Although to hear another perspective that might help you greatly, check out interviews with Steve Vai where he talks about practise, he LOVED the structured methodical practise regime so much that he created detailed practise routines that lasted ALL day, and you can tell how much pleasure he got out of it, as well as great results.

Hope that helps and keep us updated

Frazer

Hey Jake

Thanks for the compliment.

I personally have no form of a practice regiment whatsoever (I probably should!) ... I just kinda have my guitar next to my chair and I just pick it up and play/practice for 40-45 minutes at a time whenever I feel like it, 4 or 5 times a day.

There are some days when I just can't be bothered with it and would rather just have a lazy day (don't we all do that sometimes? )

But yeah, my personal opinion is that if you create a practice schedule then you're forcing yourself to play..and that could possibly start to take away from the fun of it.

If you want very good advice for advancing your skills and enjoyment. Get with quality musicians and jam, jam, jam. It is a whole different ball game and your playing will come on leaps and bounds. We often have young players up for a jam in sound check and while they can noodle away quite competently, playing with a band is alien to them. A bit of coaxing and encouragement and they are soon digging it.
Try to find musicians who are a step above your level and go for it. It really is much more fun. As for practice time, do as much as you enjoy, set realistic goals. 
As some of you know I manage a young working band, they live with my family and it amazes me how mich practice they put in. There is no structure or time schedule. Drummer usually up and in studio by 11am for 2 hours, then the band jam/play/work out for 3 to 4 hours (with breaks). Then on the evening they are usually chilling and jamming with acoustics. This is 5 days a week and something spontaneous usually goes down on the W/e.
Why am I saying this? The point is that there is no schedule, they just enjoy it, no pressure to practice. If they were doing this individually then I doubt the same amount if time would be put in.
So if you can get with other musos, don't be shy, just do it.

Saw that video a few weeks ago. Great stuff. I'm not a huge Vai fan but what he has to say is very enlightening. I've found that a huge number of things that you 'can't' do on guitar are mental so the whole "picture yourself playing it and then play it" thing makes a lot of sense to me.

I totally agree. I'm lucky enough to be at a college with a club dedicated to non music major musicians and we get together and jam regularly. Its great practice because you've got so many people coming from so many different backgrounds. One second we'll be playing Zeppelin and the next I'll have to figure out some Nirvana progression that the bass player started into.

I'd love to find some more experienced and better guitar players to jam with. My dad who i don't see often is an awesome blues guitarist so I try to get together with him when I'm able and absorb as much as possible.

sounds awesome man, whats your recording setup like?

Thanks Seth... Although I'm 17 now haha But thank you heaps!

Just plug straight into a Boss Br-900cd and I just use sound patches I've made on there! Thanks man!

Thanks Devan!! But there was no way that it was better than EC's!! He is god after all!