What to Practice
In general, what we practice is ultimately defined by:
While it is impossible to isolate a particular theoretical concept in music (for example you can’t have melody without rhythm), below are a collection of practice guides that focus on covering a range of musical concepts within a given areas of playing.
Playing Technique
Section titled “Playing Technique”It’s important to be aware of the physical attributes of playing guitar, this allows us to focus on practicing with the correct body posture, hand positioning/ technique as well as minimalising tension in our playing.
Technical Exercises
Section titled “Technical Exercises”Technical exercise are a great way to build finger dexterity, strength and motor memory.
Chords
Section titled “Chords”When practicing chords, there are two factors which should be worked on: the shapes and the transitions between chords.
Shapes
Transitions
Theory
Section titled “Theory”Being able to identify notes on the fretboard helps us navigate the guitar in a more logical way than relying on fret numbers:
Scales
Section titled “Scales”Practicing scales is a efficient way to incorporate musical concepts such as rhythm, dynamics and tone. Scales also allow us to improvise, by using scales as a tool for creating melodies.
Scales can be practiced in multiple directions on the guitar. For example the major scale can be played both:
- Horizontally: Horizontal Scale Playing
- Vertically: The Major Scale
Rhythm
Section titled “Rhythm”When it come to playing music the strengthening of our relationship with rhythm is essential. After all the backbone of music is rhythm. When we talk about rhythm, rhythm can be divided and practiced in three categories:
Rhythm
Groove
Practice embodying groove by counting and foot tapping:
Style
Transcribing
Section titled “Transcribing”Being able to transcribe is a invaluable skill that can be developed at any stage of playing. Transcribing is a gradual learning process, that involves recognising pitch and rhythm. Start with simple melodies before moving on to more complicated structures such as chord progressions.
Learning Songs
Section titled “Learning Songs”Learning songs is the most efficient way to work on all the fundamental concepts in music. To get the most from learning songs try to play a complete song from start to finish before moving on to the next song.
Song Repesitory: SongShelf
Memory Development
Section titled “Memory Development”“The music doesn’t play you. You play the music!”
When we look at sheet music we are restriced in the sense that we rely on what’s written, this is why musicians tend to play better without sheet music. By practing memorising songs we can recall songs without the need for sheet music and play with more flexibility. Begin with simple song structures that loop a progression with a minimal amount of chords before moving on to more complicated song forms.
Sight Reading
Section titled “Sight Reading”Does learning how to sight read make you a better musician? No, not really. There are many proffessional guitarists who don’t know how to sight read but are still exceptional musicians. Why sight read? Sight reading trains our brain to connect the written notes on the stave with the notes positions on the guitar, which as a result strengthens our relationship with the instrument.