Comments on: Thoughts on Practice from a Wise, Old Guitarist

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:45:54 +0000

I can’t afford a good hands-on teacher. I am looking, but for now I am relying on the internet.

By: Blues Licks God

Blues Licks God — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:27:52 +0000

Yes of course you must practice practice and keep on practicing. But it’s also important to practice smart. It really helps to have a good teacher to guide you.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 03:16:36 +0000

Brett,
I’m having a lot of trouble learning to play guitar. I have really short arms and fingers. I feel like there’s no way I will ever comfortably play chords. I’ve been trying to play a G all night and it hurts my fingers horribly and something always sounds flat. I’ve had the guitar tuned by my father-in-law, who lent me a small guitar and I’m pretty sure I’m using proper technique… Will this pass with practice or is there no hope for me?

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:36:37 +0000

Ned, I actually did. You won’t believe it though. Got a 1983 Martin D-28. However, when we tried getting it set up the luthier said, “Hey you know this is a knock off Martin right?” I was furious. Unfortunately, the guitar was sold as-is, and this “wise old guitarist” didn’t have the decency to refund the money.

*shakes head*

Lesson learned there… always do your homework with vintage instruments.

By: Ned Harkey

Ned Harkey — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:24:48 +0000

So, did you buy any of his amazing vintage guitars at an unreal low price?

By: How to Practice Guitar and Get the Most Out of It

How to Practice Guitar and Get the Most Out of It — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:47:37 +0000

[...] If you want to become a better guitar player (or better ‘anything’ for that matter), you must practice! While this is really important to understand, I’d say it’s equally important that we [...]

By: How To Play Guitar Fast! 5 Tips to Increase Speed | Guitar Friendly

How To Play Guitar Fast! 5 Tips to Increase Speed | Guitar Friendly — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:26:43 +0000

[...] my post “Thoughts on Practice from a Wise, Old Guitarist,” I asked Bill, a well-aged retired, professional guitar player how to increase my guitar [...]

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:08:43 +0000

I’m really glad you brought that up. So true!

I think it is good to have those times where we just play what is comfortable. This is the fruit of our labor from previous practicing. This is good I’d say.

But like you said, if we aren’t being intentional about putting more challenging material in front of us to practice, then our practice can be not as productive.

It’s good to be able to distinguish between just jamming and then practicing. Both are good, but too easily do we mix the two.

By: john

john — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:34:28 +0000

yesiree! i can say that when i haven’t played and practiced for a while, it sure is frustrating when i do pick my guitar up again…at least for a little while…until i get back into the “groove” of things. bill’s sage wisdom should be a solace and encouragement for us all! the only thing i might add is that it is important to practice with some type of goal in mind, i.e. learning a new song or group of chords, because practice without having a goal can sometimes be counterproductive. like, i just find myself playing the same old stuff i learned 20 years ago ’cause it’s comfortable and familiar. i have to remind myself that the point of practice is to get better. the only question remains is…am i getting any better and at what?