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What are you all experimenting with this week.
I’ll share 2 things
I just started experimenting with practicing in short increments—5 minutes at a time. This idea came from a great video I watched on the spider exercise (thanks to whoever shared it!). The instructor suggested using a timer for 5-minute intervals, and I’ve found it’s just the right amount of time to make progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Today, I applied this technique to my Barr chord exercises. I’m still working on those tricky D – F – C – F chord changes in Neil Young’s Old Man, and the timer really helps me focus. I’ve also added a few other exercises, including the spider, to these short sessions. Five minutes feels just right—enough time to challenge myself without overdoing it.
Another big improvement has been fixing my posture. I used to hunch over my guitar with one leg crossed to keep it close, but that habit wasn’t doing my back any favors. (I’m 67). So, I got myself a guitar footstool, which gives me the control I need without having to scrunch up. I also make a conscious effort to sit with my back straight, it feels much better and my playing feels more comfortable.
I’m curious what you might working on.
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13 Replies
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I use a timer for a lot of my practice. I bought this which makes it super simple and encourages me to use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09M3NBJ9B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I’m working on several things.
– I’m trying to break myself of using my pinky finger on the pick guard when picking individual strings. I’ve been doing this for a year so it is a tough habit to break.
– getting my thumb behind the neck for things like scales and keeping my knuckles parallel to the fretboard. It helps so much on the amount of stretch I can get between my fingers and minimizes the amount of hand movement trying to fret various notes.
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Pinky on the pick guard is another thing I am working on.
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I’m practicing chord transitions. I have spreadsheet with 15 transitions listed right now.
Here’s my MO: I practice a change for a little while and then count how often I can do them in a minute. I record this in the spreadsheet and then check again next week how many I can do. Rinse and repeat.
My fingers have been giving me heck because some instructor had make the G chord in a completely different shape from what I’ve been practicing. Guess I’ve got to add that shape to my spreadsheet!-
Maybe you need to add it, maybe not. A G-chord is a G-chord, some may sound a little fuller or richer but that are all going to sound like a G. So you may be able to use the one on already know.
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I have seen that quick chord change exercise. Looks like a good one I may add that in the future.
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I should give credit to the teacher I got it from: Lauren Bateman
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Fun prompt Paul!
I’m playing with a Boss RC-1 looper. I only have acoustics but my GS-Mini has a pickup and so I use that with the looper and a small 15W Fender amp. I mostly just play a few bars with a chord or two and then practice scales/arpeggios/solos over them.
Also recently got a Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 and just started playing with that and Garageband to get all sorts of different guitar and amp sounds. I’m just playing around but it’s fun when I have the time.
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I have been messing around with a looper and a focusrite 4i4 with Reaper DAW and also OBS with 2 video cameras. I’m in way over my head but I occasionally surface and get a breath of air with the help of my grandson’s teaching visits.
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Looks like a looper would add a lot fun to playing. Might have to add one to my Christmas list.
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it’s been so nice out the last few days I’ve just been playing outside more. so, i’ll work on that, playing more guitar outside. 🙂 Metronome work is a must.. I like makeing a bass guitar loop for some timing work, then I’ll hit the drums, play gitbox or grab a slab and push some air along with it. and what is wrong with anchoring Miss Pinky? seemed to work out all right for this dood.
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I have read that is “better form” to not have your pinky on the pick guard but many great guitarists do. I see Tony do it at times. Great song.
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I’ve been working on figuring out how to use different modes to change the sound and/or mood of a couple of my original songs. They say it’s easy when you finally “see” it. Right now, it’s still a little blurry, but I think I’m getting it.
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