I would love some advice on structuring my daily guitar practicing routine

[Cadgirl]

Hi @Moose , I would highly recommend the Fretboard Wizard course. I had to go over the course a lot and took heavy notes, But, I think I have it and I feel I am ready to put together my own song. I had to turn to “community support” on some things that just weren’t making any sense to me and I have to say it was great support! I think I would have given up otherwise. I am now on the last section called “Write your own song” and I am totally geeked. I think the Fretboard Wizard program is coming up pretty soon and like I said…. It’s well worth it , because then you’ll be able to connect the dots of when Tony is talking about in the daily challenges. He makes comments of Key of this, or that. Makes comments about the number system, universal rules, etc. It will all make sense. Good luck. Just remember to put your guitar where you can easily pick it up. As my mom used say….Out of site, Out of mind.

[Fly]

Hi moose, if your interested in learning flat picking and finger picking. You could try do the jumpstart lessons in the skills section. When you get to the end of them they end with an ‘easy’ song freight train and billy in the low ground. Both these are great introductions to the style and quite rewarding to learn but don’t get overwhelmed if they are difficult to start with if you stick with it there will be lots of light bulb moments and connections will start to form.

As for the daily lesson set a timer to 10 mins and do your best on them even if it means really simplifying them eg just playing a few notes of the bar or trying to understand the rhythm, then if you are getting something out of it you will probably end up playing longer, if not you will definitely be learning something put it to the side, and you will be surprised next time the lesson pops up or a similar technique you will already be familiar with it and have the opportunity to get a better grasp.

Try not get too overwhelmed some of the lessons are above me but more often than not after playing every day for a while now I can get them and they are fun. Good luck

[Loraine]

Congratulations on completing the 30 days to play @Moose .

Try to prioritize to know how to structure your practice. For instance, you said you’re going through the Next 6 Chords and some of the skills lessons, but you’re shying from the daily lessons. I think completing the Next 6 Chords should be a priority, then a minimum of 10 minutes on the daily lesson. I agree with Fly that the daily lessons teach technique and skills that translate to other skills in the Skills section and eventually songs. If you have time, work on one course at a time in the Skills section taking one at a time. The fingerpicking and flatpicking jumpstart courses actually teach an entire song. I suggest that before and after practice, try and get in the habit of stretching ( warm up and cool down to avoid injuries). You might choose to play a scale daily for finger dexterity and to learn different scales. Keep a notebook with your daily routine and progress. I wish I had started mine earlier in order to see my progress better. Break up practices and do short practice sessions throughout the day, if permitted. I pick up my guitar throughout the day and practice in short spurts (typically 10-15 minutes) and then put the guitar down. This is very effective in learning the guitar.

Well, hope there is some nugget in here for you. Keep on plucking and have fun.