TIMES:

In a perfect week, I play every day 45-90 minutes.  Some sessions are longer than others, time just flies when you’re having FUN!

I turn off my phone during my practice times.

I set my morning routine up the night before, in writing!

WHEN:

I practice first thing in the morning, which includes a warm-up of stretches and simple “spider walking” exercises.

Followed by SCALE work, which is chosen the night before.  This work includes a chosen scale in different positions on the fretboard.  This might take a few days of work and that’s just fine! This consists of  Major, Minor, and Pentatonic scale work.  Here I will use alternate picking, downstrokes picking, and fingerpicking (in different sessions).

Later in the evening, I will work on one song and only one song.  Taking each section in small bites.

WHERE:

Morning practice is in the bedroom, my guitar and books are right at hand, ready to go!

Evening practice is in the family room!

I try to include one chapter of daily reading from a book or magazine, that relates to music or a musician, for encouragement and motivation.   I’m currently reading “The Art of Practicing” by Madeline Bruser.

It may seem like a lot, but it’s all in small increments.

Crystal G.