The Top 10 Mistakes

Guitarists Make In Their

Practice Session
(and how to avoid them...)

by Greg ORourke
fretdojo.com

Greg ORourke 2015. All rights reserved.


1

AboutTheAuthor

AwardwinningAustralianguitaristGregORourkereceivedhis
BachelorOfMusicHonoursdegreein2006,andwasascholarship
holderattheAustralianNationalUniversitySchoolOfMusic.Gregs
mainspecialityisinfingerstylejazzguitar,whichheteachesabout
onhiswebsitewww.FretDojo.com.

Gregsversatileabilityontheguitariscredittoseveralteachershe
hasstudiedwithovertheyears,includingTimKain,oneof
Australiasleadingclassicalguitarperformersandteachers,aswell
asMikePriceandthelateDonAndrews,wellknownperformersand
teachersintheAustralianjazzguitarscene.Gregiscurrently
studyingadvancedjazzimprovisationandarrangingwithCanadian
jazzguitaristMattWarnock.

GreghasgivenprizewinningperformancesattheAustralianNationalUniversityChamberMusic
Competition,andwasawarded1stprizeintheChamberMusicdivisionofthe2004Australian
InternationalGuitarCompetition.
Gregcurrentlyenjoysabusycareer,comprisingofteachingonlineand

offline,performingandcollaboratingwithotherAustralianartists.

LearnWithGreg:ExclusiveReaderBonus!

TableofContents

Preface 3

Mistake#1:AnAppleaDayKeepstheDoctorAway 4

Mistake#2:NotMakingProgress?Thiscouldbewhy 12

Mistake#3:TheBestFeedbackAnyMusicianCanGet 17

Mistake#4:AJackofAllTradesisMasterofNone 21

Mistake#5:HaveYouGotIt,orNot? 26

Mistake#6:YouRequireThisKeySkill 30

Mistake#7:ExcellenceDemandsThisAncientTechnique 34

Mistake#8:Thiscouldbehurtingyourtechniqueandyourhealth 38

Mistake#9:TheMythMostMusiciansLiveBy 42

Mistake#10:Lastbutnottheleast 45

NextSteps 48

Preface

Timeandtimeagain,inmyownteachingandfromdiscussionswithother

guitarists,Iveseenguitarplayersmakingthesamemistakesoverandover.

Whatcanmakeorbreakyourguitarplayingisyourguitarpractice.Howyou

dontdo)
structureyourpracticesession,whatyoudo(and iscritically

importantforgettingbetterresultsontheinstrumentinlesstime.

Isincerelyhopeyougetalotoutofthisguideandhavesomekeytakeaways

foryoutoremovetheroadblocksinyourplaying!

Withbestwishes,

GregORourke

www.fretdojo.com

#1:AnAppleaDayKeepsthe
DoctorAway

Weallknowthatfeeling.

Youknow,thatitchyfeelingyougetinyourfingers.Thatrestlesscornerof

yourmindknowingthatsomethingisntquiteright.

YouknowwhatImtalkingabout.Itssomethingallguitaristsarefamiliar

with.

WhatamIalludingto?Notpracticingguitarfordaysofdaysofcourse!

Fretingus
Guitarwithdrawalisthemedicaltermortousetheformalterm

Devoidilicus.

Howseriouscanthisterribleafflictionbe?Well,Iknewsomeonethatused

togocrazyiftheyhadntplayedtheirguitarforatleast24hours.Yes,

Literally.ClinicallyInsane.

The
Futileattemptsathumouraside,InowintroducetoyouNumber1of

Top10MistakesGuitaristsMakeInTheirPracticeSession:

Mistake#1:NotHavingARegularRoutine
Havingaroutineisthecoreskillofanymusician.Itisfromaroutinethat

oureffortweputintosomethinghasthehighestleverage.Itmakesdifficult

thingseasybyturningsomethingimpossibleintomanageablechunks.

Sowhydosomanyguitaristsignorethispoint?

Lifegetsinthewayofcourse.Lifewillconspireagainstyoutothwartany

attemptstocreateaworthwhileroutineatanything.Howeverasanaspiring

first
musicianthisisthe thingthatyouneedtoensureisfirmlyputinplace.

Notimespentonscales,coordinationexercises,improvising,speed

development,oranythingelsewillbearanyresultanytimesooninyour

playingwithouthavingaregularroutine,bywhichyoumaketimeforyour

guitarpracticeandthenhaveawellthoughtoutstructureinthesession

itself.

InthefirstinstallmentofthistenpartGuide,youwilllearnthebenefitsof

creatingadailyroutinetoyourguitarpractice,andhowtocreateandstick

toaroutine.

TheBenefitofaRegularRoutine
Thereisnowaythatonecanimproveaskillwithoutaroutineofsomesort,

especiallyforacomplexskilllikeguitarplaying.Why?

ToanswerthisquestionIwanttointroducetoyouoneofthebesthelping

handsyouwilleverhaveonyourmusicaljourney.Hisnameis

Yourveryown
subconsciousmind.

Thesubconsciousmindisyourfriend.Itisyourhumbleassistant,working

arent
onyourguitarskillsforyouallthosetimesthroughoutthedayyou

practicing.Justlikemixingupsomedoughandthenleavingittoriseonthe

you
benchwhileyouhaveacupoftea,thesubconsciousmindworkswhile

dont.

Inyourpracticesessionyoubasicallyhaveahandovermeetingwithyour

subconsciousmindandoutlineitsworkforthedaywhileafterwardsyou

metaphoricallygoandplaygolf.

Haveyouevernoticedwhenyouhavepracticedregularly,andpickupyour

guitarafteragoodnightssleeptotrythattrickychordmelodysoloof

GreenDolphinStreetthatyouwerestrugglingwiththedaybeforeallofa

suddenitbecomeseasier?

Thatsbecauseallthroughthedayandnight,Mr.Subconscioushasbeen

conscious
workinghisbootyoff.Andyou(wellthe you)didnthavetodo

in
anything!Itsnotactually thepracticesessionyougetbetteratthatriff.

inbetween
Its yourpracticesessions!

Thatisthemainreasonforwhyroutinesaresopowerful(andgetting

enoughsleepaswellforthatmatter:).Infact,therearemanyother

benefitstoastrongroutine:

Routinesinawayareanarbitrarywaytoensurethatyouactuallydo

maketimetoplayyourinstrument.Especiallyifyouhavefamily

membersitgivesanexpectationthatyouwillbeunavailablefor

those2030minutesdailysothatyoucanworkonyourcraftwithout

beinginterrupted.

Routinesgiveyouaframeworkbywhichtoorganiseyourlifeandto

measureyourprogress.Professionalmusiciansandothercreative

typesareoftenterribleatselforganising.Ithinkthiscouldbedueto

thefacttheyspendconsiderabletimeworkingfromhomeanddont

haveanyroutinesorexpectationsimposedonthemexternally,e.g.

bya9to5job.

Routinesencourageselfdiscipline,whichcanpositivelyimpactall

sortsofareasinyourlife,notjustyourguitarplaying.

Areyouconvinced?Good!Soletsnowtalkabouthowtogetaroutine

happeningforyourpractice.

HowtoDevelopaRoutine
Talktoyourfamily(ifyouhaveone)oryourhousematesand

collectivelydecideonatimethatwouldbeworkableforeveryone.A

routinewillonlybesuccessfulifyougarnersupportfromthoseit

affects.

Decideclearlyonthe
duration
foryourdailyeffort,andberealistic

initially.Startsmallifyouareabeginnerandjustdosay10to15

minutes.Foraproguitaristyouwillneedaroundanhouratleast,

howeverifyouareverywellorganisedinyoursessionyoumayneed

only30minutes.

Alotoftimecanbewastedifyouarenotorganisedinadvanceto

practice.Makesureyouhaveadedicatedcornerofaroom(ora

wholeroomifyouhouseissoendowed)andthatallyourgadgets

anddoodadsareoutreadytogo.Yourprecious20minutesmaybe

90%wastedifyouarerunningaroundlookingforyourguitartuner,a

pencilandsoonyouwouldbesurprisedhowfasttimemoveswhen

youareinyourpracticesessiontime.

FindingaRegularTimeToPractice
Thisisoneofthehallmarksofasustainableroutine.Herearesometipsto

helpfindaworkabletime:

Makeitideallyatthesametimeeachday,thiswillessentiallymeet

theexpectationsofthoseyourroutineeffects.

Ifyouneedto,getupearlytopractice(preferable)orstayupabit

later.

Useheadphonesandanelectricguitarifyoupracticeattimethat

disturbsotherfamilymembers.Forthosetimesmypracticeneedsto

bequietIusethe
SteinbergUR44audiointerface
pluggedintomy

computerwithheadphones.Whatisgreataboutthissetupisthatall

youneedtodoisturnyourcomputeron,plugyourguitarinand

everythingisreadytogoperfectforalatenightpracticesession

andnocomplaintsfromtheneighbors!Addedbonus:youcaneasily

recordyourselfthroughthissetuptoassessyourprogress.

Ifyouwantthefeelofanacousticguitarwiththismethod,asilent

guitarmightbethebestoption,
clickhereforamodelIrecommend.

Decideonthe
durationtopractice
atleast20minutesdailyisstill

sufficienttomakesomeprogress(30minutesatleastisidealtoaim

forthough).

HowToStructureaPracticeSession
Welldonemyapprentice!Youhavecreatedaregularroutine.Butthat

leadsustoanotherroutinetoimplement:
thesequenceofthingsyou

actuallydoinapracticesession.


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Thisdoesntneedtobeverycomplicated.Thisismytriedandtested

routinethatIhaveineachpracticesession:

WarmUp:
e.g.play1scaleorarpeggioacoupleoftimes

MainProject:
themainthingImcurrentlyworkingonatthemoment,

e.glearningaseriesofJoePasslicks,learninganewtuneetc

Review:
IplayatuneoracoupleoftunesthatIalreadyknow

Ifmyscheduleisallowingalongerpracticesession(1ormorehours)

Iensurethat
regularbreaks
arefactoredintothedailyroutineas

well.Thisisahighleveragetechniqueasputtingshortbreaks

periodicallythroughoutalongsessionrefreshesyourmind,and

meansyoucanassimilatemoreinformationcomparedtoifyouare

braindeadfromoverdoingit.

YourAssignment:
OkaspiringguitarJediovertoyou.Thinkaboutyourguitarpractice

routine.Doyouhaveone?Ifyoudo,howcoulditbeimproved?

Ireallybelievethisissomethingoverlookedbysomanyguitarists,Icant

emphasiseenoughhowmuchimplementingthesestrategiescouldimprove

yourguitarplaying.

Icanhighlyrecommendabookonthesubjectofcreatingandmaintaining

99U.com
routinesforcreativetypesbyJocelynK.Gleiandtheteamat :


11

ManageYourDayToDay:BuildYourRoutine,FindYourFocus&

SharpenYourCreativeMind(book).

Thisisthe
bestresource
onthetopicIhavecomeacross.

InthenextinstalmentoftheGuide,wearegoingtotouchonamistakeI

seeguitaristsmakingallthetime,whichiscripplingtheirabilitiesand

causinganytimetheyaremakingintheirpracticetobewasted.


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#2:NotMakingProgress?This
couldbewhy...

Hereisaclassicexchangeinaguitarlesson:

Teacher:Tom,thattunestillneedsalotofwork,didyoudoanypractice?

Student:Yes,I
practicedquitealot
actually.(Tomlooksabithotunder

thecollar.)

was
IthinkTomwasactuallytellingthetruth.Perhapshe dedicating

regulartimetoaroutine.

However

Aroutineinitselfisntenoughtoreachyourgoalsonguitar.Weneed

anotheringredient.WhichleadsmetointroduceMistake#2:


13

Mistake#2:NotHavingClearOutcomes
Itisdifficultwithanartisticpursuittohaveclearoutcomes.Afterall,music

hasinfinitepossibilities,whichmeansinfinitedirectionsthatyoucouldgoin

ineachpracticesession.

Theproblemwhenyouaretryingtolearnaskillthoughisbywalkingin

manydifferentdirectionsatonce,doyouthinkthatyoureachyour

destination?

Orperhapstheoutcomesonedesiresaretoofuzzy,likeIwanttoget

betteratguitar.OftenwhenIaskstudentshowtheyaregoingtogetbetter

atatune,theyjustsaypracticeitmore.Thisistoovaguean

dont
understandingandwillreflectintheresultstheygetor,shouldIsay,

get.

ThereisatechniquethatIusethatreallyhelpssetclearoutcomesin

practicesessions.Icallthisfortnightlyoutcomegoals.

TheSolution:FortnightlyOutcomeGoals
Atthestartofevery2weeksofpractice,Iwritedowninmydedicated

practicediarythe3or4thingsthatIwanttoaccomplishinmypractice

sessionsoverthenext2weeks.Thiswouldlooksomethinglike:


14

Goalsfor28/8/1511/9/15:

AbletoplaytranscriptionofLennyBreaussoloonGreenDolphin

Streetwithoutanyerrorsat110beatsperminute

Abletoplaya2octaveDbMajorscaleat130beatsperminute.

Abletoimprovisewiththe2JoePasslicksIlearntonthetuneAngel

Eyes.

ThesestatementsarecleargoalsofwhatIwanttoachieveforthenext2

weeks.Noticehowthereislittleambiguityhere.Eachstatementneedsto

havesomesortofbenchmarkthatwoulddesignatethegoalcomplete.

Theruleis:Youarenotallowedtoaddanythingelsetothislistuntilthe

next2weeksisup.

Youthenwritewhatyouneedtodoinordertoreacheachofthesegoals.

Forexample,letstakethefirstgoalonthelist:

Goal#1:
LennyBreausGreenDolphinStsolo,110bpm:

TasksToCompleteGoal#1:

Graduallyincreasespeedofthewholesectionuntilreaching110

beatsperminute

Revisevoicingsinb43


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Workonaccuracyinbars23and27

Workonthealteredscalelicksinbar67

NowthatIhavemygoalsforthenext2weeksandthetasksneededto

attainthesegoals,Ithendevisearoutinethatwillallowtimetoworkon

them.

IfIonlyhavea30minutesessionthough,itisunlikelyIwillhaveenough

all
timetoworkon prioritise
thetasksforallofmygoals.Soitstimeto the

abovelist:

TasksToCompleteGoal#1(Prioritised):

Workonthealteredscalelicksinbar67

Workonaccuracyinbars23and27

Revisevoicingsinb43

Graduallyincreasespeedofthewholesectionuntilreaching110

beatsperminute

Ithenchoosethetoponefromthelistandthen
workitintomypractice

routine.
AsmentionedinthePart1,herearehowmypracticesessionsare

structured:


16

Structurefora30minutepracticesession:

Warmup:5mins

MainProject:20mins

ReviewPreviousTunes:5minutes

SoifItakethefirsttaskoffthetopofmyprioritisedlist,myinitialfirstfew

practicesessionsforthe2weekblockwouldlooksomethinglikethis:

Practicesession28/8/15:

WarmUp:ascaleortwo5mins

MainProjectWorkonthealteredscalelicksinbar67:20mins

ReviewTaketheATrain5minutes

YourAssignment:
Nexttimeyoupracticehaveathinkaboutyoursessionandwhatit

comprises.Haveyougotcleargoals?Haveyougotcleartaskslistedto

meetthesegoals?Haveyouprioritisedthesetasks?Areyouactioning

themintheMainProjecttimeofyourpracticesession?

Inthenextchapterwewilladdressatopicthatmakesmostguitarists

cringe.Canyouguesswhatitis?


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#3:TheBestFeedbackAny
MusicianCanGet

Thisisatruestory.

OneofthebestjazzguitaristsIknow(letscallhimRobby)overheard

tapedeck
someoneplayingarecordingonanoldtapedeck(yesa this

wasthe1990safterall)ofsomesologuitarmusic.

Whoisitplayingthatpiece?Therhythmisallovertheplace,andtheir

toneislikeacheesegrater!

Thepersonplayingtherecordingstaredblankly,asifponderingwhatto

saynext.

Davehimself.
Therecordingwasof ClearlyhehadbeenmakingMistake

#3:


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Mistake#3:NotRecordingThemselves
Recordingyourselfisthebestselfassessmenttoolyoucanpossiblyget.It

surpassesevenagiftedteacher.Thereisnowaytoignorethefunny

squeaksandbuzzeswhenyouarelisteningtoyourselfonarecording.This

isasurefirewaytomakerapidprogress,andletsfaceit:ifyouare

planningtomakeaCDonedaybestgettheshockofhearingyourselfout

ofthewayearly.

Evenifyoudonthavearecordingsetupyet,asimpleexerciseistoplaya

really
pieceandcheckifyouare listeningtowhatsoundsarecomingoutof

think
yourinstrument.Iswhatyou comingoutofthatboxwithstringsis

is
actuallywhat comingout?Ifyouhaventdonethisbefore,thissimple

listeningpracticewillbenefityourplayingprofoundly.

Iwouldrecommendthatyoutrytorecordsometimesaudioonlyand

sometimeswithavideo.Iactuallythinkvideocanbeamoreencouraging

startaserrorscansoundmuchmoreexposedonanaudioonlytrack.Also,

avideorecordingcangiveyoufeedbackonperhapsthemostfundamental

visually
aspectoflivemusicalperformance,howyouare communicatingto

theaudienceasyouplay.


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RecordingGearandTips
Thesedaysyoudontneedthousandsofdollarsworthofgearanda

dedicatedstudiotogetahighenoughrecordingforselfassessment

purposes.Herearesomeoptionstoconsider:

Anymodernsmartphonegivesagoodvideoqualityandreasonable

audioquality,andissimpleandfasttosetup.However,unlessyou

havealedgeordesktherightheighttheycanbeabitannoyingtotry

tosetupsothevideoshotisframedcorrectly.Iusea
Jobystand
with

this
KLYPcasebyManfrotto
toholdmyiPhone,andIplacethis

smalltripodonadesktorecorditworksreallywell.Toframethe

shotIusethefrontfacingcamerasoIcanseetheshotontheiphone

screenasImrecording.

Foraudio,abudgetoptionforanmicrophoneisthe
BlueYeti
USB

microphone.Itsoundsamazingandhasalotofdepthtothesound.

BeingaUSBmicrophoneitsimplyplugsintoyourcomputer,andcan

beusedwithanyrecordingsoftware.Itcomeswithitsownstandso

youcansimplyputitonyourdeskinfrontofyouandawayyougo.

AnotherhandyfeatureisthatitisiOScompatible,soyoucanuseit

withseveralrecordingappsforiPhone/iPad.

Anotherqualityalternativeisthe
Zoomh4nHandyRecorder
.Thisis

evenasimplersetupithassomeprettygoodmicrophonesonthe

unitanditrecordsstraighttoSDcardswithouttheneedfora


20

computer.YoucanalsogetrecordersbyZoomthatcanrecordhigh

qualityvideoandaudiosimultaneously.

Mypersonalsetupforrecordingisa
RodeNT3
thatisconnectedtoa

SteinbergUR44audiointerface
.Iuse
AdobeAudition
forrecording

Garageband
software.Forsimplerecordingsthoughsomethinglike

Audacity
forMacor forPCdoesthesamejobasAdobeAudition

thereisnoneedtobuyprosoftwareunlessyouareplanningto

releasethenextplatinumalbum.

YourAssignment:
Startrecordingyourself.Youdontneedtohaveanyoneelselistentoit.

Onetipistonotlistenbackonthesameday,sometimesyoucangeta

totallydifferentperceptiononwhatarecordingsoundslikeifyoulistento

therecordingafterafewdays.Ifindmyperceptionsaremuchmore

positiveifIleaveitforawhile.

OkthatsitforMistake#3.Inthenextinstallmentwearegoingtotalkabout

whyguitaristswhoaremakingregulartimeANDestablishingclear

outcomesSTILLarentmakingprogress.Letstakealook


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#4:AJackofAllTradesisMaster
ofNone
Whyisitthatsomanyguitaristsoftendosomanytechnicalexercises,so

manyscales,somuchlisteningtoCDsandsomanyhoursontheir

instrument,yetdontseemtomakeanyprogressintheirplaying?

Whataretheydoingwrong?Dotheysimplynothavewhatittakes?Isitthe

naturallawoftheuniversethatsomepeopleshouldbeonstagewhile

othersdrivethetrucktothegig?

Idontthinkso.Thereisasimpleexplanationforthispuzzlingconundrum.I

presentyouMistake#4!


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Mistake#4:TryingtoCramTooMuchInto
OnePracticeSession
Ajackofalltradesismasteratnone.Andaguitaristthattriestocoverall

hisbasesinasinglepracticesessionisdoomedtofailure.

Thisissomethingthattookmemanyyearstorealize,butitissuchan

importantaspectofthegameofguitarpractice.Ifyouplayalotof

exercisesaspartofyourpracticesession,8090%ofthemareprobablya

wasteoftime.

ThiswassuchanimportantpointthatImgoingtorepeatit.

.
Mostexercisesyouplayareawasteoftime

ImsorryifImoffendinganybodyhere.EspeciallyfansoftheGiuliani120

Righthandexercises(thatcanbeboileddowntoabout10exercisesand

therestarejustfluff)orShearersLefthanddevelopmentexercises,of

whichtherearehundredsbutonlyabout7areworthpracticingatall.

Practicetimeisprecious,andwastemustbeeliminated.Unlessan

exerciseisastrategyinmeetingoneofyourgoalsinthenext2weeks,you

.
shouldnotpracticeit

Thisisreallyanextensiononthefirstcoupleoftopicsinthisseries.Ifyou

havedevelopedasoliddailyroutine,clearoutcomesandcleartasksto


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meetthoseoutcomes,thiswillbeindicatedbythefactthatyouarent

spendingexcessivetimeonaplethoraoftechnicalexercises,unlessthey

arepartofa(verybrief)warmuproutine.

Butwontmytechniquesuffer?
Iknowwhatyouarethinking:

ButwontmytechniquesufferifIdontplay3hoursofscalepatterns

daily?

Acommonfear,myfriend.Heressomepointstoconsiderinthatregard:

Therearewaysaroundplayingendlessboringexercises.Makesure

toincludeinyoursetlisttunesorarrangementsthatworkoutmultiple

techniquesatonce,andplaythemaspartofyourReviewtimeyou

haveallocatedinyourroutine.

Useimprovisationasatechniquebuilder,notjustacreativetool.

Improvisationisaverygoodwaytogetyourscalepracticeinbutina

muchmoreinterestingwaythatdoesnthavethatboringmindless

feeltoit.

Lookforwaysinwhichyoucangoodawellbalancedmusical

music
workoutbyactuallyplaying .Therewillbetimeswhen


24

exercisesarecrucialinmeetingoneofyourgoals,butthatdoesnt

justifyfillingallofyourpracticeroutineupwiththem.

Dontmultitask
Inyourpracticesession,justcommittoimprovingONEthingatatime,and

thisiswhattakesplaceinallocatedMainProjecttime.Itmakessense,

becauseina30minutepracticesession,itisunrealistictothinkthatyou

canimproveyourimprovisingANDspeedANDlearnanewpieceAND

learnrighthandharmonics.Evenifyouhad3hoursadaytoplaywithyou

shouldbecarefulnottospreadyourmindtoothinthinkofpoorMr

SubconsciousfromChapter1.Youwontoverloadhim,willyou?Ifyou

juggletoomanyballsultimatelysomewillstarttogetdropped

Imabigfanofthe80/20rule.Thisideahasbeengarneringalotofinterest

lately.Thisruleisanobservationthatthereisatendencyinhuman

endeavourandinnaturefor80%oftheresultstocomefrom20%ofthe

effort.

InrelationtomyownplayingIstartedtojustplayafewpiecesthatIknew

workedoutmostaspectsofmyguitartechnique,anddidthisinsteadof

worryingaboutthemillionsofscalesandexercisesthatareusually

improved
prescribed.MytechniquedidnotsufferwhenIdidthis.Itactually

drastically.


25

YourAssignment:
Watchyourselfnexttimeyoupractice.Thinktoyourself:AmItask

switchingtoomuch?,IsthisexerciseIvebeenplayingforthelast6

monthsreallynecessary?AmIfocussingonjustlearningthisONEtune

atatimeoramItryingtolearnthreeatonce?Thelastpointisabitlike

tryingtoread3booksatonceyourmindisntreallydesignedtodothis

sortofthing,andyouwilltakelongertoreadall3booksthiswaythento

readjustoneatatime.Gettoknowonetunereallywellandyoucanthen

applythedeepknowledgeyouhavegainedtomanyothers.

ThereisacoupleofgreatbooksIcanhighlyrecommendondeveloping

thissortofmindsetthatIwouldconsideressentialreadingforanyone

strugglingwithtaskoverload:

TheONEThing:TheSurprisinglySimpleTruthBehindExtraordinary

ResultsbyGaryKeller

Essentialism:TheDisciplinedPursuitofLessbyGregMcKeown

Onwardsandupwards,myfriend.Welldoneforgettingthisfar!Thesubject

ofthenextchapterisonethatevennonmusicianscanspoteasily...


26

#5:HaveYouGotIt,orNot?
should
Outofalltheaspectsofmusic,thereisonethingyoudefinitely be

focussingon.Asitissomethingthat,ifgoneawry,canturnanamazing

performanceintosomethingthatismoreirritatingthanlisteningtoanMIDI

elevatormusicversionofIveGotRhythm.Neglectingthisonewillbeto

yourperil.

So,ironically,Mistake#5is.


27

Mistake#5:NeglectingRhythm.
Rhythmissuesareverycommonamongstguitarists,andcanmanifestasa

grossorsubtleproblem.Asagrossproblemitisactuallywellgrossin

everysenseoftheword.

Sometimespeoplemanipulatetherhythminthenameofplayingwith

rubato
whatscalleda feel,i.e.usingthesubtlestretchingandcompressing

oftherhythmasanexpressivedevice.Dothistoomuchthough,andyoull

getcommentssimilartothefollowingIgotinaguitarcompetitiononcefrom

oneofthejudges:

Youaremakingmeseasick.

Moreoftenthough,rhythmproblemsaremainlydowntoalackof

awarenessofrhythmfeel.Thisistrickythoughasunlessyouhavean

externalreferenceitwontbeeasytodevelopagoodunderstandingofthis.

However,helpisathandwiththefollowingtechniques:

Option1:Useametronome
Thissoundslikethelogicalchoice.Ametronomeisasimpledevicethatis

likeaclockinthatitticksregularlyhoweveryoucansetthespeedofhow

oftenitticks.Thiscangiveagoodindicationofwhetheryourrhythmis

correctornot.Theyarealsoverycheapnowthankstosmartphoneapps,


28

forexample
thisappforiPhone
.Ifyouwantthemoretraditionalphysical

device, .
Korgmakesthisexcellentmodel

Ihavefoundwithmystudentsthoughametronomeisratherdifficulttoplay

alongto.Especiallyatslowertemposastheclicksaretoofarapartunless

yousubdividethebeats,andthatusuallysoundsratherunpleasantona

metronome.SoifyouarentametronomefanIwouldsuggest:

Option2:Useadrummachine
Drummachinesareexcellenttoplayalongwithastheygiveamuchmore

complexrhythmpatterninthebackground,whichironicallymakesitmuch

easiertoplaytoasthebeatsaresubdividedbutfeelsmuchmorenatural

andpleasanttoplayalongto.Thesedaysyoudontneedtonsofmoneyfor

adrummachinethankstohandyiosapps(youcanprobablytellbynowIm

Garageband
abitofanappjunkie).Try foriPadoriPhone,ithasabrilliant

drummachinethatcancreatenearlyanybeatyoucouldneedonthefly.

Option3:Arealdrummerorothermusician
Thisisprobablythebestoption(aslongastheyhaveadecentrhythmfeel

themselves!).Afterall,rhythmisaliving,breathingthingitsnotaprecise

clickofanelectronicdevice.Sothebest(andmostfun)waytodevelop

yourrhythmisinagroup.Adrummerobviouslywouldbethebestwayto

gobutanyothercompetentinstrumentalistwillalsoreallyhelpyou

develop.


29

OnceIhaveoneofthereferencepointssuggestedabove,Iwouldthen

recordmyselfplayingalongwiththemetronome/drummachine/other

person
.Usetheselfassessmentandrecordingskillsoutlinedinchapter3

todothis.Problemsolved.

YourAssignment:
Recordyourselfbutlistencarefullytoyourrhythmfeel.Nowtrythesame

thingbutwithoneofthereferencepointslistedabove.Anyproblems?You

couldreallygainsomeinsightsintoyourplayingwiththistechnique.

Rhythmisthecornerstoneofmusic.Soensurethatyouhavetakenthe

timetolaythefoundations.

Thenextinstalmentwilltouchonatopicthatshouldconcernallguitarists,

andchancesareitisbeingignored.Okletsgetintoit!


30

#6:YouRequireThisKeySkill
Ifyouwanttoimproveyourjazzguitarplaying,butnotspendinga

significantchunkoftimeonthisnextmistake...

Wehaveaseriousproblem.

IntroducingMistake#6!


31

Mistake#6:NotGivingEnoughTimeTo
Creativity
Inmyprejazzguitardays,Ifellvictimtothisinsidiousmistake,andnow

realisehowstiflingnotenoughgivingtimetoimprovisecanbeforany

musician.

Dontgetmewrong,therearedefinitelytimeswhereitismoresuitedto

playingaprepreparedarrangement,howeverifyoudontspendtimeon

improvisinginthepracticeroomyoucannotonlystifletheabilitytoplay

technique
withothermusicianseasily,butactuallyhamperyour aswell.

Moreonthatlater.

IknowImlargelypreachingtotheconvertedhere,butjustincasehere

aresomeofthekeybenefitsofimprovisation:

Improvisinghelpsyoutolearntomatchyourearwiththesoundof

theguitarveryclosely.Thismeansthatyouhaveamuchgreater

chanceofrecoveryifyouhappentomakeamistakewhileyouare

performing.Someonewhodoesnothavetheseskillswillreally

struggletorecoveraperformanceifthingsgowrong(whichatsome

pointwillhappensoitsbesttobeprepared),

Beingconfidentwithyourimprovisationgivesyoutheabilityto

performorjamwithothersatshortnotice.Thisisnotonlygood


32

sociallybutcouldleadtomoreworkasaguitaristifyouarea

professional,

Improvisationusesscaleandarpeggiopatternsandsoyougetto

practicethematthesametimedoingsomethingexpressiveand

creative,

Improvisingisfun!Itsachallengingwaytothinklaterallyand

creativelyandisreallybeneficialforyouroverallmusicalskillsand

yourmindingeneral.

Sohowdoyougetyourimprovisationtothenextlevel?Byvisitingthe

FretDojo.com
blog(ofcourse!)Iwillbepostingregularvideosonthetopic

tosharewhatIknow,bothonsinglelinesoloingaswellastheoftensought

afteradviceonchordsoloing.Immotivatedtodothisasitcanbequite

difficulttofindagoodteacheronthetopicandIvehadthebenefitof

havingsomegreatteachersonimprovovertheyears.Asastart,checkout

this
beginnersguidetojazzimprovisation
post.

Foranothergreatresourceonimprovisation,checkout
thisblogfrommy

buddyMattWarnock
whohasanexcellentwebsiteonthetopic.

Improvisationisthefundamentalskillsofajazzguitarist,but
shouldbea

fundamentalskillofanymusician,ofanystyle.


33

Inthenextinstalmentofthisguidewearegoingtolookatthethingthat

mastersoftheguitarandancientIndianYogishaveincommon.Ahah!I

seethatgotyourattention


34

#7:ExcellenceDemandsThis
AncientTechnique

does
Sowhat aancientIndianYogiandaguitarmasterhaveincommon?

Betyouvebeenthinkingaboutthatone.

Theanswer?Illgettothatinaminute.

Aswevealreadydiscussed,thebestpracticesforaguitarpracticesession

istomaketimetopractice,haveaclearroutineforeachsession,andhave

clearmeasurableoutcomes.

However,thereisonestumblingblockthatplaguesaspiringguitarists

acrosstheword.YoucanseeitinmindlessnoodlingwhilewatchingTV.

Youcanseeitintheorchestrapitwheretheguitarististheonlyone

doodlesawaywhiletheconductoristryingtosaysomething.

CanyouseewhereImheading?Herewehave:


35

Mistake#7:HavingaLackOfFocusIn
PracticeSessions
Theguitarmasteriskindoflikeayogireally.Becauseheslearnedthe

valueofsinglepointedconcentration.

Focus.

Focusisthethingthatallowstrulygreatthingstohappenintheworld.The

trulygreatartistic,architectural,andspiritualachievementsbythe

luminariesofmankindarearesultofthissimple,butunbelievablypowerful

skill.

Anditisthisskill,myguitarapprentice,thatyouwillneedtocultivate.

TurnoffthatiPhone.Banishsocialmediaupdates.NomoreYoutube

videosofcatspullingfaces.Yourguitarpracticetimeis
justforthat:

masteryofthekingofinstruments,theguitar.

Wheneveryounoticeyourselfstrayingoffthetopic,bringyourmindbackto

thepresent,backtoyourgoals,andbacktothattaskthatwillachieveyour

goals.

Cultivatingfocusisoneofthehighestleveragethingsyoucandoforyour

guitarpractice.Itwillmeanyoucanget3timesthevaluefromthesame

amountoftimeyouspendonyourinstrument.Throughbeingfocusedand


36

consistentyoucanachieveunbelievableresultsevenwithinashortspace

oftime.

Ihavefoundthepracticeofmeditationtobeveryusefultocultivatefocus,

seethisarticle
formore.However,ifthatsortofthingisntforyouthenthink

aboutthisideaoffocuseverytimeyoupractice.Thinkaboutyourtaskfor

thesession,andsinglemindedlyworktowardsthatwithoutfail.

Somanypeoplecomplainaboutnothavingenoughtime.

WhattheyshouldreallybesayingisIhaventmadearoutine,Ihaventgot

cleargoals,andImnotfocusedwhenIdomaketimeforpractice.

Dontbeoneofthesepeople!

YourAssignment:
Findthewaythatworksbestforyoutocultivatefocus.Whetheryou

trymeditationorotherwise,useyourguitarpracticeasafocus

trainingsession.Cultivateawarenesstocheckthatwhatyousetout

todoinasessioniswhatyouareactuallydoing.

Youcanuseotheropportunitiesthroughoutthedaytocultivatefocus,

notjustyourguitarplaying.Whenyouwashthedishes,justfocuson

thatsimpleactivity.Whentalkingtoafriend,areyoureallyfocussing

onlisteningorareyoutalkingtosomeoneelse?


37

Ifyouarelookingforabitoftechnologicalassistanceforcultivatinga

mindthatcanstayinthepresent,Iwouldrecommendthewebsite

Headspace
.Itsagreatresourceandaninterestingcontemporary

lookattheancientpracticeofmeditation.

Okyogicmaster,welldoneforattainingtheseventhstage!Inthenext

topic,itstimetolookatthebodybeautiful...


38

#8:Thiscouldbehurtingyour
techniqueandyourhealth

InthisinstalmentoftheGuide,Italkaboutareallyimportantaspectfor

yourhealthontheguitarandperhapsmytoptipIeverlearnedfor

improvingtechniqueontheinstrument.

Ihaveseenmusiciansonmanyinstrumentscrippledtheircareerbecause

ofoverlookingsomethingsosimple.Onewouldlaughifitwerentsosad

theeffects.

Dontletthishappentoyou,Ineedyoutotakeheedhereok?Especiallyif

youpracticeforlonghoursontheinstrument.Thisisserious.

SoMistake#8is:


39

Mistake#8:NotThinkingAboutPosture
andFeel.
Itisabsolutelycrucialtoconsiderpostureasaguitarist.Afterall,itsour

fingers,arms,andnervesthatformthepathwayfromourbraintothe

guitar.Iftheseareoutofkilter,youmusicwillsufferitwillhamperyour

techniqueandcouldcauselongtermdamage.

Rememberthatoldtune?

Hipboneconnectedfromthethighbone

Thighboneconnectedfromthekneebone

Kneeboneconnectedfromtheshinbone

Everypartofthebodyaffectseveryotherpartofitsfunctioning.Soifyour

postureisnotgoodwhenyouplay,itislikeputtingtrafficlightsona

highwayitwilldrasticallyslowthespeedandeaseatwhichyourhands

canmoveasthetrafficbetweenyourbrainandmuscleswillslowdownto

asnailspace.

Ifyouplaywithpoorposture,youreallymustsortthisout.Youwillquickly

noticesomeverypositivechangesinyourtechnicalability.Playingwitha

goodposturecanalsoreallyhelpwithconfidenceonstagebody

languageiseverythingafterall.


40

HaveIconvincedyou?Good!Nowthatwehavesortedthatout,thereisan

importantconceptIwanttointroducetoyouthatIconsiderthebestwayto

improveanypieceortechnique.

TheFeelintheHands
TheNumberOnethingIalwaysthinkaboutinmypracticeis:doesthis

passagefeelgoodinmyhands?Doesthisfingeringworkformyhands?

Howisthisfeelingrightnow?

Thisisahigherprioritywhetheraparticularfingeringpatternorsolution

logical
makes sense.IfitsimplydoesntfeelgoodinthehandsafterIplay

withitforawhile,Irejectit.

Thissimpletip,giventomebythegreatclassicalguitaristTimKain,has

beenmymosteffectivestrategyforgettingmusictoflowandexpressing

myselfeasilyontheinstrument.

Sotrytocultivatethistypeofselfawareness.Askyourselfhowdoesmy

handsfeelrightnow?Howdoesmybodyfeelrightnow?Howismy

posture?

Theresultswillspeakforthemselves.


41

InthenextinstalmentofthisGuidewecoveramindsetissuethathasa

long,anddeludedtraditionacrossthestudyofmostinstruments.Ilook

forwardtoblowingthismythoutofthewaterforyou.


42

#9:TheMythMostMusicians
LiveBy

HeyJerry,Idid
4hours
practicetoday!

Yourookie,thatsnothing.Idid
6hours
practice!

4hours.

6hours.

?
possible
Isthislikely?Isit

Itis.IknewpeoplewhenIwenttouniversitytostudymusicthatwould

proudlyboastoftheamountofhourstheycoulddoinonesittingontheir

instrument.Inmystruggletokeepup,ItriedtodoeverythingIcouldto

sustainthatamountoftimeinthepracticeroom.

?
productive
Butwasithealthy?Wasit

Lookingback,Icanseethecompetitivenatureofthissortofthing.But

moreimportantly,ithighlightsoneofthekeymistakesguitarists(and

musiciansingeneral)makewhentryingtoprogressontheirinstrument,

whichis:


43

Mistake#9:ThinkingHours=Progress
Thisisabigone.NearlyeverypromusicianIvemethasthismindset.And

nearlyeveryamateurmusiciancomplainsaboutnothavingenoughtimeto

practice.

Butthereisgoodnews!ImheretotellyouthatHours=Progressis

misleading.Infact,itistotallydeluded.

Letsconsidertheothertopicswevecoveredinthisguide.Creatinga

routine.Havingclearoutcomes.Havingfocus.Becomingselfawarein

variousways.Notwastingtimeonsuperfluousexercises.

Thesearewhatgenerateprogress.Time,initself,doesnot.

probably
Ofcourse,someonewhopracticesfor6hourswill makemore

progressthansomeonewhopracticesforonehour.

relativeamountofprogress
However,the far
fortheextra5hourswillbe

smaller
thanthefirsthour.Thelawofdiminishingreturnswillapply.

FocusandconsistencyandtheotherpointswehavecoveredinthisGuide

arefarmoreimportantthansimplytallyinguphoursspent.Thehours=

damaging
progressmindsetistoosimplisticandcanbe .Damagingtoyour

health.Damagingtoyoursanity.Andironically,damagingtoyour

productivity
inthelongterm.


44

Ifyourgoalsaretobeoneofthebestmusiciansintheworld,yesitistrue

youwillneedtospendmanyhourseachdayrefiningyourcraft.Howeverif

youwanttobe80%asgoodasaworldclassmusician,youcanspend

20%theamountofthattime(rememberthe80/20rule?).Andbeing80%

asgoodasaworldclassmusicianisstillprettydarngoodinmybooks.

YourAssignment:
Takethefocusoffneedingtoneglecteverythingelseinyourlifeso

thatyoucanfitxamountofguitarpracticehoursinyourday.Decide

onatimeframethatiswhateveryourschedulepermitsandstickto

Focus
that. consistency
and arethekey.

AdopttheotherstrategiescoveredinthisGuideandoptimize

whatevertimeyouhave,togetfarmoreresultsinashorteramount

oftime.

Imgladthatwehadachancetomythbustthatone.Lastbutcertainlynot

theleast,intheupcomingfinaltopicoftheGuide,Imgoingtosharewith

youtheNumber1strategyforensuringthatyoumakerapidprogresson

do
yourinstrumentandusethetimethatyou haveinthebestpossibleway.

Letscheckitout!


45

#10:Lastbutnottheleast

ThisisprobablymymostimportanttipforyouinthisGuide.Areyou

excited?Good!Letsgetintoit.

Doyoutrytoplaythroughthechangesofatuneyouwantedtogetunder

yourfingersbuttotallycluelessonhowtodoitwellorsoundlikeagreat

jazzplayer?Orperhapsyouvebeenreallyinspiredbylearningchord

melodyandsoloingfromhearingthegreatslikeJoePass,TedGreeneand

LennyBreau,buthavenoideawheretostartlearningthisstyle?

Perhapsyouhaveadecentgraspofscalepatterns,chordvoicings,anda

goodlistoftunesunderyourbelt,butitintegratingitallintoacompelling

performanceisstilleludingyou?

loathe
Bynow,fromreadingthisGuide,youknowhowmuchI wasting

time.Lifeisshort,soitbestbespentfeelinglikewearemakinga

difference,improvingourselves,andgenerallymakinglifeawesome.Not

wastingtimeonhalfbaked,atworsttotallyincorrectinformationonhowto

learnsomethingascomplexasjazzguitarplaying.

Thisultimatemistakeisthemostimportantonetorectify.Letmesharethis

withyounow:


46

Mistake#10:TryingtoFigureEverything
OutYourself,RatherThanGettinga
Teacher

Ateacheriscrucialtolearningacomplexskilllikeguitarplayingandare

the
ultimatetimesaver
foryourpracticetime,forthefollowingreasons:

Theyarea
filter,
givingyouwhatyouneedtoknowattherighttime.

Avoids
informationoverload

authority
Theyarean :ateacherwhoisknowledgeablewillsimplify

thelearningprocessbyprovidingcorrectinformationrightfromthe

getgo

accountability
Theygiveyou andawaytomeasureprogress

feedback
Theygivevaluable andhelpadjustandimproveyour

strategy

Theygivea
clearpath
toimprovementsoyoudontneedto

endlesslywanderaroundwonderingifsomethingiscorrectornot.

Agoodguitarteacheristhemostvaluablethingyoucandoforyourmusic.

and
listento
Andwhenyouhavefoundagoodteacher,makesureyou

implement
theiradvice.


47

ThisiswhatinspiredmetobuildFretDojo,asIwantedtobuildaresource

thathasboileddownforyouthemostimportantpointsindevelopingthe

skillstobecomeagreatjazzguitarist.Awebsitethatprovidesthemost

essentialtoolsyouneedtofreethatmusicinsideyouthat
youknowisin

there.
Aresourcethatgivesyouaclearpathtogettingbetteratyour

instrument,sothatyouenjoyyourmusicmoreandthenshareitwith

others.

Connectingwithothersiswhatweneedmostintheworldrightnow.And

musicisawonderfulwaytodothis.

Well,thatsaboutitforthisbook.Hmmm...hangonasecond...

Phew,Inearlyforgot!ThereisonethingIwantedtoremindyouabout

beforewewrapitupseebelow:

LearnWithGreg:ExclusiveReaderBonus!


48

CongratulationsYouHave
CompletedtheGuide!

Imsogladthatyouvejoinedmeforthejourneyandyouarenowanofficial

Fret
FretDojojazzguitarinitiate!Ifyouhaventalready,requesttojointhe

DojoFacebookGrouphereor
followmeonTwitter
(@gregoguitar)andsay

hello,Iwouldlovetohearfromyou.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthis

Guideorneedhelpwithanyaspectofyourguitarplaying,Iammorethan

happytohelpinanywaythatIcan.Illalsoletyouknowwhenmylatest

postsandvideoscomeoutsokeepyoureyeoutforthose.

Welldone!Youdiditthisconcludes
HowToAvoidTheTopTen

MistakesThatGuitaristsMakeInTheirPracticeSession.
Thanksvery

muchforreadingthisebook.Isincerelyhopeyoufoundthisusefulandyou

hadsomemeaningfultakeawaysasaresult.Iwishyoutheverybestin

yourguitarjourney.

IllseeyouintheDojo!

Greg:)