Practice Tips

John Bird

Okay, so you've committed yourself to the discipline of practicing every day for at least 30 minutes. But what do you practice? And how do you do it? (I'll probably spread this over a few days.)

Actually, if you just played anything you wanted for at least 30 minutes a day, you'd make good progress. But it's better to have a clear plan, or even a regimen, if you really want to make the most progress. I remember reading something from Dan Crary in _Frets_ back in the 80s about this topic, and I've talked to classical musicians about their regimens. (And what they do is incredible!) The key, I think, is to focus your attention on just a few things at a time, concentrate, and use the time wisely.

I like to warm up for five to ten minutes, with scales, patterns, all downstrokes, tremolo, or whatever I feel will warm up my muscles and get me going. Doing this with a metronome is best (more on metronomes later). Then ten minutes on specific skills: right hand exercises, triplets, tremolo, left hand workouts, etc. Then the rest of the time on a specific tune (right now I'm working on the Monroe break to "Little Cabin Home on the Hill"). If there's any time left, just play a few tunes for fun that I like, or run through a few original tunes (doesn't everybody write tunes on the mando?) It's best to do this with no distractions--no TV in the background, in a room by yourself so you don't drive the significant other crazy.

That's thirty minutes well-spent, focusing on particular skills and tunes. If you do it every day, it really will make a difference.