How long to spend on a particular excersise

[None]

I have limited time to practice on weekday and want the most out of it. How long should I spend on each excersise before moving on to something else?

[Rock_Rocket]

To get most out of your practicing time, you should make up a practicing schedule. It will keep you from noodling around and will help you to use your time efficiently.

How long should I spend on each excersise before moving on to something else?

Well... It depends! But make this your rule of thumb. The relation between work and break should always (!) be 3:1. Practice for 9', take a 3' break, practice for 6', take a 2' break - you get the idea. This will help you to stay focussed (it's proven!). When you work on very demanding exercises (e. g. a Killer-Yngwie-arpeggio-lick) work on it for 3', then take a 1' break. When you do sight-reading, transcribe something etc. you can work on it longer - let's say 21'/7' or 15'/5'...

Most important is (in order of priority):

1. ...that you practice
2. ...how you practice
3. ...what you practice

Just my opinion, btw.! :D

Rock_Rocket

[UltimaRage]

I think you should focus on things that are difficult for you..

[xenor]

Originally posted by Rock_Rocket
But make this your rule of thumb. The relation between work and break should always (!) be 3:1. Practice for 9', take a 3' break, practice for 6', take a 2' break - you get the idea.

What about the breaks. Is it good to noddle around or to relax and play nothing?

[Rock_Rocket]

What about the breaks. Is it good to noddle around or to relax and play nothing?

Put your guitar away, relax your arms, legs, back... Walk around if you want to, try to think of something else.

Rock_Rocket

[LarryJ]

The problem with breaks is that when you noodle...you dont get back on task. I think we all know this here, and are probably all guilty of it. Noodling is fine when your done practicing, but it shouldn't take the place of practicing.

[RayenD]

10 minutes seems reasonable minimum time for me. More than 30 minutes is boring, so maybe try something between 10-30 minutes.

[RandyEllefson]

Practicing is really boring, so I do my drills while watching TV, and sometimes movies. Some family members are irritated by this, though.

As for timing, do what feels natural, but don't do technique more than 10 minutes without a break for a minute or two. Play with a cat, flip channels, get a drink, space-out, whatever.

My forearm gets warm to the touch from drills, so I feel it from time to time. If it gets to warm, I pause.

Just remember: Rest never hurt anyone.

[sgmuse]

not long enough.......


seriously, i try to do at least 30mins a day, if i can more, and always try to do a marathon on a sunday...

yes your talking to the only person in the UK who doesn't watch tv dramas (coronation street, the royal, heartbeat, eastenders, hollyoaks) and very rarely watch tv at all!!

unless i've just bought a swanky new dvd

(f.y.i watched "easy rider" last night, still a classic film)

[Bongo Boy]

I often spend 20 min on one scale in one or two positions. During that time I take at least 3 breaks of about 2 min. During breaks I get up, tune the guitar, get a water, stretch my hands and arms, or even do a set of push-ups, ab curls, leg stretches, whatever.

During these practice periods I'm looking at: remembering the patterns in arbitrary order (so I'm also improvising), bending, vibrato, general fretting, pick control and rhythm--maybe two or three of the above at any one time and never all of these areas at once. My brain isn't that good.

The only time I find it boring is when I forget to pay close attention to any one of the above interest items. As soon as I stop paying attention and just start running up and down the scale, I put the guitar down for a bit.

I'm not saying this is a good schedule, just that I don't believe I can get my fingers to learn anything new in less than 20 min of work.

[flathead]

After I warm up for 5 -10 minutes, I don't do 'exercises'. If I want to practice a certain technique I play something musical like an etude utilizing that technique. Or I'll put on a jam track and improvise over that but I'll try to focus my improv utilizing that technique. It never gets boring because I'm playing music. IMO its more practical and beneficial to practice music than practicising some finger numbing twister spidery type exercise that doesn't have any 'musical' value.

[RandyEllefson]

Well, I have ADD, so I'm very good at splitting my attention. Can't help it in fact. :D

[Francious70]

This topic was discussed in depth by EricV here.

http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/122

I can't believe anybody has mentioned this article yet! :D

Paul