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just a questions, what do you think the top players practice once they reached their technical top levels? 2 hours, 6 hours??? Or do they just practice their concert pieces like classical players? I've read in an article that a talented young player reaches this technical peak after 1-2 years of intense practice, I mean techniques of picado, tremolo etc. Is this right?? I read in an interview with Rafael Cortez that he practiced the whole day as a kid and young player, but nowadays he "knows where to find technique", because he had built of many ressources
RE: What do you think - how long do ... (in reply to guido)
Hi guido,
Well, if it's any help, Paco Peña in his 20's and doing International concerts and making recordings said on average he did about 6 hours practice a day...sometimes he'd miss a day or so if he wasn't really in the mood.
I think the reason these guys have got to where they are in the first place is because the thing that gives them the most enjoyment is playing around with the guitar, not watching telly or going to restaurants and bars and parties.
Sometimes technique, sometimes composition...depending on how they feel.
ie...the guitar is not a "bolt on" accessory to their lives or a means of making an income.
It IS their lives...what they enjoy doing the most.
RE: What do you think - how long do ... (in reply to guido)
quote:
I've read in an article that a talented young player reaches this technical peak after 1-2 years of intense practice, I mean techniques of picado, tremolo etc. Is this right??
"1-2 years"- only in our dreams!
Many top guitarists talk about periods in their youth lasting several years when they played guitar all day, every day. Also they aren't like classical players, once they've learnt their art, they still have to spend time composing music as well as maintaining their technique and repertoire.
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Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON
RE: What do you think - how long do ... (in reply to guido)
Jeez, all day every day? That's dedication. One of the guitarists I studied with in Granada mentioned playing something like 6-8 hours a day... a certain number of hours on technique, a certain number on repertoire, and then the rest on composition.
Meanwhile I'm lucky if I can squeeze in more than an hour and a half (much less on an average day) among all the school work
RE: What do you think - how long do ... (in reply to guido)
I read an interview with Tomatito where he said that he usually practices about 9 hours a day. On days when he has to do a lot of domestic duties, stuff with the kids, etc., he only practises 5 hours.
RE: What do you think - how long do ... (in reply to guido)
spent a week recently with yamandu costa first thing in the morning he was playing lunch break back to it dinner break concert beer break with guitar in hand... still seen at 3am playing/jamming in the bistro [one case 7am in someones hotel room] next day same thing this went on for 7days... then he flew to rio..continuing the same thing i imagine.
one thing i did noticed was no 'exercises' as such..just phrases from his pieces...some composing...or playing traditional tunes...yamandu is 30 yrs old, been playing the guitar since a child, mainly on the streets with his dad at first, loves flamenco and classical guitar though does'nt perform in these styles...
whether it's flamenco or any type of music i guess this is what they do....they being 'masters' or jedi's!... sure there's juggling family...promotion etc..but this experience with a master of samba/choro guitar gave me an insight that was at once all inspiring and at the same reduced me to tears!!! so much respect for the instrument and other people...absolute joy to see...
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