RE: Daily Practice Regime

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Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

Sorin,
Why doubt your judgement? What's good music to you will be appreciated by someone somewhere. Sure, it's nice to have some directions given by others but most have to come from you. So trust yourself as long as it feels and sounds good. But who says you can't go on forever with technique? Look at Malmsteen, he's an 'excellent' musician.

Miguel,
I hope things are working fine for you finger again. While I don't doubt that you play well with 4 right hand fingers, I'm also certain that 5 is better!

Henrik,
That's an INSANE amount of time you have! I can't practise at work and I've onl about 2-3 hours max at home. That includes weekends 'cos I've other commitments as well.

But how about some tips for practising at work? I was intending to put a guitar in my office so I could do exercises there and then do repetoire at home instead.

Anyway, those exercises were meant for those who have problems with certain aspects of playing and for beginners who need to gain enough technique soon enough to start a wider range of repetoire.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 1:55:22

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

quote:

Sorin
but surely the correct answer is not that easy to find

Ever heard of Occams' Razor? Enjoy.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 4:32:19

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

quote:

But how about some tips for practising at work?

Skai. Why did i become a guitar teacher? Because i can play at work.
I practice at 98-99% of all break during a day. I got 3-4 20min breaks during a day.
And then theres lunch but then i never play, only eat

And theres alomst always ONE student missing in a day so than theres extra time to play.

But in general it´s about discipline. I don´t watch TV that much. I play instead
If i watch a movie or something i always have my metronome or some tabs and scores with me in the sofa playing during the movie. (only works when im alone

)

Lots of times im shut in our bedroom. infront of the computer practicing or recording, composing instead of socialise with my
girlfriend.

If i would make a living playing gigs i guess i´d never be home or anything.

But as i said before all this time is not technique and scales and ****. a lot more is makeing upp falsetas, trying new ideas. And i do actually fall back on some Jazz from time to time

Henrik

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 6:34:29

Guest

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Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jan. 2 2006 23:25:32

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 7:06:07

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

New book out "101 ways to loose a girlfriend" By Henrik

I hope i am wrong and you pay enough attention to your girlfriend because if not sooner or later they do leave, no matter how strong your relationship u think it is.

Once youre heartbroken for a longtime your guitar will mean nothing to you. (I know you know i know)

My litlle advice to (err.. i dont know who, whomever wants to take it)

pay enough attention to everything else, stop and smell the flowers, go to the beach, make an effort to keep in touch with your friends even if they not in flamenco. Dont become a social outcast with no friends just because you love flamenco, or a music robot that plays about stuff hes never experienced or cant even remember what it feels like.
Having a group of friends outside flamenco is greate because it is relaxing to talk about girls and clubs and stupid things life dosent always have to be so serious, youre young so be young. I am not saying you dont allready have this but i am saying dont take it or your friends for granted.

flamenco is about life, you cant tell a story about life unless you live it.

Most importantly dont be affraid to ask questions, make up your own mind, dont bee a sheep, follow your own taste and last and most important, be proud of beeing Romanian and dont ever let me hear that you changed your name to a spanish one just to sound more flamenco or i will kick your ass back to Oltenia

take everything i or anyone else says pinch of salt nor me or anyone else here have the answers to life

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 7:25:12

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Florian)

i´ve been heartboken for most of my life..the guitar always saves me.

we´re on to our 6th year now so i don´t worrie much.
what drives "them" away is the im sucha a ****ing pesimist. Kind of suck the life out of them with my complaints. but im getting better..

Also i play in a duo with a guy 2 guitars. and also from time to time with a violinist.
and i do spend time with Kristin a lot.
I´ve explained that certain times are for guitar and other times are for kristin you know.
I often tell her when im into practicing. you know like now i have to play for 3-4 hrs then we go to IKEA

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 7:55:43

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to duende)

I am glad to hear it mate :-)

i wouldnt wish heartbrake (the really hard kind) on my worst enemy

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 8:05:04

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Florian)

i´ve had 2 serious ones.

But i belive the first is always the worst.
It was my first BIG love, love just died so it was painful sice one part (me) was still in love.

it was back in -96 i think

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 8:18:20

Guest

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jan. 2 2006 23:25:48

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 8:50:09

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

Marriage on your mind yet Henrik?

In my case, my girl plays classical guitar as well as piano, so no conflicts with the instrument I love. Both supplement each other.

I'm reminded about the times when I relieved guitar classes for my teacher, it's basically a group lesson and most of them are in Grade 1 to 3. Usual problems like disinterested and slow students arise but it's still enjoyable. Passing on whatever you know to someone else is always a joy, even though it may not be much. I've lots of ideas and can probably write good instructionals, the only problem is with my own playing.

On the whole, it was a few hours of enjoyment and the money was an added bonus. I turned down her offer to instruct low-grade students permanently because I feel that it isn't the right time now but I do hope that another such opportunity arises again when I've the time.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2006 12:03:48

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

go get that chick Skai ....if she's cute ,go get her.Segovia married one of his pupils
(so imagine how much things for him ...had to be about guitar)

I know a chick also who plays Piazzola on guitar ..she is a
classical guitar student from conservatoire,seen her play Piazzola ..
boy , do I regret that I didnt know argentinian tango .

Now,I'm more into painting ...know a chick that gave me for my birthday
a drawing specially for me ...I'll scan and post...but I freaked out ,damn
I'm so stupid sometimes(Flo , I take it back ....i need your advice
,I dont do wrestling ...I think she drinks coffee though ..bu ha ha ha)

quote:

ont ever let me hear that you changed your name to a spanish one just to sound more flamenco

I dont intend to ....acording on www.babynames.com

Sorin is Soren , scandinavian name ...and means "God of war"

Alexander (my 2nd name,"Alexandru")is greek and means "Protector of Mankind"

Popovici is ok ....in NBA they have a couch Greg Popovic,Popovici is serbian
my grandpa had some serbian roots ...I also have enough romanian roots ,so
I like my names

henrik is from henry -Ruler of the Home origin: German
Florian is not on babynames ...but u know what it means,it's like
u say ...smell the flowers , be a poet ...whatever u want

Sam (samwise I assume you are "Sam") is "God hears" Origin: Hebrew

Skai I'm sorry I dont know your real name

Ricardo-Richard "Powerful, Rich Ruler" origin English
Todd-"Fox" Origin: English
Rafa -Raphael "God Has Healed" Origin: Hebrew
Grisha - GREGORY "Vigilant, Watchful" Origin: Greek
Kate "Pure, Virginal" Origin: Celtic/Gaelic
Paco-Francisco "Free Land" Origin: Spanish
Miguel -Michael "Who is like God?" Origin: Hebrew
Jon "God is Gracious" Origin: Hebrew
Ron "Advisor to the King" Origin: English
Deniz(phrygus) -Dennis "Wild, Frenzied" Origin: Greek
Dominic "Belonging to God" Origin: Latin
Simon "It is heard" Origin: Hebrew

ne ne ne ...I have the best name Sorin Alexandru="God of war" "Protector
of mankind" Oh , yeah baby ....now,if I only knew some more bulerias
..I think I could start a war.I feel more like a Sorin than Alexander,but
I have my Alexander burried inside somewhere.

How come Henrik "ruler of the home" could have a problem with
Kristin "Christ-bearer" Origin: Greek.

Miguel liked your post ...aha , maybe I should shut up...
then again ...when I usually say smth there's a scandal somewhere
(i dont know if in this foro , but usually in life)...and people
say things right ,now if there's no controversy maybe
u never have posted those beautiful stories.That's why
I write two pages usually for making people say things.
Why Phrygus also write two pages,even when
he is a little wrong ..well
dont u know "Wild, Frenzied"

Why Kate is so kind ..need I say more?
Why Richard is so royale in his presence in this foro
Why Ron always has the good advice
With Todd , I dont know ...www.babynames.com I think is not so academic

Well , i could make up stories for everybody..
but it's about you ...u make your own story,i'm still
just figuring out how to start a war and protect the mankind
in the process

.

Sam, good word ...by the way ,I so enjoyed this thread...everybody
said very intereting things,isnt it ?
ok,maybe i'm full of crap ...maybe names have nothing to do with it.
But what if .....bu ha ha ha,damn too much cofeine....and Sam
that's I think the corect explanation to this post according to
Occam's Razor (thanks for the links, I know more cool stuff ..thanks)
Read below the link u gave me
"Walter of Chatton was a contemporary of William of Ockham (1287-1347) who took exception to Occam's Razor and Ockham's use of it. In response he devised his own anti-razor: "If three things are not enough to verify an affirmative proposition about things, a fourth must be added, and so on" "

quote:

I play instead If i watch a movie or something i always have my metronome or some tabs and scores with me in the sofa playing during the movie. (only works when im alone )

I also love bad movies...picado works so much better because of bad movies.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2006 1:35:55

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

skai , u can practice rasgueados on anything...that's good for work study,
but be carefoul ....creates adiction

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2006 1:53:45

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

I'm a big fan of Greg Popovich (I believe that's how he spells it). He and Tim Duncan have done a lot. :)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2006 4:52:28

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

utah jazz fan ...malone ,stockton and hornacek....always believed in their
hard work against chicago bulls talents .But whatever...in the end chicago won.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2006 6:13:53

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

My name Cheston supposedly means 'a strong fort' or something, damn it means nothing much to me. It appears that babynames.com doesn't have the meaning of mine either.

I've personally 'mastered' rasgueados on my thighs, table, chair, ruler, wallet, metal poles and many more. LOL!!

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2006 9:45:31

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

quote:

Miguel
Then I went through a phase where I played Kitharalogus for two hours a day and then that was pretty much it. Nowadays, I just do basic warmups, Scott Tennant-style, and then get on with it.

I had never heard of Kitharologus until I read your reply, Miguel. A quick web search yielded a guy named Ricardo Iznaola. It looks somewhat in the realm of what Skai's lesson. Any thoughts?

quote:

Skai
Anyway, those exercises were meant for those who have problems with certain aspects of playing and for beginners who need to gain enough technique soon enough to start a wider range of repetoire.

I guess one of my problems is lack of knowing where I stand exactly on the 'beginning -intermediate-advanced' scale. Nevertheless, I think I'm going to give your practice regime an honest 'go', Skai. I've never really focused on i-a/m-a exercises, so I'm a bit weak there. Should I spend just a whole lot of time on getting those digits as strong as i-m. Will the benifit be worth the commitment?

quote:

Sorin
samwise I assume you are "Sam"

Francisco, actually. Samwise was a character from a popular book (you might of heard of him) that I connected with on some level.

quote:

Sorin
Walter of Chatton was a contemporary of William of Ockham (1287-1347) who took exception to Occam's Razor and Ockham's use of it. In response he devised his own anti-razor: "If three things are not enough to verify an affirmative proposition about things, a fourth must be added, and so on

Oh, that Walter, what a kidder.

Always playing the devil's advocate, that guy! I guess there is balance in the universe.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 15 2006 10:48:05

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

Man, life is becoming a giant conversation of Googling, isn't it? As far as Kitharalogus, it's just a tome of exercises. I think it's a waste of time.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 15 2006 14:32:22

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

To answer whether it works or not, I certainly find that it did and I'm going to continue with it simply because I'm still at quite a low level of technique.

The exercise descriptions may not be too clear though, I've no idea how to explain what I exactly practice. The difference between my own compilation and those of other technique books is that, it's catered to my needs and works on the stuff I really need. And more importantly, I can run through them in 30mins or less.

As for the effectiveness of practising with the 'a' finger, the reason for this is very clear when you play a higher level of classical guitar and so I'm quite sure it'll help with flamenco too. For eg. when you do classical tremolo pami, the unevenness will stick out like a sore thumb if your fingers are unevenly developed. At the moment, I'm practising with am more than im in order to even things out.

Personally, I'd continue these exercises for as long as I play the instrument because I know that my techniques will ALWAYS have room for great improvement. If you can do them well already, why not do the exercises even faster and with more confidence? There's no limit to improvement IMO.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 16 2006 9:33:47

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

I have a simple motto : "always play the most uncomfortable thing "

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 0:03:43

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to sorin popovici)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sorin popovici
I have a simple motto : "always play the most uncomfortable thing "

Each to their own, but I do not subscribe to the idea that just because something is hard to do then it is good for you. It could simply mean you are doing something wrong.
Doing the most uncomfortable thing could cause injury. In fact, I would say the opposite is nearer the mark - ask yourself why its uncomfortable and remedy it.

There is a huge amount of information available on exercises technique development, and I think the real secret is learning to become a good teacher of yourself - knowing what to apply and when, knowing exactly what you want to achieve with an exercise and being mindful of that goal when you do it. Grisha achieved his warp speed scales through very slow, careful practice over a long period paying attention to being tension-free, not by doing the thing he found the most difficult.

I think its very easy to get caught in the trap of mindless exercises. Classical guitar students often go through this phase, I know I did.

_____________________________

Spanish Guitarist in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 10:23:30

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

Me, too. I had about a year of not being able to practice because of it.

People think they are doing a good job by spending hours doing these exercises, and they think that it is helping their technique. It is neither. It's easy to zone out and play scales or arpeggios mindlessly because it takes no mental energy or concentration. But you're not helping yourself and you're simply postponing learning how to focus. You're also putting yourself at great risk of injury.

I've seen the light, brother! It's better to exhaust your mind by focusing and paying attention and analyzing then do 100s of repetitions.

I do agree with Sorin, that using mental energy and focusing on things that are uncomfortable. Whether that's technique, ear training, a rhythm you can't figure out.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 14:16:26

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

Miguel thats so right.
When I do not play at least 10 or 30 minutes a day, I feel bad, guilty, fearing my technique will not have developed on this day. Then I play something without much thinking and motivation.

Sometimes its better to not play everyday, but to wait until youre very motivated, and when you play, then to do it with real concentration and attention!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 14:27:23

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to sorin popovici)

Sorin
sorry forghot about this post so i am going back and reading it

quote:

Florian is not on babynames ...but u know what it means

I know that there was a Roman emperor called florian, apparently hes was in power for about 9 months... now i looked this up on the encyclopedia that has 20 pages of info on toilet paper it only had a few lines to say about the roman emperor named florian,
"His time in power was very uneventfull, he was not really greate at anything and there isnt really much to say about him ".

there u go , thats where my name comes from

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 15:29:33

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

About the practice regime subject, i dont know i dont know if anyone has the answer i mean different things work for different people, i mean you say dont do mindless scales and that sounds fair enough but even making mistakes and getting things wrong is precisely part of the development.

No one can shield anyone from mistakes, the only way you really learn is if u make em and then realize why not to do it again, is alot more effective than not making them and just having someone say, take my word for it is bad for you.

I dont think that theres 1 single person out there who hasent practiced wrong or discovered later that hitting the string with a different part of the fingher produces a better sound. SO in conclusion even mistakes is part of the plan and learning proces.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 15:42:53

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Daily Practice Regime (in reply to Skai)

quote:

It's better to exhaust your mind by focusing and paying attention and analyzing then do 100s of repetitions.

quote:

Sometimes its better to not play everyday, but to wait until youre very motivated, and when you play, then to do it with real concentration and attention!

So true...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2006 15:45:21

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to Skai)