21 votes

What's your guitar (or other instrument) practice routine?

I've been a self taught guitarist for about 10 years, but it turns out I'm not a fantastic teacher, so I've been taking jazz guitar lessons this year to fill in some of the blanks. It's forced me to sit down and actually practice specific skills, rather than just noodle around, play songs I know, and not stretch myself.
So I knocked together a pretty basic practice routine, and I was wondering if anyone else has a specific routine that they follow when practising?

Here's my routine:

7th Chords & Arpeggios
With root on the E, A, and D strings: Maj7, min7, Dom7, dim7 chords
With root on the E, A, and D strings: Maj7, min7, Dom7, dim7 arpeggios (1 octave)
With root on the E and A strings: Maj7, min7, Dom7, dim7 arpeggios (2 octaves)

Scales
Stepwise; 3rds; 4ths; 1-4-3-2 clusters; adding a chromatic note: Major, Dorian, and Mixolydian scales

Chord scales
(Not sure what this is called properly, but it's just learning the chords that apply to each note in a scale)
With root on E, A, D: 1 octave of chords and arpeggios
Staying in a major scale position: 1 octave of chords and arpeggios

ii, V, Is
7th chords around a ii, V, I
Alternate voicings around a ii, V, I
"Single note" riffing over a ii, V, I
Scale riffing over a ii, V, I
Arpeggio riffing over a ii, V, I
Unrestricted riffing over a ii, V, I

Standards
Pick a couple of jazz standards and have a play around with them. No need to get them perfect, just become comfortable looking at chord sheets and semi-sight-reading the songs.

18 comments

  1. D_E_Solomon
    Link
    Thanks for the topic! I've been playing for about 4 years as an adult around mostly finger picking and classical type pieces. I vary the routine up, but I usually do some warmup - either exercises...

    Thanks for the topic!

    I've been playing for about 4 years as an adult around mostly finger picking and classical type pieces. I vary the routine up, but I usually do some warmup - either exercises that my teacher assigned or something that I notice is off in my playing. So earlier this week I was working on specific movement that was really awkward.

    Second, I usually play a piece or exercise that is easier or that I've played in the past. At that point the fingers are pretty loose and I'm in the groove.

    Finally, I get to the actual piece I'm focused on. If I have a recording of it, I listen to that first. Then, I usually take a section that I'm working, play through as much of it as I know, and then start working on individual measures. I mark up the measure with fingering and notes on the playing. A couple repetitions usually gets the measure sorted and then I move on. Obviously easier measures get less focus. Once all of that is done, I'll usually play through once or twice.

    I've been using an app to help get my ear trained, but I've been bad about using it of late. It's a bit tedious.

    Anyways, the routine usually takes 45 min or so. I'm an amateur and don't have a lot of time to play, but I play almost every day.

    4 votes
  2. [2]
    judah
    Link
    Nice! A music question on here! I’ve been studying piano and music theory so I can get better at producing music in general. My goals for piano have been to be able to know exactly what I’m...

    Nice! A music question on here!

    I’ve been studying piano and music theory so I can get better at producing music in general. My goals for piano have been to be able to know exactly what I’m playing/hearing and the ability to write chord progressions. I haven’t really thought of playing Jazz standards besides So What and Autumn Leaves though, so maybe I should start! My main practice methods are:

    Chord Scales
    Same as you but I play a triad or 5th on each note in a scale, moving up to the leading tone and back down to the root.

    Arpeggios
    In a 1-3-2-4 pattern, I move up each note in a scale. So in F: F-A-G-Bb-A-C-... I’ll then do the same thing in differing patterns: 1-3-2-1, 1-4, 3-2-1, 3-1, etc.

    Random Progression Challenge
    In my head I’ll pick a random key (major or minor), then play random chord progressions in it so I really “get” the key. After I’m done I’ll quickly go through and play the key’s scale in octaves 2, 3, and 4.

    2 votes
    1. UniquelyGeneric
      Link Parent
      I've been playing piano for 20 years, though have only had a teacher for the first 10. I don't have too much structure with how I practice, as part of my routine is experimentation with...

      I've been playing piano for 20 years, though have only had a teacher for the first 10. I don't have too much structure with how I practice, as part of my routine is experimentation with improvisation. I was originally classically trained, which I found to be a ton of wrote memorization, which eventually bored me and so I had to find ways to interest me enough to keep at it ("the best workout routine is the one that you'll actually do").

      In general, I found jazz to help me understand chords and music theory as I pick up the progressions, but there can be quite obscure and nuanced chords that are a little intimidating. That being said, a typical session looks like this:

      Review the Repertoire
      I usually run through a few standards I've gotten down (Autumn Leaves as well), I also play a few songs that are a little more showtunes-y since I want to keep them up on the off chance I can play a piano for an audience. If I'm trying to learn any new song in particular, I'd run through it a couple times to iron out wrinkles.

      Remix the Repertoire
      Eventually once I feel I've practiced enough, I'll start getting more loose with my renditions of my songs. I will usually find a song or two to improv on and try out new riffs. Cover songs are usually pretty easy to keep a progression going while improving on the melody.

      Reinvent the Repertoire
      At this point I typically try to come up with a song from scratch. I don't have a specific direction, and often I fall onto the crutch of a 4-chord progression, but I typically "feel it out" after I start with one chord I've typically decided to be the key. It's a bit like throwing a dart at a map. From there I usually settle on a specific progression, and flesh out the melody through some improv until I'm ready to record to my computer. I also write down some sheet music or tabs for practice/development in the future.

      1 vote
  3. [7]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [5]
      frickindeal
      Link Parent
      One quick piece of advice: one of the best things you can do for your learning is making sure that guitar is set up properly. Get it to a local music store or other specialized guitar guy for that...

      One quick piece of advice: one of the best things you can do for your learning is making sure that guitar is set up properly. Get it to a local music store or other specialized guitar guy for that job, usually under $50. It's well worth it and you won't struggle with a guitar that not at its best.

      2 votes
      1. [5]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [4]
          frickindeal
          Link Parent
          No, I'm talking about getting the guitar set up. That means adjusting everything that needs to be adjusted, as needed: the neck, intonation, action (how high the strings sit off the fretboard),...

          No, I'm talking about getting the guitar set up. That means adjusting everything that needs to be adjusted, as needed: the neck, intonation, action (how high the strings sit off the fretboard), etc. It can make what would have been a frustrating experience a whole lot more pleasant if the guitar is set up properly, especially for a beginner who won't recognize that something's slightly (or majorly as the case may be) off about the guitar.

          1. [3]
            vsd
            Link Parent
            This is good advice for op, but for those reading with a newer guitar, you shouldnt need any adjustment right off the bat.

            This is good advice for op, but for those reading with a newer guitar, you shouldnt need any adjustment right off the bat.

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              frickindeal
              Link Parent
              Really depends on the manufacturer. A Gibson is generally set up pretty well, but Mexican Strats a lot of times can benefit from a quick setup. If you get an honest shop, they'll tell you if it...

              Really depends on the manufacturer. A Gibson is generally set up pretty well, but Mexican Strats a lot of times can benefit from a quick setup. If you get an honest shop, they'll tell you if it doesn't need anything, or you can learn to check yourself. I just always recommend it because a lot of people buy used guitars that have been sitting around for years, or buy really cheap far-East brands, and those almost always need some work.

              It's even more important for acoustics. Very few acoustics I've picked up and played are well set up. Unless you buy a new Taylor, it probably needs a little work. They're just too mass-produced to receive that kind of love at the end of the process. I've seen brand new Martins (and that's my brand) that need the action set up.

              1. vsd
                Link Parent
                Really, well sounds like I need to take my Yamaha in for a tuneup lol. Didn't know that was the case, but I also haven't purchased many guitars in my lifetime, so thanks for the correction.

                Really, well sounds like I need to take my Yamaha in for a tuneup lol. Didn't know that was the case, but I also haven't purchased many guitars in my lifetime, so thanks for the correction.

    2. RogaDanar
      Link Parent
      Playing out Rockband is a blast since you can straight up interact with songs that you like. I can't really play the guitar, but have fun jamming to Black Keys, The Cure, The Ramones, and everyone...

      Playing out Rockband is a blast since you can straight up interact with songs that you like. I can't really play the guitar, but have fun jamming to Black Keys, The Cure, The Ramones, and everyone else.

      I guess it's time to break out my electric guitar again :D

  4. [2]
    Chrozera
    Link
    I just bought a Ukulele of Aliexpress, and totally don't know what i'm doing so I don't have a clue on what to do with it at the moment lol.

    I just bought a Ukulele of Aliexpress, and totally don't know what i'm doing so I don't have a clue on what to do with it at the moment lol.

    1 vote
    1. frickindeal
      Link Parent
      Uke is pretty basic to start on because the chord shapes are so simple. Get a beginner's book, or just search Youtube.

      Uke is pretty basic to start on because the chord shapes are so simple. Get a beginner's book, or just search Youtube.

      2 votes
  5. Akir
    Link
    My practice routine for piano is to stare longingly at my SY-99 and wish that I had the time to practice so I could play it. 😞 Hopefully after I finish my degree I will have enough time to take it...

    My practice routine for piano is to stare longingly at my SY-99 and wish that I had the time to practice so I could play it. 😞

    Hopefully after I finish my degree I will have enough time to take it seriously.

    1 vote
  6. the_walrus
    Link
    I've been playing guitar for years and I still don't have a routine. Usually I'll start out playing riffs I like to get my hands warmed up, then I'll usually play a few scales, then jump into...

    I've been playing guitar for years and I still don't have a routine. Usually I'll start out playing riffs I like to get my hands warmed up, then I'll usually play a few scales, then jump into whatever I'm working on.

    Any drummers here? I'm just getting started and it's a lot of fun!

    1 vote
  7. [2]
    Staross
    (edited )
    Link
    I just noodle around, I'm still progressing (I've been playing for about 2 years) but I should definitively push myself a bit more. Here's a song I did after one year, I should do another one, it...

    I just noodle around, I'm still progressing (I've been playing for about 2 years) but I should definitively push myself a bit more. Here's a song I did after one year, I should do another one, it more motivating than doing exercises. Recording yourself is also a good way to spot problems.

    1. frickindeal
      Link Parent
      Nicely done! I like the feel of it. I'll be jamming over it later today or sometime tomorrow. It sounds modern yet at the same time has sort of a '60s vibe.

      Nicely done! I like the feel of it. I'll be jamming over it later today or sometime tomorrow. It sounds modern yet at the same time has sort of a '60s vibe.

      1 vote
  8. Heichou
    Link
    Having been self taught (playing bass and occasional acoustic/electric), for 2 years, I have absolutely no structure haha. I've just been looking for tabs for songs I like and attempting to play...

    Having been self taught (playing bass and occasional acoustic/electric), for 2 years, I have absolutely no structure haha. I've just been looking for tabs for songs I like and attempting to play them, and I've been getting better at the difficult songs I dropped early on. I haven't the slightest knowledge of theory, though I've been meaning to for some time now. I have no idea where to even start since, having no instruction, the things I've picked up have only been picked up as I need them

  9. webofslime
    Link
    For teaching kids, I customized my version of Rocksmith 2014 to show the fretboards and musical notation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r61mz8sqGog You can also use Chordify with visual aids and...

    For teaching kids, I customized my version of Rocksmith 2014 to show the fretboards and musical notation.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r61mz8sqGog

    You can also use Chordify with visual aids and play along to any song that is on youtube.

    I usually use these to warm up or to toy around with things I am not used to playing.

    Scales with a metronome/backbeat is a good way to go, too. You want to be able to play at any speed. Technology is a great way to augment your playing.

    There is a difference between the way virtuosos practice and professionals who are not quite at virtuoso level. In essence, you can practice "smart" and not hard, but you are going to have to always push yourself when you do practice. For that reason, I really like Rocksmith. When I get too bored, I switch bass guitar or piano.

    In the end, I usually pick an hour of music to be up to practice on, so I can always be ready to play a set, but you should eventually reach the point where you can start to drop in on any group of musicians and keep up.

    Playing with other musicians should definitely be part of your routine. Nothing makes you learn faster.

    If you have the technical wherewithal, you can make any song into a custom file. With this tool, you can easily, and while having fun, delve into a lot of styles that you would otherwise never bother with.

    After ten years, it is probably legit of a hobby enough to start recording and composing music. I use Anvil Studio to work with musical notation, then mix stuff up in FL Studio for backing tracks, usually just remixes of songs I like or my own inventions, then plug in my guitar and just record over it, old school.

    Native Instruments has Guitar Rig, which allows you to get any guitar sound without buying a ton of gear. You can layer tracks over each other pretty effortlessly, like this...

    https://instaud.io/3jea

    And recording yourself is absolutely another important part of getting better because it gives you the chance to objectively spot your mistakes.

    Good luck.

  10. crdpa
    Link
    I had a guitar for some years. I even had a custom made one, tube amps and analog effects. I still sucked. I could play a thing or two, but nothing harder than Black Sabbath or some Clutch songs....

    I had a guitar for some years. I even had a custom made one, tube amps and analog effects. I still sucked. I could play a thing or two, but nothing harder than Black Sabbath or some Clutch songs.

    Sold everything. I tried to go back to it again two years ago but didn't have the patience and enthusiasm anymore. Still love metal tho.

    I've been thinking about getting some low maintenance instrument to fool around. Something like a basic keyboard to play Super Mario, Megaman and some fun tunes. But i'll save this idea for the future and hope it dies so i don't spend money again hahaha