Your Practice (Practise) Regime

Cary I think I'm more on the side of mad not genius and thanks to badger809 for the positive comments.

I would also like to thank adaptable for the book recommendations - I took a look at the excerpts on Amazon and think I'll pick them up. I also noticed that they do not use the TAB format which leads me to the question of learning to read music.

I believe that learning to read music is an important element in becoming a true musician. Can anyone recommend a book or books that they have used to learn how to read as it relates to guitar?

I can't speak for any "modern methods" because I did not learn to read music on the guitar... I learned the basics on the violin when I was a wee lad....although ironically, when my focus turned to guitar I used the "Modern Method for Guitar" Berklee Series of books (circa 1970s). Bill Leavitts book are very good, in general....and if you ever end up going to Berklee, they are the books that they teach from in the Guitar department.

I would recommend a music theory class at your local community college as a supplement.

Get a good metronome and always play in time. If you miss notes, continue where the "time" is. Slow things down until you can play it in time....then speed up the metronome until you can play the piece 20% faster than the prescribed tempo. Also, learn to read an octave higher and lower. Another piece of good advice is to pick up a Beatles or similar songbook and read the melodies (rather than the guitar parts)....because you are already familiar with melodies....

Also, get a solid music stand & a clip to keep a book open on it!

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In my own case I'd played semi-free style for about 15 years, then got bored and put it away 14-15 years ago.

I'd like to get into it again but find my life has way too many other hobbies.

Is there anyone else here who have been in the same boat? As it is I've forgotten most everything (Bad habits included) and want to learn how to play again.

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-Steve
http://www.stevedez.com

I've forgotten more about playing the guitar than most people know (I mean that as an insult to myself). Back in the 80's I could do the Al DiMeola style picking and Van Halen style two handed tapping...along with the Frank Gamble sweeping arpeggios.....all that stuff is like going to the gym and working some obscure muscle group that you'll never really use in real life (in my case). If I needed to, I could probably work some of that stuff back up.... but it just wouldn't feel right.

What I've realized over the years is that as much trendy techniques as I've forgotten....the closer I've come to expressing "myself" on the instrument. The important stuff sticks....blues, a few jazz standards, some choice classical pieces, great classic rock riffs & licks....Beatles, Zeppelin...stuff that really moved me growing up.

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