How to Practise (Classical Guitar)

This article is about how and what to practise, with a focus on playing classical guitar.  However, much of the advice will be applicable to other instruments.

Frame of Mind

You will only benefit from your practice if you are alert and ready to learn.  Do not practise if you are tired, because you will not accomplish anything.  Once you feel your concentration starting to wander, take a break, go for a walk, have a cup of tea.  Then come back feeling refreshed and ready to learn again.

Seating Position

Always practise in the correct seating position.  That could be with a footstool, to elevate your left leg, on to which the guitar is placed, or using another device to elevate the guitar into the classical position.  You are trying to teach your muscles to make extremely precise movements and practising, while sitting in a position you will not use when performing, is pointless.

Warm Up

Playing the guitar, or any instrument for that matter, is quite demanding on the muscles in your hands and arms.  An athlete would not train without warming up, so neither should we.  Start with some stretches and basic co-ordination exercises, to get your hands synchronised.  Then move onto more demanding things like scales, arpeggios and rasguedos to really warm up your muscles and get the blood flowing to where it is needed.  Not only will you playing improve after a warm-up but you will also be less likely to injure yourself.

Now you are ready to practise.  Of course what you do now depends entirely on what level you have reached in your playing.  But every practice session should include the same basic things: technique, music and theory.  Technique encompasses exercises, scales, arpeggios, stretching and much more.  Music is learning and mastering pieces that you want to add to your repertoire. Theory would cover sight-reading and ear training; two subjects that tend to be neglected by most students.

Write it Down  

Once you have worked out a practice routine with your teacher, write it down.  Work out how much time to spend on every section and then stick to it.  Do not be tempted to stay on a something longer than you have allocated for it; be strict.  You will accomplish more this way.  Also, try to practise at the same time every day.  Our bodies like routine, so sticking to a regular time will ensure that you are always in the right frame of mind to practise.