Your Classical Guitar Input Here

Guitar Practicing Habits

by Gerry Busch
(Canada)

Guitar Practicing Habits

I've noticed a couple of interesting things about my practicing habits, and wonder whether anyone else here has had the same experiences:

First of all, I have a habit of quitting while I'm ahead. This is because if my practice session ends on a high note, so to speak, I feel good about myself and look forward to the next session. If, on the other hand, I continue practicing until I start to make mistakes and play very badly, perhaps from fatigue or having moved on to one of my more difficult pieces, then I'm likely to dread the next practice session.

So much for the first observation. The other thing I've noticed is what I'd call subconscious learning. This could be something similar to sleep learning. It happens whenever I'm forced to stay away from the guitar longer than usual. I might be in the process of relocating, for example, or occupied with other interests that prevent me from practicing for anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks at a time -- or maybe I'm simply fresh out of enthusiasm.

In any case, my very next practice session is invariably a good one, because somehow any difficulties I was having with fingering or interpreting a complex passage seem to have been overcome. It's almost as if I had been practicing subconsciously while away from the guitar, and had solved my problems!

OK, maybe I'm being too analytical here, but hey, "the unexamined life isn't worth living," said Socrates -- I doubt if he said "hey," though! :)

Hey Gerry!

Some great observations there. I'm sure you're right about the subconscious learning. I've noticed it myself and I'm sure it's a fact. Once you set your subconscious mind a task it'll keep working on it for you until it's done.

It's like when you can't remember a name, then suddenly, three days later the name will pop into your head. Your subconscious kept on the job. You were probably stressed out at the time which interfered with your recall and when you relaxed - Boom! - There it is.

Kind regards,
Trevor M.