Practice Area For Success Options

[DarkWaveRiffer]

I thought this might be a topic where people can comment on best practices for having a great place to practice.
Its something I have come to realize is one of the most important things you can do. Is pay attention to your practice area. Does it help you, or hinder you. I would really like to get into optimal set ups.

Some elements I think are important
1. Your guitar to your hands, and playing should be in less than 30 seconds. The faster the better. Its great if your guitar is out, and visible at all times.
2. Your space should be clean, and puts you in a good mood.
3. Access to play along with music. I use my laptop to play along with.
4. Recording yourself should be integrated into your set up. Its important to utilize gmc for feedback audio recording is good, but video is better. Also its very inspiring to come up with some cool riff that you want to remember. Also recording yourself all the time is a good way to get conditioned to play under pressure.
5. Music stand - This is great for printing out material to practice to. I have a nice wooden one, very solid.
6.This is not so much as set up, but know how, it can be frustrating finding the right tone to play along with a song, or lesson. I am still looking for something that will help me with copying a tone, or atleast come close to it.
7. Atmosphere - Your environment should be inspirational, and make you want to pick up a guitar every chance you get.

I think once you have your practice area as best as you can, learning can be more enjoyable. Before I started practicing along with videos, and audio. Practice was a bit boring, and it was very hard to tell if I was doing it right, or in tempo. When I follow a video, or audio recording, I get instant feedback. This has also helped me to make adjustments on the fly to improve faster.

Also interested in how people use their computers with practicing guitar, and what kind of programs they use to aid in their practice.

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

[SpaseMoonkey]

I thought this might be a topic where people can comment on best practices for having a great place to practice.
Its something I have come to realize is one of the most important things you can do. Is pay attention to your practice area. Does it help you, or hinder you. I would really like to get into optimal set ups.

Some elements I think are important
1. Your guitar to your hands, and playing should be in less than 30 seconds. The faster the better. Its great if your guitar is out, and visible at all times.
2. Your space should be clean, and puts you in a good mood.
3. Access to play along with music. I use my laptop to play along with.
4. Recording yourself should be integrated into your set up. Its important to utilize gmc for feedback audio recording is good, but video is better. Also its very inspiring to come up with some cool riff that you want to remember. Also recording yourself all the time is a good way to get conditioned to play under pressure.
5. Music stand - This is great for printing out material to practice to. I have a nice wooden one, very solid.
6.This is not so much as set up, but know how, it can be frustrating finding the right tone to play along with a song, or lesson. I am still looking for something that will help me with copying a tone, or atleast come close to it.
7. Atmosphere - Your environment should be inspirational, and make you want to pick up a guitar every chance you get.

I think once you have your practice area as best as you can, learning can be more enjoyable. Before I started practicing along with videos, and audio. Practice was a bit boring, and it was very hard to tell if I was doing it right, or in tempo. When I follow a video, or audio recording, I get instant feedback. This has also helped me to make adjustments on the fly to improve faster.

Also interested in how people use their computers with practicing guitar, and what kind of programs they use to aid in their practice.

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

This is my room. It looks messy but its not the rags are to keep the Gibsons off the stand because it tends to stick to the finish. Don't mind my awesome Dot.Hack// Grunty or Penguins which are protecting all my tickets for the next month of concerts.

Within a chair spin and an arms length I can pretty much reach everything I would need to grab for playing.

I have 1-7 setup great here minus 5. I don't need a stand I just use my TV for everything I need to read. Now back to step 7 and pick up that poor cocked wah guitar that looks laying there like hey I know you set me down to take a picture for this post but please put me back in your lap!

[Todd Simpson]

Some really good tips! There is another thread where folks were posting their home recording setups and many of them had several of the elements you are talking about. It's really a good idea to have a nice place to practice where your gear can stay set up and waiting. Also, having internet access/recording gear, in the same spot is a real help.

I've got my space set up this way as well. So that I can record, watch web vids, chat, etc. And have everything in reach including my guitars.

[derper]

Great setup Todd!! Do you play guitar sitting in that chair? Do the arms get in the way?

[Dieterle]

Hallo,
this is my little private Paradies on this planet .

I am just short time at GMC but already feel thats the place i missed

I didn't play before with backing tracks and video before or with someone but will say its a good and important way to get next step into trying serious study and playing.

Always still, its not yet into my blood with this backing but its fun

By the way i would ask a question
about audio interface for playing and recording .

My hardware iMac - Speaker out Teufel B 200 USB .

I read about following interfaces:

Apogee jam - but no software except Garageband

Midi tech - Line 6 - Audiotech !? important is that it works good on mac

Wiil be great if you could help me Dieter









[attachment=26974:DSCN0045.JPG]

[DarkWaveRiffer]

Everyone has a nice set up, the key elements guitars are out within arms reach, and everything is close together. I really believe interfacing the computer, and the guitar is the way to go, but I need a new computer. Its old, and it is having trouble with my Jam Vox interface. The sound is all distorted, and broken. If all goes well, I should be getting a very sweet laptop. I can't wait to show it.

Todd, your set up looks like a cockpit to a space ship or something, but very cool.

[Cosmin Lupu]

Don't have a pic right now (will take one soon enough though)

For me, the most important aspects would be:

- to have all the gear functional and ready
- to have a clear mind and good rest
- SILENCE

Yes, silence when the phone is buzzing, the internet and FB are around you can''t focus. 10 minutes of total focus are far better than an hour spent with the guitar in your hands and your mind in another place

Cosmin

[SirJamsalot]

Mood lights and lots of flowwy things like drapes.Also, good surround sound. I also practice while standing - I rarely sit and practice - in fact, I have a microphone stand that I play in front of to practice so I can both hear myself sing and practice moving and timing issues of getting back to the mic to sing after a solo or music break. Realism I think is very important if you plan to be on stage.

[DarkWaveRiffer]

Mood lights and lots of flowwy things like drapes.Also, good surround sound. I also practice while standing - I rarely sit and practice - in fact, I have a microphone stand that I play in front of to practice so I can both hear myself sing and practice moving and timing issues of getting back to the mic to sing after a solo or music break. Realism I think is very important if you plan to be on stage.

I know I have to practice standing up, but my vision is not the best, and my tactile acuity with the fret board is not where it should be yet, but you are right. Adding as much realism will make you more prepared when you do play out.

[rocko]

Before that topic here I never really thought about practice environment. But, I have to admit - all the things you say make totally sense everything in the reach and working, no noises, a good atmosphere...

I definitely have to work on that So, I'll setup and reorder my practice corner and than take a picture of it too! Maybe before and after pictures?

Regards
Andreas

[DarkWaveRiffer]

It play a huge part in your success. I have trouble concentrating. I have gotten better over the years, but having a practice area puts me in the zone. I want to make it easy as possible to just play. I also want to get better as fast as possible. So for me, having a peice of music or execise to play along with is great. I can see right away if I am off, or on mark. This allows your brain to make adjustments instantly, where playing to tab where you are not sure of your timing could hinder you if you are not playing it like you should. Now I am not talking about all proper technique, because people all have thier of technique, and what is comfortable for them. I mean more timing, and how things tie together. Music is very fluid, and I have a habit of thiniking of it disjointed. Let us know how your practice area turns out.

Before that topic here I never really thought about practice environment. But, I have to admit - all the things you say make totally sense everything in the reach and working, no noises, a good atmosphere...

I definitely have to work on that So, I'll setup and reorder my practice corner and than take a picture of it too! Maybe before and after pictures?

Regards
Andreas

[Cosmin Lupu]

Mood lights and lots of flowwy things like drapes.Also, good surround sound. I also practice while standing - I rarely sit and practice - in fact, I have a microphone stand that I play in front of to practice so I can both hear myself sing and practice moving and timing issues of getting back to the mic to sing after a solo or music break. Realism I think is very important if you plan to be on stage.

Very good approach man! The stage is a TOTALLY different thing than the practice place the stage is wild! It's like the forest, beautiful and inspiring but full of dangers!! It's very good to be prepared for anything, so standing up and moving around while rehearsing can be very beneficial!

Cosmin

[Alex Feather]

I thought this might be a topic where people can comment on best practices for having a great place to practice.
Its something I have come to realize is one of the most important things you can do. Is pay attention to your practice area. Does it help you, or hinder you. I would really like to get into optimal set ups.

Some elements I think are important
1. Your guitar to your hands, and playing should be in less than 30 seconds. The faster the better. Its great if your guitar is out, and visible at all times.
2. Your space should be clean, and puts you in a good mood.
3. Access to play along with music. I use my laptop to play along with.
4. Recording yourself should be integrated into your set up. Its important to utilize gmc for feedback audio recording is good, but video is better. Also its very inspiring to come up with some cool riff that you want to remember. Also recording yourself all the time is a good way to get conditioned to play under pressure.
5. Music stand - This is great for printing out material to practice to. I have a nice wooden one, very solid.
6.This is not so much as set up, but know how, it can be frustrating finding the right tone to play along with a song, or lesson. I am still looking for something that will help me with copying a tone, or atleast come close to it.
7. Atmosphere - Your environment should be inspirational, and make you want to pick up a guitar every chance you get.

I think once you have your practice area as best as you can, learning can be more enjoyable. Before I started practicing along with videos, and audio. Practice was a bit boring, and it was very hard to tell if I was doing it right, or in tempo. When I follow a video, or audio recording, I get instant feedback. This has also helped me to make adjustments on the fly to improve faster.

Also interested in how people use their computers with practicing guitar, and what kind of programs they use to aid in their practice.

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

This is a very good advice!
For me it's hard to keep my studio clean Cause all the CD's, picks and strings are all overt the place!

[Gabriel Leopardi]

I thought this might be a topic where people can comment on best practices for having a great place to practice.
Its something I have come to realize is one of the most important things you can do. Is pay attention to your practice area. Does it help you, or hinder you. I would really like to get into optimal set ups.

Some elements I think are important
1. Your guitar to your hands, and playing should be in less than 30 seconds. The faster the better. Its great if your guitar is out, and visible at all times.
2. Your space should be clean, and puts you in a good mood.
3. Access to play along with music. I use my laptop to play along with.
4. Recording yourself should be integrated into your set up. Its important to utilize gmc for feedback audio recording is good, but video is better. Also its very inspiring to come up with some cool riff that you want to remember. Also recording yourself all the time is a good way to get conditioned to play under pressure.
5. Music stand - This is great for printing out material to practice to. I have a nice wooden one, very solid.
6.This is not so much as set up, but know how, it can be frustrating finding the right tone to play along with a song, or lesson. I am still looking for something that will help me with copying a tone, or atleast come close to it.
7. Atmosphere - Your environment should be inspirational, and make you want to pick up a guitar every chance you get.

I think once you have your practice area as best as you can, learning can be more enjoyable. Before I started practicing along with videos, and audio. Practice was a bit boring, and it was very hard to tell if I was doing it right, or in tempo. When I follow a video, or audio recording, I get instant feedback. This has also helped me to make adjustments on the fly to improve faster.

Also interested in how people use their computers with practicing guitar, and what kind of programs they use to aid in their practice.

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

Hey mate!!! This is the best guitar articles that I have read lately. I have never thought on this but I can affirm that this is one of the most valuable secrets for practising. My practician place is my studio, but I practice much more when I have the other guitar in my bedroom connected and ready to be used. I use my laptop for backing tracks or jamming over music. I use my cellphone to record vague ideas and my studio to create complete band songs.

Great job posting this thread mate!

[DarkWaveRiffer]

Hey mate!!! This is the best guitar articles that I have read lately. I have never thought on this but I can affirm that this is one of the most valuable secrets for practising. My practician place is my studio, but I practice much more when I have the other guitar in my bedroom connected and ready to be used. I use my laptop for backing tracks or jamming over music. I use my cellphone to record vague ideas and my studio to create complete band songs.

Great job posting this thread mate!

Glad you like it. Practice is essential to "playing it forward". So is this forum. I don't really have any friends who are guitar players, and musicians where I live, but in this community I am surrounded by musicians. So I am immersing myself in an environment where progressing is easier. I would like to also talk about the process of practice. I notice when learning a piece of music, whether its because you like the song, or learning techniques, or even both, that I find if I focus on the elements of it, I will progress faster. Its also important to practice smart. Small goals, and larger goals. The smaller goals will lead to accomplishing your larger goals. It would be cool if some of the instructors gave their thoughts on the process of practice. I am just starting to practice what I reach.

[rocko]

It play a huge part in your success. I have trouble concentrating. I have gotten better over the years, but having a practice area puts me in the zone. I want to make it easy as possible to just play. I also want to get better as fast as possible. So for me, having a peice of music or execise to play along with is great. I can see right away if I am off, or on mark. This allows your brain to make adjustments instantly, where playing to tab where you are not sure of your timing could hinder you if you are not playing it like you should. Now I am not talking about all proper technique, because people all have thier of technique, and what is comfortable for them. I mean more timing, and how things tie together. Music is very fluid, and I have a habit of thiniking of it disjointed. Let us know how your practice area turns out.

I just arranged my practice corner - and here it is:

[DarkWaveRiffer]

Nice Rocko! It looks like my practice area. I will have to take a pic today, and show ya. How's it feel to practice in your new setup?

[rocko]

Oh it's really cool. I wonder why that didn't come to my mind much earlier.

It's pretty exciting in general, because the the practice corner how it is now isn't perfect - of course. But to improve it over the time - tweak a little here, move something from here to there - is fun because you get just a direct feedback while practicing.