Printable Version of Topic
GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Hitting A Physical Wall
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 13 2012, 09:23 AM
Hey Dudes,
Do you ever get those times where you've been practising consistently well for days and then one day it feels like you're just too slow or too tired ?
Are you able to do lots of other physical activities and still play intense guitar.. or does your guitar playing suffer occasionally because your hands/arms etc are already tired out ?
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 13 2012, 12:01 PM
Yes, this happens after too much exercise for me too, after week or two of hard training, it feels like I'm going backwards, my improvising is poor (too many fragments of exercises), and timing is becoming more "nervous".
couple of days of rest solves this problem for me.
Posted by: JaxN4 Jan 13 2012, 12:12 PM
QUOTE (Dinaga @ Jan 13 2012, 10:53 AM)
I often wondered: Is it better to take one advanced (level 9) lesson, start super-slow and practice it for months, gradually building up the tempo (good for ego, but can cause a lack of motivation because of slow progress) or learn more easier lessons more quickly and take smaller steps (this is more motivating, because you can see clear results more often, but you don't have that 'Guitar God' impression
)... Before I thought the first approach was better, but now I'm in favor of 2nd approach
I do this alot also. i think it's QUALITY not QUANTITY, regardless of the approach you take.
A few days in a row of 4 -5hr sessions and I think having a break is good for the mind and body, but it's so hard not to pick up the guitar on your "day Off"..... I usually drink a few beers, that way I don't have the motor skills to play, so it means i Have to have a day off
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 13 2012, 12:30 PM
I'm glad it's not just me
When I hit that slump day I start to think 'Damn, all that cool practice and technique I developed over the last week has gone !' I you start getting obsessed with it and panic slightly. Silly, but it does that to you
QUOTE (Dinaga @ Jan 13 2012, 10:53 AM)
I often wondered: Is it better to take one advanced (level 9) lesson, start super-slow and practice it for months, gradually building up the tempo (good for ego, but can cause a lack of motivation because of slow progress) or learn more easier lessons more quickly and take smaller steps (this is more motivating, because you can see clear results more often, but you don't have that 'Guitar God' impression
)... Before I thought the first approach was better, but now I'm in favor of 2nd approach
You could do a bit of both. Smaller goals are better for motivation but you can still break down the higher level lessons and work with them too. Have a read of my practice journal where I mention about acclimatising yourself to higher speeds:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=41813&view=findpost&p=562377
Posted by: Dinaga Jan 13 2012, 01:57 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 12:30 PM)
I'm glad it's not just me
When I hit that slump day I start to think 'Damn, all that cool practice and technique I developed over the last week has gone !' I you start getting obsessed with it and panic slightly. Silly, but it does that to you
You could do a bit of both. Smaller goals are better for motivation but you can still break down the higher level lessons and work with them too. Have a read of my practice journal where I mention about acclimatising yourself to higher speeds:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=41813&view=findpost&p=562377
Interesting thoughts!
And it's true - For example, I always find arpeggios a lot harder to play at medium speed than high-speed.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 13 2012, 02:00 PM
QUOTE (Dinaga @ Jan 13 2012, 12:57 PM)
Interesting thoughts!
And it's true - For example, I always find arpeggios a lot harder to play at medium speed than high-speed.
Me too ! Weird isn't it ?
Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 13 2012, 03:48 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 08:00 AM)
Me too ! Weird isn't it ?
definitely! arpeggios at mid tempo really require your control.
I really enjoy the sound of them too,
When I was learning arpeggios I really fopcus on mid tempo because, I don't know if I heard or something, but I knew that if I mastered them at that tempo, then slow and fast would be really easy, and sure enough, it feels a lot more comfortable
Posted by: Gitarrero Jan 13 2012, 04:00 PM
I am just experiencing this now...since I changed my workout routine at the beginning of this year my speed has suffered on training days. Then again, I'm not a speed king anyway so I don't worry too mch about it
Posted by: Dinaga Jan 13 2012, 05:08 PM
QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Jan 13 2012, 03:48 PM)
definitely! arpeggios at mid tempo really require your control.
I really enjoy the sound of them too,
When I was learning arpeggios I really fopcus on mid tempo because, I don't know if I heard or something, but I knew that if I mastered them at that tempo, then slow and fast would be really easy, and sure enough, it feels a lot more comfortable
Yes, they sound a lot better than super-sped shred ones!
A year ago I wrote a solo for my former band which included pretty fast sweeps but the most basic shape (3-string arpeggio). Wasn't problem to play at all. Now I wrote some 5-string arpeggios for a new song which are much slower but I'm still struggling to pull 'em off.
I always prefer melodic playing to super-fast sweeping. I was at a gig the night before and I saw a guy who is an arpeggio BEAST, but all he did was sweep some insane patterns over the ending of Chris Isaak's Wicked Games (talk about inappropriate
). Nobody cared that much, and he wasn't expressive at all, he was just shredding to the song trying to play as many as notes as possible. Then there was a next band which included some very tricky guitar solos but it was all in good taste. It was much better to listen to! I think more is less, and it's great to pull off some insane things out of your sleeve and amaze everybody but if you doo it too much, it isn't a mind-blowing decoration anymore and becomes dull...
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 13 2012, 05:37 PM
I haven't played properly, until today, since the 27th of december I feel very fresh and I came up with some nice stuff, but I need to get back into shape A S A P! So the hardcore routine started TODAY!
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 13 2012, 06:04 PM
QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jan 13 2012, 04:37 PM)
I haven't played properly, until today, since the 27th of december
I feel very fresh and I came up with some nice stuff, but I need to get back into shape A S A P! So the hardcore routine started TODAY!
How long does it take you to get back in shape after not practising guitar for a long time ?
I usually find that it takes me about an hour before I feel like I'm cooking again !
Posted by: Alex Feather Jan 13 2012, 06:35 PM
I guess it depend on a day sometimes you are full of energy and can play the whole day and sometimes you just super tired! I think a good idea is to listen to your body and rest if you need to! When I am going on tour I have to play 60+ shows on a row without any breaks it was really hard at first but I got use to it and now have absolutely no problems to get myself up if I have to
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 13 2012, 10:20 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 05:04 PM)
How long does it take you to get back in shape after not practising guitar for a long time ?
I usually find that it takes me about an hour before I feel like I'm cooking again !
Hmmm, an hour or two maybe
that sort of stuff
Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 13 2012, 11:24 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 08:23 AM)
Hey Dudes,
Do you ever get those times where you've been practising consistently well for days and then one day it feels like you're just too slow or too tired ?
Are you able to do lots of other physical activities and still play intense guitar.. or does your guitar playing suffer occasionally because your hands/arms etc are already tired out ?
In the summer yes, i can do it! but in winter is a diferent story. i am a very weather change sensitive person, when the weather starts to get cold and humid, i start to get tired more easily, there are days i simple, can't do anything at all, there was one time in middle of november( the day was really cold and "heavy,i was extremely tired, so i end up fallin asleep in a bar 30 min before a guig
)
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 14 2012, 05:25 AM
Believe it or not, every time I pick up the guitar I think, "Hmm boy am I slow today" and then after my usual stretch/warmup chops, my fingers wake up and I'm back in business. Almost like I have to remind them, "Hey! We can move better/faster than this remember?" And after a short bit, say 20 minutes, they remember.
Posted by: The Uncreator Jan 14 2012, 06:31 AM
Just started doing the 10 minute/hour exercises again, feels good as I know it will help a lot, but I am starting slow, regardless if I can play the routines faster or not.
An Idea I got from MAB, goes something like this.
10 Minutes - Three String Sweeping
10 Minutes - Alternate Picking
10 Minutes - Tapping And Legato
10 Minutes - Five String Sweeping
20 Minutes - Play, No Exercises, Just Have fun
Do this maybe 2 or 3 times spread throughout the day, so far I like this routine, very comfortable and flexible.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 14 2012, 09:17 AM
My problem is that with all the gigs coming up lately and with the fact that I have to pay a lot of attention to my vocal performance, I had to stick to rehearsing the songs I am playing with my bands.
I am trying to go back to my old routine - that means getting up at 7 AM to play the guitar wish me luck!
Posted by: jstcrsn Jan 14 2012, 05:09 PM
I have been practicing for 3 hours now and does my butt hurt from sitting to long
Posted by: SirJamsalot Jan 14 2012, 05:16 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 12:23 AM)
Hey Dudes,
Do you ever get those times where you've been practising consistently well for days and then one day it feels like you're just too slow or too tired ?
Are you able to do lots of other physical activities and still play intense guitar.. or does your guitar playing suffer occasionally because your hands/arms etc are already tired out ?
It hardest right after you make me do finger push ups.
I go thru phases - every now and again, I'll have one those days where I should probably just strum because the AP coordination is just not happening
can't even blame it on fatigue. I think our bodies just go thru natural cycles of suckiness like that. It happened with me when I played volleyball - some tournaments were spot on, others it took til playoffs to shake off the dross. I think its a mind-over matter thing. But who knows. It's real and common in sports for a player to just out the blue not be in the groove.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 14 2012, 06:18 PM
QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Jan 14 2012, 04:09 PM)
I have been practicing for 3 hours now and does my butt hurt from sitting to long
Your butt hurts after 3 hrs of practising guitar ?
Are you sure you're doing it right ??
Posted by: JaxN4 Jan 14 2012, 06:20 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 14 2012, 05:18 PM)
Your butt hurts after 3 hrs of practising guitar ?
Are you sure you're doing it right ??
HAHA....... Weird mental images
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 14 2012, 06:21 PM
QUOTE (JaxN4 @ Jan 14 2012, 05:20 PM)
HAHA....... Weird mental images
I've heard of 'kicking ass on the guitar' but.....
Posted by: Dinaga Jan 14 2012, 06:32 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 14 2012, 06:18 PM)
Your butt hurts after 3 hrs of practising guitar ?
Are you sure you're doing it right ??
Hahahaha you sir are crazy
Posted by: jstcrsn Jan 14 2012, 06:44 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 14 2012, 06:21 PM)
I've heard of 'kicking ass on the guitar' but.....
These Mental images are better left for me and my wife thank you very much
Posted by: Michael AC Jan 14 2012, 07:51 PM
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jan 13 2012, 03:23 AM)
Hey Dudes,
Do you ever get those times where you've been practising consistently well for days and then one day it feels like you're just too slow or too tired ?
Are you able to do lots of other physical activities and still play intense guitar.. or does your guitar playing suffer occasionally because your hands/arms etc are already tired out ?
I know that my muscles can get tired especially when practicing pieces over and over again in a repetitive fashion for several hours.
Usually if I make sure on the next day to practice something else and rest more, I can come back ok.
Your stamina lessons are a big help in thought (practice too, but the concept I am applying to many areas).
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 15 2012, 10:32 AM
QUOTE (Michael AC @ Jan 14 2012, 06:51 PM)
Your stamina lessons are a big help in thought (practice too, but the concept I am applying to many areas).
I'm glad to hear it, Michael !
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)