https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:13:06 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112428 Wed, 20 Jul 2005 07:12:02 +0000
I find that I go through periods where I've got the time and focus to sit down and play for an hour a night. These periods can last days or weeks. There are other times (in that phase right now) where I'm not sure when my next extended time with the guitar will be. During those times, I make it a point to pick the guitar up every single day and at least strum my way through a song. The continuity is important to.

The thing that keeps me going is the realization that at my age, I realize it's a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, I want to get better faster, but I also know that I'm going to spend the rest of my life playing and I will get better over time.

Steve]]> Guitar Players Discussion SteveS https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112428 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112357 Wed, 20 Jul 2005 01:52:25 +0000
Many of us would be surprised if we added up the time spent on these two things each week.]]> Guitar Players Discussion BluezOldy https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112357 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112286 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:11:55 +0000
Lately it was really bothering me, so I just started taking time away from other, less important things. While everyone is watching some TV show or whatever, I'll sneak off to the family room, plug in, put some headphones on, and practice for an hour. On the occasion when I have the house all to myself, I crank up the Deluxe Reverb and annoy the neighbors for awhile. :D

I guess my point is that you can work time in by giving less time to other things like TV or other such activities. If you really analyze your time, you'll probably see that you 'waste' time someplace. Put that 'wasted' time towards playing.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Crank-N-Jam https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112286 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112180 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 02:06:57 +0000 If I had to make a choice between any of those and practicing I'd choose practicing. Finding time is usually a matter of priorities.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Tim_Madsen https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112180 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112163 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:42:45 +0000
4) You must SCHEDULE time to practice.
I think this is the most important thing to do. I've been playing (read as noodling) for a year or so and I recent started taking lessons. I told my wife that I needed to practice at least 30 minutes a day and that I was going to do it from 7-7:30 every night (no kids helps). And having that time scheduled she doesn't plan things to do, and if she does, she knows to plan them ahead of time so I can accomodate my schedule.]]> Guitar Players Discussion cmoewes https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112163 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112161 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:23:41 +0000
Nice topic, glad to hear I'm not alone in this whole thing.]]> Guitar Players Discussion AaronJ https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112161 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112159 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:06:45 +0000
I keep the guitars on stands in the living room. I'll be cooking supper and will pick it up for five or ten minutes while the spagetti is simmering. I'll try to play a little while the kids watch some useless Disney show or another.

I need to try the mornings thing. I get up before everyone already, so that might fit my schedule perfectly!]]> Guitar Players Discussion banre https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112159 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112158 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 23:56:22 +0000
One thing that helped is to have the guitar on a stand in my family room/kitchen area. Makes the "barrier to entry" lot easier -- I can just pick up and play. But it is still a lot easier for me to "play" rather than practice with my metronome or while looking at something written down (like going through a whole song with all the chords).

I've been taking some group classes, and that helps too, because I know I need to practice this weeks stuff this week, because there's more stuff coming next week..

Now I got an electric, and practicing with it is harder. First of all, I've got to get it all hooked up, and secondly, I make too much noise to do this in the family room all the time, and if I want to move around, I have to lug the amp around..I've got to figure my way around this. I'm thinking maybe use headphones while there are other people doing stuff in the family room.]]> Guitar Players Discussion vink https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112158 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112155 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 23:28:16 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion rsadler https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112155 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112152 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 23:04:36 +0000
Here's some ideas:

1) trow away your tv
2) get up earlier and play for a half hour before work
3) keep a guitar on a stand by wherever it is you normally sit down to "take a load off" and just get in the habit of having it in your hands whenever you're not doing something else
4) You must SCHEDULE time to practice.
5) decide how important playing the guitar is to you, and whever practice conflicts with something less important, practice takes priority]]> Guitar Players Discussion kingpatzer https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/other-commitments-keep-you-from-practicing-what-to-do/#post-112152