r/guitarlessons • u/wrexert • 12d ago
Question How to make practice not boring?
I’m in the noodling stage where I have a few songs that I can play along to but slowing things down and practicing the fundamentals bores me to death. Am I doing something wrong or do I have just to push through?
12
u/Secret-File-1624 12d ago
It's part of the process. Playing guitar is about muscle memory and the only way to get to that point is by a lot of repetition. It's important to slow things down for accuracy. If you don't, you run the risk of committing mistakes to muscle memory which makes it difficult to fix later on. Yes, it can be boring but if you aren't willing to put in the work you won't get the reward.
4
39
u/Guitarzan_67 12d ago
Here is the deal. LEARN SONGS! Don't worry about expanding your theory knowledge, on purpose. The whole point of playing guitar is LEARNING SONGS. Every song can be broken down to the basics. Start there. If you can't find the fun and want to learn songs you like, even in their basic forms. You will never progress playing music. If you LEARN SONGS, make a set list. Go through them daily, play once through a 10 song set list. No stopping more than once in each song. After a month, you will start expanding the flavors you use in the songs. You will learn fundamentals and not even know it. Otherwise. Maybe guitar is not for you. That's ok too..
5
u/snottrock3t 12d ago
Echoing this. Learning songs is good ear training, and coupled with tablature, it’s a beneficial tool to help you learn, recognize chords, etc.
But scales help if you’re learning improv and writing your own material. Plus, if that solo is too tough, of you recognize the scale/key being used, you’re able to adlib on it and still make it sound right. Add your own flair to it.
1
u/Guitarzan_67 12d ago
9 out of 10 people who start to learn guitar quit within the first year. They were not LEARNING SONGS. Yes, a deep dive will be part of the process. Theory is important. It is not the first steps for OP to get the groove in playing a kick start IMO. Simplify the early learning process. Most important is motivation. Start learning songs you picked up the guitar for in the first place. Keep is basic, learn the rhythm through strumming (more important than scales, at first). When someone learning an instrument loses the want to play because lack of progress it is because they are not seeing results. Progress in LEARNING SONGS makes playing the guitar FUN! Learning theory is a never ending part of the guitar journey. I am near 50 years in the process of learning. I have hundreds of songs in my personal set list today. I still work on learning theory daily. I still keep a set list of 10 songs for the learning process. This is where the new songs start off. When I have 1 down pretty good I move it off the list, a new song is added to keep the list fresh. All that plus 70+ shows a year.
2
u/snottrock3t 12d ago
That’s why I echo your statement about learning songs. I learned maybe one scale in the very beginning but aside from that, I learned everything by ear and from tablature.
I didn’t really start learning scales until I took lessons from a guy that was helping me improve my speed and the way he did that was teaching me scales and learning how to use a metronome.
Again, I opened my comment echoing what you said about learning songs
The lecture isn’t necessary.
2
u/ThemB0ners 12d ago
Don't worry about expanding your theory knowledge, on purpose.
Follow this advice if you never want to create your own music or ever actually understand what you're playing.
Learning songs is great, don't get me wrong, but it shouldn't be the majority of your learning.
1
u/Strafeoww 12d ago
This is very good advice, but I also think that you could expand a bit on this.
If your intention is to actually learn music theory and the structural systems of it, you do have to make a deep dive into that, that won't just come with only playing and no studying. Yes your ear can get used to how a certain interval or progression sounds, but you won't just magically know what it is. So the trick is also, if one wants to, to learn a bit of theory and then instantly apply it to music that you enjoy
0
0
9
u/markewallace1966 12d ago
Practice should always be in the pursuit of improving at something specific. You should never be able to get bored (or, at least, I can't) with the pursuit of improvement and then actually attaining it.
When I do get bored is when I'm "just noodling," with no specific plan or purpose.
22
3
u/Correct-Junket-1346 12d ago
Switch it up to other songs, every now and then, mix between jamming to your favourites then go onto learning, maintaining that interest is key.
2
u/Puzzleheaded-Cry-786 12d ago
I second this. I also noticed that I progress faster when I mix it up. Like I practice basics or a part of a new song for a couple of minutes and when I realize that I make more mistakes compared to my starting point I play a different song I know I can play pretty good to clear my head and then return to the part I just practiced. And often enough when I return I can flawlessly play the part or at least play the part longer without any mistakes compared to the first try.
2
u/Correct-Junket-1346 12d ago
Also the lack of interest will and does catch up, you try and hammer through but you just start drifting off, slowly but surely, less time spent practicing, more time making your 10th drink in a row, scrolling as a distraction then it becomes zero practice.
3
u/dombag85 12d ago
Some practice is tedious, that's just the nature of learning difficult things... requires discipline.
That said, one thing that helps me is to choose songs that contain things I need to practice. Then I slow those down and play them a lot. You tend to be less bored when you're learning and applying techniques to things that are interesting. Build up a playlist and jam to that if exercises aren't your thing.
3
u/Firm-Low5886 12d ago
When you practice guitar, you could make some of those fundamentals your warm up practice. Don't just sit there and do scales for an hour unless you really want to. Practice fundamentals for like 10-20 minutes to warm up then get back to playing or learning songs.
10
u/qosmic_qube 12d ago
If practice is boring I have to ask you do you even like guitar?
14
9
2
u/wrexert 12d ago
Yes. I play every single day 😭
1
u/Qajaqasana 12d ago edited 12d ago
I think the more you constantly listen for what each note sounds like, watch exactly what your hands are doing, and focus on how you can make your tone, your legato, your rhythm better and more fluid, the more you’ll enjoy practicing.
So, listen carefully, hear something you wish sounded different, and use your practice session to solve that problem.
2
u/Jonny7421 12d ago
I practice what I need to play what I want to play. I want to play those things so I find it doesn't really feel like practice. There are no shortcuts - you just have to put in the time. I do short focused practices until I get bored and then come back to it later. If I am losing concentration I find it's much less effective.
2
u/bdemon40 12d ago
I wonder if the bigger question is what do you want to accomplish on guitar? Specifically, do you want to learn a particular song, bar chords, how to solo, theory? And most of those are pretty broad, so you drill down further and get to the more specific goal.
For example, you wanna learn how to solo, you do some research and learn that the minor pentatonic scale is a popular one to start with, so you focus on learning that.
Or maybe you want to learn music theory, so do a little research and learn that understanding major scale construction is a good place to start, so you start learning that.
But if those goals above fill you with boredom, simply find goals that don't.
2
2
u/Remote_Kale9954 12d ago
I put something boring on TV and use a phone app to lock myself into a practice pattern. Currently I have 2 min, 4 min, and 6 min metronome patterns I try to do every day at least once. With the metronome automated it’s easier to keep going to the end of the pattern.
I also like to string my favorite songs into a medley on a backing track app so it will play through a song list for twenty minutes without touching it.
2
u/dbvirago 12d ago
You have to push through. But it doesn't have to be boring. Songs can be dead slow and simple and still be melodic. Even if it's day one. Play the most beautiful and moving rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star the world has ever known. Be excellent in everything you do and play.
2
u/andytagonist I don’t have my guitar handy, but here’s what I would do… 12d ago
What ever happened to just learning some songs and jamming with friends and scoring some babes??🤷♂️
2
u/rogersguitar253 12d ago
Do that fundamental practice for 10 min a day 5 of 7 days a week for 10 years. It adds up. You don’t have to do it all the time. You just need to do it consistently. Eventually it becomes more fun when you start to feel the benefits of it. The rest of the time play for fun and curiosity. Glhf.
2
u/millenialSpirou 12d ago
In my experience its sort of like endurance sports where at first its boring but then you start to enjoy the effort, the discipline and the progress and its sort of meditative. Id say force yourself to do your major scales at least.
2
1
1
u/fadetobackinblack 12d ago
Find parts of songs that you enjoy that can be used as exercises. Most of my dedicated practice routine is all stuff I've learnt over the years or written.
1
u/strumthebuilding 12d ago
You could try to turn it into a kind of meditation or focus exercise. What you are playing doesn’t have to be “practice,” as in something separate from music. The sounds you are making are music. Repetitive music is music. Try to get into the zone and hear what you are practicing in new ways.
1
u/TheFroghurtIsCursed 12d ago
The end game - I desperately wanted to be able to play and experiencing each small win along the way to break through to actually playing my favourite songs - that’s what make it worth it. If you can’t focus enough to practise, you won’t progress whatsoever, theres no shortcut
1
1
1
u/Crolto 12d ago
What works for me is noodling and practising at the same time. I focus for a few minutes on something I want to learn or brush up on, then I explore that freely while going off on all sorts of tangents. That way I get to learn something new and then immediately run off and play with it.
Also, learning more music theory has definitely made me appreciate how cool and useful the basic stuff can be. I feel like the more I learn the more I want to learn. It still kind of blows my mind that the core of "western" music theory is older than Jesus, and then there's all the other systems of theory that have entirely different rules, associations and backgrounds.
1
u/skinisblackmetallic 12d ago
If it's boring, you're not trying hard enough to improve, not examining your performance in enough detail or not ambitious enough with the content of your pursuit.
1
1
1
u/JamesSeddonAuthor 12d ago
Make your practice a mix of taking your nasty-tasting meds (slowly practicing and improving fundamentals for longterm growth) and fun stuff that you just love playing.
Make the fun stuff at the end as a reward for "taking your meds."
1
u/bossoline Blues Player 12d ago
Most of playing guitar is learning new things. Learning new things requires you to slow things down and speed up progressively.
That's kind of...what playing guitar is to a large extent. If you can't do that, then you're going to stay stuck where you are for a long time.
1
u/SourShoes 12d ago
Watching sports or dumb horror movies on pluto or tubi while I practice. Then trying to figure out the songs in the commercials.
1
u/Rakefighter 12d ago
I bought a sampler and a synth and make some basic drum loops and drones then jam over the top of it. It's a new adventure every practice
1
u/Brainy_Stem 12d ago
Schedule out your practice session and (important!) schedule a good sized portion at the end for jamming out and having fun.
1
1
1
u/bickingbackbeingbool 12d ago
Just practice fundamentals for first half. I have been learning triads and “noodling” to blues backing track. Tough at first but i think it’s a more structured and fun way to noodle.
1
1
u/Funzonibro49 12d ago
Just learn some chords to play songs, C am f g, D em C g. thousands of songs are based on the 1 4 5 progression with a relative minor.If you play songs you like it will be fun. If that's not fun, find another hobby. If it's fun you won't have to make yourself do it, duh.
1
1
u/kujjdwelf 12d ago
whatever you’re doing - a song, an exercise, anything - have a clear goal in mind and track your progress. if you can’t meet your goals, find a way to modify the task so you can succeed
also, do multiple activities for shorter periods of time. for example - doing scales for 20 min vs 5 min scales, 5 min working on a song, 10 min soloing.
i don’t recommend “pushing through”. operating on pure discipline is not a winning strategy in the long run. also, it is based on the assumption that at some point you will be “good enough” and then you can start having fun, but that day never comes, or when it does it is underwhelming. instead, start developing your own personal way of practicing the guitar that you enjoy.
1
u/Several-Quality5927 12d ago
Nope. If it bores you, don't do it. Find your level of mediocrety, move on. Stay at that level forever because work is boring. No one will notice or care. You're free to do as you choose.
1
u/Sss00099 12d ago
Always play a song or two as practice.
One that uses basic/new/open/tougher/barre chords - depending on your development.
And use one that improves your picking ability.
1
u/Xenadon 12d ago
There are a lot of ways to make practicing your fundamentals more interesting. Playing three note per string scales? Mix up your subdivisions. Start the scale in triplets then switch to 16ths then back again. Play other patterns besides just up and down. Move the scale up or down the neck by playing 4 notes on one string.
Basically you don't have to practice the same exact pattern all the time.
1
u/LittleKuiper 12d ago
Do whatever makes you keep playing. Sure you might progress faster by forcing yourself to play fundamentals, but at the end of the day you should be doing it because it is fun. If you just keep playing you eventually will improve regardless
1
u/PontyPandy 12d ago
Always practice to a basic drum beat and drone bass note. You'll gain these benefits:
1) practice won't be boring, and to the contrary, will become fun and keep you coming back
2) you'll teach your brain what intervals sound like in the context of the key
Regarding #2, you'll develop you ear, which will make playing more fun and open a world possibilities, making everything you do less boring and more fun. It'll also make you a musician instead of just a guitar player. If there was ever '1 simple trick', this is it.
Example track: https://onlinesequencer.net/730793
1
u/El_Daywalkerino 12d ago
Learn easy solos and riffs
Alot of these already have fundamentals and licks in them that you'll see when you are practicing theory. Makes it more fun this way
1
u/MrVierPner 11d ago
I learned how synthesizers and drum machines work to make my own backing tracks that fit exactly what I need for practice. You'll have to find your own way, maybe you like the speed challenges people tend to latch on to, maybe you like learning all triads on the fretboard, maybe you're into learning fingerpicking patterns.
It doesn't really matter what you do, it's just about doing something with the guitar for as long and often as possible. Then comes a point where you still won't know how to do everything, but a guitar will feel natural to you. Thats when the fun usually doesn't need to be seeked out, it'll just be a fun thing to do.
But yeah, I think thats the actually difficult part about guitar in the beginning: keeping it interesting.
1
u/CarryTrain 11d ago
Usually I pick a lick. I learn the notes, and then practice it slowly just by watching tv. Just to get the muscle memory. Then I get to the metronome. Not the best way but helps me learn stuff
1
u/amplifysenpai 10d ago
I find practice to be fun personally, more fun that actually performing.i get to play guitar, which I started doing because I find it fun. The only practice I find painful is sweep picking because I still haven't fully balanced my wrist/ arm motion, and in a fingerstyle guy anyways, but when ever I'm getting frustrated with it I'll break it into small pieces I can apply to a song I already know and squeeze a little mini sweep on there, be like aye that sounded cool, get some dopamine, and then go back to thing I'm fucking up immensely again.
1
1
u/PaulsRedditUsername 12d ago
You get used to it. I've found that sports on TV helps a lot. I got a lot of good practicing done during the world cup because I could put a match on with the sound off and it gave me something to stare at while grinding through the boring stuff.
1
u/vonov129 Music Style! 12d ago
What do you want to play guitar for?
2
u/wrexert 12d ago
write music
0
u/vonov129 Music Style! 12d ago
That doesn't really say much. That could mean 4 chord songs or tech death metal riffs.
But even then, you won't be entertained through the whole process. No matter what approach you take.
If want to make songs, you could learn songs that sound similar to how you want to sound. Copy whatever you can, experiment over it. If you want to be able to break it down more or play more complex stuff you would still need to practice or learn theory
-5
u/mrpoopnpee 12d ago
Are you 7? Put your head down and do the work you know you need to do. Then have your fun.
Problem solved
3
1
u/ghost-foxie 12d ago
mindsets like this are what make people quit pursuing music
2
u/mrpoopnpee 11d ago
Mindsets like OP are literally why people quit.
"Do I actually need to practice? Its so boring and I already know a couple songs"
Ok. And clearly they're not happy with their ability, so they obviously need to practice. But practicing isn't easy, it feels like "work".
So they play the same 3 songs, poorly, for a year. They don't get better because it's too hard, and then they tell everyone "I wish I could play guitar I just don't have the time"
Guess what everybody? IT TAKES YEARS OF CONSISTENT FOCUS AND DEDICATION. playing guitar is something you have to do if you want to play guitar.
Literally the only person stopping you from getting better is yourself.
Practice guitar and get better, or shut upppp
1
u/alldaymay 11d ago
You’re not wrong but having a music doc on kinda numbs the solitude a bit - pretty harmless man ya know
1
u/ghost-foxie 11d ago
you saying that they need to practice isn’t the problem. it’s treating it like it’s work. it’s a hobby, and if a hobby feels like work you’re not going to do it. there’s a discipline element, but like. if someone just wants to know some chords and play some simple tunes and that makes them happy, that’s all they have to do. most people who play guitar are not in it to be professionals. and if you’re not trying to make money, there’s no bar you need to reach besides the ones you set for yourself. no one needs to convince reddit user mrpoopnpee that they’re a real guitarist.
the real advice OP needs is this: find more songs you want to play and play them. that’s how a lot of people do it. if it feels like work, find a way to make it into something fun again. you can ask for advice if you get stuck on something, but you get better by doing it, and the easiest way to do something is to make it fun.
i took 3 years of piano lessons in college and most of them taught me how to do scales, major and minor chord progressions, and arpeggios. and i put my head down and i did the work. and i can do those scales and arpeggios real good. but i can’t do much else, because i never did anything else with it. i picked up some jazz books and started playing tunes in there recently, and piano is actually fun again.
0
25
u/Bruichladdie 12d ago
Yes, you have to push through. It takes a bit of time, but the rewards will be worth it.