Hello,

I want to become better at playing guitar.

I wonder how much time I should put into practicing.

Are a couple of hours a day enough or should I consider
10 hours a day or something?

How long do you practice in a week?


Greets,

John

Alot has to do with the time you have available to you. In the winter when work is slow I can pretty much play all day, but once the weather brakes I'm lucky if I can play more then acouple hours a week. That said I have found it best to play around 1-2 hours a day, much more than that and I kind of don't absorb what I'm tring to learn.

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A minimum of 10 minutes a night would be a good target. I average 25 minutes on weekdays and on Fri/Sat around 1-5 hours. I'm self taught and don't bother with the exercises and compared to others my age I wouldn't say I'm that bad (trying not to sound big headed) but practice makes perfect, and the more time would seem to be the better. Changes are more noticeable in months at a time so don't feel let down if the song you couldn't learn one week was too hard, just practice it until you get it, perhaps a month later.

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www.youtube.com/LiamBrightman

That pretty much sums it up. I play many hours a week, but not with the idea that I am focusing on becoming a better player. If you are a newbie, then specific goals are probably in order (learn chords, learn scales, develop callouses), but I've been playing for 48 years now and while there will never be any shortage of new things to learn, I primarily play to have fun, work up new songs, break in new guitars. Play as much as you like, but enforced regimens are probably going to be detrimental, rather than beneficial.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Don`t be over anxious, it takes time to become better. That goes for anything you do. Just don`t loose your interest and you`ll do fine.

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Practice is good and is always needed but there comes a time when you gotta get out and play with otheres and with a band. You will benifit more and get better faster. I try to play for about 30 min every day and on weekends two or three times a day.

Personally, don't practice much except with the others with new music before Mass.

But for self, 'just play the things.

i have been playing for over 50 years.

from 1980-2000, i hardly picked up a guitar due to many things, including getting married, having kids, and getting into 2 accidents resulting in concussions and sore hands.

around 2000 i started feeling a lot better, and picked up the guitar again. i picked up magazines, videos, and anything i could to get back into shape. i now play better than ever because i practice at least one hour every day, and try to learn something new.

have patience- it will pay off

Welcome to the Forum John. Looks like you're playing guitar every day and that is the target. You may find that you play your guitar (practice/rehearse) more some days than others. Could be that you are learning a new riff or song, or, writing a new riff or song on those days and other days you may be so busy that you are glad your guitar is in reach so at least you can strum a few chords or play a few notes before you have to do something important but not music related. Keeping your guitar within reach helps on those days. Playing every day definitely helps you get better at playing guitar whether you want to get better or don't just like walking or talking or anything you do every day. Have fun and play on

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies and for welcoming me on the forum.

I totally agree that you should play for fun.

I keep playing while I'm having fun with it.


Greets,

John

You should play/practice as long as you like. For me I get in at least an hour a day on most days, but every so often I may spend only 30 minutes. Now keep in mind this is time spent on new stuff and practicing riffs and chords not playing stuff I already know.

The time you spend on your guitar should be fun, and I'd you run into a slump, try not to stay in it for very long. I once took a 9 year break and it was hard to get back to my previous playing level before the break.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

+1

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

No specific comment on how much time to spend - but what I have done to get better is to try and play things that I find difficult. If you play something that you find difficult, if you learn how to play it, you find that it's no longer difficult (imagine that haha). Once you can play it, you feel like you've accomplished a lot. Whether its one lick that is only 10 seconds long, or a 3 minute song, once you have conquered your challenge, you feel great.

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FCS JM BLACK1, FCS SRV #1, FCS Hendrix Monterey, FCS La Cabronita, JM Sunburst Strat, Martin 00-45SC, Martin Bellezza Bianca, Martin Bellezza Nera , Martin OMJM, Gibson 1960 50th Anniv LP, Dumble SSS, Two-Rock JM Sig Proto, Two-Rock Studio Pro.

Bless you if you have the time to play many hours a day like that. I think experience is measured in years though, not in hours per day.

great advice above.
i've found that you get out of it what you put in. on weekends when i don't get to work i can easily play for 4 or 6 hours. (after my chores are done). during the week i might play for an hour or so after work. (very relaxing). using backing tracks has helped my solos ALOT.
if you are new at it, try and be patient. keep practicing and i promise you it will pay off.