Do You Practice Guitar TOO MUCH?

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So - reflecting on my first week being a deadbeat dad, I wanted to think about how much as guitarists we are sold courses, educational stuff and practice regimen - is it too much to do alongside a real job/actual responsibilities? Here's how I'm trying to maintain a balance and actually use guitar as a source of enjoyment rather than pain....

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[andrewbenon]

This is thought provoking. I think you're saying to let yourself be playful and not turn it into a grind. This reminds of a John Cleese quote from his new book on creativity. “Most adults... find it hard to be playful — no doubt because they have to take care of all the responsibilities that come with an adult’s life. Creative adults, however, have not forgotten how to play.”

[jawzjamz]

Practicing scales, technique and learning/exploring theory is my go to when I (often) think i am rubbish at playing the guitar. I find that it helps draw me out of the negativity in how I regard my ability. It's taken a long time to lower my expectations realistically and not always comparing myself in 'where I think I am' in terms of playing to 'where I think I should be'. I noticed that over time the 'practice' does indeed flow into the playing.

Key to it (no pun intended), for me at least, is to keep playing and enjoying the journey. The little 'wins' over time do move you in the direction of becoming a better musician.

Gave a good day - enjoy life - it seeps into your playing

Thanks JNC

[joemiller]

John - I really connected with this episode. All of your posts bring value but this one spoke to me. A few years ago I retired from a very demanding career so a large dedicated block of time to play practice and push my self further one was not in the cards. You would think I would have more time now but I have filled my time up again running several leadership communities, career coaching, YouTube / Podcasting and more. I play often for church and spend more time practicing than I used to but I often feel weirdly guilty about not being as focused as I would like. I certainly need to reprioritize but your thoughts were an encouragement. Thanks! And congratulations on becoming a Dad!

[Chris_Nouvelli]

John, this is deep and I really connected with it. I’m 34 and two young children. Guitar was my world from the age of 12 right up until perhaps going to uni. I tried to force the skill/love by buying into a bunch of online courses thinking it would get me back. I don’t regret the purchases, but it wasn’t the answer. The answer was to find little things I liked the sound of (many of the licks from your Patreon have been downloaded recently!) and John, this is deep and I really connected with it. I’m 34 and two young children. Guitar was my world from the age of 12 right up until perhaps going to uni. I tried to force the skill/love by buying into a bunch of online courses thinking it would get me back. I don’t regret the purchases, but it wasn’t the answer. The answer was to find little things I liked the sound of (many of the licks from your Patreon have been downloaded recently!) and I’ve been slowly finding that my passion for the guitar has returned. I may not get to play every day for all of the reasons you mention at the beginning of the video, but if I can get my hand on one of my guitars I just feel better for it. I put on loads of reverb and delay, and get lost in some finger picking soundscapes, by which point my fingers have warmed up so I go into a little lead. I may not learn anything new that day/week but I love the instrument more every day. Much like time with family, I intend to spend every second with my guitar doing something I enjoy. Not just practicing because I feel I must.

[Arthur_My_Dear]

First bit of the intro was really Huang Chung 😊

[craiger]

I can relate to this. Long work hours in medicine paired with a the kind of personality that wants to do everything to the top level can mean a lot of doing rather than being and enjoying.

[JamTagg]

Really love this John. For all the feels, and all the reasons. The Elgar brought me to tears. Really beautiful moment sir. 🙏

[jakollee]

Really cool intro piece! The lead tone on the Tele bridge pickup sounds amazingly good!

[paramedicpete]

I played for hours and hours until I started a family and started working shifts 😂

I often miss the time to play and practice, especially when my YouTube feed is lathered in virtuosos like yourself, ha.

But.. that’s life I guess. I’m thankful for what I have. But I would like to get better on the geetar.

I often sit and play to my kids when they’re in the bath. And then when everyone has gone to bed…

But unplugged it’s not the same 🙄🤣

[michaelstevens]

Congratulations on becoming a Dad John! It's important to learn how to practice the Right things in the Right way and not the Wrong things or the Right things in the Wrong way. It's also important to not practice so much that it leads to a Repetitive Stress Injury, Nerve Damage or just plain Mental/Psychological Burnout. Thanks.

[Arthur_My_Dear]

Ross Campbell said something very similar a couple of days ago in his latest vid

[juankartxui]

That intro....Oh Melancolía by Silvio Rodriguez...

[pfmusic]

Yeah, nerve damage and repetitive stress injuries are real

[Xirrious]

Hey dude congrats on a kid.

I been playing for about 17-18 years and at one point, after about 12 years I wasn't good enough so I decided to become very good at guitar. Well, I suppose I succeeded somewhat but I also wore my wrist and hand and elbow out and had to slow down. It wasn't good and it was a bit stressful to have a guitar injury because I really had to play a lot less for several months to allow it to heal.

Also that kid is lucky to have your playing around growing up that will make a cool memory.

Sounds like you have some breathing issues too, should check that out man breathing is the most important thing we do.

[Whamystrang]

Only if you practise what you already know.

[ChristopherOrth]

If a person doesn't step away from their instrument and spend some time living life and exploring the world, then they won't have anything to play and sing about. Technique was neat to see the first couple times around. After that... you better get resonant with peoples emotions if you want anyone to listen.

[timhopkins]

Hi John. Can relate quite a lot to this. My daughter Edith was born mid January (potentially in the same hospital as you were in) and it’s been a bit crazy since. She’s got really bad reflux so can’t be put down so my guitar playing time has been non existent other than literally a minute here or there since then. It’s good to practice things but if you have limited time then focus on the bits you enjoy 👍

[MotownGuitarJoe]

I wish this was something I could be accused of.

[kyran]

Anything is better than nothing, you have to "grease the groove" or you will go backwards. The best thing for this IMO is a regular low logistics paid gig with some freedom to improvise. If you are going to noodle then get paid for it.

[chrishandley]

Have you thought about putting some transcriptions/tabs for your videos on gumroad too?