Comments on: The absolute worst thing you can do

By: drewavera

drewavera — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:52:37 +0000

i don't know how many times i say i'm gonna work on the material on the mark tremonti dvd, i learned a little bit of legato and haven't tried again since, tsk tsk

By: Dan_Gross

Dan_Gross — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:31:34 +0000

Great point Mike!

By: johnmaccullen

johnmaccullen — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:05:18 +0000

I was just thinking pretty much the same thing that Keith just mentioned, Mark. What do you do when you practice as opposed to simply rehearsing? Do you ever try and push styles that you typically are not comfortable with? Do you have other guitarists who have a style that you ever try and incorporate into your riffs and/or writing?

By: Keith Jennings

Keith Jennings — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:03:26 +0000

Mark, it'd be interesting to hear how pros like you practice after playing for so many years. I once heard an interview with a jazz pianist who said he doesn't so much as practice in the traditional sense as he pushes his technique and experiments with new directions. Is this what you do at this point in your career?

By: Dan_Gross

Dan_Gross — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:41:31 +0000

Great post, Mark! I've had this annoying habit of putting the guitar down for a month every time I've built decent callouses up. Then pick it up again and have to start anew. It hasn't been an "active choice" thing as much as a "stuff happens" thing but it provides a setback nonetheless. I'm glad I have the playing for Sunday school gig, as that is virtually every week and I usually end up spending some time during the week practicing to ensure I remember how to play the songs. They are usually simple songs, but I always end up doing more than just the kids' songs once I actually have guitar in hand.

Good luck on the reset!

By: Cindygoatkeeper

Cindygoatkeeper — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:38:15 +0000

Does this mean we will be getting more lessons for The Absolute Beginner?? I have been practicing daily as promised & do see an improvement! Anxiously awaiting!! BTW Iknow you are quite busy, so I;ll be here wating!! Thanks!

By: chrissulli

chrissulli — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:36:48 +0000

Deal

By: Mike Mahoney

Mike Mahoney — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:28:32 +0000

I would also stress the difference between "practicing" and "rehearsing." Especially for church musicians, who think the weekly rehearsal is enough "practice."

You will rarely develop new skills by rehearsing. Practicing is where you get to explore new frontiers of voicings, techniques and styles.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:18:26 +0000

Mark so true. Practicing is something I'm not good at myself. It is all too easy to rest on the limited knowledge I have and lead worship with it. Thanks for reminding me how important practicing is - especially the stuff that stretches me.