how often do you pick up your guitar to do some serious practicing

[i-watermelon john]

I asked that, because I find myself not really doing it much these days. I mean I play guitar a lot and almost everyday but concentrating more than 5 minutes seems to be a challenge these days.

Any of you have the same problem

[mikeyBoab]

Oh yeah, more than about half and hour is a long session for me these days, what with work, family, other hobbies.

I don't force it. Playing guitar is a luxury and a pleasure, I would hate it to become a chore so I play when it takes my fancy and I play what I want, not what I think I should.

[Olly]

I treat playing and practicing separately.

If I am playing then I may well play on and off for a couple of hours time permitting. If I am practicing then usually I would practice for half hour with a short break then again for half hour. I might continue this all day but usually work/family/other commitments makes playing for a lengthy time impossible.

I don't necessarily find practicing a chore. It is of course not so fun as playing however, usually the next day. when you can see the results of your practicing paying off, the sense of satisfaction is well worth it!

I don't usually sit there an run through technical exercises or scales and modes any longer. I tend to be trying to work slowly on a fast lick or a whole song.

For example, of late I have been spending a lot of time trying to learn "A Song for Life" by Eric Johnson. I am currently practicing this for at least half hour a day. Yesterday I managed to practice for around two hours in between other playing! This sort of time to myself rarely occurs these days!

[aussieteacherPMMD]

I can understand that, and you have a little one or two as well, don't you, at home? I don't do anything but garden or read or listen to music at home- the only guitar-related stuff I do at home is typing and printing lesson material- 5 or 6 hours at work is enough.