5 ms·

> In order to get good at some thing, you need to do that thing. Doing the thing is not enough to get good at it I’ve played guitar for 25 years and I’m shit

by Lewton 3y ago

> In order to get good at some thing, you need to do that thing. Doing the thing is not enough to get good at it I’ve played guitar for 25 years and I’m shit at it, because I thought “just doing the thing” was enough

selykg 3y ago
Likewise. Had I taken it seriously at 16 when I started I'd be a significantly better guitarist. Instead of noodling actually practicing important concepts in a fundamental way that matters to improving. Music theory like keys and chord progressions, triads, scales (to some extent), timing and rhythm, etc. You can certainly "practice" this stuff, but if you sit down, even for 10 minutes with a real deliberate intention it'll matter way more than noodling. Present me is kicking myself for being stupid when I was younger.
- bedobi 3y ago
  Really empathize with you! It does seem like you really want it, in that case, allow me to encourage you to start now. Literally 10-20 minutes of actual practice every day. You'll quickly improve.
  - selykg 3y ago
    Trying! I've been taking lessons for about 8 months. Unfortunately, due to work, my practice routine has been very hit and miss. I'm starting to try to find ways to work it in during breaks for work, using flash cards and such to just take a minute or two to review the knowledge specific bits. Then I have a plan for ways to utilize some of that knowledge and applying it on the guitar when I sit down. Slowly but surely, I just need to really get a routine going. Thanks for the encouragement!
    - buildsjets 3y ago
      I've found Rocksmith to be great help for practice. Lots of drills to run, and instant feedback on performance. Fantastic for working on chord transitions and timing. Not a replacement for professional instruction, but a useful tool. Very easy way to take a 15 minute practice break, all you need is a laptop, guitar, interface cable, and headphones.
- scns 3y ago
  > Present me is kicking myself for being stupid when I was younger. Stop doing that please, it only spoils your mood. Your old self did the best it could. Acceptance and Kindness towards yourself will feel better and and better uses of your mind. What keeps you from deliberately practicing now that you know better?
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
neuronerdgirl 3y ago
When I was a kid, I had a coach that would always say "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent." I feel like that captures the difference here pretty well. If you practice something 10,000 times poorly, you're just going to engrain that poor performance to "expert" level. You can't magically get better at something just because you do it over and over, there has to be some evaluative component that shifts your actions over time.

by Lewton 3y ago

selykg 3y ago

Likewise. Had I taken it seriously at 16 when I started I'd be a significantly better guitarist. Instead of noodling actually practicing important concepts in a fundamental way that matters to improving. Music theory like keys and chord progressions, triads, scales (to some extent), timing and rhythm, etc. You can certainly "practice" this stuff, but if you sit down, even for 10 minutes with a real deliberate intention it'll matter way more than noodling. Present me is kicking myself for being stupid when I was younger.

bedobi 3y ago
Really empathize with you! It does seem like you really want it, in that case, allow me to encourage you to start now. Literally 10-20 minutes of actual practice every day. You'll quickly improve.
- selykg 3y ago
  Trying! I've been taking lessons for about 8 months. Unfortunately, due to work, my practice routine has been very hit and miss. I'm starting to try to find ways to work it in during breaks for work, using flash cards and such to just take a minute or two to review the knowledge specific bits. Then I have a plan for ways to utilize some of that knowledge and applying it on the guitar when I sit down. Slowly but surely, I just need to really get a routine going. Thanks for the encouragement!
  - buildsjets 3y ago
    I've found Rocksmith to be great help for practice. Lots of drills to run, and instant feedback on performance. Fantastic for working on chord transitions and timing. Not a replacement for professional instruction, but a useful tool. Very easy way to take a 15 minute practice break, all you need is a laptop, guitar, interface cable, and headphones.
scns 3y ago
> Present me is kicking myself for being stupid when I was younger. Stop doing that please, it only spoils your mood. Your old self did the best it could. Acceptance and Kindness towards yourself will feel better and and better uses of your mind. What keeps you from deliberately practicing now that you know better?

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

neuronerdgirl 3y ago

When I was a kid, I had a coach that would always say "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent." I feel like that captures the difference here pretty well. If you practice something 10,000 times poorly, you're just going to engrain that poor performance to "expert" level. You can't magically get better at something just because you do it over and over, there has to be some evaluative component that shifts your actions over time.