Damon's Tao of Practice

Damon's Tao of Practice:

1. The only road that leads to a reliable guitar technique and repertoire attainment is practice. This requires time, effort, concentration and discipline.

2. Guitar practice is both a physical and a mental activity.

3. Hours of mechanical finger gymnastics are a waste of time unless the mind is involved.

4. It is not the time spent at your guitar that counts, but rather the length of undivided attention. Obviously no phone / internet etc.

5. Note reading has to become an easy, almost reflex like activity. Practice it every day.

6. Establish a definite practice period for each day and try to adhere to it.

7. Do not practice when fatigued, upset or preoccupied. On the other hand sometimes practice is perfect for those moments.

8. Have a plan before you begin. Know in advance what you will work on and what you are aiming for.

9. Divide the piece into musically feasible “practice units” and work on them in succession.

10. Practice units will sometimes be necessarily small: a single finger movement for example.

11. Practice in a physically pleasant surrounding (well lit, fresh air, comfortable temperature).

12. Repetition for its own sake is useless. Each pass (run through) should be somehow different from the last. As long as some progress is made by each repetition, the process is productive and can be continued.

13. If you make any mistakes whatsoever, you are going too fast. Next time play it slower. Performance tempo should not be attempted until the piece / phrase / practice unit can be repeatedly played entirely without mistakes.

14. Fingering is of crucial importance. Give it serious thought and write your preferred fingerings on your score in pencil.

15. Observe all dynamic and phrase markings. Amend these (with caution and after consultation with your teacher) using pencil.

16. Start your practice session with your most challenging piece. Leave the easy material for the end.

17. Practice phrases, rather than individual bars.

18. Take pride in your repertoire. A guitarist is known by what he / she plays - and how well.

19. Don’t time your practice sessions. Continue practicing until your weariness is greater than your progress. Don’t give in too early. You have more energy than you think.

20. I don’t like to use the word ‘practice.’ What we are doing is rehearsing our repertoire for eventual public performance and / or recording.