Up Close Guitar Technique Series - Practice Schedule

The question this week is about how I stayed focused when i practice, sometimes up to 20 hours a day.

[@linnstr8609]

This is a man that's dedicated his life to his craft and passion. Gotta respect that.

[@alanmatthew5713]

You're THE best guitarist I've heard in a very LONG time.

[@1mandreassi]

Master Roy.Taking Guitar Virtuoso to the Next Level❤

[@colmontgomery3003]

That was really helpful! Don’t think I will ever manage 20 hours but 10, with that kind of ordered schedule, is something I can work towards.

[@kurglekreutzer6344]

That's like a Rocky Marciano training routine! Train like no one else and it will gain results and defeat any and all obstacles. Cheers.

[@winstonsmith8240]

It seemed to work Roy. In spades. Beautiful musician, and from what I can gather a beautiful human. Love this guy. Truly magnificent. Have to check the next one ,because I'm asking myself the same question.

[@VynxeVainglory]

If nothing else, this provides evidence that the tiny details matter, such as practising the exact same things starting on the opposite pick stroke. He's built the muscle memory to be highly specified instead of doing something that will work generally. One could probably clean this routine up using neuroscience and repurposed modern training techniques from Olympic-level coaches, etc...but it also goes to show that the grind will work if you're hardcore enough, and organized. Nobody I've seen out there has really achieved Roy's level of fluidity, except maybe Shawn Lane.

[@LawofThree]

I am recording my personal 16 hour practice schedule at the moment that covers Hybrid Sarod Alternate Picking, Legato and Fingerstyle techniques. Stay tuned bud :-)

[@patcampbell3570]

OK I'm off to practice!!!! Only another 19 hours to go!

[@anthonyfarrugia570]

Thanks Roy really appreciate it!

[@LawofThree]

Your welcome Anthony

[@celeryshredder]

Awesome. And looking forward to the next one already... Really interesting approach to the practise too. There’s absolutely zero doubt that it’s worked!

[@Returnality]

I put in my payment for your pick and I can't wait! Would you ever consider an interview Troy Grady? I think people would be completely blown away!

[@heidegger101]

very helpful

[@HankCoffey]

Awesome, lol

[@matrixmonster110]

If only I could manage this kind of schedule. Working a full-time job causes some serious difficulty for me to practice without sacrificing sleep. If I could practice and perform all day everyday, I certainly would, but practicing 10 hours/day is not financially viable for me. Would be effective to divide your schedule up in to smaller bits, like 5 minutes per bit, or is it not even worth bothering at that point. Any suggestions?

[@LawofThree]

Indeed! I was putting extreme practice times in when I was a session musician/ educator full time.This was before I moved abroad, became a father, started the day job etc, so i understand perfectly how virtually impossible it is. I dont think a lot of people fully appreciate just how difficult it is to hold down a job and be a musician. I am just getting back into my music career now after 10 years hard graft + 6 more as a carer, but even during those 10 years abroad I found time in the morning for an hour of condensed practice. That was before my hours got stupid and I actually stopped playing for nearly 6 months! This weeks question is all about my pick design, however next week is about where i have been for those 15 years, so I will be addressing the obstacles you mentioned and many more. The good news is It is possible, bad news is its bloody hard going. Thanks for the questions bud and best of luck.

[@matrixmonster110]

Roy Marchbank I’ve also heard that you’re at your best in the morning, because your mind is fresh from a night’s rest. I’m sure it’s especially difficult for those with stressful jobs, where there’s a strong desire to find instant pleasures, rather than focus into a strict practice routine. As for me, I look forward to attempting an adaptation of your routine. Also, I’ve received your Phat Bhoy Pick just recently, and it’s added some additional inspiration in simply learning how to use it to its full capacity. Thank you for all of your hard work and reappearance into the social media scene! I’m thrilled to see all of this new content!

[@alexjackson8841]

If I could give some advice too: Don't feel that you need to practice 10 hours/day to get good. This works for Roy, but it doesn't work for everybody. Being a great technician is something that comes more or less naturally for people. I've heard players who are incredible that only practice for 2 hours/day on average, and I've heard awful playing from players that claim to practice for 8+ hours/day. Most high level players will tell you that enjoying it is the important part. You will make much better progress in the long run by sticking to a plan that you enjoy, rather than slaving away at a practice schedule that is tiring. This plan works for roy, but roy is not everybody! Even if all you have is 2 free hours in your day, that is easily enough to make progress.

[@Tylercorrell]

What was your goal in attaining your level of efficiency? Was it to be able to play the music you listened to? Or was it to help bring out the music from within your own mind?

[@LawofThree]

Both. But more important for me is being able to play what I hear in my mind.

[@LawofThree]

@@JerryLeeHowell2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZommZ6x5qpaChK8 I could easily settle for a good tone with Gain like everyone else does, but this is closer to the sound I am after with dynamics

[@sacrydis9476]

Were there ever times where you had irrelevant thoughts while practicing? How did you go about focusing at an extended period of time?

[@LawofThree]

When you have a different set of exercises every 15 mins you will be surprised how keeping focus is quite simple for long periods of time.The trick is not to hang around the same problem areas too long, no matter how badly you want to wortk them out.

[@sacrydis9476]

So im guessing if you're stuck on a certain problem you move on to something else and come back to the problem later?

[@LawofThree]

Exactly, you wont forget its there, it will goad you to nail it. By having different areas in other drill sets to problem solve, somehow when you start the same drill sets next day, you may find you can actually play it because of the variations. Its a muscle memory issue most times, least it was for me

[@sacrydis9476]

Thank you for your practice advice, it means alot to Anthony and I.

[@LawofThree]

No problem, we all have a lot to learn, happy to help.