Are You Too Busy to Practice?

I had a busy week at work, I was out of town, I was_______

So, what's your excuse for not practicing? In the course of a week we hear them all. It can be work, school, sports, or some variation. They laugh when I tell them to get up a half hour earlier, stay up later, or, dare I say it, turn off the TV, quit texting and close Facebook! There are many opportunities to practice during a week, most of them are just ignored or can wait until later.

Helpful hints for practicing.

• Get a stand. If you have your guitar sitting out where you can't ignore it, you'll tend to pick it up and start playing.
• Get out of the basement! Practicing guitar in the basement is the same as exercising down there. Unless yours is finished, has plenty of lighting, and isn't like a dungeon, you can practice there, otherwise find someplace else.
• A dedicated practice room is ideal. If there's room or part of a room where you can leave your equipment set up, that's the ideal situation. If you have your guitar on its stand, music opened and also on a music stand, (you're not just laying it on the coffee table or bed are you?), and any recording equipment, the metronome, or other useful tools at your fingertips ready to play, it's easy to find time. On the other hand, having to unpack the guitar, locate the music, and set up the recording equipment takes time and makes it easy to believe it's too much trouble.

So set up a music room or area, keep your guitar handy and set aside a specific time to practice. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to find time to practice.