How do I get back into regular practicing after taking a long break?

Question: How do I get back into regular practicing after taking a long break from music and classical guitar?

After taking a few months off practicing classical guitar (or more) it can be difficult to return to a structured and regular practice session. The key to success is making your practice sessions enjoyable and special and slowly introducing structure and balance once a routine has been established. Here are a few tips:

Build Motivation and Inspiration
Find a few super easy pieces that you love play or inspire you to learn. This is immediately make your practice session more enjoyable and something you’ll look forward to. Listen or watch some of your favourite musicians while making a tea or coffee to get inspired. Read some music history or watch a short lesson, whatever inspires you.

Make it Special
Make your practice session a special time of the day. Get some good treats, make a nice coffee or tea, clean up your practice area and make it look nice. Listen or watch some great performances (not necessarily guitar) to musically inspire you. Make it a sanctuary of “you-time” that is special and almost self indulgent. It’s a luxury to get to study music and improve yourself, as well as flex your creative muscles. Unless you are professional musician you have to ask yourself, “why did I start playing music?”. It wasn’t to be hard on yourself, it was for enjoyment, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and artistic challenge. It should be a positive endeavour and an enjoyable one.

Make it Consistent
Even if you only start with 5 minutes a day, that is a great accomplishment. But do it every day. If possible do it at the same time of each day. Schedule it in as ‘you-time’ and make it happen. Again, even if it’s only 5 minutes. You can increase the amount of time later. Practicing for 5 mins a day is better than 2 hours twice a week.

Slowly Introduce Structure and Balance
Once you have some enjoyable easy material you should start building a technique routine to get your ‘chops’ back and to develop and progress in your technique and musical skill building. This is a good start to having some structure but it won’t overwhelm you. You can just start with some scales or alignment exercises. Don’t try to build the whole routine at once. Just some technique and nice easy repertoire to start the process.

Then Get Organized

See this lesson to get fully back into practicing:

• How to Practice Music and Organize Your Practice Session – A lesson on how to practice music, classical guitar, and organize your practice session. Fully integrate this once you’re practicing everyday.

If you are at the intermediate level you might also want to see my article and video on: 7 Technique Categories to Practice Every Day on Classical Guitar

You can find practice routines for each level in my Full Technique Book.

• You can find easy repertoire here:
• Easy Classical Guitar, Vol. 1, Grade 1-3
• Easy Classical Guitar Vol. 2, Grade 1-4

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