Day 6 - Giving the Plan a Trial Run

So, I created a plan.  Why not give it a go?  I decided to try the Saturday plan.  It went well.  I started playing a little too late in the evening to get through the entire day's routine, but I like what I was able to accomplish.  Here's what I did:

Finger Gym

• 1 - 2 Legato at 70, 95, 120, 150, 180 bpm
• 2 - 1 Legato at 70, 95, 120, 150, 180 bpm
• 1 - 3 - 4 Legato at 70, 95, 120, 135 bpm

Guitar Aerobics

• Legato exercise through the A minor pentatonic scale (5th position)
• 40, 48, 58, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120 bpm x 10 (at each tempo)

Hal Leonard Guitar Method

• I - ii - V in the keys of G and A (6th string root)
• 70 bpm (quarter and eighth note rhythms)
• 95 bpm (quarter note rhythm)
• 120 bpm (quarter and eighth note rhythms)
• ii - V - I in the keys of C (5th string root) , G (6th string root), and A (6th string root)
• 70 bpm (quarter and eighth note rhythms)
• 95 bpm (quarter note rhythm)
• 120 bpm (quarter and eighth note rhythms)

Through Chord-Melody and Beyond

• Read and played the melody to My Funny Valentine
• Read Morgen's introduction to writing chord melodies for songs (there's more to it than what I state below)
• Melody note is the highest note in the chord
• Re-write the melody so that it's an octave higher
• Write the chords on the strong beats and single notes on weak beats
• Practiced writing chord melodies for five different melodies
• Played the melodies first
• Wrote the chord melody
• Played melodies with addition of chords

I didn't get a chance to practice Jazz Improv: A Melodic Approach, Serious Jazz Practice Book, or my repertoire.  Though I'm a bit disappointed, I also realized I made the most of the time.  This is where, I believe, having a plan is most beneficial -- I'm not wasting time.  This is a big change in my previous approach to playing guitar.  Why it took me 20 years to get to this point I don't know -- better late than never.  I believe I'm going to see some great gains as a result of maximizing the time I'm using.  I'm excited about the prospects the next year holds for me.

I believe I've stated this before, but one of the best things that's come from my structured approach to practicing has been practicing at tempo.  I also believe the more consistent practice has helped.  Publicly documenting my progress has required me to stay on top of things more than I might otherwise have.