How often do professional musicians practice?

Kippy · 06-26-2014, 02:24 AM

I want to become a musician, but I feel like I'm losing motivation..

Do you practice everyday? Or every other day? Do you take breaks? I need advise please. Thanks.

Plankton · 06-26-2014, 10:10 AM

When I first began playing guitar in the early 80's, I'd practice around 4-6 hours just about every day. Sometimes more. I remember having a 10 hour marathon when I was learning some Metallica, and Iron Maiden a few years into playing. I was a bit obsessed.

Now days, I'll play for maybe 2 hours every few days. Some of it practice, some of it recording. I'm not a professional musician (I have a career in CAD/Structural Eng.), but I have a few self produced albums that don't suck too bad.

Every one is different, so there really is no 'template' as to how much time you should put in, and it's really more about the quality more than the quantity. Some people 'get it' right away, some people need repetitiveness to hammer things into their noggin.

Ana Kovacheva · 06-26-2014, 05:07 PM

yes, in the beginning you need to practice just about every day for a couple of hours to acquire the technique

Oriphiel · 10-12-2014, 04:22 PM

This might not be the best advice, but... I'm learning to play the guitar, and when I don't really feel like practicing, instead of doing anything difficult I just put on a movie or show and do some basic exercises as I watch. Before I know it, an hour has gone by, and even though I was just brushing up on the basics, it's better than not practicing at all.

06-26-2014, 02:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kippy Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 9	How often do professional musicians practice? I want to become a musician, but I feel like I'm losing motivation.. Do you practice everyday? Or every other day? Do you take breaks? I need advise please. Thanks.

06-26-2014, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	When I first began playing guitar in the early 80's, I'd practice around 4-6 hours just about every day. Sometimes more. I remember having a 10 hour marathon when I was learning some Metallica, and Iron Maiden a few years into playing. I was a bit obsessed. Now days, I'll play for maybe 2 hours every few days. Some of it practice, some of it recording. I'm not a professional musician (I have a career in CAD/Structural Eng.), but I have a few self produced albums that don't suck too bad. Every one is different, so there really is no 'template' as to how much time you should put in, and it's really more about the quality more than the quantity. Some people 'get it' right away, some people need repetitiveness to hammer things into their noggin. __________________ See location...

06-26-2014, 05:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ana Kovacheva Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 100	yes, in the beginning you need to practice just about every day for a couple of hours to acquire the technique

10-12-2014, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oriphiel Ask me how! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The States Posts: 5,354	This might not be the best advice, but... I'm learning to play the guitar, and when I don't really feel like practicing, instead of doing anything difficult I just put on a movie or show and do some basic exercises as I watch. Before I know it, an hour has gone by, and even though I was just brushing up on the basics, it's better than not practicing at all.