How much do you practice? Petrucci?

I think that these artists are indeed practicing several hours a day, but I doubt that they *average* at 6 hours - it's like sports: you have to give the body time to recover.

I'm really bad at working and practising but I practise drums religiously for about an hour a day just because they are so damn fun.

I could never practise properly for guitar but I'm still decent after a few years, just too sloppy.

^ of course it's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone ... at least a physician should be consulted in order to avoid injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

I could understand it if you did it for work. Some studio guitarists have to be able to play everything and always. and six hours a day is like doing a normal 8 hour shift at the construction yard. If you make bad music that doesn't make you rich, it's harly worth the time spent, but sure, I've had weeks too when I practise like 5 hours a day. Finger practise is easy during some tv program, or you could just put some music on and play along. Developes the ear quite well. I doubt Petrucci spends all his time between 14:00-20:00 shredding the hell out of his musicman.

^ I don't mind my fingers bleeding but the blood corrodes the strings!

my brother practices an average of about 6 hours a day ....and believe me he does, it's really loud when my door's open

Practise makes perfect they say - all tutors recommend at least an hour every day, there are physical and mental considerations to be met for a musician, as with a practitioner of every art or instrument. Hendrix is reputed to have spent almost every waking moment practising - watching the TV, at a party and it is said he even slept with his guitar ()......no need to get that dedicated, but an hour or two a day (warm up - study - followed by daft fun things) with the guitar in tune keeps my head in tune!

Edited by mystic fred - September 17 2007 at 11:42

I play about 2 hours during the day (maybe more), but I wouldn't call it practice. The way I "practice" is that learn a new song. I plod along until I have it down. But to me, I'm just playing. I'm having fun. Learning stuff by ear is the best (IMO)

The way I learn scales is by soloing with that scale. (And I learned jazz guitar by reading theory books). Sometimes I make up a chord progression and try to play a lead that harmonically fits with it (Ex: I might play C9 C#9 D9 Amaj7 Bbmaj7 B7 and then diddle around with pentatonics and various modes).

I guess I built up speed by just goofing around on scales. Sometimes I do finger exercises (I actually like them, they're like brain games) but I just forget most of the time.

I can very easily see Petrucci playing that much. To get that level of skill, he must play that much. Lucky him, he probably has the time. He is probably way more disciplined than I am, though. I learn and strengthen my skills by goofing around - he probably has a set regimen (like Steve Vai).

I also agree with the "6 hours of playing means 18 hours without playing" statement. So true, so true.

I wouldn't be surprised if he practices that much... it's his full time job after all.

However I'd like to make a note here for all of you beginner guitarists, one thing my teacher said to me and I tell my students always. If you don't feel like practising one day or you feel like you have something else to do, just pick up the guitar and sit with it on your lap. You'll soon notice that you're playing it. And that's almost the best exercise, getting used to the guitar, like holding a pen or wearing glasses.