Technique practicing advice?

[jazzislander]

hi, I have played electric guitar for 1,5 years now. I try to practice every day quite big amount of time, because it's just the Thing I do. I'm also a student at a music college and now my first year is going to end.
So. I have BIG problems with technique. At first I was very concerned about being way too slow, I mean my absolute limit now is 16th lines at 110. But it's very sloppy. I can play them clean at 80. Is there something wrog with my coordination or what? I'm really practicing every day at least 5-6 hours and I also start very slow and then increase speed. or am I just practicing wrong stuff?
I also move my left hand fingers too much. could it be the problem?

[abdke99]

you doing it right, start slow and play to tempo on witch you have control, you can spent 5 hours playing on tempo that is too fast and you will not be better, its athletics step by step.but remeber that is better to play one good note than 100 that dont make sense, sometimes one word can mean more than a whole book

[Aristotle]

You might need to have someone take a look at you. Perhaps an experienced instructor or player will see something in your movements. If you are at a college, don't you have an instructor? Perhaps you should consider consulting a physical therapost who knows muscle activation therapy.

[Dave Woods]

Originally Posted by jazzislander

hi, I have played electric guitar for 1,5 years now. I try to practice every day quite big amount of time, because it's just the Thing I do. I'm also a student at a music college and now my first year is going to end.
So. I have BIG problems with technique. At first I was very concerned about being way too slow, I mean my absolute limit now is 16th lines at 110. But it's very sloppy. I can play them clean at 80. Is there something wrog with my coordination or what? I'm really practicing every day at least 5-6 hours and I also start very slow and then increase speed. or am I just practicing wrong stuff?
I also move my left hand fingers too much. could it be the problem?

Maybe Reading These would help.

http://tinyurl.com/266r6jz
http://tinyurl.com/y89my2j

Dave Woods Jazz Guitar Starting Right

[Reg]

Usually speed problems are directly related to bad technique. Obviously to much movement would be bad technique, but there are quite a few more details that make for good technique. Either take a lesson from someone who can cover.... not just talk about how to play or put a video of yourself on this thread and I would gladly critic your technique, I have great technique, a few music degrees,( one from Berklee in the 70's), gig 5 nights a week... and most importantly... I can cover in the burnin dept. ...All BS aside there are great teachers on this site who can help... Best Reg

[jazzislander]

Originally Posted by Dave Woods

Maybe Reading These would help.

http://tinyurl.com/266r6jz
http://tinyurl.com/y89my2j

Dave Woods Jazz Guitar Starting Right

very interesting and useful reading. gave me some things to thought about. thanks.

[jazzislander]

I actually realised that my main problem was/is that I didn't pay attention to these technical things. all I thought about was music itself, the idea, but not HOW it's interpreted. now, focusing on my hands movement for only a week, I feel already a little difference. I also started to practice in front of the mirror, very close to it. very useful.

[paitken]

If you practice with bad form, you'll learn bad form! This has helped me improve speed: play your scale with a metronome, making sure form and technique are just right. Increase the metronome by 3 beats and repeat. Continue until you reach a tempo at which your form/technique start to break down. Decrease the metronome by 2 beats and continue.

[mgoetting]

I agree a metronome is essential unless you have a drum machine. These are not that expensive and much more fun. They serve the same purpose.