Practice Journal

**charlieparker** · 08-18-2025, 11:42 AM

I am thinking of starting a practice journal of some of my practices. What do others think and what forum is most appropriate?

My hope is that this gets me to practice more often and with more focus and that maybe others can suggest improvements.

**MinToyTot** · 08-18-2025, 11:58 AM

I keep 2 practice "journals", one is a full-sized spiral-bound thing where I strategize and work things out and the other is a small notepad containing a couple words for every new exercise/activity I do... I think most people could stand to be more methodical in their practice, and I really can't imagine how I'd learn and incorporate what I do without writing out and keeping track of all the different little chunks. Personally I think hearing how others approach their practice is a lot of fun.

I kept track of how much I practiced down to the minute for a couple months but eventually found that goal/task-based practice is a lot more efficient for me and doesn't incentivize long periods of staring into space with ireal looping the same 4 bars of Dinah at 40bpm

**charlieparker** · 08-18-2025, 09:00 PM

I was more thinking along the lines of recording the practice sessions and posting them here.

**frabarmus** · 08-19-2025, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by charlieparker

I was more thinking along the lines of recording the practice sessions and posting them here.

I had been meditating about startin a new thread as follows:

"WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

Inspired by the thread “What are youlistening to right now?”.

You may share a video of yourself playing something you happen to be working on at this time.

Introductions/explanations (written or spoken) are welcome but not compulsory (it's ok to figure it out by letting the music speak).

Not necessairily meant for performance or “lessons”... just occasionally opening the door of our practice room so anyone can stop by for a moment and listen (and, of course, eventually ask questions)."

I haven't done it yet, as I've been through a time in which practicing was "off limits", so to speak, and said to myself that I would do it once I resume practicing every day.

If any of you like the idea you are welcome to start it yourselves (and I'll gladly join in when I have something to share).

**James W** · 08-19-2025, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by frabarmus

I had been meditating about startin a new thread as follows:

"WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

Inspired by the thread “What are youlistening to right now?”.

You may share a video of yourself playing something you happen to be working on at this time.

Introductions/explanations (written or spoken) are welcome but not compulsory (it's ok to figure it out by letting the music speak).

Not necessairily meant for performance or “lessons”... just occasionally opening the door of our practice room so anyone can stop by for a moment and listen (and, of course, eventually ask questions)."

I haven't done it yet, as I've been through a time in which practicing was "off limits", so to speak, and said to myself that I would do it once I resume practicing every day.

If any of you like the idea you are welcome to start it yourselves (and I'll gladly join in when I have something to share).

Good idea - I too have considered starting such a thread.

**charlieparker** · 08-19-2025, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by frabarmus

I had been meditating about startin a new thread as follows:

"WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

Inspired by the thread “What are youlistening to right now?”.

You may share a video of yourself playing something you happen to be working on at this time.

Introductions/explanations (written or spoken) are welcome but not compulsory (it's ok to figure it out by letting the music speak).

Not necessairily meant for performance or “lessons”... just occasionally opening the door of our practice room so anyone can stop by for a moment and listen (and, of course, eventually ask questions)."

I haven't done it yet, as I've been through a time in which practicing was "off limits", so to speak, and said to myself that I would do it once I resume practicing every day.

If any of you like the idea you are welcome to start it yourselves (and I'll gladly join in when I have something to share).

Great idea! Any suggestions as to which forum is appropriate?

**pamosmusic** · 08-19-2025, 01:12 PM

Getting Started?

I had a thread something like that and put it there

(you should do this … your idea is more general and cooler than mine was so it’ll be a good addition and more open)

**James W** · 08-19-2025, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by pamosmusic

Getting Started?

I had a thread something like that and put it there

(you should do this … your idea is more general and cooler than mine was so it’ll be a good addition and more open)

I started a What Are You Practising thread in the Everything Else section of the forum.

**pamosmusic** · 08-19-2025, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by James W

I started a What Are You Practising thread in the Everything Else section of the forum.

just saw it

**GuyBoden** · 08-20-2025, 05:58 AM

I have a plan

**James W** · 08-20-2025, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

I have a plan

Is Sunday a day of rest?

**JazzPadd** · 08-20-2025, 09:31 AM

Journaling is a great idea, and can be very motivating for practicing. I kept a monthly "Jam Session Journal" on this very forum for the better part of two years. There are five venues within reasonable driving distance and, work and life permitting, I would go to as many in any given month as possible. I think the most was perhaps a half dozen in one month. And keeping the journal was incredibly helpful in reminding me of what happened at each jam, the ups and downs, the repertoire, things that needed more practice, etc. It was something like a record of my progress over time, a macro view if you will. They also provided some focus in my preparations for jams, and I began to think of the jam sessions as a form of practice but within an unpredictable social context, quite a departure from and contrast to the isolated practice sessions that I did at home. Very instructive and highly recommended!

There are of course different kinds of journals. Mine were a macro view over time, written descriptions of the jams based on notes I took whenever I went, and which I would type up at the end of each month. Some participants also took photos and/or videos, and they were helpful as reminders of what went down in the sessions. But I also think that keeping a personal video journal as proposed by the OP is wonderful idea, and it provides perhaps more of a micro view on what and how one is practicing. Both are valuable IMHO, micro and macro views, and sharing them can indicate our diverse styles and ways of learning.

**GuyBoden** · 08-21-2025, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by James W

Is Sunday a day of rest?

It's known as "Comping Sunday".

Have I mentioned that 'COMPING' is what guitarists do most, not single note solo playing.

**frabarmus** · 08-21-2025, 11:46 AM

I've always had a practice journal... currently I have two: one where I write my study plan for the week and the other one where I write what I've actually done (on days in which I've practised).

**JGinNJ** · 09-07-2025, 01:36 PM

I keep a spreadsheet, with columns for 2 weeks across the top.
Rows are things like, a jam, playalong, metronome, scales, chords, and a list of about 40 tunes.
I try to cover all the tunes at least once or twice over the two weeks.
I'll add tunes of interest periodically, or delete ones that aren't working out.

It really keeps me honest about covering everything, seeing when I'm laying off, etc.
Disadvantage is, it leads to a check-the-box approach, not so spontaneous.