A Guitarist's Journey: How Long Did I Play Before Stopping?
As a seasoned guitar player, the question How long did you play the guitar for before you stopped? often comes up. In my case, the journey has been both exhilarating and challenging. Whether it was 6 hours of continuous practice or sessions lasting over ten hours, each interval has its own unique story to tell. Let's dive into my experiences and insights.
The Practice vs. The Performance
When I was younger, my dedication to the guitar was unwavering. During those days, I would practicing for 6 hours or more, taking only short breaks for bathroom visits or a quick “doobie”(certain contexts, of course). Now, with age and increasing physical constraints, I find that I can only practice for about an hour before my hands start to ache. But that doesn’t stop me from keeping the rhythm, as I switch to the thumb slide before much longer. As long as I can jam, I’m happy.
Multi-Tasking: From Practice to Performance
One memorable experience was when I had to practice for an entire day, then quickly move on to a band rehearsal in the late afternoon, and finally perform a gig that same night. After the gig, I continued jamming with an old friend until 4:00 AM, complete with costly beer breaks. The longest continuous practice, excluding breaks, is around an hour, and this happens quite often. While it's tempting to practice without breaks, as a guitar teacher, I find that taking 15-minute breaks is more efficient, as it allows my brain and muscle memory to process the information.
A Publishing Deal: Recording Intense Sessions
One of the most intense and memorable experiences of my career was when I signed a publishing deal with Third Story Records in Philadelphia. It was my first time working in an actual recording studio, and I had no idea about the recording process or the importance of playing with the rhythm of the song. The producer, John Wicks, had a significant presence, having produced the legendary Dead Milkmen album Eat Your Paisley. John was a stern taskmaster but very knowledgeable about the specific guitar parts he wanted from me.
The recording session began at 5:30 PM and stretched on until 3:40 AM, with only short breaks to rewind the tape (yes, multitrack analog recording was still prevalent back then). Time was money, and there was no room for distractions, so my longest stretch playing guitar was over ten hours. During the session, the producer asked me to take breaks numerous times, but I opted to stay focused to ensure the budget was not compromised and the timing was efficient.
Photo: One of the memorable gigs from this period
In conclusion, the length of time I played the guitar has varied significantly over the years, from long intensive sessions to shorter, more efficient practice periods. Each moment holds a unique story of dedication, passion, and the unending pursuit of musical mastery. If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
Keywords: guitar practice, long guitar playing sessions, guitar recording experience