Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Thanks so much Michael for staying with us Guitar Wisdom for a year!

Congratulations!
Amazing hardwood, your commitment, dedication ... so much respect!

All depends. Foundation techniques like Major scale positions or playing Major scale with alternate picking, Do Mi Re Fa... Do Re Mi Do... Until you can play them pretty cleanly.
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/start-here

Essential theory section is so important! Please watch 3-4 times on each videos.
Currently ET1 to ES14 are new videos.
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/music-theory-i

Triad inversions for basic positions. This case if you can play C, F, Bb, Eb ... in 3 ways.
Or combining C & F or C F Bb Eb.... can play smoothly without any noises. Then done!
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/foundation-triads

It's time to apply them so you can learn more theory applied section.
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/music-theory-ii-applied-theory
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/fretboard-harmony-applied-theory-part-2

I highly suggest to practice two things everyday.
1) Chromatic scale 1212... (5 to 10 minutes)
2) R 3 7 Swing Groove with a metronome (10-20 minutes)
If you can spend 1/2 hour for these two,. then amazing!
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/ft-practice-routine-3-things-to-do

If you can afford 15 - 20 minutes on Sight-Reading everyday!
Amazing!
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/sight-reading-series
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/sight-reading-series-ii
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/sight-reading-series-iii

Bottom line is you need to stay one topic as much as you need.

Thank you.

Tomo

Thanks Tomo!

I do R37 swing every other day or so but the rest I diligently am practising all the time, and when I mean the rest, I mean everything from chords, to triads, to arpeggios, to foundational techniques, to improv, and on and on and on. I've gotten to a point where that classically trained guitarist friend is saying I'm catching up to him in all aspects from theory, to playing, to technique. :)

For example, with triads, I can do what you say, I can 9 times out of 10, do all the major and minor triads (working in diminished ones now) in all keys quietly across one string set but still think I should try to do them vertically, horizontally, and diagonally in all keys and do common chord progressions with them. I then plan to do triads using lead guitar skills, too. Am I thinking too much? Am I trying to master too much? I just like to be thorough before moving on to spread triads. I want the foundations to be super solid.

On another note, I'm curious Tomo, what are you learning that's new these days? How do you keep progressing? I know you've stated a number of areas that you always work on like R37 swing and chromatic exercises etc. but what's new for you in technique, or theory or any other area.

Cheers!

Thanks for your reply!

Chords, Arpeggios, once you can play them. No need to practice again.
But anytime you should be able to play any arpeggios smoothly.

Triads, can you play in 3 ways without stopping more than 2-3 seconds? Must have!
Should be very smooth. These you need to practice until you can play smoothly,

Don't go crazy but you need to check your progress.
Triads are so important! Yes master them really well. But don't think how long to take.

Foundation! More learn foundation deeply, I will improve my playing.
I am focusing basic techniques: Chromatic scale & blues, jazz blues, jazz standards with a metronome. This will help my funk playing. I focus on my solo guitar performance. I record myself more often. Recording is only way to improve (to check...)

Thank you.

Tomo

Hey Michael, I really appreciate you asking this question and the thread here. I’m trying to find balance between the essentials of practice, theory, and technique.

The old saying, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, rings true for me. So, I like to leave time for creative exploration, meaning playing songs I like and music projects I enjoy.

The challenge I have is that given the amount of time at my disposal, I tend to lean more heavily on the work side of the equation. So, let’s say one has two hours daily on the guitar, what would be a good division of task for practice and for fun?

Hey Tomo! I really appreciate your summary of practice and focus items that you shared with Michael. I think this is a superb chain of items to focus on. Thank you so much for putting it here! I think this could be very useful for many people in the forum. Awesome!

Hi Sammi!

I love your experience and you take on the learning process. The owning of the information definitely helps you for success. I actually came here to share a similar story to yours so you posting your experience is just perfect imo. Last night I was working on some blues/jazz lead improv and as I was doing a motif and adding some bends, slides, hammer on etc. I noticed how nice it was sounding. The bends were hitting the right pitch consistently, the slides were smooth, the dynamics was controlled and were loud when I wanted them loud and quiet when I wanted them quiet. So, not unlike your experience how owning frees you up to respond to the moment rather then being anxious about each step. Pretty cool I have to say for you and I and everyone on a learning journey.

Thanks for sharing your story. I think our takes on learning really show the powerful nature of taking it slow, really learning something well and setting up the building blocks for future steps.

They always say that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Glad you and Tomo are good apples spreading the seeds of knowledge. :)

Have a great day Sammi! Take care! ;)

Thanks Sammi for sharing your valuable story here!