I fully understand dancing to the music.
I use a drum machine, the Korg Volca Beats, sometimes to practice. I hate the sound of a metronome; a basic drum machine beat is more appealing. And I always stand up to practice. So dancing and swaying and foot tapping are all happening.
I try to play once a day. At least an hour. But hopefully 2 or more. I love to lose track of time when I play, but not my timing. Haha.
The most important aspect of practicing for me has been STRETCHING my hands, fingers, and wrists, before picking up the guitar. A few years back I strained the facial tissue on my forearms. Repetitive over use, at work and at home. Too much heavy hands on work at the job site, and too much guitar play, without concern for proper posture, and technique. The tissue around the muscle, that holds the muscle to the bone was causing me pain and numbness in my hands. I stopped doing a many things with my arms and hands as I could. To give them time to recover. I even stopped cooking, to avoid cutting veggies and scrubbing dishes.
Anyway. After 3 months of recovery, I now stretch, and do a few licks and scales to warm up before diving right in.
I play songs from start to finish, not just the riff. I sing with or without a mic, but try to use the mic.
I use an EHX 360 looper to extend a 3 minute song into a 10 minute song. To practice soloing/noodling. And to store a new riff idea, that I will revisit with fresh ears.
I started playing when I was 16. I’m 43 now. And most of my growth as a player has happened over the last 12 years. I also feel obligated to add that I don’t have kids. So 2 hours a day isn’t a problem most days.
Anyway. The big take away is STRETCH before you play. Trust me. It takes 3 mins.
