I wanted to get your guys' opinion on practicing every other day. After and hour or so of intense physical practice, it would almost seem similar to a work out. I mean, these are your muscles in your hand that are being worked out, so why should it be any different than the rules for working out your arms or chest?

Now I can see if you are studying music theory, on site reading, non-intensive chord progressions etc. that you would have no trouble practicing every day.

But when it comes to intense and difficult music, I would think it be only normal to get a days rest in between each session.

When I think about the long stretches I have had practicing every day, after taking a couple of days break I come back playing better than ever.

I would also believe that this would be a good way to prevent injury which in itself would be an awful experience.

Has anyone tried this or do you guys have any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks,
Dustin

This sounds like rationalization for laziness. As long as you stretch before hand, theres no problem playing everyday (unless you're playing, like, 9 hours a day - then I can a problem occurring). I don't know a whole load about working out, but I know that you're doing much more strenuous work when literally working out your body then when you're playing guitar (benching 250 is a lot more strenuous then playing some difficult metal).

Proof: Look at any favorite Death Metal artist who tours for months on end playing every night for an hour. They're fine.

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This is far from a rationalization for laziness, rather a concern for health and the longevity of playing. Though I do see your point about the differences in how much strain there is towards your body. I also see a lot of player's reaching their middle ages with a multitude of problems resulting in surgery etc. I guess only time will tell.

That can be prevented by proper stretching. Playing guitar IS like working out, and no serious athlete works out without stretching beforehand.

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i play intense music (brutal and pretty technical death metal) and i play guitar around 2 hours a day on weekdays (i have work) and anything up to 7 or 8 hours on weekends and holidays. you just have to get used to it.

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You don't need to take any defined breaks from playing any difficult stuff at all, if you have proper technique and have maintained proper technique. By technique I'm not talking about how fast you can play, but how clean/accurate/articulate you can play without feeling like you're tensing up.
So this means don't take big breaks between playing sessions, and when you pick the axe backup for chrissakes WARMUP and CHILL, don't overdo anything. I'm with Darko on the stretching idea but also do some easy warmups for ten minutes, it's worth it. Doing warmups like this helps me maintain some kind of "muscle memory" on how to play without tension when I don't have time to practice.
I thought of the same thing too when I first started playing death metal but now I'm never in trouble unless I don't play for like a week. Then my chops are kinda shot. I really have to take it easy and warmup/practice for a bit (at least 30 minutes) or I'll just butcher my technique and won't be able to play when this happens.
The people who get those kind of injuries or muscle problems from playing guitar are those people who come flying out of the gate at 666 mph blazing without warming up. Not because they practice hard everyday.
Also remember it's better to play for 5 minutes a day than 5 hours all of a sudden on a weekend out of nowhere. It's really up to you but no matter what difficulty level anything is at, it seems like taking breaks doesn't do anything at all but make playing harder.
Just my 5 cents!

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