Ah, thank you, Minions, for reminding me why I’d never let a metal-loving six-year-old borrow any of my guitars.

I gotta admit, I was wondering if this Sunday was going to turn into every other Sunday for the past few months, where by now I’d be laying in bed with a headache actually wishing Monday was here.

Nope, I’ve been working outside a bit at a time and going through my last purchases from Guitar Center.

No, I didn’t get another instrument…that time. A banjo and ukulele were the last two and that was a couple times before.

No, instead I found something I wasn’t aware I was looking for until it was right in front of my face…and I found the books for multiple instruments.

My biggest worry when it comes to playing guitar, piano, or anything is developing really crappy habits as far as posture or hand and finger positions go. Those are gonna be a bitch to try and correct later, so I’d rather do them right.

The problem is, I really can’t afford the time or the money to get lessons right now, because that would be one of the most important things I’d want to be sure of. I am shopping around for times and dates to do lessons.

But, again, I did find some helpful resources. I want to know how to practice in a way that’ll help me actually go further and have some measurable results.

Enter the exercise books. There are Guitar Aerobics, Bass Guitar Aerobics, Ukulele Aerobics, and these books are meant to be used in the course of a year. I love that aspect of it. I love that it would be like taking a class, doing exercises and learning while adding to that knowledge.

More than that, I was worried about proper finger placement and stamina of playing, when to know when you’re making a mistake by touch instead. There are plenty of exercises, rhythm tracks and other things to learn as you go. It looks like a lot of information, but it’s described as a “52-week, One-lick-per-day Workout Program” for techniques.

Yep, that’s the one. Available at Amazon.com or Guitar Center.

I think the reason I kept collecting these guitars was because I couldn’t figure out how to start with practicing. I mean, I had resources, like basic method books and all, but at the same time, I wanted something that was more “for dummies” but with more practical information, an actual “how-to” that lets you go from zero to rockin’ out, or going funky, or jazzy, or bluesy, or whatever, you know.

I’m going to look and see if these books are available on other instruments. I did find a “30-day keyboarding” book, but not by the same people. I wonder if there’s another aerobics book for piano, especially since I’ve never messed with pedals and don’t know those notations or anything like that.

So, I’ve got some items to give me a good start on actual practice scheduling and rituals. I knew I was missing something to help me get started–and now I’ve found it.

No wonder I’m wide-awake this time on a Sunday–things are looking up.

And, when I need something to do and I’m bored, I got one of those finger-muscle workout handhold things to push down on and build strength up in the fingers. I’m sure for many it would be a gimmick, but my fingers don’t fly that fast (and if I get finger placement and strength working better, that’ll help my clarinet playing, too).