this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2026
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Programming

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working as a web dev, 8+ hours at a keyboard. by evening my hands are tired and i just want to zone out.

been trying to do 20 min before work instead. it's not much but it's consistent. any other devs who play โ€” how do you manage it?

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[โ€“] underscores@lemmy.zip 2 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

I've been playing guitar since 2009 and practicing for me takes 0 effort and energy at this point.

So from my pov the tips I have to give are:

  1. Leave your guitar in a place that's very easy to reach, if you sit at a desk at home then have it at an arm's length and ready to go, plugged in (specially if passive), the whole 9 yards.

  2. Ride the wave when inspiration/passion hits, if you're having lots of fun keep playing and practicing a bit longer than usual.

  3. You can zone out to excersises like 1234 across all frets up and down alternate picking, or sweep picking patterns. Repetitive patterns with few variations are good for "zoning" out. Please understand that you need to be aware of your technique as you perform these drills, you need to feel things like "was my wrist movement good / relaxed there?" "am I picking with even or different intensity?". Engage with the drill even if it's just a boring old repetitive drill.

It depends at your skill level but I would create or look up things to practice, or even songs. Break them down into chunks. Repeat chunks when you're in a zoned out low energy mood.

As explained above keep in mind you want to be conscious of your technique, tone, relaxation even when zoned out.

For breaking up a song for instance I would take a solo, find a part I really struggle in, slice it into a chunk. Repeat chunk until muscle memory makes it easier to play. Once I'm ready to have the time and energy to attempt to master it I try to raise the tempo and the "real" practice begins there.