How NOT to Practice

Does this sound like you when you practice?

I practice while the TV is on. I've had students tell me that they practice while watching television or "have music playing softly in the background." Are you kidding me??? There's a difference between practicing guitar and just noodling around. What do you think you'll accomplish by not devoting full attention to guitar playing?

I try to concentrate but I keep getting text messages, emails or phone calls. Turn off the electronics, set up a practice room and buy yourself a cheap kitchen timer. Make it clear to the family that you're not to be disturbed until you come out of the room. Setting the timer for 30 to 45 minutes, deciding what needs work, and setting practice goals will improve your playing. Beginning guitar players may not be able to practice for 45 minutes at first, but it's a good target to reach.

I practice but don't seem to get anywhere. Are you really practicing or just going through the motions? There's a big difference between practice and playing the guitar for a while. Concentration is huge factor in making significant progress. Find a method that works for you and stick to it. Some guitar students play through a song over and over, some practice one or two small phrases at a time, and some have no idea of what works for them.

Don't practice mistakes. If you make the same mistake in the same place, fix it! Slow down, play each note so slowly that you can't play it wrong, and do that until your fingers go where you want them to. After you can play the trouble spot correctly several times, get out the metronome and very slowly pick up the pace. Trying to play faster without the metronome is much more difficult because it's hard to play a tiny bit faster. With the metronome you can adjust the tempo so you're only adding a few beats per minute.

Don't lose sight of the fun factor. Having said all of the above, there should still be time to play for fun. Depending on your level, spend some time trying new things, playing faster, and experimenting with different sounds. Play closer to the fingerboard then the bridge and listen to the change it makes, play louder, then softer, slide into strings, bend notes and see what you come up with. Try to make up a solo using a pentatonic scale, play some chords and see what they sound like together and pretty soon you'll have a very clear idea of all the ways you can play a guitar.