My Guitar Lessons give you 30 Tips To Be A Better Guitarist

If there’s one thing that’s unanimous across all guitarists it’s the need to get better; here’s a checklist of things to consistently do to make sure you get the most of out your practice time.  It can be hard and it will take a lot of time but it’s going to be worth it.

• Play standing up and/or sit up straight and learn to relax.
• Discipline yourself to learn at least 1 new piece of information a week like a song or chord scale.
• ask yourself and others questions and learn to problem solve your difficulties often.
• Create a permutation of everything, e.g. learn scales or licks in reverse.
• Play in keys or positions you never like to go, e.g. Eb.
• Learn the rudiments of rhythmic values, especially the rests.
• Always practice slowly to a beat or a click (metronome) and don’t rush or try to go fast before your time.
• Make it a priority to clean up sloppy playing using muting or stop the mindless and be mindful of everything you play.
• Learn something from another instrument or style/genre.
• Play the same licks in different places on the neck.
• Learn simple tunes like something off the TV using only your ear.
• Transpose songs into different keys.
• Put the plectrum down for a day and play with your fingers.
• Learn a part until you can do it in your sleep.
• Jam often or have a lesson – it’s really good to play with other people (try and find someone better than you).
• Balance songs, chords and theory with technique.
• Spend 20 mins playing with only upstrokes.
• Spend a day on slides bends and vibrato.
• Spend more time actually playing your guitar rather than on your gear or eBay.
• Spend time in shorter bursts of practice, perhaps get a countdown timer.
• Play at a high volume to hear your mistakes so you can rectify.
• Practice on an acoustic with heavy strings then fly on your electric.
• Learn different time feels and apply them to your licks, like swing or ¾.
• Keep a journal and set goals.
• Record yourself practicing and playing, even have a mirror in front of you if you can so you can spot bad habits.
• Play a piece in front of people as often as you can.
• Learn and write something in a new scale or mode.
• When you start to learn or write something, do it all the way and don’t give up until it’s done.
• You can do it, believe in yourself.
• Don’t compare yourself to people more advanced than you.

Get practicing!