How To Practice Guitar, Learn and Remember Songs and Tunes
 One of the most important skills for playing the guitar is
learning the best way to practice. Many people try to learn without really practicing and are always
disappointed. Playing guitar is a lot of fun and can be a great way to express yourself artistically, but it
takes a lot of discipline and concentrated effort to get to the point of truly making music.
It was many years before I learned that my practice was actually just noodling around
and learning some licks and phrases. After I found out how to practice the guitar in an effective manner,
everything changed. My playing improved dramatically, it was much more fun, and I discovered that I was finally
able to play with other people in jams.
It is just fine to sit in your living room and strum a bit, play some little riffs
that you picked up somewhere, and maybe sing a song or two that you know. But if you really want to learn how to
play, you must be taught. People who are self-taught are still taught by some method, they just have not had formal
lessons.
Sure, you can teach yourself guitar, but you need something with which to teach! You
could, theoretically, figure out everything on your own, but it would take you forever. Why re-invent the wheel?
Get some good instructional material like the stuff from Homespun Tapes, Learn and
Master or Jamorama, and you will be well ahead and soon be playing
much better than you ever imagined.
So, what is the best way to practice guitar? Here are 5 guidelines
to help improve your playing and make you a better guitar player.
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Practice is not playing for fun. This might sound harsh or mean, but one of
the worst things you can do is just noodle around, playing in a random, aimless, meandering manner. On the
other hand, serious practice is actually a lot of fun and is well worth the effort.
-
It is better to practice regularly than in marathon sets. If you practice at
least 20 minutes every day, you will make much faster progress than if you play for 2 hours every Saturday.
Your muscle memory and brain will respond to frequent use you will retain what you are learning.
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Set a goal for each session. You might have a rough spot in a tune, or need
to learn the correct fingering for a flatpicking melody. The goal must be reachable for today, don't set it
so high that you become frustrated, but set it so you can master it in incremental steps. One good method
is to break up the tune into segments and master them one at a time. Then you can put them together and
make some music.
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Practice like you would study anything new. Make yourself comfortable, but
not too comfortable. Have a good work ethic, roll up your sleeves, be determined and focused. If possible,
have private room where you can work undistracted.
-
Playing guitar is an adventure. It is easy to play simple tunes, but
difficult to play well. Your hard work and determination are very important, and the satisfaction of
mastery is a wonderful feeling. Once you find your own learning style, you will be amazed at the beautiful
sounds that come from this amazing bunch of wood, steel and glue!
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