10 Tips to Improve Your Guitar Skills

In addition to drills and scales, chord progressions, and solo’s, the following are some great exercises that you can incorporate into guitar workout and practice regiments. Rock on!

10 Tips to Improve Your Guitar Skills

1. Look in a mirror. 

Observe your hands and your fingers as you play. Try to avoid stress and save your moves. Make sure you are not too tense in your posture, whether sitting or standing.

2. Redefine the word "error" by calling it an "unintended result." 

Each error is an opportunity to learn. Find the causes and plan how best to get a different result. Of course if you are just hitting a bum note, then yes that was an “error,“ but instead of getting upset about it, figure out what has to happen to change you from doing it... So for example, maybe its because your ring finger is a little less coordinated or weaker than the rest of your fingers which means you just need to exercise and focus on that finger in your practice a little more, etc.

It’s better to look at problems or errors in terms of the solution, not just simply... DAMNIT, i just can’t stop doing that! AHHH! You see?

3. Be specific with the error Try to be absolutely clear about what happened with the error. What touched wrong, where, what was suppose to happen, etc.

4. Record yourself every day Record yourself onto using your DAW software, pocket recorder or cassette every day. Listen and decide what things you did not like and start thinking how to improve it.

5. Play in public as much as you can How well do you play in public? Are you tense? How do you feel emotionally? Do you feel anxiety, fear? Do you feel comfortable? Would you like to play for others? Keep playing every time you can and you will improve.

6. Pretend that each finger is a person and give it a name. What are their qualifications? What are their shortcomings? Work individually on each. get to know the group, and if everyone does what they should do then things will improve. Focuses on the problems and advantages of each finger of your hands, left and right.

7. Keep reminders in front of you when you practice. Any area that you think needs improvement, write it on paper (could be a post-it) and paste it where you can see to remind you to focus on that particular aspect. You will always find something to work on and improve!

8. Move forward. Every time you move a finger, imagine what’s going to be your next move. Your mind will clear and your fingers will conform to the brain more easily.

9. Body language. When practicing, pay attention to your whole body. Your position is vital to avoid fatigue.

10. Use a metronome. Use a metronome to build your skills and measure your performance. Play at a speed where you do not commit a single error. When you are comfortable with that, then increase your speed.

Was this helpful? Which one are you going to apply immediately? I’d love to hear from you guys, please leave any comments, questions, or suggestions below.

Cheers!