Guitar technique – how important is it?
Guitar technique matters, but how much depends on your goals: a singer-songwriter needs far less than a lead guitarist. Aim for efficient, economical technique and balance it with vocabulary, structure and feel in your practice.
Why guitarists should read biographies
Biographies of your musical heroes show the reality behind their success: the work, the setbacks and the day-to-day life of a musician. You’ll almost always come away with insights you can apply to your own playing.
A short essay on musical education
Few musicians can develop their talent entirely alone. Studying music and learning from teachers who have already made the journey, and the mistakes, saves years of trial and error.
10,000 hours of guitar practice
The 10,000-hour principle suggests expertise takes about 10,000 hours of practice. For a guitarist that’s around 27 years at one hour a day, or about 7 years at four hours a day, and the quality of that practice matters as much as the hours.
Guitarist envy: “That should be me up there…”
Comparing yourself with other guitarists is useful when it inspires you to learn from them, but envy and rivalry hold you back. Treat other players as inspiration and potential allies rather than competition.
Mistakes are your friends!
Mistakes show you exactly what needs work. Practising material slightly beyond your current level, spotting your errors and fixing them is how you improve, so embrace mistakes in practice rather than ignoring them.
There is nothing natural about playing guitar!
Good guitar technique rarely feels natural at first. Like holding a pencil or learning to type, correct technique feels awkward until it’s practised, so be patient with new techniques rather than reverting to what feels comfortable.
Guitarist stuck in a rut?
Feeling stuck in a rut is normal and usually temporary. Clarify what you want to achieve, enjoy the journey, and find fresh inspiration: go to a gig, listen to an inspiring album, see a good teacher, take a break or meet other musicians.
Is it ever too late to learn guitar?
No, it’s never too late to learn guitar. Age matters far less than how much time you can put into practice, and adults have real advantages as learners.
Guitar practice and spreading yourself too thinly
Practice time is limited, so don’t spread it across too many things. Focus on two or three substantial tasks at a time and go deep; as Bill Evans put it, it’s better to practise one tune for 24 hours than 24 tunes for one hour each.