Guitar & Musician Forums

I've tried to be more consistent with my practice and I've realized that sometimes small habits make all the difference. Recording myself frequently helped me notice mistakes I didn't see while playing. It's a little awkward, but very useful.

Focus on the quality of your practice rather than the quantity. Engage fully with each session to maximize your progress.

Practice something every day. Even if it's just for 5 minutes.

GET A STAND FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT. Everyone saying "practice"... Yeah no F****** shit. That's not a small habit. That's a lifelong process... But seriously... I play guitar and the day I got a stand for my instrument rather than keeping it in the case... You'd be surprised how many times you subconsciously choose not to pick it up purely because of the bother of taking out the case and opening it. If my guitar is on a stand, I'm more likely to pick it up. It might only be for twenty seconds... That's still twenty more than I would have played it on an otherwise busy day. It might be twenty or thirty minutes. That's a lot. It adds up. That's a small habit that has a big impact. To me, it's not understanding that practice is compounding that is hard. It's figuring out how I can set myself up to actually **DO** the practice for those extra minutes.

Listen to a wide range of music genres to expand your musical vocabulary and inspire new ideas in your playing.

Setting specific goals for each practice session can help you stay focused and improve efficiently.

Consistently challenging yourself with new techniques or styles can push your musical abilities further.

Practice is key, but also consider the environment where you practice. Make it a welcoming and inspiring space.

Learn the circle of fifths and play or practice with a metronome.

Stop thinking music is *only about notes*. Think about dynamics, timing she's rhythm, phrasing, accent, articulation, crescendo / diminuendo, and timbre.

Experimenting with different tones and effects can add creativity and versatility to your playing.

Incorporating music theory into your practice routine can deepen your understanding of music and enhance your playing skills.

Being aware of everyone’s part and how it lines up with your own. And then actively listening to the other sections or instruments while playing. If you’re using sheet music, study the score.