How Do You Get Better at Classical Guitar?

Sometimes you feel like you’re not improving on guitar.

If you’re like me, you want to find that new exercise, that perfect 15-step practice plan, or whatever.

I like weird exercises and complicated guitar practice plans as much as the next guy (okay, way more than most guys, let’s be honest), but you can get better at guitar without those things.

Today I want to remind you that three simple things have the biggest impact on whether you get better at guitar:

1. Regular Playing

Practicing one day every other week doesn’t result in progress. Instead, improvement comes from playing 4-6 days a week. (You don’t have to aim for 7 days a week; taking a day off here and there can be helpful.) Put the guitar somewhere you will see it often, and make some music!

2. Time on the Instrument

All things being equal, more time on the instrument results in more progress. If guitar is your hobby, I’m not saying you have to play several hours a day, but if you play 30 minutes a day, you will probably progress twice as fast as if you play 15 minutes a day.

3. Make Small Tweaks

Unfortunately, we sometimes fall into all-or-nothing thinking. “Do I sound like John Williams yet? No? I’m a failure! Still no? Still a failure!” This is not a good way to measure ourselves. Instead, each time you play, just ask what you can improve. Identify one thing and try to make it better the next time you play the passage. Ask yourself if it got better. If not, try again until it does. Then select another small improvement to make. Over time, these small improvements add up to big gains in your guitar-playing skill.

Keep making music!

By the way, I can help you improve your playing each Saturday!

How?

I send actionable tips each week in The Saturday Classical Guitarist newsletter. 

You just open the email and apply the tips to your playing!

You can sign up for free here.