Why Getting Better At Guitar Requires Guitar Practice With Total Focus

by Tom Hess

Becoming a better guitarist fast happens when your practice is high-quality... NOT by simply practicing several hours every day. Part of improving the quality of your practice is practicing with 100% focus.

Here is how to increase your focus when you practice guitar:

Step 1. Prepare By Planning Your Practice In Advance

Setting your musical goals and scheduling practice time to reach them ahead of time ensures you get the most out of your time. Set your guitar practice up in in advance by working with a guitar teacher to determine the exact items to work on.
 

Step 2. Eliminate Distractions And Mindless Playing

As you begin practicing, avoid distractions that allow your mind to wander. Stick to the plan you set for yourself. Tip: take short & frequent breaks every 15-30 minutes to allow your mind (and hands) to rest.
 

Step 3. Think About What You Are Doing Vs. Just Going Through The Motions

Think about the specific motions your hands are making. For example, how are you releasing one note so the next one doesn’t bleed together with it? Is there anything you are doing to cause unwanted noise? Are you moving your hands as efficiently as possible or wasting movement?

Watch this video to see an example of how to practice in this way:

Asking questions like this helps you identify mistakes and actively work to fix them versus simply repeating something over and over to try to fix it. This is the key to making progress and avoiding getting stuck.

There are many other ways to make faster progress on guitar. Read this article about becoming a better guitar player to learn them and improve your playing faster than ever.

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