Obviously the fastest road to learning to play the guitar like a pro is to take guitar lessons with a reputable music school that has great teachers :). However, all the lessons in the world won’t be enough unless you play at home regularly. Of course, we all have different learning styles so never be discouraged and take the approach that works for you.
Here are some tips you can use during your at-home guitar practice sessions to improve your technique between guitar lessons – you’ll sound like a pro in no time!
1. Learn to play your guitar one note at a time.
Ok, so we know that this sounds painful. But you know what? Once you get going, you’ll see how quickly your momentum builds, and before you know it, you’ll be playing the whole song exactly the way it was meant to be played. Some people try to fumble through a new song in a hurry – but this often leads to sloppy chords and inaccurate notes. Whereas if you take the time to learn each individual note in the order that it was written, you’ll be ensuring that you’re playing the song properly, the way a pro would do it.
2. Play the guitar slowly when learning a new song.
This tip is related to the first one. Whatever you do, do not rush through a song trying to play it as fast as you can. Instead, train your brain to play the notes properly by taking the time to play the song as slowly as you need to in order to guarantee that you can hit every single note and chord accurately. Once you’re able to play the entire song properly at a slow speed, increase the speed gradually until you can play it accurately at the speed that it was meant to be played. At your next guitar lesson, your instructor will help you fine tune things like style.
3. Use a metronome when practicing between guitar lessons.
A metronome is a tool to help you keep the rhythm of a song steady. It rhythmically tick tocks along to keep you in your place. I know, it doesn’t sound very rock-star-like to have this thing on, but it’s a great way to train yourself to play at a steady speed. They are available in a wide range of prices – so choose one that’s affordable and reliable.
4. Experiment with different styles of music when learning to play the guitar.
Sure, you might have a single style of music that you are absolutely in love with. But taking the time to experiment with different styles of music can help you in the long run. If you’re a song-writer, you’ll discover new sounds that you can incorporate into your favourite style to keep things fresh. Plus, learning new styles of music will widen your skill base, making you a more talented guitar player overall.
Play the Guitar Like a Pro Via Practice and Guitar Lessons
By taking the time to play new songs slowly and one note at a time, using professional tools such as the metronome, and experimenting with different styles of music, you’ll be amazed by how much you learn. Keep up with your regular music lessons and practice, and you’ll sounds like a pro before you know it!
If you’re interested in taking guitar lessons and live in the Burlington area, contact us at Capstone Music today for a visit of our our music school!
