Six Key Guitar Learning

Here are some guitar learning hints that I've seen proven time and time again.

1. Be Realistic.
Don't put unrealistic goals on yourself for how much time you can devote to guitar. Just relax and say to yourself - "I'm going to take 'small bites' every day..."
Playing and practicing your guitar 20-30 minutes a day is a good, workable plan.

2. Be Patient.
Put aside your inner measurements and private unrealistic goals that discourage you when you don't meet them.  True Learning takes time. Just relax and take it one step at a time - one exercise, song, or skill at a time.

3. Play for Others.
Get other people involved in your journey. As soon as you can play a song, grab some of the people in your house, swallow your pride, and play it for them. This is one of the best ways to stay inspired to keep going.

4. Relax.
When you get all tensed up about this or that task, you don't learn very well.  It can quickly become a big "stress-fest." Don't be too hard on yourself, and when you feel physical tension or get too frustrated, stop and come back to it later.

5. Keep Moving.
Don't get stuck. Your biggest enemy when actively practicing is getting stuck in the swamp of some dreaded exercise or song that you just can't get perfect. If you find that you are stuck on something, move to a new exercise or song and re-focus.

6. Strive for Control.

Not Perfection. It is much more important that you can play an exercise slowly and in
control, than playing it fast but poorly executed. When you get to Carnegie Hall, then you can worry about perfection. But for now, while you are learning, look for controlled competence, not perfection.