Ideally, you should aim to practise daily. For beginners, a good baseline is around 3040 minutes per day, but this doesnt have to be done all at once.
Breaking your practice into 1520 minute sessions can often be more effective. This little and often approach works particularly well in the early stages, where youre developing:
These technical foundations need to become second nature, and frequent, consistent practice helps achieve that.
Shorter sessions also reduce fatigue, improve focus, and fit more easily into a busy schedule. As you progress, youll naturally move towards longer and more intensive practice sessions.
During your lessons, youll be given clear, personalised goals. Some will be short-term, while others develop over time.
The key is to enjoy the process, rather than becoming too focused on a single end goal.
There is no end goal only the journey.
Its very common for students to start with one specific aim, only to discover new styles and interests along the way. Thats part of what makes learning guitar so rewarding.
Learning an instrument isnt always linear. Progress comes in waves, and as long as youre enjoying the process, youre moving in the right direction.
For a great perspective on this, the book Zen Guitar is highly recommended.
Some students choose to take graded exams, either to gain entry into college or university, or to measure their progress. Preparation is available for all major exam boards, and many students have successfully progressed to music college and professional careers.
An essential tool for developing timing and rhythm. There are plenty of excellent free smartphone apps available.
Tracking your progress is incredibly valuable.
This makes it easier to revisit ideas and stay consistent.
An electronic tuner (or app) is vital for staying in tune and avoiding unnecessary strain on your strings.
For beginners, a Jim Dunlop Tortex 1mm (blue) pick is a great choice. Its very forgiving and easy to control.
A few tips:
As you improve, youll likely want to experiment with different picks, just like you would with string gauge and brands.
Many players eventually move to slightly smaller picks. The Jim Dunlop Flow Picks are a good example, offering a balance of control and precision.
If youre just starting out, a little background reading can really help speed things up.
A great place to begin is the Associated Boards Guide to Music Theory, Part I, which covers note reading, rhythm basics, and core theory up to Grade 5.
Learning guitar is a journey that evolves over timebut with the right guidance and consistent practice, progress comes quickly.
Book your first guitar lesson in Leeds and start your journey today.
Leeds Guitar Studio