So, you’ve finally picked up the guitar to follow your dreams of becoming the next big musical sensation. You have put all your effort into learning guitar, but somehow, you feel you are progressing slowly, even after putting in the time.
If you find yourself in this situation and feel like you’re not progressing as fast as you’d like, don’t worry. We understand, and we’re here to help.
The secret to becoming a good guitarist is not practicing more; it is practicing smart.
At Artium Academy, we understand the importance of practicing smart, not just more. That’s why we’ve designed our guitar courses for aspirants like you. We don’t just teach you how to play guitar; we guide you through learning it effectively using real-world techniques. Our unique approach sets us apart from other online guitar courses.
Our online guitar course is not just any course. It’s designed and certified by Bollywood music legend and Artium’s faculty head, Mr. Raju Singh. Under his expert guidance, we’ve created a course that combines structured learning with easy hacks to supercharge your practice routine. This endorsement from a music industry veteran adds a layer of credibility to our course.
So, whether you are a parent, a hobbyist, or a beginner navigating the chords for the first time, the following tips will help you improve faster with minimum practice hours.
Guitar Learning Hacks for Smarter Practice
Hack #1: Set Micro Goals for Every Practice Session
You may have heard the saying, “A Little Progress Each Day Adds Up To Big Results”. Well, it is true. Big dreams are great, but real progress comes from setting small, actionable goals.
Small or micro goals help you stay focused on your goals and make the practice more productive. So, instead of saying, “I’ll practice guitar today”, be more specific, say, “I will practice switching between Ionian and Dorian modes for 10 minutes”, or, “I will work on cleanly picking the intro riff of my favorite song.”
These small, actionable goals can make your practice more engaging and purposeful. They also give you small wins to boost your morale and help you build muscle memory, fostering a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Bonus Tip – Journal your goals before starting. Seeing it on paper makes it feel like a mission.
Hack #2: Plan Your Practice Schedule Ahead of Time
Do not fall for the trap of “I will play when I feel like it”. Instead, schedule some time for practice daily because consistency beats intensity every time. Here are some tips to schedule your practice sessions –
- Divide weeks into themes; for example, Monday for strumming patterns, Tuesday for chord transitions, Wednesday for Music theory basics, Thursday for jamming & so on.
- Short and targeted sessions over long and inconsistent practice can do wonders. Twenty minutes of daily focused sessions are better than two hours of unfocused practice once a week.
- Keep your brain engaged with variety. Try adding different practice elements instead of playing the same chords or songs daily.
At Artium Academy, this practice structure plays a significant role in our online guitar course. We plan every lesson to build on the previous ones, including regular assessments to ensure you are progressing.
Hack #3: Incorporate Diverse Techniques and Skills
Learning more techniques can help you become a well-rounded guitarist. So, instead of focusing just on strumming and playing songs, include –
- Techniques: Fingerpicking, slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs.
- Rhythm: Practice with a metronome to improve your timing.
- Theory: Rather than just playing chords, scales and keys, learn the “why” behind it.
- Creativity: Improvise and write your licks.
- Ear training: Learn to identify chords or melodies by ear.
It is highly recommended that you include these elements in your weekly practice plan. Our experts add these elements to our online guitar classes to ensure consistent progress.
Also Read: How to Learn Guitar Online: Essential Checklist — Your go-to guide for getting started correctly!
Hack #4: Use Smart Warm-Ups to Unlock Speed and Precision
We all warm up enough to activate our muscles when we run a marathon or begin our exercise routine. Now, this applies to music too.
Smart warm-up = Better control + fewer mistakes.
Try this:
- Finger stretches: Loosen your fingers by gently stretching them.
- Chromatic exercises: Slowly and cleanly play from fret 1 – 4 on each string.
- Alternate picking: Improve picking accuracy by skipping strings deliberately.
Do these exercises for 10-15 minutes as part of your warm-up and watch your tone and finger agility drastically improve.
Hack #5: Track Your Progress and Adjust Your Strategy
Tracking your progress plays a significant role in your musical journey. You do not want to end up playing the same thing repeatedly. Here’s how you can change that:
- Like mentioned earlier, journal what you practice. Make a note of what worked and what did not.
- Always record yourself while playing. Listening to your recording can reveal mistakes you wouldn’t have noticed while playing.
- Revisit your previous and older musical pieces. See if you can play them better now. If the answer is yes, then you are improving.
These are some basic exercises we teach in our online guitar course. With the help of our practice studio tools and interactive dashboards, we track your progress and help you focus on the right areas.
Choose Artium Academy to Learn Guitar the Smart Way
At Artium, we understand there is no one-size-fits-all learning approach to music. Our experience shows that every learner and every musical journey is different. That’s why we have designed our online guitar classes with –
- LIVE 1:1 classes tailored to your pace and goals.
- Lessons designed and certified by Raju Singh.
- Access to our practice studio, instant feedback tools and curated learning resources.
- A globally recognised music programme (GRMP) where you will receive Ofqual-certified learning that’s on par with global music schools.
So, if you are beginning your guitar journey, our courses offer the depth and support needed to thrive.
Final Thoughts: Smart Practice Beats Hard Practice
You may spend a lot of time on the guitar as a guitarist, but that doesn’t add to quality. What matters the most is how wisely you spend those hours:
When you:
- Small, achievable goals,
- Plan your sessions,
- Add variety,
- Warm up properly,
- Track your progress, and
- Learn how to apply your skills in real-time,
You turn your practice from routine into results.
At Artium Academy, we will guide you every step of the way. Are you ready to start your first session with us?
Ready to start your musical journey with us? Book a FREE trial class today and experience the benefits of learning guitar smartly with the world’s fastest-growing online music education platform, Artium Academy.
