What are the most important things I need to practice to get better at guitar?

Question

I've practiced now for about six months straight and I've hit a plateau and can't seem to get better. It seems like my biggest problem is with my picking hand. And sometimes my fretting hand works real well but on other days I have trouble stretching the fingers far enough. I'd be grateful for any tips to speed up my progress. I currently practice between two to six hours per day.

Answer 1

Fingering. It's the most difficult. You can also squeeze a small rubber ball in your hands to gain strength in the fingers. If you really get stuck, sometimes a few lessons from a good instructor will get you over the hump. Don't get discouraged. Play on. Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm a pianist, and don't know anything about guitars, so you may read my answer and think "Shut up, stupid", but I thought I'd suggest this just in case it might help- practicing scales, maybe?? If you have a technique book, do some technique exercises. This helps my finger-flexiblity as a pianist. And it's totally natural to hit a "learning plateau"- I'm working on a Haydn concerto right now, and there have been weeks where I just think "OK, I give up- I can't do this." But, my professor tells me just to keep bulldozing through the tough parts- don't give up. It works. Also, what works for me when I hit a little slump, if I take a break from the serious pieces I'm working on and just work on something fun for a short period of time, that helps to me to kind of "re-focus". Also- I wouldn't practice for hours on end w/o taking a little break to let my hands relax. A guitar student that's in my theory class is fighting tendinitis because, over the summer, he practiced between 6 and 8 hours straight every day. Good luck and don't give up!!

Answer 3

Anything you can do to strengthen your dexterity. Even here on yahoo answers answer 20 messages a day w/o hunting and pecking. that will make your dexterity improve. Try squeezing a tennis ball. Even tapping your fingers on the table alternating fingers and patterns.
Start working out doing some free weights. Five or ten pounds. Do lots of repetitions. Improved strength and dexterity will dramatically improve you skill as a picker. Never stop playing. Never stop! If you are at a plateau you could be on the verge of a very good skill level boost. I play the keyboard. Some of the songs I play I've played for over ten years with only minor changes. Polish, polish, polish, practice practice practice! Never quit. Your hard work will pay off in the end. Never quit. Maybe you just need a good hand massage. Hang in there!

Answer 4

if you have problems stretching your fingers, it means you are too stiff. Just relax and play the guitar WITHOUT paying much attention to the fret. The accuracy is not too important as long you get the flow of the tune.
I always come up with a same sounding chord if the tab is too difficult to reach.

praticing more on a classical guitar sometimes helps too...

Answer 5

You'd better be careful of OVER-working your hands/fingers. You can cause MAJOR problems.

I'd suggest going to a few of your local guitar shops and talking freely with some of the players/teachers, there.

Don't bug them ........just ask simply and sincerely. ALSO be sure to buy all of your stuff from the guys who treat you the best !!!!

Loyalty will pay off.

Find a physical therapist to help you design some stretching and exercise routines to keep your hands/fingers strong but "loose".






Also..... try to find your OWN style ........ maybe one that doesn't stress "acrobatics" as much.


While your fingers/hands are getting more limber try to find and IMPROVE your "groove" and creativity with better tone and technique.


One step at a time ...... safely.

Answer 6

Get one of those spring loaded exercisers for your hand.