In this lesson
- 1. Practising without a goal
- 2. Playing faster than you can control
- 3. Leaving rhythm out of practice
- 4. Learning too many chord shapes at once
- 5. Rushing the change between chords
- 6. Pressing harder than necessary
- 7. Starting with the guitar out of tune
- 8. Skipping a difficult musical passage
- 9. Expecting every session to feel better
- 10. Practising exercises without playing music
An unclear chord or a missed beat gives you something specific to work on. These ten practice problems are useful to check when learning guitar. Choose the one that matches what you hear or feel instead of trying to fix everything in one session.
1. Practising without a goal
Exploring the guitar can be fun. If you want to work on a particular skill, give part of the session a clear task, such as changing between two familiar chords in time.
For a plan to adapt, try the beginner practice routine. A short session can be useful; its length is not a guarantee of progress.
2. Playing faster than you can control
If a riff or chord change falls apart, slow it down until you can place the notes and hear them clearly. Increase the tempo when the passage stays controlled, and reduce it again if the timing slips.
The online metronome gives you a steady reference. You can also work on the movement without clicks before putting it back into rhythm.
3. Leaving rhythm out of practice
Chord shapes and notes need a place in the beat. Count aloud and try a simple rhythm on one chord before adding changes.
Our beginner strumming patterns give you patterns to try slowly.
4. Learning too many chord shapes at once
Choose a small set that you can use in a song or progression. Check the intended strings in each shape, then practise moving between two of them.
The first-chord lesson suggests a starting set. If the symbols are unfamiliar, read how chord diagrams work first.
5. Rushing the change between chords
Knowing two shapes separately does not mean the movement between them is ready for the song’s tempo. Isolate that change and give your fingers time to move.
You can count clean changes to compare attempts, but check the sound before chasing a higher number. The smooth chord-change lesson explains a longer exercise.
6. Pressing harder than necessary
Place the finger close behind the fret wire and use enough pressure to make the note clear. If it buzzes, check its position and whether another finger touches the string before squeezing harder.
Pause when you notice unnecessary tension in your hand, wrist or shoulder. Take breaks and stop if playing causes pain. If pain or other symptoms keep returning, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
7. Starting with the guitar out of tune
Check the intended tuning before practising. Correct fingering can still sound wrong on an out-of-tune instrument.
Read how to tune a guitar or use the online tuner. If the tuning repeatedly drifts, note when it happens and read about tuning instability. Persistent problems may need a technician’s assessment; they do not identify one adjustment by themselves.
8. Skipping a difficult musical passage
Choose one awkward chord change, strumming pattern or bar of a riff. Give it a short attempt at a manageable pace, check the result and return it to the music.
A difficult musical task is different from a movement that hurts. Do not push through pain to finish an exercise.
9. Expecting every session to feel better
The same chord may feel easier one day and awkward the next. Compare notes or short recordings across several sessions. Listen for a particular change, such as clearer notes or a steadier rhythm.
If the problem is unchanged, try a smaller section or ask a teacher for feedback instead of simply repeating it for longer.
10. Practising exercises without playing music
Use the skills in something you enjoy. That can be a two-chord accompaniment, a melody from tab or a rhythm pattern on one chord.
Our easy chord progressions offer a place to combine familiar shapes. If your next session needs more structure, start with the practice routine.