learning. You may think you’re doing fine,
but all players can improve with some
thought about what they’re doing. Here
are 20 practical and conceptual tips to
help you play better.
Of course, “better” is subjective. Is Yngwie
Malmsteen a “better” player than Neil
Young? It depends on your taste. But rest
assured that both Malmsteen and Young
themselves have followed some of these
tips….
It’s obvious. No two people play guitar
the same, and for all the woodshedding
you do on your own, you’ll learn more by
playing with others. They might have new
ways of voicing chords, a unique rhythm
style, or simply turn you on to new
influences. Playing dual-lead guitar,
honing your rhythm while someone else
plays lead (or vice versa) or swapping
licks. A guitarist’s best friend is another
guitarist.
2. Buy a Tuition Book
Print may seem old fashioned in 2013,
but good guitar books can be a real boost
to your playing. Whether it’s chords,
scales, theory or all three – read more,
and you will learn more.
3. Learn Your Favorite Songs Note-for-
Note
Yes, it’s a tough ask. But if you want to
play like your heroes, try and learn exactly
what they do. It will help you appreciate
the art and skill of playing guitar lihke a
legend.
4. Get One-to-One Pro Lessons
Lessons are not just for beginners. Every
player has quirks (some bad) and a good
pro teacher may help iron them out.
You’re never too old to learn from a
professional teacher. You have nothing to
lose, other than learning more.
5. Record Yourself
In your head, you may think you’re
playing great. Record your practices (solo
or band) and you may hear differently. It’s
a simple way of hearing what others are
hearing. It could bue sometimes painful,
but will help you identify where you need
to get better.
6. Use Technology
Guitarists often get obsessed by physical
wood and wire and amps. They may make
you sound better, but won’t always help
you play better. From impromptu
recording to chord apps to amp/FX
emulation software, there’s a host of tech
that can help you. Try the Gibson app for
starters.
7. Play Slower
Sure, you may want to be fastest
guitarslinger in town. But when you slow
down your playing, you’ll learn more
about your own phrasing and rhythm.
8. Use A Metronom
This will also help you with tempo. Even
quirky rhythm, before or ahead of the beat
– see Keith Richards – relies on knowing
where the beat lies. Solo practice with a
metronome will help you.
9. Buy an FX Pedal
Some great music happens simply
because of an FX pedal. See U2’s The
Edge. “I don’t think of playing through
effects,” Edge ponders, “I play the effects.”
Keith Richards says The Rolling Stones’
“Satisfaction” wouldn’t have worked
without his Gibson Maestro fuzztone.
Color your sound, and new worlds can
open up.
10. Take Care of Your Guitar
We’ve all let our guitars “be” for months.
Get a pro set-up, tinker with action, keep
it clean… Even a simple change of strings
can help you play slinkier.
11. Change Your Strings
Try different gauge strings. As you know,
guitarists can be creatures of habit. But
heavier strings can help both your tone
and fingering strength, while lighter
strings may suit bigger bends.
Experiment! Billy F Gibbons has the
thickest tone but his top E is only a .007.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s top E was a .013.
Changing string gauge may just bring out
your best inner-self.
12. Try a Capo
Who defaults to playing songs in the
same key with usual-suspect chords? I
know I sometimes do. But buy a capo and
you can be in another world. Capos are
cheap, you don’t have to retune, and you
can suddenly be playing your usual
progressions in E-flat or A#. It will help
you learn more about your playing and
harmonic possibilities.
13. “Build” Your Songs and Solos
In a band and got your slot to wail? Think
about it. Shredding scales is all well and
good but the best songs and solos have
structure, tempo changes and memorable
licks. It may be a cliché, but listen to
Jimmy Page’s solo in Led Zeppelin’s
“Stairway to Heaven” – now that’s how
you build-up to a solo. It may be your
time to shine, but don’t just gush
everywhere – think about structure and let
your solos build and breathe.
14. Swap Instruments
It could be hard, but try playing a
different instrument once in a while.
Guitarists playing bass will soon learn
more about groove. Play a piano and
you’ll find yourself thinking more about
notes and scales outside of your 6-string
comfort zone.
15. Play Outside of Your Comfort Zone
You may love only one style of music. And
that’s fine. But try playing some other
styles. Funk maestro Carlos Alomar went
through hell on David Bowie’s Scary
Monsters (and Super Creeps) album, being
asked to play more “grinding” guitar
alongside Robert Fripp. “It was very
interesting,” says Alomar. “I learned a lot
and when I came back to my more natural
style, I felt really fresh about it.”
16. Don’t Just “Jam” Endlessly
Everyone just likes a random jam – ask
the Grateful Dead. But when in band
practice, stick to a regime. It’s too easy
to go, “let’s play some blues in A.” Play
songs. Focus on the songs.
17. Write a Song
You don’t need to be the new Bob Dylan
of lyrics to write a song. Writing a song
with your own lyrics and vocal melody will
help you learn how your guitar fits into
songs. Phrasing, space, when to play
rhythm, when to think about any solo (see
13), chord changes etc. You don’t have to
share it. But do it for yourself. It will help
you understand songs much better.
18. Book a gig
Think about your school exams. There’s
nothing better than focussing a mind than
a looming deadline. Book a gig, even if
it’s just an open-mic night. You’ll be
amazed how much drive you have to play
better.
19. Bin Your Pick
It could be scary if you always use a pick.
But listen to the likes of Jeff Beck and
Mark Knopfler – unique players who play
their electric guitars just with fingers. It’s
a good exercise to see if your fingers
actually work better than picks. There can
be wonderful delicacy in just using your
fingers…
20. Go Zen
Philip Toshio Sudo’s Zen Guitar series of
books are cult classics. Example quotes?
“The Zen guitarist must choose an image
to focus on, rather than focus on the
audience.” And, “The most interesting and
honest story is that of your own
experience. Tell that story with your
guitar.” No theory, no exercises, no
chords. Just Zen. It may suit you.
That’s just 20 tips for all types of
guitarists. Take what you will. And please,
add your own tips in the comments below.
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