Guitar Reboot: How Revisiting the Basics Can Transform Your Playing

Imagine you're observing a guitar lesson and this is what you hear:

“Pluck the third string.”

“Not like that!”

“Take your hand away from the guitar.”

“Scratch your knee, keeping the fingertip in contact with the surface of your leg the whole time.”  

“That’s how your index finger should move.”

“Now pluck the third string.”

“No, not like that!” 

“Take your hand away from the guitar…”

The person speaking was renowned guitar professor Adam Holzman.

The person who could not seem to move his index finger correctly was me.

I was a freshman in college at the time. I had played classical guitar since I was 12 years old.

I had studied with good guitar teachers during high school and had played in master classes for artists such as David Russell and Pepe Romero.

My repertoire included pieces like Asturias and Capricho Árabe. I had won a youth guitar competition.

But in my first semester in college, Adam made me rebuild my technique from the ground up.

I spent weeks working on single-finger movements.

It was frustrating. Demoralizing.

I began to question my choice of music as a major.

When I was finally permitted to do simple arpeggios, it felt like an accomplishment.

Through my freshman and sophomore years, Adam guided me in retracing steps I had taken previously.

It was not until my junior year in college that I was allowed to play the level of pieces I had played in high school.

It was painful at the time, but as I look back, I see the value of the process.

If you feel stuck in your playing, revisiting the basics can give you three benefits:

1. Create New Habits

It’s hard to change gradually without lapsing into the old way of doing things.

Taking time to reexamine your technique allows you to strengthen your foundation and develop secure habits.

2. Understand Why 

By studying every small movement intently, you learn why certain types of muscle and joint movements are more effective than others.

You also understand interpretive decisions more deeply.

Determining a reason for every movement and expressive choice becomes hugely helpful in continued musical development.

3. Avoid Overconfidence

Revisiting basics reminds you of how much there is to learn.

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

I came into college thinking I knew a lot; I graduated from college knowing how much I still needed to learn.

Have you revisited the basics of guitar playing?

If you’re in the middle of doing this right now, be patient.

While the process may be uncomfortable, the stronger foundation you build will allow you to rise to greater heights of achievement.

Keep making music!

One way to revisit the basics is by starting each practice session with a simple Warmup Routine.

If you want a free PDF of my Warmup, click here.