How to always play the right note

Consistency is hard.

I was talking about this with one of my guitar students recently.

You can play the right note one time and miss it the next time.

Play the right chord, then the wrong chord.

Strum the right strings, then the wrong strings.

How do you play the right note every time?

These 4 tips will help:

1. Play slowly

If you frequently play wrong notes, slow down. If you’re still playing wrong notes, slow down even more. Keep slowing down until you find a tempo where you can play accurately.

2. Play small sections

Playing a whole song without missing a note is not an easy task for a beginner. Think of it like lifting 100 pounds in the gym. If you never lift weights, lifting 100 pounds might be difficult or impossible for you. If that’s the case, start with smaller weights first and build strength over time.

For guitar beginners, playing a whole song correctly may feel like lifting 100 pounds. So start with playing 2 measures right. Then play 4 measures right. Build up slowly toward playing the whole song correctly.

3. Play with a metronome

Many beginners think a metronome is only for advanced guitarists. Actually, the metronome is great for beginners for two reasons.

The first reason is to be aware of a steady tempo.

But a less obvious reason is to find the tempo at which you can play the right notes.

When you slow down as I suggested earlier, you may accidentally speed up again. Then you wonder why you make more mistakes. You don’t realize that you doubled your speed. Using the metronome can help you play at a controlled tempo. Once you’re playing well, you can gradually increase tempo with the metronome.

4. Play 4 times in a row correctly

If you can play something 4 times in a row correctly, that increases your confidence.

But how do you keep track of whether you’ve played 4 times in a row correctly?

Use physical objects.

I used to suggest pennies, but the US government discontinued pennies. So I would say to use any 4 physical objects. It could be 4 guitar picks, 4 paper clips, 4 Star Wars action figures. I don’t care.

What’s important is HOW you use the objects.

Put all 4 objects to your left on a table or music stand.

Play 2 measures of music.

When you play those 2 measures correctly, move 1 object to the right.

If you play correctly again, move another object to the right.

If you play correctly a 3^rd time, move a 3rd object to the right.

If you then make a mistake, move all objects back to the left and start over.

Do this until all 4 objects have moved to the right.

If you regularly use these approaches, your guitar playing will get better!

I realize “always playing the right note” is a high standard.

Focus on progress, not perfection.

If you’re playing better today than yesterday, that’s a good thing!

If you keep that trend going, your enjoyment of guitar playing will continue to grow.

Keep making music!