How to Master the Guitar - the Easy Button

Is there an easy button for mastering the guitar?

Yes!

A magic trick.

A cheat code.

What is it?

Slow Practice!

“If it's that simple, why doesn’t everyone do it?”

Because most people believe four lies about slow practice.

1. "It's Not Fun"

How fun is it to keep playing badly?

Because that’s what will happen if you never practice slowly.

At a slow tempo, you can savor the music and enjoy each detail. 

2. "I Can’t Focus"

Play a few measures at a time.

Have a clearly defined goal.

3. "Bar Chords Hurt My Hand"

Play without pressing the strings to give your left hand a break.

Alternate between playing without pressure and playing with pressure.

4. "It Won’t Help Me Play Fast"

The human brain has an amazing ability to speed up skills once we learn them well.

The important thing is learning them well in the first place.

"Ok, where do I start?"

Try half tempo.

Let accuracy and comfort be your guide.

If your playing is not accurate, go slower.

If your playing is not comfortable, go slower.

"Can I overdo practicing slowly?"

If you always play accurately and comfortably, you did too much slow practice.

Or maybe just enough.