Why You Shouldn’t Play Music That’s Too Hard

Picture this.

You hear a piece of music that sounds amazing.

You just can’t wait to play it.

So you start learning it.

But you quickly realize it’s much harder than anything you’ve ever played.

You keep working on it for days or weeks but make little progress.

The joy you had initially turns to frustration and disappointment.

I’ve been there. I get it.

Eventually, you may regret playing music that's too hard for your current level.

Why? Three reasons:

1. Confused Music Reading

Progress in music reading happens best when you understand within a few seconds or minutes how the notes and rhythms translate to the guitar.

If the piece is so difficult that learning a single measure takes you an hour, you will make little progress in improving your music reading.

2. Stalled Technical Progress.

Improving your technique happens best when you take on one or two new challenges.

If the piece involves multiple challenges that are drastically different from what you have done before, it is unlikely that you will improve your technique.

3. Frustrated Musical Expression

When we play guitar, we want to express our emotions through music.

If it's a constant uphill battle to decipher the notes and rhythms and manage the technical challenges, there's little likelihood we will find joy in expressing ourselves through music.

Are you going to attempt incredibly difficult music sometimes? Probably. I know I have.

But if most of your practice is devoted to music that is the next step in difficulty instead of a giant leap, you'll make faster progress.

You'll also enjoy playing more.

And that will make you want to keep making music!

When you sit down with the guitar each day, I encourage you to start your practice session with a simple Warmup Routine.

If you would like to get my Warmup Routine for free while joining more than 800 people who receive my free Saturday Classical Guitarist newsletter, click here.