If you’re learning guitar using free guitar courses, you’re heading your way to making music an essential part of your life. However, it’s not enough to learn the theories of playing guitar. Consistent and regular practice can help you stay focused and gradually build your skills to play the songs you love.
This guide will show you how to create your own guitar practice schedule that works well with free resources. These tips can make you progress to the next level and turn your hobby into something you’d want to do for life.
1. Set a Practice Duration
Consistency is the most important part of a guitar practice routine, especially when it’s paired with a free guitar course. How long you practice doesn’t matter—it just needs to be regular. Instead of cramming everything once or twice a week, set a few minutes aside in the day to practice what you learned.
For beginners, start with 15 minutes of practice a day for five days a week. For intermediate players, try practicing for 20 minutes or doing a half-hour practice daily. For advanced players, practice up to an hour with a more detailed plan. Short sessions can lead to bigger and better learning over time.
2. Break Down the Practice Schedule
An effective guitar practice schedule is broken down into various components. Free guitar courses often teach guitar students how to do it, but you can do it your way to suit your personal time and needs.
Include these elements in the guitar practice schedule:
- Warm-up exercises for loosening up your fingers and hands.
- Techniques like alternate picking, hammer-ons, and chord changes.
- Minor scales, basic music theory, and pentatonic shapes.
- Apply your learning by playing songs or riffs. Make this song practice a habit.
- Jam freely or use backing tracks to support your playing.
- Play a fun and easy song to end the guitar practice.
Start with short sessions to build strength and endurance.
3. Make a Sample Guitar Practice Routine
You can write this routine on paper or print it out. Adjust the timing depending on your personal schedule and skill levels. Try this sample practice time for your next practice:
20-Minute Beginner Routine
- Two minutes: Finger warm-up using simple chromatic exercises.
- Five minutes: Use beginner-friendly versions of open chords to practice chord changes.
- Five minutes: Basic strumming and rhythm patterns.
- Five minutes: Learn a little of a song indicated in your course.
- Three minutes: Play any of your favorite parts in a particular song.
30-Minute Intermediate Routine
- Five minutes: Finger warm-up and alternate picking.
- Five minutes: Practice minor scales and hammer-ons.
- Ten minutes: Learn or polish full songs.
- Five minutes: Improvisation through backing tracks.
- Five minutes: Review areas that need improvement.
Log everything you do in your notebook or app to create a detailed schedule for your next practice sessions. You can tweak your routine however you like to switch things up a little bit.
4. Use Free Guitar Course Features to Your Advantage
Free guitar courses often have great tools that improve your guitar playing. Look for courses with structured lessons, diagrams, and video explanations for beginners, as well as backing tracks for rhythm and soloing practice.
5. Stay Motivated and Have Fun
You’ll be bored or discouraged if you don’t mix things up in your practice routine. Keep yourself engaged when you play guitar by:
- Adding a new riff or song every week.
- Rotate various music genres when playing. You can play folk for this week and pop on the next.
- Try playing songs in different keys with a capo.
- Play with other guitar players to practice being in harmony with them.
Enjoy the learning process, and stop worrying if it’s perfect or not. All guitar players started somewhere. Constant practice improves your skills.
Why Create a Guitar Practice Routine
Your practice routine is about consistency, intention, and focus. Here’s why it matters:
- Builds muscle memory: Your fingers move naturally and efficiently when you keep repeating chords and scales.
- Keeps sessions focused: Your routine can make each practice session focused since you have a clear goal instead of playing aimlessly.
- Improves time management: You know what to do in your practice sessions. You don’t have to spend more time deciding on what to play.
- Increases motivation: Your steady progress can keep you excited to pick up your guitar and practice techniques and songs.
- Maximizes learning: Organized practice will help you learn better and apply your learning more effectively.
- Tracks progress: When you have a routine, you can see what you need to improve and how far you’ve come.
Parting Thoughts
Having your own guitar practice routine is a smart way to start your guitar journey. Structure and commitment are the backbone of your practice schedule, and make sure the one you’re making suits your own schedule and learning style.
Your practice time will help you grow into a full-fledged guitarist. Every guitar player started as a beginner, so enjoy the ride and make every practice session count.