While there is certainly no ‘one size fits all’ practice routine, these basic principles help you develop the best one for you.

Over the years, I have come across many different approaches, but I have always favored the ‘whole body’ approach to practice. Using the analogy of our own body, you wouldn’t want to go to the gym and work on just your weakest arm or your favorite arm. You wouldn’t get it looking super buff without looking at the rest of your body at the same time, would you?

When it comes to guitar practice, you should also be aware of all the essential things you need to develop - and maintain! If you’re new to JustinGuitar and have missed my lesson on Practice Makes Permanent, make sure to check that out too!

I see the fundamental areas of guitar practice falling into six areas:

Ear Training
Knowledge
Technique
Repertoire
Improvisation
Time

Depending on your goals, the type of music you want to make, and your strengths and weaknesses, you will want to manipulate the amount of time you spend on each or potentially drop areas if they are not relevant.

In this Food for Thought, we’ll look at each area and explore adding things to boost your practice routine!

The Six Fundamental Areas of Guitar Practice

#1 Ear Training

Many guitarists often neglect Ear Training, but I think it is one of the most important and rewarding areas to study. I include all exercises that help develop the relationship between your ‘inner ear’, your musical imagination and your hand, which increases your ability to express yourself. You might start with tangible exercises like Interval Ear Training or Relative Pitch studies or move into more practical methods like Transcribing and playing a melody by ear.

#2 Knowledge

Knowledge includes theory but also the application of it. Things you should know that will help you in the real world: keys, scales, arpeggios, modes, licks, chord grips… There’s a lot of things you can put in this spot, so you need to choose wisely!

#3 Technique

Technique is the physical mechanics you use to play. It’s very common for guitar players to spend far too long here and develop incredible chops but have nothing to say, no understanding of what they’re saying, and no songs to say it in! It’s important, but it’s just part of your development, and without the other elements, you’re unlikely to feel satisfied!

#4 Repertoire

Your repertoire is really what it all boils down to - what do you want to play? The other practice areas will help you play the songs you put here! Without songs to play, you can’t really perform, express yourself or even entertain friends at a party. You have to play songs! So, pick the ones you love, work on them, and allow these songs to influence how you choose the other areas in your practice routine.

#5 Improvisation

Improvisation is important for those that want to do it! If you’re a songwriter and not interested in lead guitar, it may not be as relevant, so that you might drop it. But if you want to play Jazz or Blues solos, this needs to be a priority as this is where you will put it all together with your band or a backing track!

#6 Time

The longer I play, the more I think that time is really where the whole thing is at. All the greats have amazing time feel, solid time, and ‘in the pocket’ grooves. Solid time makes people tap their feet, nod their heads, get involved with the music.

Beginners should make their strumming patterns feel good, and Intermediate guitarists can work on their riffs, scales, licks. Advanced players should ensure that they get their septuplet subdivisions right on. When your time is good, it gets people’s attention, and I think it should get yours!

💡 Now - it’s time to take a step back and organize your guitar sessions. Are you practicing everything you need to? Let me know in the Discussion section. ;)

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