How to Practice Guitar or Bass

1. Make It a Routine

• Pick a regular time to practice (e.g. after school, before dinner).

• Short, regular sessions are better than one long practice at the weekend.

• Think of it like brushing your teeth — small daily habits add up!

⸻

2. Set Up Your Space

• Have your instrument ready to go (on a stand if possible, not packed away).

• Keep your tuner, picks, strap, and music book in one place.

• A tidy practice space makes it easier to start.

⸻

3. Warm Up First

Spend 2–3 minutes on something simple:

• Open string picking or strumming.

• Finger exercises given in lessons.

• Scales (once you’ve learned them).

This gets your hands moving and your brain focused.

⸻

4. Break Practice Into Three Parts

1. Review – Play something you already know. Builds confidence.

2. New Learning – Work on the piece or skill from your lesson. Take it slowly.

3. Fun Play – End with something you enjoy: a favourite riff, song, or even just making noise!

👉 This keeps practice balanced and enjoyable.

⸻

5. Use Small Goals

Instead of “learn the whole song,” try:

• Play the first 2 bars cleanly.

• Switch between two chords without stopping.

• Keep in time with a backing track for 30 seconds.

Small wins add up fast.

⸻

6. Practice Slowly (and Correctly)

It’s better to play something slowly and correctly than fast and messy. Speed will come naturally with time.

⸻

7. Listen to Yourself

• Use your tuner often to check notes.

• Try clapping or tapping along to keep in time.

• Record yourself occasionally — you’ll hear progress that you don’t notice day to day.

⸻

8. Stay Positive

Everyone makes mistakes — they’re part of learning. Don’t be discouraged if it feels tricky. Improvement comes little by little.

⸻

9. Parents: How to Help

• Encourage practice without nagging — make it part of the daily routine.

• Celebrate effort, not just results (“I love how you kept going, even when it was tough”).

• Ask your child to play you something short after practice — it boosts confidence.

⸻

🎸 In short: Regular, focused, and fun practice is the key. Keep sessions short, have a routine, and celebrate small steps. With steady practice, students will hear and feel their progress week by week.