New Year's Resolutions for Advancing Guitarists

 This is the perfect time to make a resolution to be a better player in 2025! 
Here are 25 great ideas to help you accomplish that goal. 

You may have already read these but it's a great refresher & we add a new one each New Year. 

Print them and post on your fridge, or in your office, studio or practice area and refer to it often.
 

1. Make a commitment to improve this year!     Sign up for a course like our JGI, Jazz Guitar Improv course and make a commit to get er done!  You will definitely see big improvements. Get it at https://jazzguitarimprov.com/
    
2. Don’t waste all your time searching for instructional videos  Many players confuse watching videos with actual practice time.
    
3. Find the right material for what you want to learn.  If you want to be a jazz player learning blues and rock licks won’t help you reach that goal.  And no one ever progressed by playing the same old licks and songs every day for years, even decades.  Stay focused on the path to be the player you want to be. 
    
4.  Track your practice The quickest way to advance is to be very methodical about your practice.  A good way to do this is to log your practice daily and plan for the next practice so you’re ready to proceed with your plan when you sit down tomorrow.   You’ll avoid distractions and stay focused with this method. Here is a planner that Rich uses.  You can make changes to suit your needs.   https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/programs/guitar-college-library-resourses-97c77f
    
5. Get involved with other GC students  Join my Live Stream Chat Thursdays at 11am PST on my Youtube channel.  I play a few tunes, answer your questions and welcome your discussions posted during the broadcast. Join in, say Hi, tell me your name and where you’re from! If you miss it, you can still watch the entire stream on Youtube channel www.YouTube.com/GuitarCollege4u.
    
6. Get Band In A Box. This valuable computer program is an excellent tool that makes learning fun.  Develop song tracks to practice melody, chord comping and improv. Loop problem areas, slow down the speed change styles, change keys, it’s like have your own band to give you that real playing experience.  Get it at https://www.guitarcollege.net/BIABPRODVD.html
    
7. Practice more.  Winter is here, the days are short and the nights are long.  Now is the perfect time of the year to get away from the TV and spend some extra time improving your playing.   
    
8.  Take lessons or classes.  Lessons and classes make you accountable to practice and motivated to improve.  It’s always good to have a qualified teacher watch and hear you play and trouble shoot your playing.  Try to have a regular lesson schedule. For more information about Rich’s new Zoom group lessons go to  https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/join
    
9. Play for someone. When you learn a new song or lick, play it for your family or friends.  They’re usually your biggest fans and enjoy hearing you play. They’ll typically offer encouragement to boost your confidence.
    
10.  Attend a workshop or conference  Our workshop alumni come back over and over again.  Not only is it a fun and affordable vacation but it keeps them motivated to improve.  Sharing ideas and insights with other students is also very helpful.   We hold an annual jazz  workshop in Yosemite people come from all around the world to this natural wonder https://guitarcollege.com/yosemite
     
11. Get a gig--Even if it’s for free, start somewhere!  You can find open mic nights or jams sessions at local coffee houses, restaurants, book stores, bars, or libraries.   Consider doing special music at your church or entertaining at a hospital, senior home or a school.   If you prefer to perform with others, often your community center or local college will have a band you can join.
     
12. Get a music buddy, group or band--Playing alone all the time can get lonely and boring at times. Playing with others makes is more fun and you’re accountable to someone else.  Start a guitar club at your church or in your community.  Skype or Zoom with musician friends if you can’t get together in person now. Join our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/GuitarCollegeLibrary
     
13. Practice something new.  Learn something that you’ve always wanted to learn.  Most players practice the same old licks, solos and songs for years and wonder why they haven’t improved.   Find some learning material compatible with both your musical taste and skill level at https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/
     
14. Stick to something long enough to see if it will help you.  If it’s a daily routine it takes about 21 days to form a habit. If it’s a weekly activity about 3 months.  Whatever it is, after that time you will see if it makes a difference in your playing and if you enjoy it.  Chances are good if you don’t like doing it you won’t stick to it so be creative and find something you like to do to improve your playing. 
     
15. Teach, share what you know--There is no better way to learn than to teach.  Share your knowledge with others and it will motivate you to learn more, just stay one step ahead your students.  You can even make some extra cash or be a positive, constructive influence in someone else’s life.
     
16. Buy a new guitar -- Nothing makes you more motivated to play than a new guitar.  Maybe you can sell some of the old guitars collecting dust in the closet and buy a new one.  Be sure it is set up properly so it’s easy to play.  Rich sells archtop guitars, new and used, check them out at  https://guitarcollege.com/forsale.  Each one is specially selected and set up by him.  He also includes a one year subscription to his guitar College Library, a $299 value.
     
17.  Buy a new amp. If you’re still not getting that jazz tone your looking for maybe it’s your amp.  Henriksen Amps will ship direct to you. Use coupon code GUITARCOLLEGE when you order from www.HenriksenAmplifiers.com to receive 5% off any amplifier with gig bag, shipping and sales tax included with 30 day return policy. You can call me if you are interested in a Quilter.
     
18. Go see a live performance—Our Central Coast Guitar Festival would be the perfect place to see 20+ jazz guitarist perform and instruct!   Get your tickets at https://jazzguitarfest.com/  Seeing someone playing in person in a style you like is very stimulating.  Sit up close and take it all in.  You can also watch many live performances online.  Watch some of Rich’s Youtube live performance videos at https://youtu.be/HKjvvzmhb1I.
     
19. Record yourself-- Recording yourself is like looking in the mirror, the recorder doesn’t lie.  You will hear exactly where you need to improve. Beware, it can also be discouraging at first so guard your ego and attitude.  Recording yourself is also a great way to chart your progress, go back and listen to earlier recordings and hear how far you’ve come. 
     
20. Listen to lots of different players--When you want to learn a new song, do some research and listen to how your favorite players interpret it to inspire your creative ideas
     
21. Practice daily-- Pick up your guitar and play some scales and exercises daily.  Even while you watch TV play your guitar, you can maintain finger memory and improve your skill.   Find 10 ways to practice more efficiently http://www.guitarcollege.net/20minutes.html
     
22. Take a music class—You can find classes in your area at local music stores, colleges, adult education, or you can go online if necessary.  Learn more about music.  It can be a guitar, theory, piano, music ensemble, jazz, music appreciation or whatever else is available. It’s also a great way to meet other local musicians. Rich has started a new online Zoom class you can enroll in at https://guitarcollege.com/liveclasses
     
23. Subscribe to a music magazine—There are so many music magazines you can find one that suits your musical tastes.  It’s inspiring to read about musicians, learn a new lick or song and see all the new gear.  Many magazines even offer free online editions, check their websites for details.
     
24. Attend a guitar show.  Guitar shows are held are yearlong all around the country.  This is a great opportunity to see and hear all the different new and used guitars you might be interested in.  Often you can bring your old guitars and gear and sell them or trade them in.  Our favorite shows are the 4 Amigos Guitar Shows www.texasguitarshows.com
     
25. Host a monthly jam session at your home, a local community room, bar, coffee house, etc.   Invite local guitar and bass players that you know or have met when you hear them playing around town. Have it on an off night, like Tuesday, which is usually a free night for most musicians. For the price of some refreshments you can jam with some of the best players in town.

You know best what motivates you so choose an idea or two or ten and make the New Year one to make strides in your playing.

Contact us at
Rich@guitarcollege.com
Ph. 805-460-6370