I’m teaching myself, so I’d love to know what people think here. Maybe I can avoid some common pitfalls 
Some beginners spend too much time looking up ways to get better online, instead of actually just playing their guitar to get better.
Ira said:
Some beginners spend too much time looking up ways to get better online, instead of actually just playing their guitar to get better.
Good point lol
Ira said:
Some beginners spend too much time looking up ways to get better online, instead of actually just playing their guitar to get better.
That’s solid advice. But for folks like me, it’s nice to have a plan in place when you can’t practice because your calluses need to build up. Having something to look forward to practicing helps too.
Honestly, it’s all about drive. If you really want to get better, you have to put in the hours, with goals and guidance. You’ve gotta want it and enjoy the journey of getting better each time.
Kim said:
Honestly, it’s all about drive. If you really want to get better, you have to put in the hours, with goals and guidance. You’ve gotta want it and enjoy the journey of getting better each time.
I’ve been putting in a couple of hours almost every day for the past two months. I feel like this is a skill I’m ready to keep working on for as long as it takes! It’s always been a dream to play guitar well, so I think I’m on the right track
@Fraser
Nice! Just keep working on some core skills like:
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Dynamics: Try playing from super soft to super loud. Good musicians use this to create contrast.
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Articulation: Think about how you attack a note, whether it’s long or short.
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Rhythm: Practice with a metronome, change up tempos, and try to stay locked in.
Also, pay attention to how your fingers and hands are working—are you lifting fingers too far off the fretboard? How’s your picking? Efficiency in technique helps a ton.
If you want to go deeper, try playing parts written for other instruments, like trumpet solos or piano chords. You’ll find some unusual fingerings that really stretch your skills. Good luck!
Playing the same stuff they already know instead of challenging themselves to learn new things. Staying in the comfort zone can hold you back.
They decide it’s impossible and think they’ll never get better. They blame it on their hands being the wrong shape or size or convince themselves they’ll never understand it. This often happens without even giving consistent practice a real chance.
Playing guitar isn’t for everyone, and maybe those people wouldn’t enjoy it anyway. But giving up right away stops a lot of people from progressing.
The big mistake here is setting unrealistic expectations. They think they’ll be amazing right away and don’t realize it takes time and effort to improve.
@Paz
I was a bit guilty of that mindset at first. But I knew being good would take years, and I’d have to stick with it and be patient.
I already had some experience with ukulele, but when I started guitar, I thought, “There’s no way my small hands can handle this.”
But I kept at it, and now I can do way more than I ever expected. I can even play some barre chords without feeling like I have to crush the guitar, haha.
Learning to strum properly is key.
Strumming is a steady back-and-forth motion. It’s similar to alternate picking. Many beginners get stuck with ‘strumming patterns’ where they finish one chord, pause, switch chords, and repeat.
A good practice is to move smoothly between two chords, like C to D, and let the last strum be open strings while you shift to the next chord.
Using YouTube as your only resource can be limiting. If you can, invest in a membership on a reliable learning site.
I used guitartricks.com, which was solid. Justin Guitar is another one that’s popular.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider real lessons. For me, teaching myself was like hacking through a jungle, but once I got a teacher, it was like finding a clear path. Lessons helped me progress way faster.
You still need to put in the effort, but professional lessons have been the best investment I’ve made.
Relying too much on tabs instead of trying to figure out songs by ear. Guilty of this myself…
Quitting too soon is probably the biggest mistake for beginners.
Learning the minor pentatonic scale first.
And just by shapes.
Spending time learning complex solos or songs can feel like a waste early on. Guitar is best learned step-by-step, starting with basics and moving up slowly.
Farrell said:
Spending time learning complex solos or songs can feel like a waste early on. Guitar is best learned step-by-step, starting with basics and moving up slowly.
But is it really a waste if I’m learning and making progress with songs or riffs that I enjoy?