Hey—welcome back!
I’ve been away for a bit, but I’m starting something new: a regular blog. No promises on weekly or monthly posts… just consistent.
This past few weeks, something’s been on my mind:
Why are there more guitar lessons than ever… but guitarists often don’t improve?
Let’s consider that statement for a moment.
Available to us immediately, are:
- Endless purchasable and downloadable courses
- Thousands of teachers
- Infinite free lessons on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Songster, etc…
And yet… so many guitar players feel stuck.
So what’s actually going on?
1. The real problem: too much choice
This is classic option paralysis.
When students begin lessons with me, they often fall into one of two camps:
A) “I’ve consumed loads—I know quite a bit already.”
B) “I’ve consumed loads—and I’m completely lost.”
It’s the same input. But, totally different outcomes.
2. The illusion of knowledge
The internet makes it feel like we’re learning.
But watching a YouTube video and memorising the chords and/or notes isn’t really learning.
In the same way, understanding a concept isn’t really mastery.
You can know about scales, theory, technique, even licks…
…and still not be able to play.
Because real progress comes from one thing:
Thoughtful repetition.
There’s a quote—often attributed to Bruce Lee:
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
That’s the way. Plain and simple.
3. Why most players don’t improve
It’s not because of a lack of effort.
It’s scattered effort.
- Too many courses
- Too much possibility
- Too many directions
Every new product looks like the thing that will unlock our playing.
So we buy it.
Start it.
Then move on to the next thing when the going gets tough.
That’s not practice—that’s collecting intentions.
4. The attention problem
As Herbert A. Simon put it:
“A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.”
That’s exactly where guitarists are today.
We don’t lack information.
We lack focus.
Even Tim Ferriss talks about this idea—
not limiting information, but actually using what you learn before chasing more.
5. The uncomfortable truth
Most players don’t have a practice problem.
They have a direction problem.
Before you:
- buy another course
- watch another lesson
- even pick up your guitar
You need to answer this question:
What do I actually want from my practise?
Not vaguely.
Specifically.
- What do you want to play?
- How good do you want to be?
- How much time can you realistically commit, and is it enough?
Because if you don’t decide that…
Something, or someone else will decide for you.
The algorithm.
The next course that scratches the itch.
The next trending technique.
6. The real starting point
Before technique…
Before theory…
Before anything else is considered…
Clarity of our goal – our intention – is essential.
Because without it:
Practice isn’t just ineffective—
it’s directionless.
It’s time to decide
Let me ask you:
What’s ONE thing you actually want to be able to play on guitar right now?
Not ten things.
Just one, single thing.
Once you have decided, the rest is straight forward:
- Practise it consistently
- Ignore distractions
- Repeat it until it sticks
What are you going to practise next? Drop your reply in the comments.
