Some Guitar Tips

This is something that is incredibly obvious, yet I had not realized despite playing for years. The standard tuning of a guitar is E a d g b e. Both outer strings are the note E, this means that a guitar is literally built around E. By learning the major and minor scale of E you will be able to play along to 90% of music.

The volume knob on your guitar is more for tone, not actual volume control. Honestly, just keep it at 10 unless you're writing a piece that uses different tones quickly.

Focus on technique.

Take your time building strength in the pinky finger, and utilize it.

Keep your guitar nearby so you can pick it up and put it down with ease.

Pick one key and play in that for a week, or a month. This will lock your brain into the spacing between each note, and the relationships they have with different voicings of chords.

A lot can be learned through listening. Listen for the similarities across your favorite bands and songs. Try to form an understanding of the melodies that comprise them, and what you like about them. For example, I always love a melody that has a part go up a semitone.

Play guitar while you're supposed to be doing things that are important.

Take your guitar to school, or parties.

Keep your amp on when you're not playing so you can pick right back up where you started.

Guitar picks are a scam, you can use coins or water bottle caps.

Learn to play without looking. When I play guitar I'm thinking about the melody I wanna hear, not where my fingers are supposed to be or if I'm doing it right. Try playing in the dark or with your eyes closed.

It's all about muscle memory. Practice, practice, practice. Pick up your guitar and mess around, when you've run out of ideas practice a scale, when you're tired of practicing the scale write with it, when you're tired of the scale go to another one.