I’m getting better at guitar by narrowing my focus

In this video I talk about how the choice to focus our practice can be more rewarding, make us calmer, and help us improve faster.

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🔗 LINKS & LESSONS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

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💬 LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Have you struggled with wondering what to focus on in your guitar playing?
Maybe you're interested in so many different styles and techniques that it feels like it's hard to make progress on any of them.
I've struggled with this problem many times in my guitar playing journey.
In this video, I share my advice on when we should broaden our focus, and when we should narrow our focus.
A broad focus can help us become versatile and well rounded, and a narrow focus can help us get the most out of one style and make meaningful progress.
After a certain point, I think it's a good idea to go deep on one type of playing.
I hope you enjoy this lesson about and find it beneficial.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Thanks! :)
- Jared

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[OtRatsaphong]

Thanks for the update, Jared! I liked Part 1 and look forward to Part 2. I really like the structure of the lessons and the exercises. It helps me focus on what is needed to become fluent.

[tito.tarantula]

Great video, Jared. I'm self-taught and have been playing for approximately five years now. Years 3 and 4 were especially scattered in regards to how I was learning and my satisfaction level was at an all time low. At the beginning of 2024 I decided to concentrate on an album idea I had and therefore only work on writing my own music. It has helped immensely and given my playing a sense of purpose again.

[daynemin]

I think its a by product of the internet too. You would have your favourite CD's a while ago, maybe some books and you'd dial in on a few things not even knowing what else was out there.
It can be overwhelming not just in the arts but in all areas, just a flood of information and techniques telling you what you should know, how to do it and a bunch of conflicting ideas inside of it. The mind can conceive of trying 20 things but the body does one thing at a time.

I dialled in on the caged system exclusively for a few months, such a benefit to have a framework. Also going to dial in on one genre for music production. It's still music and a lot of the same concepts apply in any genre, rhythm, harmony and form.


I appreciate your videos because you offer your experience from experience.

[jimmym.]

Whatever the style, your Chords on Command course is THE course that helped me the most to understand what I'm doing on guitar and is the foundation to developing many other more specific skills.

[danhusband]

Really great video!… I am a self taught player (started at the beginning of the pandemic at the age of 57) and find that when I do find a topic of interest that I want to work on, within 10-15 minutes, I’m back doing the stuff that I’m already comfortable with. My primary focus is Jazz guitar but perhaps I should expose myself more to other genres … I’ve also never really had an opportunity to play with anyone else as I live in a rural area … so I get plugged in in the garage and that is my world… I need to find a teacher to help me move forward and keep me focused… I’ll be starting with your Beginners Guide!!!

[blufordbirdsong]

Great video. I’ve been playing for over 40 years, and had a similar background classical, jazz, songwriting toggling in and out of areas of focus. Jazz is also my main focus. Three things I’ve learned and sometimes relearn. 1. Gear is not the answer. If I had spent half my hours spent in guitar stores practicing instead I would be a much better player. 2. Learn tunes. exercises, theory… have their place, but you will pick up most of this by learning tunes from the masters. 3. Structured practice makes all of the difference.

[Paolo-ienh]

Thanks for those advices...
"That's me, you are talking

[jimrhondamcnett]

Apply these principles to your marriage, and you will be a happy person.😊