I’m always trying to find ways to become a better guitarist. I’m always learning different things all the time. What are ways to become a better guitar player?

Here are some simple tips:

• Practice things you don’t know – You don’t want to be practicing the same old basic chords and pentatonic scales, all the time. You want to learn more complex stuff than that. Learn as much unique chords and different scales as you possibly can. Learn scales & modes as well.
• Practice with a metronome/click track – This is important if you want to play in a band. Gotta lock in with time along with the drummer and other musicians. I’m just starting to practice with a metronome more often.
• Play musical things – Seriously, people just don’t want to hear you noodling around on your instrument. It’ll annoy them. Play musical rhythm and lead guitar as well. Being musical is what draws people to your playing.
• Learn from other guitarists – Get tips from other guitarists who are better than you or even jam with them just for fun. Learning from other guitarists is also very helpful!
• Learn music theory – I’m no music theory expert yet, but I know some here and there. When you master music theory, you’ll be able to play anything!
• Play a wide variety of music – To be a better musician you must experiment with all genres. I have done pretty much that. I experimented with blues, country, folk, some classical, and a little bit of jazz music. I even played heavy metal and progressive music. I would like to try to learn jazz more. Whenever I form myself a band, I just won’t play hard rock all the time. I’m going to be like Neil Young and switch different genres.
• Practice – A lot of musicians say they don’t practice but practicing is important. I practice on the guitar every day. Learn new chords, riffs and lead guitar solos. I’m always learning things.
• Learn to play guitar by ear – Jam along to your favorite songs. Jam along to your own recorded playing. Learning to improvise will help you get better and this is the thing I’m trying to work on, improvising. Improvising is not that hard, all you got to do is memorize the sound of the note in your head. I feel I improved a little on this as well.

That’s it, I believe. Hope it helps.

Kev