Practice & tips

Everyone · 3 min read

Stuck? How to get past a plateau

Every player hits a wall. Here's what to do when progress stalls.

Plateaus are normal

Progress on the guitar isn't a smooth line. It's a staircase: long flat stretches, then a sudden step up. The flat stretch is where the work is consolidating, and quitting during one is the most common reason people stop playing.

Change one variable

When things feel stuck, change something rather than doing more of the same.

  • Learn a piece in a completely different style for a fortnight.
  • Go back to a piece from a year ago and notice how easy it now feels.
  • Record yourself — it's the fastest way to hear what actually needs work.
  • Play with someone else, even for ten minutes.

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