No, I’m not referring to taking a break from the guitar, although that can sometimes be beneficial. I’m suggesting going deeper into the guitar by—not playing guitar!
How many times have you grabbed your guitar to learn something new, but ended up abandoning the idea when it seemed too hard? Maybe your goal wouldn’t have been so daunting, though, if you hadn’t picked up your guitar.
When you’re holding your guitar, you want to play it. And when you play it, it’s only natural to want results. But it’s unlikely you’ll get those results any time soon, because you have to be clear on what you want to play before you can play it.
When I want to work through something new, I do it over a cup of tea at the dining room table. Try it! Bring the books and websites you want to learn from, along with paper and pencil, to a desk or table in a different location than you normally practice. Make notes about what you’re studying. Draw it on a blank fretboard diagram or, if appropriate, write it on a staff.
The more challenging the new material is for you, the more you will benefit from this approach. Chord substitutions? Inversions? Even learning and choosing chords, scales, and arpeggios will go more smoothly if you’ve taken the time to mentally understand and rehearse them before you pick up your guitar.
When you practice this way, you will probably notice that you feel less tension and more curiosity and commitment than when you practice in your usual way. Let me know your results!
