By Ben Makes Music

As a guitarist with 6-12 months of playing under your belt, you’re no longer a complete beginner—but you’re also not an expert yet. This phase is crucial for building solid foundations, breaking through plateaus, and expanding your musical toolbox. Whether you’re stuck in a rut or ready to push forward, here are five essential tips to help you improve your guitar playing.

1. Master Your Scales to Unlock the Fretboard

Many intermediate players underestimate the power of scales. Learning scales like the pentatonic, major, and minor scales will not only improve your finger dexterity but also give you the building blocks for improvisation and songwriting.

Why it matters: Scales help you understand how notes relate to each other and give you a framework for soloing. Start with the basic shapes and then connect them across the fretboard for fluid movement.

Quick Tip: Practice scales with a metronome to build speed and accuracy. Aim for clean transitions between notes, even at slower tempos.

2. Deepen Your Chord Vocabulary

By now, you’ve probably nailed down your open chords. The next step is exploring barre chords, power chords, and some advanced shapes like 7ths, sus chords, and inversions.

Why it matters: A broader chord vocabulary allows you to play more complex songs and develop a richer, more dynamic sound.

Quick Tip: Focus on mastering barre chords in all keys. While challenging at first, they’re essential for playing across the neck and transposing songs on the fly.

3. Refine Your Playing Technique

Your technique makes or breaks your sound. After a year of playing, it’s time to fine-tune your strumming, picking, and fretting techniques.

Why it matters: Good technique ensures you can play cleanly, avoid injuries, and tackle more challenging pieces with confidence.

Quick Tip: Pay attention to your posture, hand positioning, and pick grip. For lead playing, alternate picking and finger independence exercises are game-changers.

4. Start Ear Training and Learn Songs by Ear

Playing guitar isn’t just about technique—it’s also about listening. Developing your ear will help you identify chords, melodies, and rhythms more easily.

Why it matters: Ear training improves your ability to learn songs quickly, jam with other musicians, and create your own music.

Quick Tip: Start with simple songs and try to figure out the chord progressions or riffs without relying on tabs. Apps like ToneGym or online ear training exercises can help.

5. Experiment with Improvisation and Songwriting

At this stage, it’s the perfect time to experiment creatively. Start improvising solos over backing tracks or writing your own chord progressions and melodies.

Why it matters: Improvisation and songwriting build confidence, deepen your understanding of music theory, and make playing more rewarding.

Quick Tip: Use jam tracks in various keys (many are free online) to practice soloing. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re part of the process!

Final Thoughts

Improving as a guitarist takes consistent practice, patience, and a willingness to explore new techniques and concepts. By focusing on scales, expanding your chord knowledge, refining your technique, training your ear, and diving into creativity, you’ll see significant growth in your playing. Remember, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.

5 Key Tips for Guitarists: Level Up Your Skills After 6-12 Months