What’s a Practice Routine That Actually Works? – 5-Minute Fix - 419
Struggling to make real progress with your guitar practice? In this 5-Minute Fix, I share a simple 3-part routine that helps you stay consistent, focused, and motivated - even if you only have 20 minutes a day.
The Question
How do I structure my practice routine so that I keep progressing instead of getting stuck?
This question came from Aaron, a listener who’s been reflecting on what helped him finally break through his old practice ruts. His answer lined up perfectly with what I teach, and it’s a simple 3-part structure:
- Warm-Up
- New Material
- Review
Let’s break it down.
1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)
The warm-up isn’t about speed. It’s about control.
- Wake up your hands, ears, and mind
- Focus on clean, relaxed movement
- Practice finger independence, picking accuracy, or short scale exercises
Try this:
Use scale sequences instead of just running scales up and down. For example:
- Go up 3 notes, then start again from the next note in the scale
- Mix in 4s, 5s, and even skip notes
- This improves coordination and keeps your brain engaged
2. New Material (10–15 minutes)
This is where growth happens — but only if you keep it focused.
- Work on something new and challenging
- Could be a lick, chord shape, riff, or part of a solo
- Keep it small and loop the hardest parts
- Don’t run the whole song every time
Focus on:
- The section that always trips you up
- Making rough parts sound good
- Building one small win at a time
3. Review (10 minutes)
This is where progress locks in.
- Revisit songs, riffs, or parts you’ve worked on in the past
- Focus on tone, feel, and musicality—not mechanics
- Run through older material to strengthen your foundation
- Rotate through past work weekly so nothing slips
This section builds confidence. You already know the material, so use it to refine your phrasing, tone, and timing.
Why This Works
This 3-part structure solves the two biggest practice problems:
- Wandering sessions with no clear focus
- Overloading your brain by working only on hard stuff
Instead, you start with connection, stretch your limits, and end with confidence.
Try It for a Week
Here’s your structure:
- Warm-Up: 5 minutes of clean, focused technique
- New Material: 10–15 minutes of targeted challenge
- Review: 10 minutes of reinforcing and refining
Do this for one week and see how you feel. This routine gives you consistency, clarity, and forward motion.
Bonus: Free Practice Space Checklist
If you want to make your practice sessions easier and more effective, grab my free Practice Space Checklist.
It’ll help you:
- Create a setup that makes practice inviting
- Avoid distractions and wasted time
- Stay consistent without frustration
Final Thoughts
This has been your first 5-Minute Fix.
If this helped you, let me know in the comments or share what your current practice routine looks like. And remember — the best practice is the one that makes you want to come back the next day.
Now go play something that moves you.
Listen to the Audio Podcast:
▶▶ FREE Practice Space Checklist - https://www.playguitaracademy.com/practice-space
PLAY GUITAR ACADEMY - Instant access to the tabs, backing tracks, and guitar pro files from all my lick videos, Monthly masterclasses, and weekly Q&A.
https://www.playguitaracademy.com
1-on-1 Guitar Lessons -
https://www.playguitaracademy.com/play-guitar-coaching
PLAY GUITAR PODCAST -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/play-guitar-podcast/id1341900209
https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxjU2Y0L8PoYiTKmCtvpt
YOUTUBE (SUBSCRIBE)-
https://www.youtube.com/@playguitaracademy
FACEBOOK -
https://www.facebook.com/PlayGuitarAcademy/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/playguitargroup/
INSTAGRAM -
https://www.instagram.com/playguitaracademy
Copyright ©2025 Play Guitar Academy
GET FREE WEEKLY GUITAR LESSONS, PODCASTS, AND MOTIVATION DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.
Your information is kept safe. It's never shared with third parties.