Learning the electric guitar is such an exciting journey, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out or working through that intermediate stage. 

At the Angeles Academy of Music here in Los Angeles, we’ve had the privilege of working with tons of beginner and intermediate players, helping them tackle the hurdles that come with learning guitar. Over the years, we’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to building skills and confidence on the electric guitar.

In this article, we’re sharing our top fifteen tips that we know from experience can really make a difference, from using a metronome to practicing chords and riffs. 

These are practical, real-world strategies that will help you get more out of every practice session, whether you’re learning to nail that first song, working on your speed, or just wanting to get more comfortable with your instrument.

However, before diving into the article, we’d just like to clarify one thing we can’t teach, which is passion! If you whole-heartedly want to learn the instrument, you will find ways. 

How Should I Practice Electric Guitar? (Guitar Tips for Beginners)

To practice electric guitar effectively, start with a warm-up using simple scales or finger exercises to get comfortable. Focus on timing by using a metronome, and practice slowly to build accuracy. 

Work on a mix of skills—chord transitions, scales, and songs you enjoy—to keep things interesting. Break difficult parts into small sections and repeat them until they’re smooth. Record yourself occasionally to spot areas for improvement, and aim for consistent, shorter sessions daily for steady progress over time.

The best guitarists are often always fiddling with their guitars and use them almost like an extension of their bodies. You’d never see them without their guitar. Of course, we don’t suggest unhealthy obsessions, but it is important to love your instrument. 

Now, let’s dive into the technical aspects and discuss it all in more detail. 

Electric Guitar Practicing Tips | Best Tips for Electric Guitar Players

Tip #1: Always Use a Metronome

Using a metronome can feel a little boring at first, but it’s seriously one of the best ways to improve your guitar timing and rhythm. It keeps you in sync with a steady beat, which is essential for developing accuracy. 

Start out slow, really focusing on hitting each note in time—that way, you’re building a solid foundation. As you get more comfortable, bump up the speed little by little. You’ll notice a big difference in how smooth and controlled your playing becomes.

Metronome gives you the tempo of the song or the BPM, which stands for Beats Per Minute, which is a measure of the tempo or speed of a piece of music. Essentially, BPM tells you how fast or slow to play by counting how many beats occur in one minute. 

For example, if a song is set at 60 BPM, there will be 60 beats in a minute, which means one beat per second—making it a very slow tempo. At 120 BPM, the tempo doubles, so there are two beats per second, creating a faster feel.

For beginners, it’s best to learn to play guitar at a slow tempo, around 50-60 BPM. This allows you to focus on accuracy, finger placement, and timing without feeling rushed.

1. Begin with 50-60 BPM: Start here to work on hitting each note consistently.
2. Increase in Small Steps: Once you’re comfortable, bump up the BPM in small increments of 5-10 BPM. Gradual increases help you maintain control as you build speed.
3. Target BPM for Songs: For riffs or pieces you’re learning, aim to play them at about 80% of their final speed before moving up to the full tempo.

Best Metronome Apps to Practice Electric Guitar

For Mobile (iOS and Android)

• Soundbrenner
• Pro Metronome
• Metronome by Soundcorset

For Desktop (PC and Mac)

• Metronome Online
• TempoPerfect
• Ableton Live’s Built-in Metronome

Tip #2: Learn Using Songs You Love

Learning guitar is so much more enjoyable when you’re playing songs you actually love. When picking a song to practice, try to choose something that’s either easy enough to tackle or a song you’re truly passionate about. 

To better your guitar skills, starting with an easy song can help you focus on technique without feeling overwhelmed. But if there’s a song you absolutely love—even if it’s a bit challenging—that extra motivation can push you through the tough parts. The goal is to stay engaged and excited to play, so pick something that keeps you coming back!

Tip #3: Build Muscle Memory: Practice Scales and Finger Exercises Daily

Guitar instantly becomes more enjoyable when your fingers automatically know their way around. That’s the magic of muscle memory! Have you seen how effortlessly pro guitarists play rhythm or fingerstyle guitar on stage or in the studio?

Building guitar muscle memory is key to making your fingerstyle guitar playing feel smooth and natural. Practicing scales and finger exercises daily is a simple way to develop this. Start with basic scales, like the pentatonic or major scale, to get your fingers moving across the fretboard.

Repeating these exercises regularly helps your fingers “remember” the motions, so you don’t have to think about each note as you play. Just 10-15 minutes a day can make a huge difference over time, helping you play faster and with more control in fingerstyle guitar.

Step-by-Step Guide for Fingerstyle and Scale Exercises to Play Electric Guitar with Ease

1. Warm Up with Finger Stretching (2 minutes)some text
   • Gently stretch each finger before starting to loosen up.
2. Basic Chromatic Exercise (5 minutes)some text
   • Play each fret from the 1st to 4th fret on each string (e.g., 1-2-3-4), then move up one fret (e.g., 2-3-4-5) and repeat across the fretboard.
3. Single-String Scale Exercise (3 minutes)some text
   • Pick one scale, like the G major scale, and play it on a single string from the lowest to highest note on that string.
4. Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales (5 minutes)some text
   • Practice both major and minor pentatonic shapes across the fretboard, moving up and down in position.
   • Start slowly and gradually increase speed.
5. Alternate Picking with Scale Patterns (5 minutes)some text
   • Choose one scale shape (e.g., A minor pentatonic) and use alternate picking (down-up-down-up).
   • Focus on accuracy and steady rhythm.
6. 3-Note-Per-String Scale Exercise (5 minutes)some text
   • Practice 3-note-per-string scale patterns, like the major or minor scale, moving from the low E to high E string.
   • This will stretch your fingers and build muscle memory.
7. Finger Independence Exercise (3 minutes)some text
   • Practice spider exercises, like 1-3-2-4 or 1-4-2-3 on each string, moving up the fretboard for greater finger control.
8. End with a Cool Down (2 minutes)some text
   • Gently play some simple chords or strumming patterns to relax your fingers.

Tip #4: Focus on Technique Over Speed

It’s tempting to rush and try to play fast, but good technique always comes first. When you practice, focus on clean, accurate playing instead of speed. Make sure each note rings clearly and your fingers are positioned correctly. Practicing slowly allows you to catch any mistakes, build muscle memory, and develop control. 

Once your technique feels solid, gradually increase the tempo. Remember: speed will come naturally with time, but strong technique is what makes it sound great.

Tip #5: Start Easy, Build Confidence

 from our experience, starting with easier material can actually help you build the confidence you need to progress.

We suggest you begin with simpler songs and basic chords that you can play through smoothly. This helps you develop a solid foundation while building confidence in your abilities. As you gain comfort with these, you’ll naturally start to feel more confident tackling tougher challenges.

Tip #6: Record Yourself Regularly

One of the best ways to spot areas for improvement and track your progress is by recording yourself regularly. We suggest you make it a habit to record your practice sessions, even if you’re just working through basic exercises or playing along with a song you love.

When you listen back to your recordings, you’ll hear things you might not notice while playing, like timing issues, finger sloppiness, or areas where your technique could use some work. It can be eye-opening and help you pinpoint what needs attention.

Don’t be afraid to be a little critical of yourself. It’s the key to getting better! But also, make sure to celebrate the small wins. Listening to an old recording after a few weeks or months and hearing improvements is an amazing confidence boost.

Legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen started recording very early on, and were session guitarists in studios before they recorded their own albums. Of course, you don’t need to go studio, you can use your phone recorder to monitor yourself, but the emphasis is on starting listening to yourself early. 

Tip #7: Experiment with Different Tones

You can dive into experimenting with different tones to discover your unique sound. Start by adjusting the tone knobs on your guitar—play with the treble, midrange, and bass to see how it changes your sound.

Next, explore different pickup settings: the bridge pickup offers a sharp, aggressive tone, while the neck pickup gives a smoother, warmer sound.

If you have pedals or an amp with built-in effects, try experimenting with distortion, reverb, or delay. These effects can completely change your sound and keep your playing exciting.

This just makes the process more fun and expands your overall sonic ability, while also giving you more versatility. It will also give you knowledge on different effects like equalizer, distortion, reverb, etc., and will make you a better musician. 

If you want to learn how to play guitar like a pro, we have the most premiere institute in Los Angeles. With 74 instructors and trusted by 1200+ students/week, Angeles Academy Music offers the Best Guitar Lessons in Los Angeles! You can sign up immediately and get a 20% discount on the first four lessons, which is worth about $100. 

Tip #8: Play Along with Backing Tracks and Drum Beats

Once you have enough proficiency, experience, and confidence, start playing along with backing tracks or drum beats. It’s an excellent way to improve your timing, rhythm, and overall musicality. Moreover, it’s extremely enjoyable! It will make you fall in love your instrument even more.

Playing with a track gives you a "band" to play with, helping you lock into a groove and develop your sense of timing. Start with simple drum beats or backing tracks in your favorite style—rock, blues, or jazz. 

Tip #9: Focus on Muting Techniques

Muting techniques—both palm muting and fretboard muting—because they are essential for clean, controlled playing. Muting can help you avoid unwanted noise and give your playing a more polished, precise sound.

Start with palm muting by gently resting the edge of your palm on the strings near the bridge while you play. This technique works wonders for controlling lower-end frequencies and giving your riffs a punchy, staccato feel, especially in genres like metal or rock.

Fretboard muting (also called left-hand muting) is another key technique. Simply rest your fretting hand lightly on the strings without pressing them down, allowing you to mute unwanted strings and focus on the ones you want to play. This is especially useful for clean soloing and chord progressions.

With techniques like these, we suggest you hire professional music teachers to help you more precisely with these skills and nurture them.  

Tip #10: Play Relaxed to Prevent Tension

 focus on staying relaxed while you play to avoid tension and discomfort. Keep your posture straight, and make sure your shoulders and hands are loose. Don’t grip the neck too tightly—just enough to maintain control.

Start with a warm-up and stretch your fingers before practice, and remember to take breaks to avoid fatigue.

From our experience with students, playing relaxed improves your technique, helps you play longer, and makes practice more enjoyable. Moreover, in the long term, a healthy stance will prevent any posture problems. 

Tip #11: Isolate Difficult Sections

Focus on isolating the tricky parts of a song instead of trying to play it all at once. When you hit a difficult section, break it down into smaller chunks. It’s way more effective than struggling through the entire song over and over.

Start by slowing down that section and work on just a few notes or one phrase at a time. Keep repeating it until you feel comfortable, then gradually speed it up. You’ll be surprised how much smoother things get when you take it step by step.

Macro Breakdowns

• Breaking the entire song into smaller sections

For example, if you're working on "Stairway to Heaven" and you're having trouble with the fingerpicking pattern in the intro, focus only on that part. Slow it down, repeat it until you’ve got the motion and timing right, and then gradually increase the speed. 

Micro Breakdowns

• Breaking a melody or riff into simpler parts

For example, let’s say you’re working on "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, and you’re having trouble with the main riff. Instead of playing the whole riff from start to finish, try isolating just the first few notes. Slow it down, repeat it a few times until it feels natural, and then slowly build up speed. Once that feels solid, move on to the next part of the riff.

Tip #12: Use a Mirror for Visual Feedback

Using a mirror is a great way to check your posture, hand positioning, and finger movement while playing. It helps spot bad habits or tension you might not notice otherwise. Seeing yourself play reinforces good technique and makes it easier to make adjustments in real-time.

Tip #13: Create a Structured Practice Routine

Having a structured practice routine keeps you on track and ensures you’re working on all the essential skills. Consistency is key—regular, focused practice will lead to steady progress.

“Don't practice until you can play it right, practice it until you can't play it wrong “

Here’s an template you can follow for your guitar practice. Please feel free to change it as per your preferences, routune, and style. 

Tip #14: Jam with Fellow Musicians

In my musical journey, the biggest turning point for my skills was during my college years, when I used to play in the college band. We had a music society in which we used to practice regularly for hours and hours. 

Sometimes for competitions, sometimes for our own amusement, but we consciously and unconsciously jammed a lot with each, teaching each other different aspects of musicality. Those 3 years of college changed me completely and made me a way better musician than was. I credit my success to my peers and the learning environment we all created together. 

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Jamming with other musicians is one of the best ways to improve your skills and have fun doing it. Playing with others helps you learn to listen, sync with different rhythms, and develop your improvisational skills. 

If you want to meet more musicians and like-minded people, you can go for music or guitar lessons, join Facebook or Whatsapp groups and communities, or attend music workshops and events. 

Tip #15: Take Breaks to Rest and Refresh

Taking regular breaks during your practice sessions is crucial for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Studies show that taking breaks, like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break), improves concentration and memory retention.

According to a study by Dr. John K. McDonald of the University of Illinois, rest intervals help reduce mental fatigue and increase productivity in complex tasks like music practice.

Playing for hours straight can lead to fatigue, tension, and frustration. Instead, set a timer for focused practice, followed by short breaks to relax and reset. This gives your brain and muscles time to recover, so you stay fresh and avoid developing bad habits.

Bonus Tips (Learn Electric Guitar Fast)

Tip #1: Practice Transcribing by Ear

Transcribing by ear is one of the best ways to improve your musical ear and playing. Instead of relying on sheet music or tabs, challenge yourself to figure out songs, riffs, or solos by listening. It forces you to pay attention to every note, rhythm, and nuance, which strengthens your musical understanding and finger technique.

Trust me, this will make you a better musician and practicing this will be a turning point in your music education journey!  

Tip #2: Put Yourself Out There & Prepare for a Performance

Peforming and playing live is the biggest high for most musicians. It’s a different experience altogether and teaches you so much! 

It is a great way to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone, even if it’s just for a small group of friends or at an open mic night. Performing live, or even just practicing in front of others, helps build confidence, polish your technique, and teaches you how to handle nerves.

Moreover, the stage fright and anxiety of not “messing up” will compell you to practice harder. Commit to a live performance, grab any opportunity you get, and feel the stage! 

How can I make my electric guitar play better?

To make your electric guitar play better, focus on proper setup (adjusting the neck, action, and pickups), use quality strings, and regularly clean the guitar. Improve your technique through consistent practice, paying attention to timing, accuracy, and tone. Experiment with different amp settings and pedals to refine your sound.

How many hours a day should I practice electric guitar?

Aim for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of focused practice daily. Short, consistent sessions are more effective than long, sporadic ones. If you have more time, split it into different sections—warm-ups, technique, and song practice. Quality and consistency matter more than duration for steady progress.

Final Thought

Learning and mastering electric guitar could be a long but a satisfying and fulfilling journey. Like any other pursuit, it demands consistency, passion, persistence, patience, and most importantly, the permission to commit mistakes. 

You might need to start over multiple times but what’s important is that you stay at it! It may kill your ego at times, make you want to give it up, but it’s your job to be optimistic about it and learn from failures. 

“If I played something incorrectly, I whipped myself mercilessly. Whenever I made a mistake, I made sure that I would never allow myself to repeat it. Every guitarist wants to play well. But in reality, if good intentions were all it took, then everyone would be great.”

• Yngwie Malmsteen

Hope this article was helpful. If you want to get trained by experts and become a better guitarist, you must sign up at Angeles Academy of Music. If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Los Angeles, you can visit our schools in Brentwood, Westwood Village, and Tarzana, or give us a call at (310)-803-9286. 

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