To set guitar practice goals, make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound: learn the F major barre chord cleanly in two weeks, or play the island strum at 80 beats per minute by Friday. A vague goal, like get better, is not a goal, because it cannot be measured.
How do you set guitar practice goals?
To set guitar practice goals, make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound: learn the F major barre chord cleanly in two weeks, or play the island strum at 80 beats per minute by Friday, or change from C to G 20 times in a minute by the end of the month. A vague goal, like get better, is not a goal, because it cannot be measured, and the player will not know whether it was met, or when, or how. A specific goal can be measured, and the measurement tells the player whether they are improving, and the improvement is the motivation. The goals should be small, because a small goal is achievable, and an achievable goal is motivating, and a big goal is overwhelming, and an overwhelming goal is demotivating. The goals should also be relevant, because a goal that is not relevant to the playing will not improve it, and the player will not care whether it was met. The goals should be time-bound, because a goal without a deadline will be postponed, and the player will not practise, because there is no urgency. The metronome keeps the beat, and the practice chord quiz tests what you have learned.
How practice goals work
Practice goals work because they give the practice a direction, and the direction gives the practice a focus, and the focus gives the practice a result, and the result gives the player motivation. A player who practises without a goal will noodle, and the noodling will not improve the playing, because there is no direction, and no focus, and no result. A player who practises with a goal will work on the goal, and the work will be focused, and the focus will produce a result, and the result will be the goal met, and the goal met will be the motivation to set the next goal. The goals should be written down, because a goal that is written down is a commitment, and a goal that is not written down is a wish, and the commitment is what makes the player practise. The goals should also be reviewed, every week, so the player can see the progress, and the progress is the motivation, and the review is the check, and the check tells the player whether the goal was met, or whether it needs more time. The G major guitar chord and the C major guitar chord are the chords most goals are built on, and the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major is a good progression to set goals with.
Worked example — setting a goal for F major. A vague goal is get better at barre chords, and it cannot be measured, so it is not a goal. A specific goal is play the F major barre chord cleanly, with every string ringing, for ten seconds, in two weeks, and it can be measured, because the player can test it, and the deadline is two weeks, so the goal is time-bound. The goal is achievable, because two weeks is enough time to build the strength, and it is relevant, because F major is the chord the player needs for the songs they play. The player practises the bar alone, and the E-shape change, for five minutes, three times a day, for two weeks, and at the end of two weeks, the player tests the chord, and it rings cleanly, for ten seconds, and the goal is met, and the next goal is set: change from C to F, without pausing, in two weeks.
How to practise setting practice goals
Practise setting goals by writing them down, making them specific and measurable, and reviewing them every week, so the goals become a habit, not a hope.
- Write down a specific goal, such as playing the F major barre chord cleanly, for ten seconds, in two weeks, and make it measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Break the goal into daily actions, such as practising the bar alone for five minutes, three times a day, so the goal is a habit, not a hope.
- Review the goal every week, and check whether it was met, and if it was, set the next goal, and if it was not, give it more time, and keep practising.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major with the goal chord, and listen for the chord to ring cleanly, and the change to be smooth.
- Use the practice chord quiz to test what you have learned, and repeat the quiz until you can name every chord, and play every shape.
Common mistakes
- Setting vague goals — A vague goal, like get better, cannot be measured, and the player will not know whether it was met, or when, or how, and the practice will have no direction. Set a specific goal, with a number and a deadline, so it can be measured.
- Setting goals that are too big — A goal that is too big, like learn the whole guitar in a month, is overwhelming, and the player will give up, because the goal is impossible. Set a small goal, that is achievable in a week or two, and the goal will be met, and the next goal will be set.
- Not writing the goal down — A goal that is not written down is a wish, not a commitment, and the player will forget it, and the practice will have no direction. Write the goal down, and review it every week, so the commitment is clear, and the progress is visible.
Quick reference
This table shows three goals, with whether each one is specific, measurable, and time-bound, so you can see the difference between a good goal and a vague goal. The first goal is SMART, and the second is vague, and the third is too big, and the table shows why the first is the best.
| Goal | Specific? | Measurable? | Time-bound? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play F major cleanly, 10 seconds, in 2 weeks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Get better at guitar | No | No | No |
| Learn the whole guitar in a month | No | No | No |
Use the table to check your goals: is your goal specific, measurable, and time-bound, and can you test whether it was met, and do you know when it is due. When you can answer yes to all three, your goal is SMART, and the practice will have a direction, and the progress will follow.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set guitar practice goals?
Make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound: learn the F major barre chord cleanly in two weeks, or play the island strum at 80 beats per minute by Friday. A vague goal, like get better, is not a goal, because it cannot be measured.
What is a SMART goal?
A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, so it can be measured, and the player knows whether it was met, and when, and how. Learn the F major barre chord cleanly in two weeks is SMART, and get better is not.
How many goals should I set at once?
One or two at a time, so the practice is focused, and the goals are achievable. Setting ten goals at once will overwhelm the player, and none of them will be met, while setting one or two will let them be met, and the next goals will be set.
How often should I review my goals?
Every week, so the player can see the progress, and the progress is the motivation, and the review is the check, and the check tells the player whether the goal was met, or whether it needs more time.
What if I do not meet a goal?
Do not worry, and do not give up, because the goal may need more time, or the practice may need to change. Give the goal more time, or break it into smaller goals, and keep practising, and the goal will be met, eventually.