How to Practise Effectively at Intermediate Level

Whether you have 20 minutes or an hour, the same basic framework applies: warm up, technique focus, theory and fretboard, then application through songs or jam tracks. This lesson walks through how all of the content in Intermediate 1 fits into that structure and gives you a clear, repeatable routine you can follow throughout the course.

What You'll Learn

•       How to divide your practice time across the key areas

•       What to focus on in the warm-up section of a session

•       How to use the jam tracks from this level to measure your progress

•       Why your practice routine should evolve as you move through the course

•       How to use songs and jam tracks as the application part of practice

The Four Areas of Practice

Every practice session should cover four things: a warm-up (fretting hand, then picking hand), a technique focus, some theory or fretboard work, and application through songs or jamming. The weighting of each area can vary depending on your available time, but all four should be present in some form in a full session.

Warm-Up

Start with the two-finger hammer-on combinations from Lesson 2, then move to the alternate picking exercise from Lesson 3. As you move through the course, the warm-up exercises will evolve — adding flick-offs, three-finger combinations and more. For now, these two exercises cover fretting and picking hand in a safe and balanced way.

Using Jam Tracks to Measure Progress

The jam tracks in this level are your progress markers. Being able to play through the power chord workout at 130 BPM, or keep a clean 16th-note rhythm over the C F Am G progression, are clear, measurable targets. Come back to them regularly. Some techniques are slightly perishable, so consistent revisiting keeps everything sharp.

Applying What You've Learned

The final part of every session should be musical — playing songs, jamming over tracks, or improvising with a looper. This is where the techniques you've been working on get tested in a real musical context. It's also the most enjoyable part, so make sure it's always in the session.