Building Your Guitar Practice Habit: Week 1 Recap of the 5 Minutes a Day Challenge

Whether you’ve been strumming along since Day 1 or you’re just hearing about the 5 Minutes a Day Guitar Challenge for the first time, this week’s podcast episode is the perfect dose of encouragement (and technique!) to inspire your next practice session. In this post, I’ll break down the highlights of Week 1, all about building an awesome picking technique—essential for every guitarist, beginner or not.

Why a “5 Minutes a Day” Challenge?

I was inspired by a charity running challenge—why not take that same spirit and apply it to guitar? Practicing every day, even for just five minutes, is about building small habits with big payoffs. And the best part? You can join the challenge anytime at bgachallenge.com; you’ll start at Day 1, no matter when you sign up.

What Was Covered in Week 1?

1. Foundational Picking Technique I kick things off with how to properly hold the pick—between your first finger and thumb, with the tip protruding. I also remind you to avoid any tension (especially that first finger pointing at the tip!) and keep your wrist loose. Mastering this helps avoid problems down the road, much like correct form in weightlifting.

2. The Five Essential Picking Exercises

• Alternate picking (down-up on the same string)

• Outside picking (down on one string, up on the next)

• Inside picking (up, then down between adjacent strings)

• Double down (downstrokes on two strings)

• Double up (upstrokes on two strings)

Why? Most riffs and songs will use a combination of these, so turn them into second nature!

Hot Tip: I recommend “bracing” your picking hand with a pinky on the guitar’s body. It keeps you close to the strings—making your picking quicker, more fluid, and more accurate.

3. The Power of Isolation Practicing with one hand at a time (say, just the picking hand at first) helps you learn faster. Once your picking feels smooth, add the fretting hand.

4. Time for Some Riffs!

• Under Pressure (Queen): Great for practicing picking and basic fretting all on one note.

• Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes): Moves up and down the neck—awesome for working on your shifting and picking.

• Peter Gunn Theme: Uses more than one finger on the fretboard, bringing in the “spider” exercise and stretching your playing.

5. The “Spider” (1-2-3-4) Exercise Start on the 6th string and play frets 1-2-3-4 with all four fingers. This builds strength, dexterity, and synchronizes both hands—an exercise I assign to all my students, no matter their level.

Struggling to Keep Up? That’s Normal!

It’s totally fine if you don’t move on each day. These picking exercises can take weeks to master. Progress in your own time, and layer new skills (like chords) on top of your daily picking.

Beyond the Challenge: Community & Coaching

The Beginner Guitar Academy isn’t just a course—it’s a worldwide community. Members get access to me for unlimited video critiques, a supportive student forum and our five-level program.

Thinking about taking it further? Try it out (beginnerguitaracademy.com) for just $1 for two weeks and see how great structure, coaching, and practice can transform your playing.

Stay Tuned…

Next, the challenge moves into chords, rhythm, strumming, and melodies—so keep practicing those picking techniques. Remember: five minutes a day is all it takes to become a more confident player. Subscribe to the podcast, join the challenge, and happy strumming!

Inspired? Share your progress or questions in the community, and don’t forget to check out the video for this episode if you want a visual breakdown!