Episodes

Have you ever finished a practice session and wondered if you'd actually improved? You're not alone. After teaching thousands of adult guitarists over the past 20 years, I've discovered that the people who make the fastest progress aren't necessarily the most talented or the ones who practise the longest. They simply know how to practise more effectively. In this episode, I share the 7 biggest guitar practice mistakes I see adult learners make time and time again, and, more importantly, how you ...

In this episode, Paul Andrews dives into Rolling Stone Magazine’s recently released list of the 100 greatest guitar solos of all time. Guitarists everywhere are debating the rankings, so Paul Andrews breaks down the top five solos , highlighting what makes each one so exceptional, what techniques to listen for, and key lessons you can take into your own playing. Beginner Guitar Academy News Annual Survey Beginner Guitar Academy members: Complete the annual survey by Sunday (28th June) for your c...

In this episode, Paul Andrews addresses a challenge that nearly every guitar player faces but rarely talks about: the fear of playing in a guitar shop. Many beginners (and even experienced players) feel anxious about trying out guitars in front of staff and other customers, worrying that they’re being judged for their skill level. Paul breaks down why this fear is common, explains the "spotlight effect," and shares tips to help you walk into any guitar shop with confidence and excitement. Key To...

In this special episode of the Beginner Guitar Academy Podcast, I'm joined by Antony Box, who has just become the third person ever to complete all five levels of Beginner Guitar Academy. What's particularly inspiring about Antony's journey is that he didn't join BGA as a complete beginner. After playing guitar for several years, he realised he had developed some intermediate skills without building a strong foundation. Rather than continuing with gaps in his knowledge, he decided to go back to ...

Key Topics Covered The Motivation Rollercoaster Paul Andrews addresses a common challenge among guitar players: losing motivation to practice. Emphasizes that all guitarists—whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced—go through phases of high and low motivation. Losing motivation is normal and does not mean you’re failing, lazy, or untalented—it just means you’re human. The Problem with Relying on Motivation Motivation is emotional and temporary, leading to inconsistent practice and results if ...

In this episode, Paul Andrews wraps up "Movie May" by sharing a handpicked list of the most inspiring music films every guitarist should watch. He delves into the lessons musicians and guitarists can learn from each movie—covering topics such as finding inspiration, balancing discipline with enjoyment, embracing simplicity, building musical identity, and keeping perspective. Whether you're feeling stuck in your progress or just need a spark of motivation, these films promise to reignite your pas...

Welcome to the Beginner Guitar Academy podcast! This week’s episode is a celebration of the greatest guitar movie scenes in honour of Movie May. Paul shares iconic film moments that have inspired countless players to pick up the guitar, along with practical lessons from each scene for your own playing and performance confidence. Episode Highlights 🎬 Movie May Challenge Record any riff, chord progression, or song and post it in the Beginner Guitar Academy community in May. Each entry is entered i...

In this episode, Paul Andrews breaks down the essential steps for beginner guitarists to start recording themselves. He addresses common fears, explains why self-recording is one of the best ways to improve, and shares low-cost and easy ways to get started. Whether you’re looking to track your progress or participate in Beginner Guitar Academy’s Movie May challenge, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement. Key Topics Covered 1. Why Recording Yourself Matters Recording act...

In this second part of a two-part series, Paul Andrews dives into five more inspiring guitar documentaries as part of "Movie May." Whether you're seeking motivation or want to deepen your knowledge of the guitar, these documentaries highlight legendary players and their stories. Plus, there are updates on the Beginner Guitar Academy community challenge and recent Academy news. Highlights Community Challenge: Movie May Challenge: Record and post a video of yourself performing – riff, chord progre...

Paul Andrews kicks off May with an episode full of inspiration, diving into five must-watch guitar documentaries that every guitarist should check out. He also introduces the Movie May challenge for the Beginner Guitar Academy community, designed to encourage students to record themselves and track their progress. Packed with documentary recommendations and community news, this episode is all about motivation and learning from the legends. In This Episode Movie May Challenge: Paul Andrews announ...

Main Topic: Should you sometimes practice faster than you can actually play to improve speed? Inspired by a community question from Rob Tyler Discussion of "functional overload" and parallels to sports training (running, weightlifting) Updated Tutorial Announced: "Come As You Are" tutorial re-recorded, new tabs, play-along tracks added Includes adaptation for both beginners (open chords) and higher levels (power/bar chords & alternate tunings) Live Member Q&A: Scheduled for Monday, April 27th at...

In this episode, Paul revisits a classic from the podcast archives: “Transform Your Guitar Skills with Five Habits to Adopt Today.” Whether you’re new to the show or a long-time listener, these essential practice habits will elevate your guitar journey—from keeping time to recapping old songs. Paul also shares updates about upcoming lessons and live Q&A sessions in the Beginner Guitar Academy. Highlights & Topics Covered Beginner Guitar Academy News April 24th: Updated Song Study on “Come As You...

This episode explores the fascinating science behind how the brain processes guitar learning, even when you’re not actively practicing. Inspired by a question from community member Martin Fluke, Paul dives into memory consolidation, the spacing effect, and how rest can sometimes improve your playing. If life gets busy and you miss practice, find reassurance and practical tips in today’s discussion! Key Topics Listener Question: Martin Fluke’s experience of improving after less practice 00:17 Myt...

In this episode, Paul addresses a common struggle among beginner guitarists: knowing lots of chords but not being able to make them sound like real songs. He breaks down the three essential elements needed to transform simple chord knowledge into actual music and provides practical advice and actionable steps for students at any level to move past the “just chords” stage. Key Topics Discussed 1. Chords: The Foundation, Not the Finished Product Most beginners already know enough chords (the “basi...

This week, Paul brings Improvisation Month to a close by focusing on the vital "missing link" in improvisation: expression and ear. After exploring control, musical awareness, rhythm, and phrasing in previous weeks, this episode shifts the attention from finger patterns and scale shapes to listening—playing what you hear rather than what you know. Key Topics Recap of Improvisation Month Week 1: Control — use fewer notes, play with intention Week 2: Musical Awareness — connect notes to chord chan...

This week, Paul Andrews continues "Improvisation Month" with a deep dive into the often-overlooked elements of rhythm and phrasing. Moving beyond just scales and theory, this episode uncovers how you play notes, through phrasing, space, repetition, and rhythmic variation, can completely transform your improvisation and make your playing truly sound musical. Key Topics Covered The Common Myth: More scales and notes aren’t what make solos sound good. The Problem of Overplaying: Filling every space...

Episode Summary In this episode, Paul Andrews dives into the next step in mastering guitar improvisation: connecting your solos and improvisations to the underlying chords. Building on last week’s focus on note control, this episode explores how targeting chord tones, especially the root, can help your improvisation sound more intentional, musical, and satisfying. Key Topics Improvisation Roadmap: This month’s focus is on breaking improvisation down into four stages: Practice, Control, Musical A...

Welcome to Episode 276 of the Beginner Guitar Academy Podcast! This week, Paul Andrews kicks off a brand-new theme for March: Improvisation Month. Designed for guitarists at all levels, this month focuses on helping you improvise with intention, rather than just “noodling” around without direction. What’s Inside This Episode New Theme for March: Improvisation Month Each week, you’ll get a step-by-step blueprint for improving your improvisation skills, whether you’re a total beginner or already e...

In this episode, Paul Andrews shines a spotlight on a small but essential part of guitar technique: your pinky finger! Often overlooked and underutilised, the pinky can feel awkward and weak at first, but strengthening it can lead to significant improvements in your playing—think easier chord transitions, better speed, more control, and less hand tension. What You’ll Learn Why the Pinky Matters: Paul breaks down the importance of the pinky for reach, speed, and long-term progress on guitar. Usin...

This episode celebrates 75 years of the Fender Telecaster, a legendary guitar that has left its mark on countless genres and iconic moments in music history. Paul Andrews dives deep into the Telecaster’s origins, its revolutionary impact, standout artists and moments, and why it remains a top pick for guitarists of all levels. Beginner Guitar Academy News Member Q&A announced for February 23rd. Options to join live or submit questions in advance. Details about recordings and how to access member...

In this insightful episode, Paul Andrews tackles a question every guitar beginner faces: What’s truly the hardest part about practicing guitar? Drawing on real experiences shared by the Beginner Guitar Academy community, he explores the genuine challenges students face—such as staying motivated, finding time, battling fatigue, maintaining consistency, and not knowing what or how to practice. Rather than just offering textbook advice, Paul Andrews reflects on honest stories from adult learners ju...

In this week's episode, Paul Andrews dives into a fundamental topic for guitar beginners: what sets a riff, a lick, and a solo apart? Understanding these building blocks is essential for learning songs, improving improvisation, and practicing with intention. Key Topics Covered Beginner Guitar Academy Updates "Wonderful Tonight" Song Study is being re-released on Friday, February 13th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The updated lesson will have in-depth breakdowns of lead and rhythm parts, alo...

Welcome to the final instalment of January Jamming! This week, Paul Andrews wraps up the series with a deep dive into how to shift your mindset from thinking like a guitarist to thinking like a musician while jamming. If you missed any previous episodes, Paul Andrews recaps the highlights and encourages you to revisit them for a complete foundation. Key Topics Covered January Jamming Series Recap Episode 267: What jamming is and how to get the most out of it. Episode 268: How to jam musically us...

This week, Paul Andrews explores one of the most common struggles guitarists face: how to practice jamming in a way that leads to real improvement, rather than just filling time. If you’ve ever found yourself noodling over a backing track and wondering why you don’t seem to get any better, this episode is for you! Paul breaks down a practical “jam loop” that transforms aimless jamming into focused, efficient practice, and offers actionable tips for beginners and seasoned players alike. Key Topic...