How to Build a Solid and Realistic Guitar Practice Routine in 2026

2026 is a transition year for me, and that reality has deeply influenced how I approach my guitar practice. After a challenging period last year, I realized that the routines I used to rely on were no longer working. Life was busier, my energy was different, and consistency became harder than I expected.

After sharing one of my recent videos, many of you reached out with similar stories. You were struggling to find time, to stay focused, or to feel that your practice was actually moving you forward. That shared experience is what pushed me to rethink my approach completely.

What I’m doing now isn’t about practicing more. It’s about practicing better, in a way that fits real life. And it’s already working — I’m currently learning a full new piece in one month, without pressure and without feeling overwhelmed.

This is the structure I’m using in 2026, and I hope it helps you if you’re going through a similar phase.

Start with what you want

Before thinking about hours, exercises, or schedules, take a moment to ask yourself one simple question: what do I want from my playing this year?

For some, it might be learning new repertoire. For others, improving tone, technique, or simply feeling more relaxed while playing. There’s no right or wrong answer — but your goal matters.

Your practice should serve that goal. Not the other way around.

Keep your daily practice simple

One of the biggest mistakes I see — and one I’ve made myself — is trying to plan too much. It’s tempting to include scales, etudes, technique, new repertoire, sight-reading, and musical studies all at once.

In reality, that often leads to scattered focus and frustration.

Instead, I now limit my daily practice to three clear elements: One technical focus One repertoire piece One musical challenge such as phrasing, dynamics, or expression

That’s enough. When these three elements are practiced consistently, progress becomes much more noticeable and sustainable.

Use short, focused routines

When time is limited, shorter routines can be incredibly effective. Even 15 to 20 minutes of focused practice can make a real difference if it’s done regularly.

A simple structure might look like this: 5 minutes of warm-up 10 minutes on one specific problem 5 minutes of pure music-making

What matters most is not the length of each session, but how often you return to the instrument. Three focused sessions per week are far more effective than one long, exhausting practice day.

Track progress lightly

Another important change I made was how I track my practice. Instead of over-analyzing, I now write down small notes: what felt easy, what felt difficult, what improved.

This keeps me aware of what’s happening in my playing and prevents autopilot practice. It’s not about control or perfection — it’s about mindfulness.

I’ve been building my personal practice tracker over the last year, and now that I’m using it consistently, it’s become a real support for me. I enjoy structure and organization, and this helps me stay accountable without turning practice into pressure. For those who also enjoy working with Notion, I’ve made this tracker available on my website.

Don’t forget joy

Progress alone isn’t enough to sustain motivation. That’s why I always include one “reward piece” in my routine — something I play simply because I love it, with no goal attached.

Joy is not optional. It’s what keeps us connected to music, even when progress feels slow.

Final thoughts

Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for consistency.

Every musician you admire is simply someone who learned to return to the instrument again and again, even when life became complicated.

If your circumstances have changed, your practice is allowed to change too. With a clear structure and realistic expectations, progress is still possible — even in challenging periods.

I wish you a calm, focused, and inspiring year of music.