Many guitarists, whether self-taught or formally trained, hit a frustrating plateau during their journey: the intermediate rut. This stage is often marked by a sense of stagnation—you’re no longer a beginner, but it feels like you’re not making meaningful progress toward becoming advanced. Understanding why this happens and how to overcome it can help you break free and reignite your passion for the guitar.
Why Do Guitarists Get Stuck in the Intermediate Rut?
1. Lack of Clear Goals
At the beginner level, progress is often linear. You learn basic chords, strumming patterns, and simple songs. However, as an intermediate player, the path forward becomes less defined. Without clear goals, many guitarists wander aimlessly, unsure of what to focus on next.2. Over-Reliance on Tabs and Tutorials
Many self-taught guitarists rely heavily on tabs and YouTube tutorials to learn songs. While these resources are incredibly useful, they can lead to a narrow understanding of music. Instead of developing the ability to create or improvise, players often become stuck in a cycle of replication—learning songs note-for-note without truly understanding the underlying musical concepts.3. Limited Technical Skills
Intermediate players often have a good grasp of basic techniques like open chords, barre chords, and some scales. However, their technical abilities can plateau if they don’t challenge themselves with more advanced techniques, such as alternate picking, fingerstyle, or hybrid picking. This lack of technical growth can make it hard to tackle more complex music.4. Gaps in Music Theory Knowledge
Many self-taught guitarists avoid music theory because it seems intimidating or unnecessary. However, understanding concepts like scales, triads, chord progressions, and keys is crucial for improvisation, songwriting, and general musical fluency. Without this knowledge, players often feel stuck because they don’t know why certain notes or chords work together.5. Playing Alone
While practicing alone is essential, exclusively playing solo can limit growth. Music is a language meant to be shared and communicated. Playing with others forces you to adapt, listen, and respond in real time, which develops a deeper understanding of rhythm, harmony, and dynamics. Unfortunately, many intermediate guitarists miss out on this valuable interaction.The Holes Created by Being Self-Taught
Being self-taught has its advantages, such as fostering independence and creativity. However, it can also create significant gaps in your playing and understanding of music. Here are some common issues self-taught guitarists face:
1. Inconsistent Technique
Without a teacher to correct bad habits early on, self-taught guitarists often develop inconsistent or inefficient techniques. For example, poor finger positioning, improper picking angles, or a weak grip on barre chords can hinder progress.2. Lack of Structured Learning
Self-taught players often jump from one topic to another without a clear roadmap. This can result in a patchy skill set, where some areas (like playing riffs) are strong, while others (like rhythm or theory) are underdeveloped.3. Limited Repertoire
Many self-taught guitarists focus on learning songs they enjoy but neglect to explore different genres or styles. This limits their musical vocabulary and ability to adapt to new challenges.4. Fear of Improvisation
Improvisation requires both technical skill and theoretical knowledge. Without guidance, many self-taught players shy away from improvising because they lack confidence or don’t know where to start.5. Overlooking Ear Training
Developing a good ear for music is essential for recognizing chord progressions, melodies, and rhythms. Unfortunately, self-taught players often neglect ear training, making it harder for them to play by ear or adapt in a group setting.How Group Guitar Lessons Can Help
Group guitar lessons are an excellent way to address the challenges of the intermediate rut and the gaps created by being self-taught. Here’s how: