A Common Mistake That’ll Grow Hair on Any Guitarist’s Palms

Why Sticking to Your Comfort Zone on Guitar Holds You Back

At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we often remind students that real growth on an instrument doesn’t come from playing what you already know — it comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.

We recently came across a great article by Nicholas Tozier at Guitar-Muse.com that perfectly captures this idea. Tozier points out that one of the biggest mistakes guitarists make is endlessly repeating riffs and chords they already feel confident with. While it’s tempting to play the same familiar songs over and over, it ultimately leads to stagnation. As Tozier cleverly puts it, “fretboard comfort zones are the enemy.”

The solution? Spend your practice time tackling what you don’t do well. Focus on the difficult chord changes, tricky riffs, confusing theory concepts, or fingerpicking patterns that challenge you. By consistently pushing into uncomfortable territory, you’ll gradually become a much more well-rounded musician.

Tozier even suggests keeping a simple practice log — a few quick notes each session on what you worked on, what confused you, and what to improve next. It’s a small effort that can make a huge difference in making sure you’re always moving forward.

You can read the full original article by Nicholas Tozier here on Guitar-Muse.com.

At GP Music Academy, we encourage all our students — whether beginners or advanced — to embrace this growth mindset. If you’re ready to level up your skills, challenge yourself, and get expert guidance along the way, contact us today to start lessons!