Are you on a flat-line platueau or climbing the mountain? Turn your playing up a notch with these ten hints for more effective use of your practice time.

1. Have a guitar that fits. There are many shapes and sizes of guitars. One size does not fit all. If you have small hands you may benefit from a shorter scale instrument. If you have short arms you probably won't be comfortable with a large body steel-string guitar.

2. Strings matter. Steel strings are hard on the fingers. Nylon strings are easier to press to the fret. However nylon are only used on a classical guitar. A hybrid string called silk and steel has qualities of both types, but are not as bright and loud as steel.

3. Schedule frequent short practice sessions. Practice a short amount of time on a regular daily basis rather than longer but infrequent practice sessions. For example, it's better to practice every day for twenty minutes rather than once a week for two and a half hours. Your mind and fingers absorb material better if digested in small evenly spaced chunks rather than stuffed into one long sitting.

4. Have a space dedicated to your guitar practice. Set up an area with good lighting, a music stand, and a guitar stand. Leave you guitar on the stand if possible. It will be a visual reminder to practice. It will be easier to get started because you won't have to spend time setting up and putting away.

5. Keep a practice log or diary. Record your practice time each week so that you can monitor your progress. Write down questions that come up in your practice that you can ask in your lesson. Write down observations, ideas, or pieces you might want to learn.

6. Make notes, written and musical. Refer to notes that you or your teacher has made during your lesson to plan your practice session. Decide on one or two goals to work on for the day. For example you could practice a difficult chord change, a new scale or the first two phrases of a new piece.

7. Break down pieces or exercises into manageable units. This is called " chunking". It's easier to master a measure (smaller unit of music) than a whole line of music. Then put the chunks together to make longer phrases or lines of music. The results will be more pleasing because you will have mastered many easy small units before attempting the more difficult whole piece.

8. Maintain a good energy level. Have a healthy snack before practice to keep your energy and concentrating high. It's better not to practice after a big meal because digestion can interfere with your ability to focus. But don't practice hungry. That will also negatively affect your ability to concentrate.

9. Use your biorhythms. Practice during a peak time of day. If you are a morning person, practice first thing in the morning. If you are a night owl evening practice will probably be more productive and satisfying.

10. Set long term goals. Often having a goal such as performing a piece on a student recital can invigorate and focus your practice. Even having short term goals such as memorizing one piece a month can be motivating. Decide why you are learning the guitar. Is it to relax, to entertain, to grow as person? Put these goals in the front of your practice journal and each month review them to see if your guitar study is meeting your needs.