PRESENCE - Volume 33
Inspiration For Guitarists
Have you ever tried to chop down a tree with an ax?
The first swing barely makes a dent.
The second doesn’t look like much either.
But if you keep hitting the same spot, eventually the tree comes crashing down.
Here’s the problem: most guitarists don’t practice like that.
They take a few swings at one tree — learning a lick, dabbling with a song — then wander off to another. At the end of the week, they’ve put in the effort… but the forest is still standing.
That’s why so many players feel like they’re working hard but not making real progress.
The truth? You don’t need to chop at 10 different trees. You just need to keep hitting the same one until it falls.
On guitar, that means focusing on 1–3 essential skills and sticking with them:
The Number System – knowing what chords belong in a key
The CAGED System – mapping chords and scales all over the neck
The Landmark Pentatonic Shapes – two simple patterns that open up soloing
If you keep swinging at these three skills week after week, you’ll be shocked at how much faster you progress compared to dabbling in everything else. That’s the difference between frustration and breakthrough.
And here’s a little heads-up: I’ve been working on a brand-new Essential Skills Course that will give you a clear path for where to swing—step-by-step lessons, diagrams, and practice plans designed to make every minute count.
I’ll be opening it soon, starting with a special early access for past eBook buyers. Keep an eye on your inbox—you don’t want to miss this.
Stop swinging at random trees. Pick your spot. Stay consistent. And watch your playing transform.
– Dustin