Practice Guidelines
qUICK sTART FOR iMPROVISATION
Use the following guidelines to help you develop good practice habits:
Use a Metronome
Remember to practice using a metronome. At any time, you may visit Metronome Online.
Practice slowly at first, keeping a steady beat.
A metronome setting of 40 bpm might be a good starting point.
Consider it a goal (not a requirement) to accurately achieve a tempo of 66 bpm.
Improve
Consider the following questions. Select each question for helpful playing tips and practice exercises.
If the sound is unclear, be sure your left-hand fingertips are next to the frets. Add a little more left-hand pressure if necessary. If the sound is still unclear, consider using lighter gauge strings (which are easier to press down) on your guitar.Practice using your left hand alone (without playing the strings with your right hand). Practice until you can place your left-hand fingers in rhythm. Practice with and without the metronome. Focus on your left-hand fingers and form.Focus on problem areas when practicing, but also spend time practicing as if you were performing. Set a goal in each of your practice sessions to play the song a set number of times (perhaps three) without stopping to correct mistakes.Depending on the type of guitar or strings you are using, some discomfort in the left-hand fingertips can be normal (particularly for beginning guitar players). If you experience pain or discomfort in any other area (such as your wrists, arms, shoulders, back, or legs), you should stop practicing.
Check to be sure that you are sitting up straight, holding the guitar correctly, and using correct form.
Contact your instructor if you are unable to correct the problem.
Build Your Skills
Left-Hand Pressure: Practice improvising without using left-hand pressure; each of your fingertips will just barely touch the string. As you add left-hand pressure, keep your left arm relaxed from the shoulder to the fingertip.
Right-Hand and Left-Hand Synchronization: Your goal should be to synchronize your left and right hands so that they are playing at the exact same time. Strive to make it appear as though your left hand is causing the sound.
Build Technique with Improvising: Play the E minor pentatonic scale using patterns. Play the first three notes of the scale. Then start on the second note and play three notes. Continue the pattern until you reach the last note of the scale. Now play the same pattern, this time descending, starting with the highest-pitched note. Play both ascending and descending. (Print TAB here) 
Other ideas and exercises are available in the Five R’s overview. (Text Version)
