ALWAYS HAVE AN AGENDA. Never just sit down and start picking. That�s just jamming, not practicing. Have some material, a teaching tape, CD, or something.

2. BE A LISTENER. You can learn a song only if it�s in your brain first. That comes by listening. In your practice room, in your car, everywhere you go. Listen till you�re sick of it. Once it�s in your brain, it�ll move down to your fingers. Play it 100 times, then you�ve got it.

3. BE POSITIVE. There�s power in positive thinking. Never say "I can�t do it", or I�m not good enough." Apply yourself and say "I can learn this." Practice is supposed to be hard. Stay focused and positive.

4. PRACTICE CONSISTENTLY. It�s better to practice 15 minutes each day than 2 hours once a week. Keep your fingers in shape daily. Be careful of things that may harm your manual dexterity. Like volleyball, weightlifting, tree or rock climbing, fighting, and slamming doors (OUCH!). Watch out for saws and hammers.

5.RECORD YOURSELF. Whether it�s a boom box or mega-studio, it always helps to hear yourself. A studio is much safer than live, cause if you freeze or mess up, you just start over. Clean up the rough spots. Have fun!

6.REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. Better yet, who you�re not. You�re not Chet, Jerry, or Doyle. You�re you. You have your own unique style. Just steal what you can from these guys and turn it into yours. Remember, they cant play like you either.

7.TRY FILING YOUR PICKS. This helped me a lot. Just like a guitar has to be set up to suit the player, so it is with the pick. Thin them down, grind off the ends to suit you. Buy extra and experiment.

8.SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW. Don�t be afraid to open up and make new guitar friends. I�m Steve, the left-hander. Freely give your licks away and you will get more back. That�s a Bible principle. It�s how you learn. Pick a brain or two.

9.STUDY YOUR BIBLE. This may seem strange, but it�s no secret that all wisdom and gifts come from above. Studying Gods word increases wisdom and knowledge. Get to know your Creator. You�ll be amazed to know what He has in store for you and your guitar.

10.PRAY HARD AND PLAY HARD. Jesus said, "You have not because you ask not." Ask God to give you more talent and ability on your instrument .He will, but like the parable of the talents, with more talent comes more responsibility. Play for the poor, the sick, the elderly etc. be a blessing with the gift that God has given you. It works for me.