Diego Alonso. Spanish guitar mastery. Flamenco guitar online. Classical Guitar online. Expert Music Practice Strategies
BOOK A CALL

Alertness & Focus for Faster Learning 🚀

Diego Alonso

February 3, 2025

Faster Learning

Simple Strategies for Faster Learning | Practice Routine for Guitar

My Alertness Routine

Here are 7 evidence-based alertness primers I do, and recommend, before practicing. (IMPORTANT: Please check with your doctor before trying numbers 5, 6, & 7):

 

    1. As soon as you sit down to practice, write a to-do list of anything on your mind that is not related to practice. And during practice, keep that list accessible to write down any invading thoughts of things you need to do later that day(¹⁴).

    1. Next, write a to-do list of specific practice goals for your practice session⁷.

    1. Always eliminate distractions (especially social media, web searching, phone noise, and notifications)(¹⁵)

    1. If you have time, do a 5-15 minute focused meditation with your eyes closed, where you are focusing on something specific. I often focus on my breathing(¹⁶, ¹⁷, ¹⁸)

    1. Focus on a fixed point in your practice space about 1-5 feet away from you and practice engaging your entire focus on that point for 30-60 seconds. This helps prime the brain for maximum focus(¹¹, ¹², ¹³).

    1. Do a quick warm-up and then engage in maximum focus on only one (1) goal at a time. Do not multitask⁸.

    1. When you start losing focus, quickly re-focus your attention. Focussing well is a skill that requires practice. If you start losing focus often, take a 2-3 minute movement break and then go back and try again⁹.
    2. Limit each practice session to 60 minutes peppered with plenty micro and movement breaks.

 

Practice

Next time you practice, first remind yourself that effective learning starts with alertness and a high level of focus. Without these two conditions, your efforts in practice won’t be as fruitful as they could be since the neurological pathways needed for learning won’t be primed very well (see references above).

This week try out a few of the ideas I shared with you above and let me know in the comments (at the bottom of the page here) if you found them helpful.

One of the best ways to track your progress and gain clarity on your technique is by recording your practice sessions. It’s not just about listening back—it’s about learning to observe yourself more critically and constructively. As you refine your approach, you might wonder whether it’s better to practice quickly or slowly. This breakdown on fast vs. slow practice can help you make smarter choices based on your goals. And if you’re working on your tremolo, this step-by-step tremolo guide can help you improve tone, rhythm, and fluidity with every note.

For more guidance in structuring your practice and building essential technique, consider joining my Spanish Guitar Mastery course—a complete learning path designed to support you every step of the way.

Happy Practicing!

Please leave a comment or question about this post at the bottom of this page to let me know how these strategies are helping you. And if you’re interested in lessons, please contact me below. Thanks and happy practicing!

Find out more here!

  1. Splash cold water on your face¹.
  2. Drink a cold glass of water².
  3. Turn on the lights as brightly as possible³.
  4. Go outside to look at or toward the morning sky for 5-10 minutes without sunglasses — NEVER look at any light that is uncomfortably bright⁴.
  5. Take several quick, deep breaths in a row⁵.
  6. Work out. Even doing a few jumping jacks or burpees immediately before sitting down to practice or during breaks helps quite a bit⁶.
  7. If it’s safe for you, take a cold shower (or at least finish with completely cold water)¹⁰.

 

Discover these essential music practice and performance strategy books for 2024 to refine your approach and improve faster.”

My Focus Routine

Here are 8 evidence-based focus primers I do and recommend immediately before starting my practice routine:

 

    1. As soon as you sit down to practice, write a to-do list of anything on your mind that is not related to practice. And during practice, keep that list accessible to write down any invading thoughts of things you need to do later that day(¹⁴).

    1. Next, write a to-do list of specific practice goals for your practice session⁷.

    1. Always eliminate distractions (especially social media, web searching, phone noise, and notifications)(¹⁵)

    1. If you have time, do a 5-15 minute focused meditation with your eyes closed, where you are focusing on something specific. I often focus on my breathing(¹⁶, ¹⁷, ¹⁸)

    1. Focus on a fixed point in your practice space about 1-5 feet away from you and practice engaging your entire focus on that point for 30-60 seconds. This helps prime the brain for maximum focus(¹¹, ¹², ¹³).

    1. Do a quick warm-up and then engage in maximum focus on only one (1) goal at a time. Do not multitask⁸.

    1. When you start losing focus, quickly re-focus your attention. Focussing well is a skill that requires practice. If you start losing focus often, take a 2-3 minute movement break and then go back and try again⁹.
    2. Limit each practice session to 60 minutes peppered with plenty micro and movement breaks.

 

Practice

Next time you practice, first remind yourself that effective learning starts with alertness and a high level of focus. Without these two conditions, your efforts in practice won’t be as fruitful as they could be since the neurological pathways needed for learning won’t be primed very well (see references above).

This week try out a few of the ideas I shared with you above and let me know in the comments (at the bottom of the page here) if you found them helpful.

One of the best ways to track your progress and gain clarity on your technique is by recording your practice sessions. It’s not just about listening back—it’s about learning to observe yourself more critically and constructively. As you refine your approach, you might wonder whether it’s better to practice quickly or slowly. This breakdown on fast vs. slow practice can help you make smarter choices based on your goals. And if you’re working on your tremolo, this step-by-step tremolo guide can help you improve tone, rhythm, and fluidity with every note.

For more guidance in structuring your practice and building essential technique, consider joining my Spanish Guitar Mastery course—a complete learning path designed to support you every step of the way.

Happy Practicing!

Please leave a comment or question about this post at the bottom of this page to let me know how these strategies are helping you. And if you’re interested in lessons, please contact me below. Thanks and happy practicing!

Find out more here!

Tags :
alertness,focus,how to improve learning,music practice,neuroplasticity,practice strategies
Share This :

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ABOUT DIEGO ALONSO

My mission is to teach guitarists how to reach their goals faster and better than the norm.

Learn More

Editorial Process

My articles and reviews are based on real-life experience, case studies, and scientific research.

Recent Posts

Have Any Question?

CONTACT ME!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Diego Alonso. Spanish guitar mastery. Flamenco guitar online. Classical Guitar online. Expert Music Practice Strategies

Join Spanish Guitar Mastery!

REGISTER FOR SGM

Useful Links

Contact Me!

Diego Alonso Audette © 2024. All RIghts Reserved