Welcome to the first episode of 2026! In this episode, Paul Andrews kicks off "Jamming Month" with practical advice on why most guitar jams—whether solo or group—tend to stall or feel unmusical, and how you can overcome those hurdles to make your playing more creative and enjoyable.

1. Jamming Defined

1. Jamming isn't just about playing with other people. It can be solo, using backing tracks or drum loops, and is accessible to beginners.

2. Practice-a-Thon and Charity News

1. January’s Practice-a-Thon: Practice throughout January to launch your year on a strong note.
2. Optional charity element supporting Jesse’s Fund, helping children with complex needs. You can join and track your progress for free, with the option to raise funds.

3. Upcoming Events

1. First Steps Jam: January 11th (live on Zoom) — Learn the basics of jamming with guided real-time practice.
2. Live Member Q&A: January 25th (live on Zoom) — Submit questions in advance or join live; recording available later.

4. Why Guitar Jams Go Nowhere

1. The core issue: Random ideas with no intent or commitment.
2. Most jams falter not from lack of skill, but lack of focus.

5. Noodling vs. Jamming

1. Noodling: Playing without intent, changing ideas constantly.
2. Jamming: Committing to ideas, responding to what you hear, and developing musical phrases.

6. The Power of Constraints

1. Music flourishes with fewer ideas, not more.
2. Use constraints (like limiting yourself to three notes or repeating a phrase for 30 seconds) to foster creativity and musicality.

7. Practice Challenge

1. Try the "two-note improvising" challenge found in the community section of Beginner Guitar Academy.

8. Action Steps for Listeners

1. If you can play a few chords or notes, you’re ready to jam! Jamming is a skill developed by doing.
2. For your next solo or group jam, pick one idea and stick with it longer than feels comfortable—this forces creativity and deeper musical exploration.

9. What's Next

1. Next week's episode: How to sound musical using just one scale, and why phrasing is more important than knowing lots of notes.

1. Sign up for PracticeThon: bgapodcast.com/january
2. Community Section &...

In this bonus episode, Paul Andrews announces the launch of the January Practice-a-thon challenge at Beginner Guitar Academy! The Practice-a-thon kicks off Thursday, January 1st, and is designed to set the tone for a productive and inspiring year of guitar playing.

1. A flexible challenge: Push yourself to practice guitar more often throughout January.
2. No pressure to practice every single day, set your own realistic goals.
3. Perfect for those struggling with consistency, motivation, or regular practice.

1. This year, you can add a charitable aspect to your challenge by getting sponsored.
2. Donations support Jesse’s Fund, a UK charity using music to help children with additional and complex needs communicate and express themselves.
3. You can set up your own sponsorship page or support Paul Andrews via his sponsorship page. (All participation is optional.)

1. Sign up at bjapodcast.com/january
2. Register with your name and email to receive all the info you need.
3. Download the Practice Tracker (a fillable, printable PDF) to log your minutes and reflect on your progress each week.
4. Links to set up your charity page are included in the email.

1. Start the year strong by building a consistent practice habit.
2. Connect with a community of guitar learners.
3. Support a meaningful cause through music.
4. Entire challenge is free and customizable to your schedule.
5. Let’s kick off 2026 with a bang!

1. Sign up for the Practice-a-thon Challenge

Join the challenge, start the year with intention, and become the guitarist you want to be—while helping others experience the joy and connection of music!

Note: The Practice-a-thon challenge and charitable elements are entirely optional and flexible. Participate in whatever way is right for you.

In this episode, Paul Andrews dives deep into the most common frustrations faced by beginner guitarists. Whether you're picking up the instrument for the first time or you've been working at it for a while, these struggles are universal!

Paul shares practical solutions you can use to overcome these common setbacks and keep progressing on your guitar journey as you move into the new year.

Common Guitar Frustrations

• Slow chord changes
• Messy or out-of-time strumming
• Sore fingertips
• Not knowing what to practice or feeling stuck
• Feeling like you're not improving quickly enough
• Difficulty combining skills (chords + strumming)
• The challenge of bar chords

Actionable Tips to Overcome Each Frustration

• The “Three S’s” for chord changing: Shape, Sound, Speed
• Isolating the strumming hand before combining with chords; use window wiper technique
• Short, frequent practice sessions to toughen fingertips (not marathon sessions!)
• Structured practice routines: the 5-10-10-5 formula (warm-up, focused skills, song practice)
• Tracking progress and journaling—celebrate small wins!
• Ignore comparison, focus on your own journey, and aim for process, not perfection
• Integrate skills slowly and prioritize hand isolation before combining them
• Approach barre chords with patience, gradual skill-building, and proper hand technique

Beginner Guitar Academy Community Updates

• The Sip and Strumming session recording (“Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry) is now available for members
• January Practice Challenge: Practice daily to raise money for Jesse’s Fund, a UK charity helping children communicate through music

• Paul Andrews reminds listeners that frustration is entirely normal—every guitarist experiences it, and there are proven ways to overcome it.
• Breaking down both chord and rhythm sections into isolated skills is key to building smooth and consistent technique.
• The podcast encourages slow and steady progress over rushed perfectionism.
• Building calluses and avoiding finger pain requires a gentle, regular approach, not pushing too hard too soon.
• Structure in practice is crucial—random practice leads to slow progress.
• Keep a practice journal and record your monthly progress to objectively see improvements over time.
• Comparison steals joy—track your own wins and value the small steps forward.

For Beginner Guitar Academy Members:

• Check your dashboard for the Sip and Strumming session recording.
• Watch for news and links about the January practice challenge in the community.

For Non-members:

• Next week’s episode will include details and links for joining the January Practice Challenge.

Want to improve your barre chords?

• Explore the “Get to Grips with Bar Chords” workshop in the Academy.

As Paul Andrews shares, every frustration is fixable and simply part of the learning journey. Take stock of the challenges that resonate most with you and commit to one small action this week—your progress depends on practicing with intention, patience, and celebration of every milestone.

Tune in next week for the Beginner Guitar Academy Christmas Special!