# Fret & Habit

> Fret & Habit is an independent guitar-practice publication for players who want clearer routines and more reliable technique. It covers practice design, rhythm, fretboard knowledge, picking, fretting, articulation, and the small adjustments that make songs easier to play well.

Fret & Habit publishes original, long-form guides about Better guitar playing, one useful repetition at a time. Every article opens with a concise direct answer, is structured with clear headings and FAQs, and reflects mainstream expert consensus.

## Playing Technique

- [Alternate Picking: Build an Even Down-Up Motion](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/alternate-picking-guide/): Practice alternate picking with a secure but relaxed grip and a small repeating down-up motion.
- [Barre Chord Technique Without Excess Grip](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/barre-chord-technique/): Play barre chords by placing the index finger close behind the fret and using only the pressure required for the intended strings.
- [Bend Guitar Strings in Tune by Matching a Target](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/bend-guitar-strings-in-tune/): Bend a guitar string in tune by first playing and hearing the destination pitch as an ordinary fretted note.
- [Clean Chord Changes: Move Less and Land Together](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/clean-chord-changes/): Change guitar chords smoothly by confirming both shapes, identifying anchor or guide fingers, releasing excess pressure, and moving close to the strings.
- [Guitar Pick Guide: Match Feel to the Musical Job](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/guitar-pick-guide/): Choose a guitar pick by testing its response on the music you play.
- [Guitar Vibrato Technique: Control Width and Rate](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/guitar-vibrato-technique/): Practice guitar vibrato by first sustaining a stable center pitch, then adding a small, repeatable pitch movement that returns evenly.
- [Rhythm Guitar Timing: Protect the Pulse](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/rhythm-guitar-timing/): Improve rhythm guitar timing by counting subdivisions, simplifying the part, locating the first drift, and rebuilding accents, rests, changes, and…
- [Strumming Patterns: Learn the Pulse Before the Arrows](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/strumming-patterns-for-guitar/): Learn a guitar strumming pattern by counting the beat and subdivision, then practicing on muted strings, one chord, and simple changes.

## Practice Methods

- [Beginner Guitar Practice Routine That Stays Useful](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/beginner-guitar-practice-routine/): A beginner guitar practice routine should combine a physical check, one technique target, one rhythm task, a small section of a real song, and a brief…
- [Ear Training for Guitarists With the Instrument](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/ear-training-for-guitarists/): Ear training for guitarists should connect hearing, singing, finding, and naming.
- [Fix a Guitar Practice Plateau With Better Evidence](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/fix-guitar-practice-plateau/): Fix a guitar practice plateau by replacing the broad feeling of being stuck with one observable failure.
- [Guitar Practice Log: Track Decisions, Not Minutes](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/guitar-practice-log/): A useful guitar practice log records the exact target, method, starting result, ending result, and next action.
- [Guitar Warm-Up Routine for Focused Hands](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/guitar-warm-up-routine/): A guitar warm-up should use comfortable, low-demand playing that gradually approaches the technique planned for the session.
- [Learn Guitar Songs in Sections That Connect](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/learn-guitar-songs-in-sections/): Learn a guitar song by mapping sections, isolating the smallest failed transition, and reconnecting it to surrounding bars.
- [Memorize the Guitar Fretboard Through Landmarks](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/memorize-guitar-fretboard/): Memorize the guitar fretboard by learning natural-note landmarks on one string, connecting the same note through octave shapes, and searching for one…
- [Practice Guitar With a Metronome Without Chasing It](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/practice-guitar-with-metronome/): Practice guitar with a metronome by counting the pulse, then adding a simple part at a tempo where movement stays accurate.
- [20-Minute Guitar Practice With a Clear Purpose](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/twenty-minute-guitar-practice/): A useful 20-minute guitar practice session can use roughly three minutes to settle and tune, five to isolate one movement, five to place it against a…

## Full text for LLMs

- [llms-full.txt](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/llms-full.txt): every article as plain markdown in one file
- Each article is also available as markdown at https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/<slug>.md

## Site

- [About](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/about/): editorial approach and standards
- [All articles](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/all/)
- [Contact](https://guitaristmarkmarshall.com/contact/)