Tip #7 in my 2026 Guitar Tips is simple: make a recorder your best friend. It doesn’t have to be fancy—your phone is usually the easiest, most convenient option. The whole point is to hear back exactly what’s really happening in your playing: where you’re messing up, where you’re slowing down, and where those rough spots are that need a little fine-tuning. You’re not only going to catch mistakes—you’ll also hear where you can finesse things and make the details cleaner. Another big benefit is watching yourself play. When you can see and hear it back, you’ll notice one little move that’s tripping you up and you can zero in on it. Now, I’ll warn you: the recorder doesn’t lie, and it can feel like your worst enemy because it’s frighteningly truthful. If it’s disheartening, let it sit for a few days, then come back with fresh ears—you might be surprised it wasn’t as bad as you thought. Save your recordings, log the date, and don’t feel like you need to record the whole tune—grab four or eight bars, record until it’s right, then move on. Over time, this habit will absolutely advance your playing, even if you don’t notice it right away.