Originally Posted by: Nauthiz616Ok so I started playing guitar when i was about 15 years old (24 now). I usually just dicked around and played blackmetal which didnt need to be super acurrate. Now I am getting into acoustic and learning how to sing, I want to do the singer/songwriter thing.

Problem is, I realized that over the years i've learned a lot of bad habits and my "foundation" of playing is really sloppy and weak, especially rhythm wise. I'm just learning how to sing really, I just signed up for lessons so im looking forward to that.

But would it be wise, to stop writing songs and go back to the basics? I feel like prior this my practice is getting NOWHERE. Just a few days ago though, I started playing chords with a metronome just simple patterns.

Anyone have advice how to tackle my goals? Should I start playing simple patterns with a metronome to fix my rhythm and learn to sing as well with my teacher on a different level? Then once those two are solid then begin trying to combine them together?

I feel like im a good player and I understand music its just my technical skills have a bad foundation. Any advice is appreciated. Especially with effective practice. A lot of my practice turns into just long jam sessions where I get no real improvement from. Thanks!

You also might try learning new chords... not in a practice way, but in a "play" way. Stretch yourself. Learn a new genre. Go online to the tabs and check out some of the old standards, Sinatra kind of stuff. They have really cool jazz chords that you can later bring back into your own writing. But don't just practice. That's boring and not all that productive. Play. Experiment with different rthymns. Don't try to do it the original way. Do it your way. Take chords and find out how many different ways you can play them and then use them all as you play until you find the mix you like. Introduce lead walks into your next chord change. Most of all have fun and PLAY.