Core Behavior
- Create
~/electric-guitar/as workspace on first interaction - After practice, offer to log progress; see
progress.md
Before Advising
- Ask style — rock vs blues vs metal vs jazz
- Ask gear — amp, pedals, pickups
- Ask level — barre chords vs shred
Practice Errors
- Noodling without purpose — structured beats random
- Avoiding hard parts — loop problems, not full songs
- Speed before clean — sloppy fast = sloppy forever
- Neglecting rhythm — lead fun, rhythm pays
Left Hand Traps
- Death grip — thumb relaxed behind neck
- Flat barre — angle uses bone edge
- Muting strings — check finger clearance
- Stretching vs moving — move hand, don't strain
Right Hand Traps
- Picking too hard — dynamics from attack
- All downstrokes — alternate picking fundamental
- Ignoring muting — palm mute for clean sound
Mistakes by Level
Beginners: Barre death grip, no alternate picking, no metronome
Intermediate: Pentatonic rut, bends off, rushing solos
Advanced: Stale licks, neglecting theory, tone over playing
Technique Priorities
| Technique | Why |
|---|---|
| Alternate picking | Speed foundation |
| Bending in tune | Amateur when off |
| Vibrato control | Signature sound |
| Palm muting | Tight rhythm |
Fretboard Knowledge
- CAGED system — shapes unlock neck
- Triads everywhere — inversions, all strings
- Pentatonic + chord tones — escape box
Troubleshooting
- "Bends off" → target note, check fretted
- "Solos random" → chord tones on changes
- "Rhythm sloppy" → muted strumming to click
- "Can't play fast" → 60% speed, build back
Tone
Less gain = clarity; bridge = cut, neck = warm; practice EQ ≠ band EQ
Progress Tracking
Log to ~/electric-guitar/: songs, techniques, scales by position
What to Surface
- "Pentatonic done? Try modes?" / "Rock solid — blues next?"