The lines are sometimes blurry between beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of skill, with various definitions of each level depending on the activity it’s being assessed in. So, it may feel confusing to determine your skill level as a guitarist. What does being an intermediate guitar player look like?
Intermediate guitar players are in the middle stage between beginner and advanced. Some signs that you’re an intermediate guitar player include being able to quickly identify notes, play songs without tablature, jam comfortably with others, and even start creating their own tunes.
Reaching an intermediate level of guitar playing looks different for everyone, as evidenced by conversations with musicians Andrew Sowka from Winternom and Dave White from David Dino White. So, read on to learn what these musicians consider to be the 10 definite signs that you’re an intermediate guitar player.
If you want to find out what my recommended guitar gear is, then here is what I recommend on Amazon:
- Fender Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle (MY FAVORITE GUITAR)
- Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner (Easiest Tuner I’ve Used )
- 6 String Acoustic Guitar Capo (Best CAPO for quick changes)
- Dunlop Max Grip 1.0mm Nylon Picks (Thick Guitar Pick So You Don’t Lose Grip!)
- Universal Guitar Stand (Cheap & Minimalist Guitar Stand I Recommend)
- Levy’s 2″ Wide Quick Adjust Guitar Strap (Best Guitar Strap For Any Level)
1. You Can Feel and See Improvement
There’s no better feeling than being able to play an instrument well. That skill comes from dedicated practice and unadulterated passion. Intermediate guitar players have a stronger sense of confidence in their playing. They’re capable of feeling, seeing, and hearing their improvement.
Feeling comfortable playing a specific genre of music, says White, is a telltale sign of intermediate-level skill. A genre covers an array of unique playing styles. Finding strength in one genre also means having the confidence to play songs with different keys and tempos. You may also notice fewer mistakes in exercises you’ve practiced more often.
Turning the focus onto a new genre, technique, or playing style can be intimidating when your playing skills improve. Don’t be discouraged, though, because as an intermediate player, you now have a solid repertoire of skills to rely on throughout the learning process.
2. You Can Play Songs Without Sheet Music
Intermediate guitar players can play songs without having to follow along with sheet music or tabs. After practicing a set so often, playing often turns into muscle memory; you no longer need to read the notes because you know exactly how to play them already.
This is a critical skill for intermediate players that have (or want to have) on-stage experience. It isn’t typical for guitar players to read sheet music during a performance unless they’re playing at a recital. Memorizing notes and hand placements is a valuable skill and another definite sign of intermediate-level guitar playing.
Repetition is the best way to practice a song without sheet music. Break the piece down into sections and play it obsessively. This will transfer into muscle memory after some time. However, don’t solely rely on muscle memory to play your song! Intermediate guitar players can keep close track of what notes to play and when.
If you need sheet music to play, it doesn’t mean you aren’t an intermediate guitar player. In fact, it’s great to keep the notes handy in case you need them. You’re likely approaching an intermediate level when you can successfully play and follow sheet music with few to no mistakes.
3. You Can Easily Identify Notes and Keys
Hearing a key and identifying it is another sign of higher-level musical skills. While it isn’t a skill exclusive to guitar players, it shows a more significant knowledge base in music theory than most beginners have.
A few components of music theory that are essential for the aspiring musician include:
- Notes
- Keys
- Scales
- Harmonies
- Tempos
When these components start to flow more naturally after extensive studying (and practicing), it’s safe to say that you’ve leveled up as a guitarist.
Being able to easily reproduce notes you hear is another component of music theory indicative of competent playing skills. Intermediate guitar players are successfully developing their “ear for music,” which means they’re finessing their ability to hear, learn, and play music.
4. Your Influences and Idols Are Evolving
You may have looked up to a particular artist when you first started playing the guitar. Now, as an intermediate guitar player, you’ve noticed your influences and idols aren’t the same ones you had before. Suddenly, they’ve evolved into musicians that pique your interest or inspire you in new, more challenging ways.
As you move through intermediate and into a more advanced level, your musical horizon begins to broaden further. Different artists often act as excellent teachers, inspiring musicians with the motivation, passion, and drive they need to continue practicing.
White described being initially inspired by musicians like Jack White and Eric Clapton, for example, but eventually moved away from mainstream guitarists in favor of different genres and styles of playing, like the fanciful finger picking of Tommy Emmanuel.
5. You Can Jam and Improvise
Arguably one of the most fun parts of playing the guitar is jamming out with other musicians.
With a handful of instruments and a group of intermediate-level players, a lively jam session is an excellent way to improve your skill set. Playing in a group also creates opportunities to learn from and teach new techniques to others.
When seasoned musicians jam together, improvising comes easily. I once watched a Caley Campbell rehearsal session that involved mid-song edits, spontaneous new solos, and the impressive ability to play any of my song requests from memory.
An intermediate-level guitar player has a pretty extensive song repertoire, evidenced by watching the band rehearse, which makes jamming and improvising all the easier as skill improves!
6. You Need (or Want) Specific Gear
Naturally, as the playing level increases, a need or desire for specific musical equipment arises. Beginner guitar players might have a standard instrument that can last long if cared for properly. Regardless, learning more about the guitar also means learning more about what you can do with it.
For example, suppose an intermediate player wanted to learn how to finger-pick as Dave White did. In that case, they may start to look into different types of guitar strings. Or, should a musician want to play in front of an audience, an amp purchase might be in their future.
Either way, intermediate guitar players might find that they want to upgrade their gear. As the musician in them grows, their goals will transform and lead into directions that require specific amps, instruments, or accessories in order to be met.
Here are a few pieces of equipment (including accessories and guitar storage) that every guitarist should have, regardless of skill level:
Accessories
Certain accessories are needed to either help maintain the instrument or help to improve its quality of sound. Most, if not all, of this equipment, can be found at your local music store:
A Guitar Tuner
Guitar tuners are great for quickly and accurately keeping your instrument in tune. An out-of-tune guitar makes an unpleasant sound, so using a tuner whenever it happens – either a manual one, a pedal, or clip-on tuners- is necessary.
A popular, high quality and inexpensive tuner is the Snark Super Tight Clip-on Tuner (available on Amazon.com). This tuner is very easy to use and read, as it can be viewed from any angle and has a fast processing chip – making it both accurate and quick.
A Capo
A capo is a device that gets clipped onto the neck of the guitar, closing on some of the strings and thus creating a higher pitched sound. It can be a great tool when you want to play a song in a different key without changing the tune of the guitar.
A simple capo is the Donner Guitar Capo (available on Amazon.com). This capo is very durable and easy to use, so it won’t break or be challenging to move on your guitar strings.
An Amplifier
An amplifier is a piece of equipment that projects the instrument’s sound at a set volume. Excellent (and mandatory) for on-stage playing, an amp can also help clarify the instrument’s sound during practice or jam sessions.
Marshall amps are popular amongst musicians. A small, portable, and relatively inexpensive amp is the Marshall Amps Guitar Combo Amplifier (available on Amazon.com). This amp is conveniently sized and includes a headphone output, which is excellent for intermediate guitar players.
Guitar Storage
Storing your guitar correctly will ensure it’s well taken care of and thus can be played for a long time. Here are some guitar storage gear that are a necessity for intermediate guitar players:
A Guitar Case and Stand
A guitar case is essential for traveling with your instrument. While a guitar is sturdy enough, it isn’t indestructible and can easily suffer from scratches, dents, holes, and broken strings. A solid guitar case prevents unwanted damage to the guitar.
A solid cover guitar case is the best option for the ultimate protection, but modern guitar cases are waterproof with secure shoulder straps. The Cahaya Acoustic Guitar Bag (available on Amazon.com) is a stylish travel case designed like a backpack, making it very easy to carry and transport.
On the other hand, a guitar stand is suitable for the at-home storage of your instrument. Whether it stays in your jam space or your living room, a good guitar stand will keep your instrument out of the way of things that go on around your home.
The upright guitar stands are ideal as they provide lots of support to the instrument. The ChromaCast Upright Guitar Stand (available on Amazon.com) is a good, simple choice with rubber holders both at the neck and the base of the guitar.
A Pair of Headphones
Finally, a pair of headphones should definitely be added to the list of gear that an intermediate guitar player owns. During practices, especially with other musicians, the playing can be loud and damaging to the ears. For this reason, a good pair of headphones that muffle the volume of the music is critical to protecting your hearing.
Headphones can also be used to listen to back tracks while you’re playing; this is an excellent exercise to incorporate into your practice regime.
Audio-Technica Studio Headphones (available on Amazon.com) are fabulous headphones that muffle the music’s volume and have recording features, which can be used with music editing software.