Steve Stine Guitar Podcast

The Five-Phase Journey to Becoming a Confident Guitarist


Listen Later

Send Steve a Text Message

What really holds most guitar players back? After teaching thousands of guitarists, I've discovered it's rarely about technical ability—it's about confidence. That feeling of certainty when you play, knowing who you are as a musician, and being comfortable in your own skin.

The journey to guitar confidence follows five distinct phases, each building upon the last. It begins with curiosity—that moment when you hear Hendrix, Van Halen, or whoever your inspiration might be, and think "I want to do that!" This natural motivation fuels your early development. Next comes foundation building, where you develop the essential skills needed for your musical goals. This is where many players get distracted by "bright shiny objects" instead of focusing on the fundamentals that will truly advance their playing.

The third phase—developing actual confidence—is where most guitarists get stuck. It requires something scary: being vulnerable enough to play for others and receive feedback. "I'll play with people once I'm better" becomes a perpetual excuse, creating a cycle where improvement stalls because you're not getting the feedback needed to grow. Breaking through this barrier transforms your playing.

Once confidence develops, you enter the creative expression phase, where your playing begins to sound more human and personal. This naturally evolves into the final phase—musical identity. The liberating truth is that even guitar legends have limitations. Tommy Emanuel doesn't play like Eddie Van Halen, and Joe Bonamassa doesn't sound like Steve Vai. These players succeeded not by mastering everything, but by embracing who they are musically.

The guitar truly is Pandora's box—endless possibilities that will outlive us all. Don't let that overwhelm you. Finding your center and developing confidence in your unique voice is the real path to becoming the guitarist you want to be. Where are you in these five phases, and what's your next step toward confident playing?

Links:

Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:
https://academy.guitarzoom.com/

  • Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
  • GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
  • Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Steve Stine Guitar PodcastBy Steve Stine

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

74 ratings


More shows like Steve Stine Guitar Podcast

View all
Guitar Music Theory by Desi Serna

Guitar Music Theory

823 Listeners

StarTalk Radio by Neil deGrasse Tyson

StarTalk Radio

14,073 Listeners

The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast by The Fretboard Journal

The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

346 Listeners

Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone by Wampler Pedals

Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone

473 Listeners

The Eddie Trunk Podcast by SiriusXM

The Eddie Trunk Podcast

1,297 Listeners

Guitar Nerds by Guitar Nerds

Guitar Nerds

153 Listeners

No Guitar Is Safe by Jude Gold

No Guitar Is Safe

778 Listeners

Know Your Gear Podcast by Phillip Mcknight

Know Your Gear Podcast

290 Listeners

Play Guitar Podcast by Lee Anderson

Play Guitar Podcast

211 Listeners

Beginner Guitar Academy by Beginner Guitar Academy

Beginner Guitar Academy

72 Listeners

The Blues Guitar Show by Ben Martin

The Blues Guitar Show

25 Listeners

Wong Notes by Premier Guitar

Wong Notes

514 Listeners

Dipped In Tone by Dipped in Tone

Dipped In Tone

208 Listeners

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade by Audacy

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

12,761 Listeners

Shred With Shifty by Chris Shiflett

Shred With Shifty

165 Listeners