A couple of weeks ago, I gave you a short, 30-minute guitar workout designed for guitarists whose practice time is limited. The positive response I received prompted me to create an additional lesson, which, in combination with my original workout, will give you a good hour of intensive practice.

We all have busy lives and responsibilities that distract us from our playing. For this reason, I've developed a quick, intensive guitar "workout" that can be completed in 30 minutes. You can use this by itself as a quick practice when time is limited or incorporate it into a longer practice session. Either way, this workout will help develop your playing in a number of important areas.

The term "fill" is usually associated with drummers to describe a short break from a regular groove, or a "mini solo" that's usually used to signal the end of a phrase. Guitar players also can use fills in the same way, and they can be used to enhance your rhythm playing. Adding fills when writing or recording will allow you to inject a little extra creativity and personality into your rhythm parts.

Like many guitarists, I have a daily practice routine that helps keep my chops in shape and develop my technique. I spend many hours each day working with a metronome running through scales and exercises. These routines are the norm for most serious guitarists, but you must be careful. If you devote too much time to practicing scales and technique, you might lose focus on more important longterm goals.