In this episode of GTRNRD, Andy Schneider dives into the common pitfalls that can halt your progress as a guitarist or bassist. These "game killers" are often invisible and easily overlooked, but identifying and correcting them can transform your playing. Andy outlines three key areas where mistakes commonly occur: mechanical, mental, and attitudinal.

1. **Poor Hand Position**: Many players, especially beginners, struggle with incorrect hand positioning, leading to tension and fatigue. Andy emphasizes the importance of keeping the wrist straight to avoid discomfort and improve reach and speed.

2. **Poor Rhythm**: Consistent rhythm is crucial for good music. Andy advises using a metronome or drum machine to improve timing and warns against tapping your foot, which can compartmentalize your brain's focus.

3. **Lack of Routine**: Consistency in practice is vital. Andy suggests short, regular practice sessions over infrequent, long ones to build skills and habits effectively.

Andy also shares his recent experiment with creating a custom thumb pick, which he found to be a game-changer for his playing. He plans to explore this further in a future episode.

For those struggling with hand position, Andy recommends his books, "Acoustic Guitar for Adults" and "Electric Guitar for Adults," available at seeingmusicbooks.com. These resources include online streaming videos to help guide your practice.

Next week, Andy will explore walking bass lines, a technique valuable for both bassists and guitarists. Stay tuned to GTRNRD for more insights and tips to unlock the great music inside you.