No.10

Besides being imperative that you train your ear in "hearing" and "anticipating" the harmonic structure of any tune you might want to play on (lets spell it out...be able to play by "ear"...), you must also be proficient in playing ALL basic scales (at least mayor & harmonic minor scales, adding the blues and be-bop ones later on), and arpeggios (mayor & minor as well as diminished and augmented) IN EVERY KEY FROM MEMORY!!!!.  Not just from the root but be able to do so starting from any degree of the scale or, when playing chords (arpeggios) be able to do so starting from any inversion!.

Don't expect to memorize every scale and arpeggio in just a few weeks. This is a lengthy process therefore its one you should tackle just as soon as you are technically able to.
The goal besides memorization, is not to play "fast" (that believe me, will surely come in due time) but ACCURACY in the execution is what we are aiming for.

Don't just practice your scales and arpeggios in even eights, rather "swing them".

Don't be afraid of practicing them with the metronome...it WONT BITE YOU!!!!...eventually you might even feel like it became your friend...but, don't become too attached to it either !!!! ...

Like anything in life, balance is of the essence. If you use it too much you will become dependent of it. Use it mainly to check your accuracy in keeping the tempo set for your practice.

Remember... practice slow at first...speed will come over time!!!!.