- 1. Practice:
- Although it sounds simple,
this is the number one key!
- Guitar legends seem to be
"born", but they are actually "made" along the
way.
- Any highly regarded player
(regardless of instrument) has an extraordinary
- dedication to practice and
the craft of making music.
- It really does help to eat,
drink, sleep, and breathe the guitar!
-
- This said, having structured
practice sessions also help greatly.
- By having structure, one can
address specific areas like technique
- reading, or
ear-training with goals that will insure balanced musical development.
-
- When given limitations, it
is usually better to practice for shorter
- sessions more often than by
practicing in longer sessions less often.
- You will get better quickly
if you train every day.
- Regardless, any time spent
with your guitar in hand will surely pay off.
- Practice hard, seriously,
and practice often--there is no substitute!
-
- 2. Patience:
- No one comes out of the womb
a "star"...Well okay, maybe they do.
- While it is probably
true that we all have differing levels of innate musical
aptitude
- if you want to play well
"it costs to be the boss".
-
- It makes no sense fretting
because someone else's accomplishments have come easier.
- You must have the desire,
dedication, and commitment to challenge and
- overcome your obstacles on
the instrument (as well as in life).
- This takes time! For
some it takes more, for others...less. Get over this, and get busy.
-
- Also realize that most great
players know that playing guitar is a lifetime project
- and the better they get, the
more they want to get better.
-
- As a musician and
human, it is important to continually strive toward progress.
- Set goals to develop the
skills for playing better guitar and becoming a better person.
-
- Remember that you must
interact with others (instructors, band members, fans
- and agents among others) to
share your musical artistry and be successful.
-
- Make a commitment to
become both the best player and person that you know.
- Accept the fact that
patience is required, but know that you wont regret the results
- once you are playing as you
have always dreamed.
-
- 3. Develop your ear:
- Duh, I'm a musician...isn't
this a given?
- No! There are a number of
ways and methods for study but it is amazing the number of
- instrumental musicians who
cannot distinguish basic interval relationships, chords or notes by ear.
-
- In fact, without written
notes, some become lost.
- While visual music cues such
as books, sheet music, tabulature, and even
- M.A.M.I. Musical Scale
Atlases are greatfor learning...music is still about sound!
- Ears are to a musician
as eyes are to a pilot. They are your true guide!
-
- When properly trained your
ears will provide the aural "vision" needed to play
- skillfully, creatively,
confidently, and tastefully. "Ears" involve not just hearing,
but actually listening.
- Listening means that in
addition to hearing one processes,
- categorizes, evaluates, and
judges the sounds that are heard.
-
- Listening is a skill that is
developed through ear training, and should not be neglected.
- The best way to develop
"ears" is through training and practice.
- Learn to concentrate on
sound. Any sound, all sounds.
-
- Close your eyes and judge
its qualities. Is it loud...how loud, soft...how soft,
- soothing, sharp, annoying,
rhythmic, musical, wooden, metallic, etc.
- What is producing it? What
is its origin, or direction. Are there intervals?
- It is moving...rising, or
falling? Can you reproduce it? Try it and see!
-
- and even non-musical
environments.
- To be a successful musician,
you must be able to effectively characterize
- and judge the sounds that
you and others produce.
-
- Remember, music means
listening!
- Do your "job",
whenever you are within a musical environment.
- Make it your mission and
skill to listen carefully and play well...