|
|
|
One of the more
trying areas of playing the guitar is when you get to point
where you are no longer showing any improvement in your
playing. All guitarists run into this same problem regardless
of their skill level and ask the same question, “why is my
guitar playing not up to the level that I would like it to be,
and what must I do to get there?”
To make matters even worse we see and hear our favorite guitar
players almost everyday, and it seems as thought they are
always coming up with new tricks and are constantly improving
upon their skills. When we read about our favorite guitarists
in magazines in order to learn how to do what they do this
leaves us even more confused. Becoming a fantastic guitarist
is no easy task. It is a lot harder then it looks.
What is the answer to becoming a successful guitarist?
Although there is no single answer to solving every problem
there are a lot of theories and concepts that may help you get
through the sticking points that are holding you back from
becoming the guitarist that you have always wanted to be.
One of the first things that you must understand is that you
do not have to be a genius in order to become a fantastic
guitarist. The top two things that you must posses if you want
to be a great guitarist are commitment and desire. There is no
such thing as a great guitarist that is not passionate about
music. They did not get to be were they are by being lethargic
and uninterested.
These guitarists took it upon their self’s to go ahead and
continually learn new things.
It is guitarists that dare to challenge them self’s that
take the chance of failure. This is where a lot of guitarist
lose the fight with low self-worth and give up. The problem is
not that they took the chance, but that they could not pick
themselves up again. When you understand that failure is a
part of the growing process, and that it takes a lot of
practices to nail down some of the techniques, then you have
just learned the first thing that you need to become a skilled
guitarist.
I have put together a list of ideas that I believe every
guitar player ought to try out.
This article is not like other articles in that they require
you to take action and do rather then just read, because in
the end all that counts is what you do.
Top 10 tips…
1. Learn something that is challenging and new – The very
first step to becoming a better guitar player is
self-education. When it comes to mastering the guitar there is
always something brand new to learn. If you are presently
learning music in school, college, at a conservatory, or with
a private guitar instructor, you will find that mastering the
guitar will come easier to you, then to those that are
studying on there own. If you are not in a music program my
advice to you is that you get into one, or find a private
guitar instructor. I am all in favor of learning on your own,
but I know from my own personal experience that support and
motivation from a music teacher or a private instructor is
priceless. Once you have mastered an area of interest, push
yourself to learn something that is new and challenging,
something that you are not comfortable with. If you keep on
learning within your comfort zone you will continually be
running in circles.
2. Time is valuable make it count – Do not waste your
valuable time hacking around on your guitar. Get down to
business and learn things that will help you reach your
musical goals. Set musical goals and work towards attaining
them. You can become a better guitarist just by managing your
time properly and staying focused.
3. Listen to a lot of music – In order to become a great
guitarist you have to listen to a lot of music. Listen to your
favorite bands, and draw motivation from them. Listen to what
the guitarists are doing and make up a list of the techniques
that you would have to learn in order to play that particular
piece of music. This will really motivate you to play your
guitar more often, because you now have a clearer picture of
what you are working towards.
4. Surround yourself with talent – Play guitar with people
that are better than you, not only will you learn how to play
better, you will also be motivated to push yourself so that
you can keep up. When you first think about it this idea seems
difficult to understand, you may be asking yourself “why
would I want to expose myself to this kind of pressure?” The
truth of the matter is that nothing will motivate you more
then the fact that people are depending on you. Do not play
with people who are rude and conceited. Humiliation doesn't
promote self-worth and will only bring you down. You want to
play with people that are considerate and patient. With time
you will find yourself playing up to their level.
5. Creating a vision - Have a clear vision about what you want
to do when you have achieved your goals. Do you want to create
your own CD, or play in a band at local spots? Will you be
playing cover songs or writing your own songs? Begin planning
now and use the skills that you have at the present time. It’s
all about setting goals and should not be underestimated, it
is very important that you know how you are going to use your
talent. Begin to create a vision now so that you know what
goals you must achieve to get there, whether you just want to
play for your own enjoyment, or to entertain others.
6. Teach another person – When you teach someone else how to
play you will also be learning. Even if you only know one
chord like the E chord then teach someone that. Why you may
ask? Because when you teach someone else to play the guitar it
solidifies what you already know and reaffirms your knowledge.
Believe me when I tell you that I have learned more by
teaching then I have by learning. Teaching takes you out of
your own comfort zone, and when the questions star flying you
better have the answers. I believe that every person that
plays the guitar knows something that they can teach someone
else. Give it a try and you will see the outcome for yourself.
7. Have confidence in your ability – I know that this may
sound a bit cliché, but nonetheless it is important that you
hear it. You can master anything that you set your mind to
regardless of whether or not you have chubby fingers. Do not
listen to what others have to say, stay true to yourself even
thought we live amongst people who are critical and do not
understand how much words hurt. Stay with it and surround
yourself with people that will support you in your quest to
become a guitarist.
8. You are unique – There is no one else like you and nobody
can even come close to being like you. Use this fact to
incorporate your own unique personality into your guitar
playing and there will never be a shortage of stuff to play.
Your guitar playing will become a reflection of you in style
and tone.
9. Figure out what works for other guitarists – Whether you
study the work of your favorite guitar player or speak to your
guitar teacher, inquire of others what worked and didn’t for
them. I do not claim to have all the solutions, but when
everybody puts their heads together some very good ideas begin
to emerge. Networking with other musicians allows you to both
receive and give at the same time.
10. Work on your weak points – As a guitarist you know were
your weak point are when it comes to playing the guitar. For
me personally it is my speed picking technique, and that is
what I spend the majority of my time working on, for you it
may be something different. What ever your weaknesses are don’t
ignore them while you celebrate recent victories. Keep working
on your weaknesses and you will see dramatic improvements in
your guitar playing. The answer to becoming a great guitarist
is to never stop striving to improve upon your weak points, do
this and you will never be at a lose for what to do next. Get
out a note pad and write which weaknesses you currently have,
and then find the resources that you need to improve in that
area of your playing.
|
|
|
|
 The majority of great guitar solos are played so fast that it is often very difficult if not impossible to
learn how to play them or even how they were played: using vibrato, bends, pull offs, slides,
hammer-ons, etc. Check out the best software for slowing down guitar riffs, solos and music with out
changing the pitch.
|
|
|
