People around the world believe that owning talent alone is enough to guarantee a musician success in the music business. Nothing could be further from the truth. In a faultless world, the best musicians the best guitarists would be thoroughly rewarded for their capabilities. However, the business of music is far from perfect and to achieve success you have to practice day in and day out to stay competitive.
Talent is the most important thing for any artist, but whether you are a fingerpicker or a two handed tapper, in order to continue your musical journey, you have to distinguish yourself from rest of the world. You do not have to be a Jimi Hendrix at the beginning of your guitar playing stage, just learn the basics and be good at what you are learning. To be a good guitarist you don’t have to compete with each and every guitarist in this planet, you just have one competitor to compete with and that one competitor is yourself. Compete with yourself, try to be better than yesterday and I bet you will be better than the best.
Some of the basic things which you should know when you run your fingers across those strings of a guitar, things that probably no one would have told you when you start learning guitar or as a matter of fact if you are a guitarist so that you can be good at it.
Feel good about your guitar as your guitar is your asset, respect your guitar, and treat it like your friend. Let’s face it if you don’t feel good or don’t have the passion for doing something you will always fail. So, feel good about your step forward towards music, love it, feel it and be passionate about playing guitar. This would help you to lock in with the rhythm section and produce a track that grooves. Pay attention to the legendary guitarists to absorb how grooves should be played, everyone from rock Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love to blues shuffle Pride and Joy by Vaughan to Sex Machine by Brown. Practice, practice and practice to make yourself perfect, remember you are your toughest competitor.
Pay attention when you listen to guitar as this is one of the most important areas which you should develop if you want to be successful. Great legendary guitarist had already done half of the things for you so all you have to do is listen to their guitar. Also, if you are already a stage performer or if you are in the studio, do not just be in your own world, try to listen and engage with the other musicians you are working with. React to what they are playing.
Practice, practice and practice, well everyone says it but this is the best way to learn guitar. Hard work always pays off. Only practice can make you better, can make you perfect. And there is no right or wrong time or place to practice, if you feel like practicing at mid-night then practice at that time don’t stop your inner you, but make sure you don’t wake your neighbours.
These are my all from my own personal experience; I learnt to play guitar on an acoustic guitar. I have over 40 years of experience as a musician, music instructor, arranger and performing artist. If you want to add guitar to your life by learning to play, then just visit my website guitarconfidence.com and give me a call. I have been doing mobile guitar lessons for many years. I will come to your home and give you private guitar lessons at your home. Guitar Confidence covers over 30 cities in the East Bay and South Bay areas; including Danville, San Ramon, Dublin & Pleasanton.
