Skip to main content

Some Tips On How To Master An Instrument

 Some Tips On How To Master An Instrument 


* find the instrument that speaks the language you comprehend 


* if you believe you "can't", you won't. If you push yourself,  you'll do just fine. 


* you will start at the beginning,  just like everyone else. 


* you will progress at your own pace.   


* you will find obstacles in your way. You can either give up or learn how to overcome. 


* you will not always remember everything every time.


* learn to make sounds before notes,  chords, arpeggios.  It took you years to learn how to speak.  This won't happen overnight either. 


* it will be difficult at times.  Learn to enjoy those times. 


* practicing is fine.  Playing is better and often more productive. 


* learn to play with others 


* learn to understand and appreciate the space between notes 


* mistakes happen. Pay attention to them. They might teach you something cool.


* you probably won't become rich and famous. Be thankful for that. 


* you will have good days, bad days and everything in between.


* listen to others but find your own style. Speak in your own voice. 


* be honest, humble and proud. 


* keep pushing yourself 


* there's always someone better 


* it's OK to ask for help 


* not everyone is going to enjoy your music 


* music is music,  there's no good or bad music. You won't enjoy everything you hear but take the time to appreciate it 


* don't compare yourself to others 


* getting paid is nice but play music because it means something to you 


* you will never be compensated for a life of music.  The music itself is the only guarantee and that too may pass 


* keep your word - to yourself and others 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mama's Little Babies

It wasn't the first time he'd passed out in the old blue Adirondack chair in his yard. Over the years, his habit of drinking alone until the wee hours had grown from occasionally to usually . He'd reached the point in life when most of his friends were married, had families and lives, and heavy drinking just wasn't part of their world anymore. Being a bachelor and a man of singular habits, he'd merely accepted it. What woke him was the sensation of something cold and wet nuzzling his inner arm, followed by what felt like a surprisingly large tongue licking his hand. This was different. Without any great response, he looked down to see a bear cub licking his hand. He didn't move. He knew better than to scare a wild animal. He looked around and saw another cub rooting through a now presumably empty bag of Doritos.  His yard was lit only by the light above his garage and the dying embers of the fire pit. He noticed empty beer cans on the old picnic table. From the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

TRIBUTE BANDS: The Dubious Art of Selling Somebody Else's Identity

Anyone who knows me in any way knows my stance on so-called "tribute acts". They're bullshit. I, like any working musician, have played other people's music. It's kinda how being a working musician operates. My classically trained musician friends routinely perform the works of the great composers; Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, etc. Anyone who's played in a bar band in the past 60 years has probably played at least one song by The Rolling Stones or Chuck Berry. Nothing wrong with that. Never has been. But at what point did folks switch from doing covers to paying "tribute" to another act, essentially creating entire commercial enterprises built around imitating the identity, appearance, sound, and presentation of established performers (aka FAMOUS BANDS)? OK, say you really, really like U2 ( I'm sure someone does ). You know that you're highly unlikely to reach their level of success. So, you do the next best thing: pretend you ARE them! Y...
Post a Comment
Read more

Clearing up the Great Gretsch/Rockabilly Sham!

I've had a long-standing friendly argument with a couple of friends about guitars. This has gone on for 20+ years. We're all pickers, and we're all usually lumped under the rockabilly category too. They both love Gretsch guitars. I can take them or leave them. Rockabilly fans have asked me many times why I don't play a Gretsch, which is often associated with rockabilly music.   First, I point out that what I play ain't exactly rockabilly. Sure, there's a definite rockabilly influence...but there's also blues, jazz, surf, garage, punk, country, Tex-Mex, and even some Gypsy & African influences in my music. A Gretsch just ain't gonna cut it. Don't get me wrong, Gretsches have their place and their own, unique sound. But...for a picker who is coming from the afore-mentioned influences, a Gretsch just ain't gonna cut it.   The new Gretsches, mostly reissues, are well-made guitars. MUCH better made than the original ones, which tended to ...
14 comments
Read more