Maintaining Focus on your Music Instruction and Keeping It Interesting
Once the initial excitement of picking up a guitar and learning the first few steps in your music training has worn off a little, how do you keep it fresh and interesting for yourself? It’s not as difficult as it may seem. In this helpful article, we will review several methods that beginning, advanced, and professional guitarists do to stay focused and creative.
Try a Different Genre
Maybe you like to shred like a demon. Maybe you like a smooth, jazzy approach to your playing. Perhaps you can’t imagine playing something without a twang to it. No matter what your preferred genre is, it is always a good idea to try something new. You may even find that you like this new type of music and will incorporate it into your playing. It’s worth a try.
Mix it Up
It could be that your rehearsal schedule has fallen into a rut. You find yourself starting with a set amount of time running scales, playing chord progressions, and then working on mastering a song or two. At least every now and then, you can mix it up a little. The order is not etched in stone, as long as you are doing everything you know you need to do to make yourself a better player.
Eliminate Distractions
A music instruction studio is typically free of clutter and distractions. If at all possible, your practice environment at home should be the same. Keep a room or a corner in your home set aside specifically for your music. Keep the clutter in that space to a minimum. While practicing, turn off all electrical devices (except your guitar and amp, of course). Let folks know this is your “me” time. They will understand.
Going Electric (or Acoustic)
If you are currently playing an electric exclusively, perhaps you should consider breaking free and trying an acoustic. The opposite goes for the non-stop acoustic player. Crank it up! This may entail borrowing, buying, or renting a second guitar. If you can make that happen, that’s great, but don’t stress out if you can’t.
Write a Song
This is not as hard or scary as it may seem if you haven’t done it before. It’s simply a matter of playing a few chords in a progression that sounds good to you. Add some lyrics. Don’t worry; no one but you ever needs to hear it. Besides, every song writer starts off this way. Your music instructor can help you with a chart or a book showing all of the chords used in a given key; this can be a big help.
Creative Visualization
There is nothing mystical or foo-foo about this practice; it is a time-honored, scientifically proven practice that people of all walks of life have used for success. It is as simple as closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, and picturing yourself achieving your musical goals. It can be a real pick-me-up in those moments when you are struggling to master a piece of music.
Which Will You Choose?
These are all great methods to help get out of a rut and stay out of it, to help re-energize you, and keep you focused.