As we end 2018 and welcome in 2019, there is no better time to implement elements into your practice routine that will help you become the musician you want to be in the next year.
Whether you are the type that sets new year resolutions or not, when you have goals you want to reach, anytime is a good time to start the work.
I have a ton of tips for my students and I don't wait until the new year to drop them on them. Over the years though, I've found that there are a few things that really stand out with regard to improving your playing.
Get ready, 2019! Here comes the new musical you!
Tip #1 - Be Consistent with your practice time
I won't spend much time on this one as I just posted about this recently. Click Here to read that blog post.
Tip #2 - Become friends with your Metronome
Do you even metronome, Bro???
Many beginners don't know what a metronome is. Many intermediate musicians do, but loathe it. Advanced musicians look at it like an old friend.
If you don't have a metronome, get one. It doesn't have to be old school like this one. Get an app. Most apps are free these days.
Next, turn it on and practice with it. It will frustrate you, irritate you, make you question my advice, whatever. Get over it and learn to live with it. It will do wonders for your playing. If you're not sure how to really utilize it, Google tips or give me a shout and I'll lay them out for you.
Tip #3 - Play with others
As an instructor, I often see students place unrealistic goals on themselves to be at a certain level of playing before they feel they should start playing with other musicians. In other words, they believe they have to be "good" before reaching out to friends that play.
More than anything, playing with others, and to a larger extent, performing music for others, helps you develop quickly. More so than locking yourself in the practice room for years.
Just have some common sense, though. :)
If you just learned your first song, maybe you should wait to sit in with the hottest band in town at the weekly jam session, right? Instead, talk to your friends that play and see if they want to get together on the weekend for pizza and music. Post on a local bulletin board (online or old school coffee shop) and let people know your level and what you want to play. You will get calls, trust me. Hang out at your local music shop and shoot the breeze with other customers and the staff. You'll find many opportunities to play. And when you do, hang on to your hat, you're musicianship will take off like a rocket!
Blue Heron Music Studio is located in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Offering Music Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Bass Lessons, and Ukulele lessons.
Call or Email to schedule a free trial lesson.