If you play guitar (or any instrument, really), you may want to make a New Year’s resolution regarding your practice habits, audition schedule, or anything else related to improving your skills.
This may be the year you decide to book guitar lessons in Houston or increase your practice so you can really improve. If you’re thinking about setting a goal in relation to playing guitar, here are a few resolutions to consider.
Practice More
This is a pretty common resolution for musicians, singers, guitar teachers and just about anyone who has a hobby that requires practice. If you really want to become better at playing the guitar, this is the resolution for you.
While lessons will teach you how to play, they won’t make you an experienced player. For that, you’ve got to put in the time. Your guitar playing skills are like a house: lessons form the foundation, but it’s practice that adds the walls, roof, and furnishings.
One thing to keep in mind when making a New Years’ resolution related to practicing the guitar: make it realistic. Don’t say you’re going to practice every day if you know that’s going to be difficult. You want to set a goal that you can achieve, not one that you’ll only keep up for a few weeks.
Join a Band
Perhaps 2020 is the year you take the plunge and join a band. You can start your own, or you can look for bands that are in need of a guitarist and audition to join. Either way, playing as a part of a group can be one way of taking your music to the next level.
You’ll learn that playing with others is different from playing guitar on your own, but it’s rewarding in different ways, too. You may even be able to make a little bit of money on the side if your band books some gigs.
Tackle Things You Find Difficult
You’ll never be able to improve your playing if you avoid those difficult chords and songs. If you’ve been putting off skills you find difficult, resolve to handle those items in 2020.
Master the rhythms, chords, and songs you haven’t been able to tackle before by practicing them over and over. While you may love playing the easy stuff, going after these challenges is even more rewarding.
Record Yourself
This doesn’t mean record your music to sell online or give away as gifts. Instead, recording yourself is a good educational tool that can help you improve playing.
However, many guitar players simply don’t do it. They might hate how they sound or be too embarrassed to listen to their own performances due to the mistakes made in them.
But listening to these mistakes, figuring out why you made them, and then working on those areas, is one of the best ways of improving your playing. If you don’t listen to yourself and analyze your mistakes, you won’t know how to overcome those issues.
Set a Long-Term Goal
When 2020 comes to an end, what do you want to say you’ve accomplished as far as your guitar playing goes? That’s your resolution for the year.
It may be to learn some specific songs or play at an open mic night. Whatever this goal is, write it down and keep it with your music or in your guitar case so you’ll see it often.
If Your Resolution is to Start Lessons, We’re Here to Help
If you want to learn how to play guitar this year, you’ve come to the right place. Our instructors will come to you, so you don’t have to leave your house. Contact us today to set up your first lesson.